CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As far as I'm concerned, music video games are only as good as the tracks included on the disc. If the songs aren't fun to play, I'm not going to play them. That's why I was so excited to hear that one of my favorite bands of all time, Metallica, had signed on to appear in its own "Guitar Hero" game.

I can't count the number of times I've banged on my steering wheel like Lars Ulrich while listening to "Sad But True" or "One" while driving to work. Or the times I've sung along with James Hetfield during "Enter Sandman" or "The Memory Remains" -- again, while riding in my car.

Now thanks to "Guitar Hero: Metallica" I can rock out in the privacy of my own home.

"Guitar Hero: Metallica" features more than 25 songs from the band itself, spanning the group's entire career. The set list reads like a greatest hits collection of the band's work, from "Seek and Destroy" off the "Kill 'em All" album to fresh stuff of their most recent release, "Death Magnetic." "GH: Metallica" has enough variety to appease even the most diehard 'Tallica fan. More than 20 guest acts appear, ranging from classic rockers like Bob Seger and Lynyrd Skynyrd to more modern acts like Mastadon and Alice in Chains.

While the songs themselves are great to listen to, they're even more fun to play. Whether it's the shredding guitar solos by Kirk Hammett or Lars' insane drum fills, Metallica's musical style is the perfect fit for a video game. Not only does "GH: Metallica" feature some of the most enjoyable songs to play, but also some of the most difficult. I'm not the greatest "Guitar Hero" player out there, but I found a couple of the tracks, namely "Dyers Eve" and "Orion," to be downright humbling. And then there is the new Expert+ difficulty for drums, which adds a second bass pedal to the mix ... yeah, right! My hat's off to anyone who can survive that challenge.

Thankfully the career mode, which sees you follow the band around on their tour as you vie to become Metallica's opening act, doesn't force you complete every song in a set to advance. This makes it easier to complete the career mode and doesn't force you to repeat songs that you may struggle with.

While the music is certainly the most appealing feature of "GH: Metallica," it's certainly not the only noteworthy addition. The developers went above and beyond to fill the game with a ton of features that Metallica fans will surely appreciate. There are old tour and concert photos, bootleg concert videos, and the super-cool "Metallifacts" -- bits of info about a song that pop-up on screen while you watch the in-game avatars performing that track.

Visually, the game features motion-captured animations from the band members, along with stage lighting and pyro that looks like it was ripped straight from a live concert. Even the stage itself has been recreated to mimic the look and feel of a live Metallica show.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As far as I'm concerned, music video games are only as good as the tracks included on the disc. If the songs aren't fun to play, I'm not going to play them. That's why I was so excited to hear that one of my favorite bands of all time, Metallica, had signed on to appear in its own "Guitar Hero" game.

I can't count the number of times I've banged on my steering wheel like Lars Ulrich while listening to "Sad But True" or "One" while driving to work. Or the times I've sung along with James Hetfield during "Enter Sandman" or "The Memory Remains" -- again, while riding in my car.

Now thanks to "Guitar Hero: Metallica" I can rock out in the privacy of my own home.

"Guitar Hero: Metallica" features more than 25 songs from the band itself, spanning the group's entire career. The set list reads like a greatest hits collection of the band's work, from "Seek and Destroy" off the "Kill 'em All" album to fresh stuff of their most recent release, "Death Magnetic." "GH: Metallica" has enough variety to appease even the most diehard 'Tallica fan. More than 20 guest acts appear, ranging from classic rockers like Bob Seger and Lynyrd Skynyrd to more modern acts like Mastadon and Alice in Chains.

While the songs themselves are great to listen to, they're even more fun to play. Whether it's the shredding guitar solos by Kirk Hammett or Lars' insane drum fills, Metallica's musical style is the perfect fit for a video game. Not only does "GH: Metallica" feature some of the most enjoyable songs to play, but also some of the most difficult. I'm not the greatest "Guitar Hero" player out there, but I found a couple of the tracks, namely "Dyers Eve" and "Orion," to be downright humbling. And then there is the new Expert+ difficulty for drums, which adds a second bass pedal to the mix ... yeah, right! My hat's off to anyone who can survive that challenge.

Thankfully the career mode, which sees you follow the band around on their tour as you vie to become Metallica's opening act, doesn't force you complete every song in a set to advance. This makes it easier to complete the career mode and doesn't force you to repeat songs that you may struggle with.

While the music is certainly the most appealing feature of "GH: Metallica," it's certainly not the only noteworthy addition. The developers went above and beyond to fill the game with a ton of features that Metallica fans will surely appreciate. There are old tour and concert photos, bootleg concert videos, and the super-cool "Metallifacts" -- bits of info about a song that pop-up on screen while you watch the in-game avatars performing that track.

Visually, the game features motion-captured animations from the band members, along with stage lighting and pyro that looks like it was ripped straight from a live concert. Even the stage itself has been recreated to mimic the look and feel of a live Metallica show.

Without a doubt, "Guitar Hero: Metallica" is the most fun I've had with my plastic guitar. The music rocks and the game just oozes Metallica. If you're a fan of the band, this one is a must-have.

"Guitar Hero: Metallica"

Developer: Neversoft

Publisher: Activision/RedOctane

Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation ($59.99); Wii ($49.99)

Rating: T for teen

Score: 8.9/10