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Guitar Hero II 360 wired for 2007

RedOctane confirms first non-PS2 iteration of popular rhythm game series won't arrive until the new year, will include a tethered controller.

The X-Plorer controller.

The X-Plorer controller.

It looks like Xbox 360 gamers won't be rocking around the Christmas tree this year.

A RedOctane representative told GameSpot that the recently announced Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360 will be released sometime in 2007, significantly trailing the PlayStation 2 version of the game, scheduled to hit retail this November.

The rep also addressed some speculation about the new X-Plorer guitar controller that will be released with the game. At Microsoft's X06 event in Barcelona, Spain, Activision showed the game off with a prototype X-Plorer, which was connected to the 360 with a wire. However, representatives there wouldn't confirm whether or not the final hardware would also be wired.

Today, GameSpot received confirmation from the RedOctane spokesperson that the final X-Plorer guitar will also be wired, dashing gamers' hopes of re-creating Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic's dramatic finish to the band's 1992 MTV Music Video Awards performance.

The Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II will contain all the same content of the PlayStation 2, as well as exclusive extra songs that will be made available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace. No pricing information has yet been released for the game.

123 Comments

  • Sargent_Caboose

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 10:14 pm GMT

    F*CKIN retards, how hard is it to make it wireless? there going to come out with wireless contolers the day after it releases but they can't make it wireless from the start.

  • ocdog45

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 10:55 am GMT

    ha ha no wireless - nelson muntz

  • Da1ShrpSh0trGrl

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 5:52 pm GMT

    I can't wait for this game to release. Please let it be out by march.

  • Hiliary

    Posted Jan 1, 2007 10:46 pm GMT

    I've been playing the PS2 version and man this game is AWSWOME and very addicting. I cannot wait till this comes out on the Xbox360. Man ooooo man GIVE ME MY GUITAR HERO NOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • richeyrock

    Posted Dec 22, 2006 9:32 am GMT

    "Well a wired controller is more realistic... " What?! I've been rocking out wirelessly onstage for over 10 years. Whoever says wires make it more "realisitic" has obviously never been in a band - which makes me wonder how they would know what "realistic" is to begin with?

  • colonel_beeb

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 9:21 am GMT

    This is real old now and no one will most likely read this but guitars do in fact have leads that make the guitar itself "wired" so the idea of getting a lead extension and rocking out with a wired control isnt a problem at all.

  • Titanfan2083

    Posted Dec 4, 2006 2:10 pm GMT

    "as well as exclusive extra songs that will be made available for DOWNLOAD on Xbox Live Marketplace" man it really P.O.'s me (can i say the real thing? will i get in trouble?) when companies leave stuff out on PURPOSE just so they can make extra money........

  • kasack29

    Posted Nov 30, 2006 8:38 pm GMT

    I just hope that at least some of the songs from the original guitar hero are available over live. any extra exclusive songs are just bonus to me.

  • steveg1009

    Posted Nov 30, 2006 5:32 pm GMT

    the wired controller is obviously a gimmack... the saame day or shortly after the game is out theyl release a wireless one just like the ps2

  • Xenocalypse

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:47 am GMT

    microsoft has always had longer than normal wires, plus i'm already used to a real guitar, so i'm not worried. i'm definately exited to see what's gonna be available at the marketplace.

  • whaley87

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 5:10 pm GMT

    Well a wired controller is more realistic... let's hope it's a long wire though. I also imagine a plastic guitar is much harder to light on fire and smash on the floor.

  • Duh_to_the_avo

    Posted Oct 19, 2006 10:26 am GMT

    I'd much rather have the wired controller anyways, much more realistic, unless you're Angus at Donnington.

  • lordmasterrof

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 2:09 am GMT

    I dont know i have a 360, but wouldnt doubt that the game is gonna cost more to 360 than to PS2, and the game will come out much later than the PS2 version, and last thing is... i got the first to PS2, so iam gonna buy the second to PS2 then i can jam with freinds (u know with the extra guitar controller) if u ask me buy the second to PS2 (of course if u have a PS2)

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 3, 2006 6:34 pm GMT

    well I don't have a 360

  • Britesparc

    Posted Oct 3, 2006 2:05 am GMT

    Woohoo! Nice one, definitely getting this. Pity the controller's wired but never mind. The idea of downloading new songs from the marketplace is VERY cool.

  • doggymon

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 8:58 pm GMT

    not a wireless console? who said Xbox360 was a wireless console to start with???? ALL consoles will have wires whether you like it or not... even the "wireless" Wii needs that wired sensor bar for some of the games!

  • fanboy999

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 7:00 pm GMT

    Wired or not I want it now!

  • TNT724

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 4:59 pm GMT

    I can't wait for this game!

  • DoctorStern

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 11:40 am GMT

    A WIRED controller? Seriously? They couldn't fix the weakest part of the original game - the fact that you're trapped right in front of your TV?

  • TonicNightWolf

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 9:30 am GMT

    Downloaded content would rock Dantes!

  • Dantes_Monkey

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 8:30 am GMT

    I reckon by the time Gutitar Hero 3 is announced that there should be downloadable song content like in the next gen singstar.

  • lvlUNE3B

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 8:11 am GMT

    @hemakm3: Always Rocks!

  • hemakm3

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 7:31 am GMT

    Gonna Rock.

  • MattLTJ18

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 7:12 am GMT

    This is actually not a bad thing. I don't know if this has been pointed out or not but if it is wired for the 360 it'll be USB. Which means you can potentially hook it to your pc and have a first party red octane guitar for user-made guitar hero games on pc. That'd be nice.

