While hardcore gamers focus on the latest fantasy epic or violent thriller released in time for Christmas, two family friendly games were also launched yesterday, both aiming to hit a musical note.

Wii Music is the biggest release on the Nintendo Wii console before the holiday season. Players use the motion-senstive controllers to imitate about 60 different instruments. This includes everything from tapping at a piano via blowing a trumpet to scratching a DJ turntable.

Many people feel excluded from playing video games as they involve a flurry of button-tapping and incomprehensible on-screen action. Wii Music is the antithesis of that style of gaming – it is intuitive and easy to play. For example, waving your arm in a strumming action plays a guitar. Flicking your wrists up and down allows you to use the handbells.

But the game’s simplicity may be what makes it a slightly unsatisfying experience for even the casual gamer. It does not really feel as if you are handling an instrument, or playing a computer game. The violin takes more skill to play than just waving from side to side and there is an emphasis on “expressing yourself” rather than accumulating points. “Why bother?”, I found myself asking.

But then maybe the occasional game player is not the target audience here. My father, who is in his fifties, had never played a computer game. But he had a riot conducting a classical orchestra, becoming increasingly animated leading compositions by Strauss and Beethoven. It was hard to get the virtual baton out of his hands by the end of the night.

A far more enjoyable first-time experience, however, was playing Guitar Hero: World Tour, the latest instalment in the successful franchise. The game will be available on the Wii, Microsoft Xbox and PlayStation 3.

Within minutes of strapping on a plastic guitar, my inner rock star was unleashed. I bounced along to Beat It, by Michael Jackson, and strutted to Are You Gonna Go My Way, by Lenny Kravitz. You are booed for a poor performance but gain the adulation of the crowd for nailing a guitar solo.

Like the best computer games, Guitar Hero is a transformative experience. In reality, I was in a suit in my front room playing with a plastic toy. In my mind, I was wearing a headband and jeans, leading a great rock band. With Guitar Hero, you forget yourself and your surroundings and have an awful lot of fun in the process.