The latest installment of the Rock Band franchise hits shelves today in the form of "Rock Band 3." It's just the latest of a string of new music-based videogames coming out in time for the holiday sales season. But are gamers still interested in the music-game category?

Sales of music-based games are down 50% over last year, and last year was 40% lower than the year before. So which of this year's titles are going to buck this trend, and which will add to it?

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

"Rock Band 3" (Oct. 26)
Publisher: MTV Games

MTV Games and developer Harmonix keep the innovations coming in the music game genre. For the third installment of "Rock Band," they take a big leap with the addition of a 25-key keyboard controller. It opens up both increased revenue through the sale of a new peripheral and an expanded catalog of songs that includes keyboard-heavy tracks from the Doors ("Break On Through [To the Other Side]") and Dire Straits ("Walk of Life").

"Dance Central" (Nov. 4)
Publisher: MTV Games

The dance game is considered a "must have" for anyone buying Microsoft's motion-based Kinect controller for the Xbox 360 console. Microsoft is projecting worldwide Kinect sales of about 3 million units through the end of the year. Analysts expect almost anyone buying the Kinect to also pick up a copy of "Dance Central," one of the most anticipated game titles using the controller.

Next: The Jury's Still Out on These Games