Sound System, a new rhythm game from developers behind Guitar Hero, Rock Band and DJ Hero, is set to launch on Steam on Oct. 16, 2026.
We all remember the excitement of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, so hearing that a new game in that genre is set to launch this year is exciting, and it seems the release of Sound System is not that far off. Echo Foundry Interactive has locked in a release date for Sound System, its upcoming rhythm game built by veterans of the Guitar Hero, Rock Band and DJ Hero franchises. The game will arrive on Steam on Oct. 16, 2026, priced at $24.99 US.
The San Francisco-based indie studio is pitching Sound System as a fresh take on the classic five-fret guitar experience, and from the looks of things, it is capturing the essence perfectly. Players can shred on guitar, hold down the bass, or sing vocals using a keyboard, controller, compatible guitar peripheral (if you still have one) or microphone. It is said to support both local split-screen and online play, with co-op band performances featuring shared multipliers and head-to-head competitive modes where players battle for stage control.
At launch, the game will ship with more than 50 songs spanning legendary covers, established indie acts and up-and-coming bands. The idea is to blend familiar hits with newer tracks to help players discover fresh music. Core songs from indie and emerging artists will be free, while studio covers will run $0.99 US each. Echo Foundry also plans to roll out regular DLC drops, including exclusive monthly single releases and rotating content in the store.
If that were not enough, the game is set to feature a unique feature known as the PulseMap Editor, which the studio describes as “Mario Maker meets Guitar Hero.” The built-in tool lets players upload their own music, build note charts from scratch or tweak existing ones. Artists can bring original tracks into the game, and players can share their creations with friends. It is a move that puts community creativity at the centre of the experience, sidestepping the licensing hurdles that have historically limited rhythm games.
If all of that were not enough, Sound System lets you control how sessions look and feel, giving you a highly tailored experience. Custom note highways, static and full-motion video backgrounds, scoring widgets and bundled visual themes all let players shape their own performance space.
Sound System is available to wishlist now on Steam, so get your plastic instruments ready and prepare to rock.