  • crestfallen

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 6:48 am GMT

    I'll buy it wireless or not just because I've been interested in guitar hero for awhile, but didn't want to invest in the ps2 because of how they handled online play. I don't understand the whole "can't be wireless" line of reasoning though because the Nyko Remote is wireless and communicates with the 360 just fine. The only thing I can think of is that maybe it communicates via infrared instead of RF maybe? Oh well, really looking forward to this regardless.

  • GaseousSnake007

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 6:36 am GMT

    Never had any problems with the wire on the first GH on ps2 so wheres the big problem?

    This is gonna rock so much I can't wait.

  • jedianto

    Posted Oct 2, 2006 2:23 am GMT

    the only thing wrong is thats its the same content as the ps2 you'd thing with the 360 you'd be able to add more stuff or song

  • UnderWing

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 10:07 pm GMT

    Not that it hasn't been said, but the reason that they can't do wireless is because Microsoft's XBox 360 uses a proprietary wireless technology. This means that the communications protocol used is completely in-house, and no third party companies are allowed to use it. It would, however, be possible to transplant the MS Wireless controller into the guts of this controller.

    Another possibility is for RedOctane to make a USB transmit/recieve module that would communicate with the wireless controller, but plug into the wired. However, this doesn't seem to be happening for whatever reason (interference may be a problem, or something like that). As for battery life, there's no real reason that a wireless guitar's battery life would be any different from a regular controller... It's switches and a potentiometer, and a Guide button. I personally am interested in getting guitar hero, but HD support is a major plus, and so are points... I'm split between geting GH for PS2 now, and getting GH2 again later for PS2 (so then I'd have two controllers) or just waiting for 360 GH2. I don't want to have any controllers that don't work with my "latest" version...

    Anyway, downloadable content could be a make-or-break detail for me. If they were to, say, put up the entire Guitar Hero 1 collection for a price on XBL Marketplace (I'd pay $30, maybe $40 even) for people who never owned the original (or want to enjoy it in HD glory, and are rich like that) I'd be down with that. And paying for extra content may seem like BS, but if PS2 were capable I have no doubt that RO would set up a similar system.

  • JoeyHawk

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 9:36 pm GMT

    Eh... I guess this way I don't have to worry about batteries.

  • Razoso

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 7:20 pm GMT

    Wired will make it seem more real, like a guitar connected to an amp. ok stiker

  • hepcat00

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 6:42 pm GMT

    what the heck are you people aching about??......you're complaining about a THIRD PARTY controller not being wireless so suddenly the 360 isn't a WIRELESS console?? go buy a nintendo wii then, maybe that's more age appropriate for you.....

  • stiker71

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 5:13 pm GMT

    I don't understand why make it wired if the damn X360 is a wireless console. Its not a wireless consle what do you call all the things pulged into the outlets?
    WIRES! Not a wireless consle....

  • NinjaFoot

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 4:26 pm GMT

    Actually Microsoft used a proprietary form of wireless on the 360, which is why there are no 3rd party wireless controllers. Microsoft has to ok a 3rd party making a wireless controller since it would have to use Microsoft's proprietary form of wireless. A USB dongle that wirelessly connects to the controller would have to be the only option.

  • Loconel

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 3:27 pm GMT

    I don't understand why make it wired if the damn X360 is a wireless console.

  • ryanjtravis

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 2:59 pm GMT

    Awesome. I can't wait.

  • westsider101

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 2:47 pm GMT

    ROCK ON

  • 198d

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 2:02 pm GMT

    wired or not, gh2 is gonna be sick

  • cravygravy

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 12:16 pm GMT

    "That's why I don't understand why the PS2 guitar controller is not USB. It would have made the controller usable on other machines. "

    Only if the game supported it. Not to mention that the fact the XBOX360's guitar controller most likely uses a different interface to connect internally.

  • decebal

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 10:06 am GMT

    "That way, when XBox 4 and PS4 will come out"

    You mean XBOX 3.
    Or maybe 720. Or some other intelligent name that reflects their policy of moving in circles.

  • e_boulanger

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 9:36 am GMT

    I think it's a good thing that the controller is wired. It means you could use the controller in other machine using the USB port. That way, when XBox 4 and PS4 will come out, you won't have to buy a new guitar controller if the wireless communication protocol change.

    That's why I don't understand why the PS2 guitar controller is not USB. It would have made the controller usable on other machines.

  • Enterprise-E

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 9:33 am GMT

    This is one of those games where graphics doesn't matter and gameplay is more important.

  • MetaRidley42

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 5:27 am GMT

    This is gonna rock. I dont really mind the controller being wired, as long as it is long enough.

  • Zeppelin1988

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 3:53 am GMT

    I think its gonna be fun. I been playin guitar for years (10 years) and have done this and that and have played for a number of bands. Ive done some session work (nothin major only local). So why the critisicm. I think its great. Great for people who dreamed of becoming rockers and for those who just wanna chill.

  • sega_boy78

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 3:23 am GMT

    as much as i applaud microsoft for landing this franchise on their "box" i still seem to think that i'd rather plug-in my REAL guitar to my REAL amplifier and truly rock!!!!

  • ftjx

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 2:05 am GMT

    Not wireless? How come?

  • Myke_Kreed

    Posted Sep 30, 2006 10:54 pm GMT

    I'm torn. I already have GH1 for the PS2 with guitar. But I want those extra songs!

  • gamestar412

    Posted Sep 30, 2006 10:52 pm GMT

    cesarotromundo
    " lol....that game is not fun in either console... the guitars are just too cheesee"
    Learn to talk the English and we'll continue this argument.

  • mastersnake1988

    Posted Sep 30, 2006 9:59 pm GMT

    awsome im hope its early 07. i want this game so bad wired or wireless controller.

  • Toadstool1969

    Posted Sep 30, 2006 8:37 pm GMT

    Ah well. It would have been nice to have had a wireless controller for this game. Should still rock, though.

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