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‘Stage Tour’ Looks To Revive Guitar Hero’s Golden Era On Switch 2
A new rhythm game called Stage Tour, created by veterans of the Guitar Hero and DJ Hero franchises, has been confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2. Due for release towards the end of 2026, it aims to revive the "golden era" of rhythm games for a new generation of players, though it faces competition from established free-to-play rivals such as Fortnite Festival.
The game will support guitar, microphone and drum peripherals, launching alongside official Kramer guitar controllers, with third-party options such as CRKD's guitar range also expected to be compatible. A substantial licensed setlist has already been announced, featuring artists including BABYMETAL, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, Avril Lavigne, Paramore and Slipknot. Nintendo Life says it will continue reporting updates as the release date approaches, including any further additions to the track list.
In short
- Stage Tour, a new rhythm game, is confirmed for Switch 2
- Launches late 2026 with guitar, mic and drum support
- Faces competition from free rivals like Fortnite Festival
Explained simply
Rhythm games are video games where players perform along to music using controllers shaped like instruments such as guitars and drums. Guitar Hero became a massive commercial and cultural phenomenon in the 2000s, making this type of gaming mainstream entertainment.
The genre's popularity declined sharply during the 2010s but has recently shown signs of resurgence, with titles like Fortnite Festival attracting significant player numbers. This renewed interest suggests that there remains substantial appetite for rhythm-based gaming experiences.
The developers of this new title previously created Guitar Hero and DJ Hero, two major rhythm game franchises from the 2000s and 2010s. Their background gives them significant expertise in designing games within this category.