Guitar Hero II rocks in November

Acclaimed PS2 axeman Guitar Hero will see a follow-up ready to shreddy this November according to latest word from developer RedOctane.

The original Guitar Hero is already regarded as a PS2 cult classic and has launched a thousand air guitar renditions of rawk standards since its launch this April, with the innovative guitar controller adding some real crotch-thrusting moves to wannabes who don't want to go through that lengthy and exhaustive process of learning chords, scales or riffs.

The launch in November will follow hot on the heels of the US release, and it's a fast turn around for the sequel to the game which has become an instant party classic.

We're absolutely overjoyed to be able to announce that the European release is as close to the US street date we can possibly make it," says Dave Noble, business development director for RedOctane. "RedOctane is now in a position to be able to deliver Guitar Hero II to games players all over the world at roughly the same time - and we're committed to ensuring the widest possible range of tunes to anyone with a Guitar Hero Gibson SG controller."

As you'll note from Mr Noble's words, Guitar Hero II will come complete with the replica Gibson SG controller, although it will be available on a standalone CD for owners of the original game. Rather disappointingly, there's no word on what the track line-up is likely to be, though RedOctane is promising 'a heady mix of contemporary and classic rock, plus a few surprises'.

Guns n' Roses Sweet Child o' Mine is widely rumoured to be one of the key tracks, but given the game's illustrious heritage, we're sure there'll be more Monsters of Rock to come - more Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, we say! Be sure to give us your tracklist suggestions in the comments field below.