"Guitar Hero"
The original "Guitar Hero" was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. The original game is not compatible with the "Rock Band" guitar controller. However, the original guitar controller for "Guitar Hero" is compatible with "Rock Band."
"Guitar Hero 2"
The sequel "Guitar Hero 2" was released for the PS2 in 2006. "Guitar Hero Encore: Rock the 80s," released in 2007, uses a nearly identical game engine as "Guitar Hero 2." It was the final "Guitar Hero" game developed by Harmonix. Neither of these games is compatible with the "Rock Band" controller.
"Guitar Hero 3"
"Guitar Hero 3" was the first main series game to be developed by Neversoft. It was released in 2007. It is also the first game to feature instrument compatibility with the "Rock Band" guitar controller. "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith," released in 2008, uses a similar game engine to "Guitar Hero 3." It also is compatible with the "Rock Band" guitar controller.
"Guitar Hero: World Tour"
"Guitar Hero: World Tour" is the fourth game in the main series. It was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2008. "Guitar Hero: Metallica" and "Guitar Hero: Smash Hits" use a similar game engine to "Guitar Hero: World Tour." All three of these games are compatible with the "Rock Band" guitar controller.
"Guitar Hero 5"
"Guitar Hero 5" was released in 2009 for the PS2. "Guitar Hero: Van Halen" is an expansion game with a similar game engine that was released in 2009. Both of these games are compatible with the "Rock Band" controller. The game also has a vocalist and drummer part similar to "Rock Band." The instrument compatibility for "Guitar Hero 5" also includes the microphone and drum controllers.