The Guitar Hero series is primarily classified as a rhythm video game series.
Its central mechanic is timing the player’s input to music. Players use a guitar-shaped controller, or standard controls in some versions, to match colored note patterns scrolling toward a target line. Successful timing builds a score and multiplier, while missed notes reduce performance. That music-and-timing structure places Guitar Hero in the rhythm-game genre.
The series also includes elements of action, simulation, and music performance, and individual entries may be described with secondary labels such as music game or rhythm-action game. Those additional descriptions do not replace rhythm as the broad canonical genre classification. Guitar Hero is therefore not primarily a puzzle, shooter, or platform series.
The franchise began with the original Guitar Hero on PlayStation 2 in 2005. Harmonix developed the early games, while RedOctane supplied publishing and guitar-controller expertise. After Activision acquired RedOctane, later installments expanded the formula with larger song libraries, additional instruments, downloadable content, and licensed performer appearances.