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Guitar Hero cuts the cords

RedOctane confirms rumored official wireless controller for its PlayStation 2 music games.

Last month, the Retail Radar carried news of a Red Octane-produced wireless controller for its PlayStation 2 Guitar Hero games. Combined with an August lawsuit seeking to have unlicensed Guitar Hero controllers (both wired and wireless) pulled from the market, it seemed only a matter of time before RedOctane and parent company Activision released their own wireless ax for the game.

RedOctane today confirmed that a wireless Guitar Hero controller is in fact in the works, and will be available in November. The guitar will feature a glossy white finish and will offer the same set of features as its wired counterpart, including compatibility with both Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero II.

The controller--which will only be available separately from the game--will retail for $59.99, and preorders placed for the game from RedOctane's official Web site will also come with a limited edition Guitar Hero II T-shirt. Guitar Hero II is rated T for Teen and is set for a November 7 release.

76 Comments

  • JamminOne16

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 9:37 am GMT

    $59.99... Well I mean pricey, yes... But there's a difference between official Red Octane and it's unofficial counterpart. The difference? Well, the name really. lol

    When I worked for Red Octane in October, they said that they definitely were making a controller, but wasn't sure when... so I'm assuming that this was a last minute decision.

  • Thuganomic05

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:19 am GMT

    $59.99??? I'm still gonna get it though lol

  • shibby360

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 1:08 pm GMT

    59.99!!!! for a wireless controller..... thats a little high priced seeing as normal wireless controllers are usually 30.00

  • devilscry

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 12:59 pm GMT

    you know, i was actually looking forward to the Cordless guitar. i was going to buy one myself. but then i figured no, its the holiday season, you're already getting a Wii for yourself don't buy so much game crap for yourself if you want it so badly ask someone to get it for you X-mas. but then i started thinking about it, i don't think i even want it now. i mean, the cords never been in my way before, not usually that far away from the screen but if i needed to be the cord is long enough. I think its a good idea though and if my guitar started to go i could get one, but i don't see it as a necesity. just have to spend my money on something else.

  • Elite_Jounin

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 10:14 am GMT

    You know i actually thought this game would be wack but I saw it at my local wal-mart the other day and tried it. It was fun! didnt think I would enjoy a game like this but I did.

  • nitrog

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 6:24 am GMT

    "nappan
    This controller, like other "niche" items (Halo 3 Special Edition 4 disc in helmet set) are a BOON to normal gamers. It lets sony and MS and others get extra money from fanboys and nuts and that in turn supports the industry and shareholders. As long as it's not REQUIRED, I say it's all good. If idiots want to pay money to get HD cutscenes or a plastic guitar that's fine. I'll just buy all three consoles and laugh when I think of the fools who subsidized it's developement with their wasteful habits. "

    On the surface that appears to be a valid statement. But there is just one problem a wireless controller is not a fad a gimmick or money makeing scheme. It has use, value, and substance. I will agree that alot of what gameing companies release as "special, limited, platnium edition" has very little to do with increasing anything about the game in any way shape or form. But this is an advancement. Real musicans use wireless uplinks to their amps for electric guitars. So why is it you suddenly consider this "idiots want to pay money....with their wasteful habits." Heaven forbid that someone may acctually want to play the game a little further away from the tv then 5 foot.

  • nappan

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 7:44 pm GMT

    This controller, like other "niche" items (Halo 3 Special Edition 4 disc in helmet set) are a BOON to normal gamers. It lets sony and MS and others get extra money from fanboys and nuts and that in turn supports the industry and shareholders. As long as it's not REQUIRED, I say it's all good. If idiots want to pay money to get HD cutscenes or a plastic guitar that's fine. I'll just buy all three consoles and laugh when I think of the fools who subsidized it's developement with their wasteful habits.

  • mattmatt55445

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 6:49 pm GMT

    i dont see why you need a wireless guitar... if you ask me only bad could come of it, like batteries dying when ur in a song

  • DevilMayAsian

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 12:28 pm GMT

    $60 for a controller?

    I'll probably pass on this.

  • Dantes_Monkey

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 10:09 am GMT

    my 15 year old friend got to interview harmonix...they look scary. Also i think a really good way of making money would be just to relese multiple guitar shapes think of the sales...

  • McDog3

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 9:59 pm GMT

    Wow, when ever I see a comment like Tmills_basic's I can't help but laugh. It reminds of a line from the show Red vs. Blue "I hate all the bands you like!" Funny, yet sadly true according to Tmills.........

  • molivers7

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 4:23 pm GMT

    I can walk around the audience like the late 80's hair bands while soloing! SWEET!

  • CrashSpyro123

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 3:35 pm GMT

    Nice, but it's too rich for my blood.

  • paranoiasurviva

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 2:21 pm GMT

    Well, I am content with my current controler. The original plays nicely enough.

  • Snake-Drinker

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 10:14 am GMT

    Now imagine the joys of the battery going half way through a complex song.

