Standalone Guitar Hero Controllers Incoming
World Tour Drum Kit and Guitars Hit Shelves This Weekend
Feb 12, 2009
Standalone wireless versions of both the Guitar Hero drum kit controller and the guitar controller will soon be available. Both controllers are designed to work with Activision’s current Guitar Hero release, Guitar Hero World Tour and will also work with the upcoming Guitar Hero: Metallica.
Controller Details
The drum kit features three drum pads, two raised cymbal pads and a bass kick pedal.
The drum pads are velocity-sensitive, meaning they respond to the amount of force that’s used to hit them and provide a natural bounce that’s characteristic of real drums.
In addition, the drum kit can be expanded with an additional bass kick pedal, which will be usable in the upcoming Guitar Hero: Metallica.
The guitar controller, which is compatible with all previous Guitar Hero releases, includes a touch-sensitive slide on the neck, allowing players to create freestyle guitar solos. Both controllers had previously only been available for purchase as part of a bundle with the Guitar Hero World Tour game.
The drum controller retails for $99.99 and the guitar controller retails for $69.99.
Guitar Hero Details
Like its main competitor, Rock Band, Guitar Hero World Tour was Activision’s first Guitar Hero release that expanded beyond the guitar to feature a full band experience, including drums and vocals.
The game differs from its competitor in that it features a music creation mode, allowing players to flex their own musical muscles and create their own songs.
Guitar Hero World Tour has been a smashing success, selling more than 500,000 units in its first month of release.
The game features music from popular artists including Nirvana, Ozzy Osbourne, The Foo Fighters, Van Halen and R.E.M. Additional songs can be purchased as DLC via the Xbox Live Marketplace or PlayStation Network Store.
The Guitar Hero franchise has pulled in more than $1 billion for Activision and Red Octane, the game’s original publisher.
First released on the PS2 in 2005 and originally developed by Rock Band developer, Harmonix, the franchise has become one of the most popular gaming franchises of all time.
Activision purchased Red Octane in 2006 and moved development of the game to its internal studio, Neversoft.
Many attribute its success to its ability to break down the gamer barrier and allow for an enjoyable experience for traditional and non-traditional gamers alike.
Guitar Hero: Metallica
The next release on the Guitar Hero slate is Guitar Hero: Metallica, which is scheduled for release on March 29, 2009.
The game will feature 28 songs from the title band as well as songs from additional artists including Queen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Judas Priest and Slayer.
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