Guitar Hero 3 Cheats: PS2, PS3 & Xbox 360
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock uses the same chord-based input method across PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Players enter codes through the Cheat Menu inside Options by holding fret buttons and strumming. This guide breaks down which cheats work on each console, what is exclusive, and what triggers platform-specific restrictions.
How to Enter Codes on All Three Platforms
- Navigate to Options from the main menu.
- Select Cheats, then Enter New Cheat.
- Hold the colored fret buttons and strum up or down for each note or chord.
- Parentheses indicate chords — hold all listed frets together, then strum once.
- After the full sequence is entered, the cheat unlocks and can be toggled in the Cheat Menu.
Legend: G = Green, R = Red, Y = Yellow, B = Blue, O = Orange.
Platform Compatibility Chart
The following table lists every cheat and marks whether it functions on PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360. Notes explain platform-specific behavior.
| Cheat | Input Sequence | PS2 | PS3 | Xbox 360 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Guitar | (BY) → (GY) → (GY) → (RB) → (RB) → (RY) → (RY) → (BY) → (GY) → (GY) → (RB) → (RB) → (RY) → (RY) → (GY) → (GY) → (RY) → (RY) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cosmetic only. |
| Bret Michaels Singer | (GR) → (GR) → (GR) → (GB) → (GB) → (GB) → (RB) → R → R → R → (RB) → R → R → R → (RB) → R → R → R | No | Yes | Yes | Not available on PS2. Replaces the singer on all songs. |
| Easy Expert | (GR) → (GY) → (YB) → (RB) → (BO) → (YO) → (RY) → (RB) | Yes | Yes | Yes | On Xbox 360, disables achievements until restart. Does not work in Career or online. |
| Hyperspeed | O → B → O → Y → O → B → O → Y | Yes | Yes | Yes | Press Green while highlighted to cycle speed levels 1–5. |
| Large Gems | G → R → G → Y → G → B → G → O → G → B → G → Y → G → R → G → (GR) → (RY) → (GR) → (YB) → (GR) → (BO) → (GR) → (YB) → (GR) → (RY) → (GR) → (GY) | Yes | No | No | PS2 and Wii exclusive. Doubles note size. |
| No Fail | (GR) → B → (GR) → (GY) → B → (GY) → (RY) → O → (RY) → (GY) → Y → (GY) → (GR) | Yes | Yes | Yes | On Xbox 360, disables achievements until restart. Does not work in Career or online. |
| Performance Mode | (RY) → (RB) → (RO) → (RB) → (RY) → (GB) → (RY) → (RB) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hides the highway and HUD. |
| Precision Mode | (GR) → (GR) → (GR) → (RY) → (RY) → (RB) → (RB) → (YB) → (YO) → (YO) → (GR) → (GR) → (GR) → (RY) → (RY) → (RB) → (RB) → (YB) → (YO) → (YO) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Shrinks timing window to 50 ms. Cannot be used with Easy Expert. |
| Unlock All Songs | (YO) → (RB) → (RO) → (GB) → (RY) → (YO) → (RY) → (RB) → (GY) → (GY) → (YB) → (YB) → (YO) → (YO) → (YB) → Y → R → (RY) → R → Y → O | Yes | Yes | Yes | Permanent. Unlocks every song in Quickplay. |
| Unlock Everything | (GRBO) → (GRYB) → (GRYO) → (GYBO) → (GRYB) → (RYBO) → (GRYB) → (GYBO) → (GRYB) → (GRYO) → (GRYO) → (GRYB) → (GRYO) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Permanent. Unlocks all characters, guitars, and Quickplay songs. |
Xbox 360 Achievement Warnings
On Xbox 360, activating Easy Expert or No Fail disables Gamerscore unlocking for the current session. The restriction lifts after restarting the game. Scores earned while any cheat is active are not submitted to online leaderboards.
Entering Unlock Everything and then visiting the Career mode store instantly unlocks four achievements:
- Axe Collector
- Burnin' a Hole in Your Pocket
- Got 'em All
- Track Master
PS2 Exclusive Features
The Large Gems cheat is the only platform-locked code, and it is available only on PlayStation 2 and Wii. It does not function on PS3 or Xbox 360. Additionally, the No Fail cheat contains a known glitch on PS2 and Wii that allows it to function in Co-op Career mode, despite the in-game description stating otherwise.
PS3 Specifics
PlayStation 3 supports every cheat except Large Gems. The Bret Michaels Singer code works on PS3, making Bret Michaels the default vocalist on all tracks. Without the cheat, he only appears during Talk Dirty to Me and Go That Far.
Controller Input Tips
- On all three platforms, four-note and five-note chords in the Unlock Everything code produce no audio feedback. This is normal — the input still registers.
- Strumming is mandatory after every note or chord. Simply pressing frets without strumming does not count.
- On Xbox 360 and PS3 wireless guitars, ensure the controller is synced before entering the Cheat Menu to avoid dropped inputs.
Unlockable Content by Platform
The following unlockables are earned identically across PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360. All require purchasing from the in-game store after meeting the condition.
| Unlockable | Requirement | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Morello | Defeat in first Career boss battle | $10,000 |
| Slash | Defeat in second Career boss battle | $10,000 |
| Lou | Defeat in final Career boss battle | $15,000 |
| Through the Fire and Flames | Defeat Lou in final battle | Free (bonus song list) |
| Moon Shot Guitar | Complete Career on Easy | Store purchase |
| Saint George Guitar | Complete Career on Medium | Store purchase |
| Rojimbo Guitar | Complete Career on Hard | Store purchase |
| Risk Assessment Guitar | Complete Career on Expert | Store purchase |
Safety Tips and Best Practices
- On Xbox 360, restart the game after using Easy Expert or No Fail if planning to earn achievements in the next session.
- Unlock All Songs and Unlock Everything cannot be toggled off. Use them only if the goal is immediate access to the full library.
- Easy Expert and Precision Mode are mutually exclusive. Activating one disables the other.
- Most togglable cheats can be turned on or off by selecting them in the Cheat Menu and pressing the Green fret button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do PS2 cheat codes work on PS3?
Most do, with the exception of Large Gems, which is PS2 and Wii only. The Bret Michaels Singer code is also absent from the PS2 build.
Why do four-note chords not make sound?
The game engine does not play audio for four-note and five-note chords during cheat entry. This is intentional and does not indicate a failed input.
Can cheats be used in online multiplayer?
No. Easy Expert and No Fail are disabled during online play on all platforms. Cosmetic cheats such as Air Guitar may function locally but do not affect competitive scoring.
Does using cheats corrupt save data?
No. Cheat activation is stored separately and does not damage save files. However, permanent unlocks like Unlock Everything cannot be reversed without starting a new Career.
Conclusion
Guitar Hero III cheat functionality is nearly identical across PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, with only two exceptions: the PS2-exclusive Large Gems code and the PS3/Xbox 360-exclusive Bret Michaels Singer code. Xbox 360 players should be mindful of the temporary achievement lock triggered by Easy Expert and No Fail. By following the chord sequences exactly and understanding platform boundaries, players can unlock the full cheat suite efficiently on any console.
