Mason has discovered Guitar Hero III. I have owned Guitar Hero for the PS2 for a while now, and have had Guitar Hero III for the Wii for several months. Mason tried it when I first got it, found it too hard, and discarded it. Apparently, one of the Mason’s teachers has been bringing their Xbox 360 up to daycare along with Guitar Hero, and now he’s hooked. He’s played Guitar Hero at home every night this week.

Guitar Hero has four levels: easy, medium, hard, and expert. I beat the game on easy and medium and can’t get anywhere on hard. In a week’s time, Mason’s already working his way through the easy mode and I suspect he’ll move up to medium before long. It’s both exciting and depressing to see your six-year-old’s gaming skills approach your own.

The best thing about Guitar Hero is the music. Mason’s been walking around the house singing Heart’s “Barracuda,” Pat Benetar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen,” and KISS’s “Rock and Roll All Nite.” I’m sure if I played any one of those songs for him in the car I would’ve received my usual treatment — an eyeroll, followed by a request for Kidz Bop or High School Musical. Somehow though, these Guitar Hero songs are “cool,” so it’s a win/win. I’m sure Dad will be impressed the next time he hear’s Mason humming Cream’s “Sunshine of your Love.”