Stage Tour Sets December 10 Launch Date with 90-Song Roster and Premium Hardware Bundles

Key points

• Stage Tour launches on December 10, 2026, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
• The game features over 90 songs, including tracks from Metallica, Megadeth, Slipknot, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Cure.
• Official hardware peripherals are available for pre-order, including Kramer guitars, drum kits, and microphones, with a full band kit bundle priced at $299.99.
• CRKD has released three Gibson-branded controller models: the Les Paul Oxblood Edition, SG Midnight Blue Edition, and 8K Gibson Explorer, with polling rates up to 8,000Hz.
• The game supports local multiplayer for up to four players, online co-op, and cross-platform leaderboards, with difficulty settings ranging from Easy to Expert Plus for drums.

Background

Stage Tour is developed by RedOctane Games, a studio staffed by veterans of the original Guitar Hero and DJ Hero franchises. Previous coverage noted that the game’s Xbox achievement list was revealed in late August 2026, highlighting challenging milestones such as completing a Stage Legend Tour. The game aims to revive the rhythm game genre, which saw a decline after the peak of the Guitar Hero era in the mid-2000s.

How outlets are covering it

Theprp.com emphasizes the breadth of the song roster, highlighting the inclusion of diverse genres from thrash metal to pop-punk, and notes partnerships with Gibson, Kramer, Epiphone, and Mesa Boogie for in-game instruments. Game Informer focuses on the commercial aspect, detailing pre-order bundle prices and noting that a game and guitar bundle costs $129.99, while a full band kit is $299.99. Engadget provides technical specifics on the CRKD Gibson controllers, detailing polling rates and platform compatibility, and notes that the Explorer model will not ship until mid-January 2027. All three sources agree on the December 10 release date and the 90+ song count, but differ in their emphasis on hardware pricing versus song variety.

Why it matters

Stage Tour represents a significant return to the rhythm game genre, which has been largely dormant since the mid-2010s. The involvement of RedOctane Games, the original developers of Guitar Hero, lends credibility to the project. The high price point for hardware bundles may impact consumer adoption, but the extensive song roster and official partnerships with major music brands suggest a serious attempt to recapture the market.

What to watch

Additional tracks are expected to be revealed at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. The CRKD Gibson Explorer controller is scheduled to ship in mid-January 2027, while other hardware will be available on the December 10 release date. The game’s performance and reception will likely determine the future of the rhythm game genre.