Video Game Gift Battles

Rhythm (aka Fake plastic guitars redux)

Rock Band 4

PS4, Xbox One ($130, game and guitar)

Guitar Hero Live

PS4, Xbox One, Wii U ($100, game and guitar)

If you thought those plastic guitars were going the way of the dodo with the rise of current gen consoles, fear not! The two flagship rhythm-game series are back. Rock Band 4 offers minor tweaks to the core mechanics and play options. Best of all, you can access songs purchased with previous Rock Band games. Guitar Hero has thrown out the rules they made with a redesigned guitar and full-motion video backdrops. The MTV-like channels take some getting used to, but offer real moments of new music discovery.

Winner: Guitar Hero Live

Everyone has a preference. Rock Band is the better party game, but the changes GHL made are bold and, for the most part, inspired.