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Once you're the king, you're always the king.

I have played "Rock Band," and I think it's innovative, but when you're the champ, as long as you keep the masses happy, you're in the driver's seat.

Say hello to "Guitar Hero III."

I'll give "Rock Band" its due. Yes, its instruments are sweet. But Harmonix, the original creator of "Guitar Hero," won't even allow for "Rock Band" controllers to be used on "GH III."

However, you can use "GH III" controllers on "Rock Band." How do I know? A friend of mine busted his whammy bar on his "Rock Band" Fender controller. He sent it off to EA and used his "GH III" wireless guitar controller with the game. Unacceptable.

Red Octane, which developed this installment of "GH III" added two real rockers — guitar player Slash, of Guns N' Roses fame, and Tom Morello, formerly of the Rage against the Machine. In other words, this game has real rockers, real remixed songs and let's not even mention the "Halo 3" Rock remix song for "Hero."

You miss your old wired X-Plorer controller from "GH II?" Use it on "GH III."

The funniest thing about this game's hot success? The sticker price. You can use your old X-Plorer guitar and buy the standalone game — and save some cash.

Want "Rock Band?" That'll be $169.99, plus tax. You can also buy the standalone version of "Rock Band" for $59.99 without instruments.

And while "Rock Band" can give four folks the opportunity to jam, you'll need a bunch of space. With "GH III," all you need is a little space to shred.

The votes are in — the wildly popular "Guitar Hero" series still is smoking on the charts. "Rock Band?" Not so much.

Who needs to start a band when you and your guitar can become a legend?

"GH III" for the win.