GameStop, announced today it will host events on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at approximately 400 of its U.S. stores in celebration of the midnight launch for Guitar Hero: Metallica. Likewise, more than 2,600 stores on Sunday, March 29, will open early at 9 a.m. to begin their celebration of the video game release.

GameStop, the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, has created several fun activities to commemorate the launch of this next edition in the successful Guitar Hero family. These activities include:

• Guitar Hero in-store tournaments – test your fretting skills on songs from the Guitar Hero series.
• “Air Guitar” challenges – show off your best pull-offs and hammer-ons to popular Metallica and Metallica-inspired songs. Since true air guitar is an art form, not an actual skill, GameStop customers will vote on the winners in each participating store.
• “Total Head Banger” impersonation contests – GameStop challenges you to dress up like your favorite Metallica band member. The best look-a-likes will be eligible for prizes.
• Trivia challenges – find out how well you know the ins and outs of Metallica.

Guitar Hero: Metallica will be available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii platforms. GameStop locations hosting midnight launch events will open after 10 p.m. local time on March 28; however, customers are encouraged to contact their local store to confirm the exact start time for the events.