The 'Guitar Hero' series, spawned from the 'Guitar Freaks' arcade game, has become a major player in gaming, so taking it to handheld consoles is an obvious move.

However, because many developers jump on the DS bandwagon without devoting proper development time to the games, one cannot help but approach 'Guitar Hero: On Tour' with trepidation.

In any 'Guitar Hero' game there are two core elements that need to be done well: the controller and the songs. Thankfully, 'On Tour' excels in both categories.

Having a massive guitar as a controller for a handheld game would obviously defeat the purpose, so something a little more compact was needed for 'On Tour'. From the pick-holder to the adjustable strap, it's clear that Vicarious Visions did its homework.

One downside is that the controller is still bulky. If your hands are on the small side, you'll also have trouble reaching all the buttons with your fingers. Speaking of hand-related issues, extended play will quite likely result in hand cramps. Although not bad enough to stop you from playing, it is quite annoying.

For rhythm action games like 'Guitar Hero' is variety in songs, and the series has always been known for its great song line-up. With artists like Nirvana, Daughtry and Maroon 5 on board, you're sure to find a song to your liking in 'On Tour'.

The real miracle on the DS version, however, is the sheer amount of songs that the developers managed to fit onto the DS cartridge — 26 tracks in all, including one bonus track. Twenty of these songs are exclusive to the DS version, while six appeared in previous titles in the series.

The sound quality of the tracks is not crystal clear, due to the DS's tinny speakers, but gets the job done as well as one could expect it to. Having played the game using an amplifier, I'm pleased to say it holds up very well!

The gameplay in 'On Tour' is pretty straightforward: you tap the appropriate colour buttons on the controller during a song, while strumming along using the DS's touch screen, simulating a guitar.

Once you've built up enough "star power" in a special meter, you have to shout into the DS microphone to activate it, doubling your score. For those too self-conscious to shout, there's always the option of using a button instead. While many critics would say this option feels forced, it suits the game perfectly, especially when playing with friends.

The learning curve is not too steep and within a few minutes you'll be jamming and grinding, aided by the very good tutorial. The easier difficulty is just that, but crank it up a notch and the notes will be flying by you. Trying to get all the notes will become a hair-ripping test of your reflexes.

Once you've learned the basics, it's time to hit the career mode where you get to play as one of six rockers. 'On Tour' also features many brands of guitars to choose from — while the only difference is aesthetically, it's a pleasant distraction nonetheless.

Even by the DS's standards — which isn't exactly known for its graphical prowess — the game doesn't look all that good. With blocky character models and a dark screen, there's not much good to look at and you'll be left wanting a bit more graphically.

Multiplayer works great in 'On Tour' with Guitar Duel being loads of fun. In addition to Guitar Duel, there is also a cooperative mode.

'Guitar Hero: On Tour' proves that rhythm-action games can be good on the DS. If the let-downs in the graphics and controller departments can be dealt with properly, then follow-up titles — such as the upcoming 'Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades' — will be even better.

Seeing as 'Decades' is scheduled for a release later in the year, you might want to consider holding out for it.

This review is based on a special review version of the game, which had fewer songs than the retail version, but did include the 'Guitar Hero' controller for the DS.