The last few weeks have been a blur in more aspects than one. Work is hectic, my second job is hectic and my gaming life is hectic.

Well, the last part I guess is my own fault. After all, it's my choice whether or not I pick up that controller.

Only thing is, for the last few days it feels like it's not my choice. I feel compelled to pick up that controller. Especially when the controller is guitar shaped!

I've been rocking out to Guitar Hero III for the past week or two and I have to say, I am hooked.

Now normally I'm not the type of person to go for all these peripherals as I think they are over-priced.

This deal at Take2 clinched it for me though. R270 for a Xbox 360 Guitar Hero Les Paul wireless controller. So I bought two.

This is the definitive guitar to get. It is compatible with every Guitar Hero game from number 3 upwards as well as the Rock Band series of games, which simply means I will not have to buy any other controllers for different games. Let's just hope that other prospective manufacturers of music/rhythm games have the same common sense to make their games compatible with these controllers as well.

Then there was a minor search for a pre-played copy of... well, ANY guitar compatible game! Finally found a copy of GHIII for a reasonable price and went home.

That was almost two weeks ago. So far I've finished the game on Easy mode, finishing all 42 songs with a 5-star rating. Last night I completed all the songs on Medium mode, with about 3 songs that I haven't been able to achieve a 5-star rating yet.

While I am enjoying the game, there is one or two things that I have a gripe about.

I'm sure that first impressions with most parents when they see the plastic guitars are that it's a childrens toy. Let me assure you, it is not.

Just taking Guitar Hero III for example, you have an artists list that includes Slayer, Iron Maiden and Tenacious D. These are definitely not kid-friendly artists.

I'm already on a mission where I am doing Google searches for the lyrics to make sure which songs the nephews and nieces can play next time they come for a visit.

It does not stop at the lyrics though. You can argue that you almost never hear the lyrics as you are concentrating on the rhythm and timing of the beat.

That's all fine and well and it might be true (although I think you give your kids too little credit), but can your 10-year old also miss the fact that the later levels are filled with demonic symbology and skeletons and lady devils dancing around, etc. For goodness sakes, the final guitar battle is against a devil look-a-like character called "Lou". The avatars are either prancing around in leather stockings or have piercings in all sorts of places you didn't think was possible.

Let's not forget that the latest generation of music/rhythm games include a full band setup. Guitars, drums and microphones. There's no ignoring the lyrics now! They are on the screen for you to sing to!

According to the ESRB the game warrants a "Teen" rating, which means that kids of 13 years or older are allowed to play it.

Bless the ESRB, I believe they do a great job and they have helped me make some informed decisions in the past with regards to my choice of games. I do believe they should have thought a bit longer about this one though.

I'm not laying the blame at the ESRB's feet though. Quite frankly, I don't know who's fault it should be.

The track list suggests them targeting an older audience, who enjoyed these songs when they were in high school or university. Why then are we seeing so many 10 year olds with these plastic instruments in their hands?

Do we blame the publishers for targeting the wrong audience? Do we blame parents for leaving their young ones in front of the tube with anything their little hearts desire?

Is it so hard to believe that this type of game would so easily be able to target other types of music? Imagine a Guitar Hero game with good contemporary Christian rock music. Bands like Casting Crowns, David Crowder Band and Kutless are great bands with great sounding guitar pieces on most of their tracks.

I say "imagine", while others say "done". A Christian entertainment company called Digital Praise has done just that. They've created a Guitar Hero clone with a track list filled with good Christian rock! Check out Guitar Praise and the amazing track list!

So why haven't I got that yet? Simple. They've made a bad marketing decision. They've decided to market their own brand of guitars that are NOT compatible with any of the Guitar Hero or Rock Band games. The problem is made worse by the fact that neither Rock Band or Guitar Hero guitars work on their game. They are obviously targeting gamers like myself who have always wondered about getting Christian tracks into my favourite Guitar Hero games. If they are targeting gamers like myself, would it not be quite evident then that I would have my own guitars already?!

"You would get it if it meant that much to you". It still does mean that much to me, but money does not grow on my back. I would have to import these guitars from the United States as well.

Not only that, but I still stick with my point that the publishers behind Guitar Hero and Rock Band can do more about the situation than independent developers like Digital Praise. Even Tycho from Penny Arcade fame has mentioned that he has bothered the publishers to add Christian tracks, even if it is in his usual but unique invective-filled style.

There seems to be a small light on the horizon though! There are companies starting to realise that their target audience is a large one. Harmonix, the developers behind the Rock Band series of games, is bringing us Lego Rock Band this holiday season! So instead of fat, pierced men prancing around on stage, you have Lego versions of Blur and Iggy Pop. Instead of tracks like "Number of the Beast" and "Metal", you have "Ghostbusters" and "Kung Fu Fighting". I am thorougly looking forward to this game. For the nephews of course! Why would I play something as childish as this? *grin*

So enough moaning. I am enjoying the game thoroughly and I'm sure the kids will enjoy the (few) songs that I deem to be kid-friendly. Of course, this includes censoring the stage options and the avatars. But hey, at least they can play Ruby from the Kaiser Chiefs.

Now if only I can finish Through the Fire and the Flames on the Hard difficulty!