The greatest bands of all time have stamped their names in the music history books and changed cultures. Their music stands the test of time and is still played and enjoyed by people the world over.
Many bands also leave their mark in other areas such as art, fashion, and fiction. A select few have also seen their music cross over into gaming culture, with game designers using their tracks to enhance players gaming experience, such as Eminem’s ‘Won’t Back Down’ used in the game Call of Duty: Black Ops.
But the ultimate accolade for any band is to have a game made about them. Here’s our run down of the best band themed games ever made
The Beatles: Rock Band
Artist: The Beatles
Released: 2009
There’s no better place to start than the (arguably) greatest band of all time, The Beatles. With 11 Grammy’s, 15 Ivor Novello’s, 17 NME awards, and 20 Billboard number ones to their name, it’s no surprise they had a game made about this famous Merseyside quartet.
In 2009, Harmonix Music Systems, with the help of George Harrison’s son and acclaimed Beatles impersonators, released The Beatles: Rock Band. The result is a wonderful homage to four music legends.
The game was the fourth instalment in the Rock Band series and its first ever band-centric game. It featured depictions of some of The Beatles famous live performances as well as dream sequences of songs from the Abbey Road Studios recording sessions.
It may be a little short, but with 45 Beatles songs making up the game's soundtrack, there’s no way this title was ever going to be anything other than a smash hit.
Guns N’ Roses
Artist: Guns N’ Roses
Released: 2023
Whether you’re a fan on Guns N’ Roses or just enjoy playing slots online, this game is for you. This immersive, musical masterpiece pays tribute to one of the greatest ever bands ever and features a 5x3 reel layout with 20 paylines. It’s a medium volatility game with the maximum win set at x1,250 your stake.
The action takes place on stage in front of a pumped crowd and bright lights. You can even select from five songs to make up your set list. Classics such as Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine, Chinese Democracy, November Rain, and Paradise City, all feature in the background to add to the immersive atmosphere.
With excellent graphics, seven bonus features, a high RTP rate and simple gameplay and navigation, the Guns ‘N’ Roses slot game from NetEnt is perfect for players of all abilities.
Spice World
Artist: Spice Girls
Released: 1998
The Spice Girls spiced up the life of many a pop fan in the 1990’s, as girl power took the world by storm. Their success saw the release of “Spice World” the movie in 1997, quickly followed by the release of the video game Spice World in 1998.
The PlayStation title focused on preparing the group for a TV performance, with players picking the setlist, clothes, choreography, and even operating the camera! The game featured several Spice Girl hits, as well as over 30 minutes of band interviews and performances.
Aerosmith Revolution X
Artist: Aerosmith
Released: 1994
This rail shooter video game, developed by Midway, was released in arcades in 1994 and became a critical and commercial success. It is themed around the American rock band Aerosmith and their lead singer Steven Tyler.
The year is 1996, and the evil New Order Nation have banned all forms of music, television, magazines, and video games. Aerosmith have been kidnapped and players must use a mounted gun to shoot the enemy and rescue the individual band members that are hidden throughout the game.
Featuring a brilliant soundtrack, immersive graphics, and a crazy storyline, this bonkers game remains a lot of fun to play.
Britney’s Dance Beat
Artist: Britney Spears
Released: 2002
Britney Spears has sold over 150 million records worldwide and is her one of the world's best-selling music artists. Her success in the late 90’s early noughties, saw her crowned the “Princess of Pop” and earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Critics argue that Britney’s Dance Beat was the first artist-endorsed game to receive both commercial and critical acclaim. Players were charged with following Britney’s dance moves by pressing a variation of buttons, as they tried out for a spot on Britney’s dance crew.
Originally released on Game Boy Advance, PC, and PlayStation 2, this title remains a classic of its time.