A whole slew of gamers are awkwardly strumming their Nintendo DS systems this week as Activision announces the tremendous success of Guitar Hero: On Tour. According to the publisher the title has sold over 300,000 copies since its release, making it Activision's largest North American DS launch eight times over. CEO of Activision Publishing Mike Griffith took the opportunity to try and sell a couple more.

?Guitar Hero is one of the most successful entertainment properties and continues to push the boundaries of innovation with Guitar Hero: On Tour,? said Mike Griffith, President and Chief Executive Officer, Activision Publishing, Inc. ?The game?s breakthrough peripheral brings the Guitar Hero experience to the 41 million DS users in North America and Europe, where they can play anywhere, anytime.?

I almost bought the game myself, but $50 for a limited set of songs and a chance to look ridiculous on public transportation didn't quite add up for me. For me, Guitar Hero: On Tour will always be the game that made me feel much better about strumming a full-sized plastic guitar.

Guitar Hero®: On Tour Sets Activision North American Retail Sales Record
Activision?s Largest Nintendo DS? Launch

SANTA MONICA, Calif.?(BUSINESS WIRE)?Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced Guitar Hero®: On Tour has sold in excess of 300,000 units in North America in the first seven days since its launch, making it the largest North American launch for the Nintendo DS? in the company?s history by more than a factor of eight. In addition, Guitar Hero: On Tour?s performance ranks it as one of Activision?s top 5 best-selling launches of any title on any platform in the company?s history.

Guitar Hero: On Tour brings the popular Guitar Hero franchise to the handheld platforms for the first time delivering a unique gaming experience and challenging handheld gamers to prove their skills on the most diverse set list of master tracks ever offered in a Guitar Hero game.

?Guitar Hero is one of the most successful entertainment properties and continues to push the boundaries of innovation with Guitar Hero: On Tour,? said Mike Griffith, President and Chief Executive Officer, Activision Publishing, Inc. ?The game?s breakthrough peripheral brings the Guitar Hero experience to the 41 million DS users in North America and Europe, where they can play anywhere, anytime.?

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $2.9 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, www.activision.com.