Competing video games "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" each scored a coup this week, with the former announcing a forthcoming Metallica [ tickets ] edition, and the latter cutting a deal with Pearl Jam [ tickets ] for use of that group's debut album, "Ten."

"Yes, we know, it's the worst kept secret in rock-n-roll but we're here now to finally confirm that there will indeed be an all-Metallica 'Guitar Hero' game released in the first half of 2009," Metallica announced via a message posted at its website. "'Guitar Hero: Metallica' will allow you to play as us in either single instrument or band career game modes in your choice of some famous settings (Tushino Airfield anyone?) or new venues with in the round staging."

The announcement goes on to say that the game will include 28 Metallica songs, as well as "a few from some of our buddies, [such] as Alice in Chains, the Foo Fighters, Slayer, Machine Head and Queen."

Meanwhile, MTV Games and Harmonix, makers of "Guitar Hero" competitor "Rock Band," announced yesterday that Pearl Jam's "Ten" will be available for download from the Rock Band Music Store on March 24, 2009. As reported last week, the band plans to release a revamped version of the album on that same date.