  • Ivoryblaze

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 7:53 am GMT

    Invest in some rechargeble batteries people it'll save you alot! Now if it doesn't work with PS3 that will suck, and hopefully this is a good sign that the 360 version will be wireless as well. Go one step further and make it compatible with the rechargeble 360 battery packs so I can use the quick charge kit or play and charge kit too!

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 6:56 am GMT

    The next thing would be strings, and then a ffloyd rose trem... geez..

    But the authentic guitar experience has a jack lead, so removing the cable sort of seems pointless because people arent exactly hating the cable there.

    All wireless means for ps2 perihperals is expensive, batteries, and people will settle for the standard one anyways! You can buy a cheap REAL guitar for $60 hehe

  • mrblah00

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 2:23 am GMT

    now if only they could make a guitar with buttons that werent cheap and hard to press.

  • Homsar13

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:13 pm GMT

    $60 for just a controller...
    at least it's wireless and from redoctane

  • panasonicyouth

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 10:41 pm GMT

    thunderhorse is the dethklok song.

  • Zaknefien

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 9:37 pm GMT

    Which Dethklok song is on it?

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 9:36 pm GMT

    This wireless guitar was confirmed for me months ago when Activision and RedOctane sued TAC to make them remove their wireless guitar. Just like Marvel sued the developer of City of Heroes because people were creating their characters in the likeness of Marvel ones. Since then we have learned that Marvel is creating their own MMORPG in the same vein as City of Heroes/Villians so the reason for the lawsuit became clear. Whenever a company sues another in cases like these that just means the plaintiff wants to get rid of the competition before they unveil their competing product. Scumbag tactics but it usually works.

  • NinjaFoot

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 9:33 pm GMT

    Sweet!

  • dustopants

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 9:08 pm GMT

    WHAT ABOUT FOR 360?
    I sure hope so...

  • puablo

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 8:53 pm GMT

    Oh man... I was just going to get another extender cord but now I'm tempted to get two wireless guitars! Although I'll probably not do it, and wait and see how GH plays out on next-gen before I make that $120 investment.

  • monkkito

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 8:21 pm GMT

    I think I might have to check what the hype is all about

  • jared81799

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 7:50 pm GMT

    lol thats why they are suing the other company makin wireless guitar controllers. kinda ironic, the company that got its start ripping off dance pads is suing another 3rd party accessory maker.

  • VixDiesel

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 7:06 pm GMT

    That's pretty sweet but still a bit pricey for me though I'll probably end up getting it at some point.

  • Valen_Ca

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 7:00 pm GMT

    As long as the battery life comes in around other wireless controllers then this could be sweet.

  • rudyHG

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 6:31 pm GMT

    Flying V... for the love of god please be a flying V!

  • ganondorf

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 5:58 pm GMT

    Make it a Les Paul

  • Blacksamurai87

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 5:50 pm GMT

    Well, I'm buying it.

  • GreatDecay

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 5:26 pm GMT

    Heck yes! Now i can do my back flips while nailing those solos!

  • Thorpe89

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 4:40 pm GMT

    Wireless is the way to go in terms of controllers.

  • crippla87

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 4:13 pm GMT

    Sweet, but the price sure isnt

  • stiker71

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 4:08 pm GMT

    60$??

  • rok_diablo

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 4:08 pm GMT

    Wired or not....as long as it works, I don't care which one I get as long as I get my METAL FIX on Guitar Hero 2.

  • gametester1424

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 3:32 pm GMT

    Dang it, this news could have came a couple days ealier, I just ordered 2 extra wired SGs

  • trifecta_basic

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 3:05 pm GMT

    talk about BS. These guitars are quickly getting out of control, and Red Octane of all companies has a lot of nerve to lock out third party controllers. Can't wait till this fad ends so they fall back to earth.

  • WhitePenguin

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 3:05 pm GMT

    is it the xplorer or is it an sg?

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 3:03 pm GMT

    sweet

  • vince_carter15

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:55 pm GMT

    Wish they'd make it ambidextrous. GH is not lefty-friendly, buttons shaped differently on each side and unable to wear strap so have to play sitting down. Doesn't affect me that much, but it wouldn't hurt for them to alter it a little.

  • SpareJesus

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:45 pm GMT

    No, e-n-e. As far as I am aware, this will not work with the PS3..

    ..Unless you get a Sony-made controller adaptor.

    But again, that's just what I recall from an article. I may be talking nonsense, however..

  • Dr_Corndog

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:41 pm GMT

    Seems like a lot for a controller that only works for a couple of games, especially since everyone who owns a copy of Guitar Hero or GH2 will probably have a guitar controller already.

  • not-e-n-e

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:40 pm GMT

    but will it work with a ps3...

  • s3lFc0nTr0l

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:36 pm GMT

    for sixty bucks ill keep the wire. heck,with the wire i get more for my money. plus sixty dollars is a lot for a controller that you cxanonly use for 1 game. i mean, a fifty dollar 360 controller you use for every game

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