The Wii Guitar Hero controller: First image!
by JC Fletcher 
{ Jul 10th 2007 at 9:50AM }
Activision and RedOctane have finally unveiled the Wii's Guitar Hero 3 controller. Like the one for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, it's based on the Gibson Les Paul shape, with a removable solid white faceplate. However, unlike the version for the other systems, it's got a big cavity in it for the Wiimote, which a lot of us expected.
Does the fact that we have already bought about $40 worth of this controller make the $90 price for game and guitar too high? It's an old argument, but now that we have a little more information, it may be worth thinking about again.
[Via GayGamer]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Daniel @ Jul 10th 2007 10:46AM
If there is any price difference, it won't be much. The only technology that the GHIII controller wouldn't need is motion sensing technology in the form of an accelerometer. Which, as the Time Magazine story of a few months ago shows, is relatively inexpensive. Should there be any price difference, it will likely exist as a ten dollar "next gen tax" for PS3 and 360 that current multi console games already tend to price at.
hvnlysoldr @ Jul 10th 2007 10:46AM
If it were $70 or even $80 I might consider it. Until then no not really.
Bob @ Jul 10th 2007 10:54AM
The guitar should be way less. There is no need for motion sensing or the wireless transmitter. The guitar just acts as a shell and doesn't need any technology of its own besides plastic buttons.
Drew @ Jul 10th 2007 12:08PM
My concern lies with Rock Band... Will it come out for Wii? What about the fact that I've got two PS2 guitars for GH1&2? The only reason my PS2's still hooked up to anything is for GH.
Is Activision going to re-release GH1&2 for the Wii as well?
Will there be song downloads?
Aside from the (rather cool, IMHO) installation of the Wiimote, what makes this version worth upgrading?
And the thing that really bothers me, I will be getting Rock Band. Even if I have to buy a 360 to do it.
Grey Acumen @ Jul 10th 2007 11:55AM
Woo! I was so afraid I wouldn't be getting this game cause they would have tried to use USB ports or something.
Grey Acumen @ Jul 10th 2007 11:57AM
wait... why the hell did they put it in the body though? I would have put the thing in the neck to allow for the use of the point at least.
Jackson Pritt @ Jul 10th 2007 12:45PM
Given how little technology is included in this guitar controller compared to the other ones, the price does seem a bit high. While I realize that Wii owners are already getting a price break from the $110 for the PS3 and 360 versions, but considering that the Wiimote costs $40 a $20 price break doesn't seem like much.
$74.99-$79.99 seems more appropriate.
binaryis4lovers @ Jul 10th 2007 1:12PM
how is it even different from any other controller? with exception to a gaping whole in the body of it.
MikeM @ Jul 10th 2007 1:13PM
will wii motes fit with that rubber protective case? what about the string?
joe @ Jul 10th 2007 1:24PM
i guess i'm confused: how do the button presses on the guitar get transmitted to the wii?
a) via gamecube legacy port (wired)
b) via an additional wiimote wireless connection (if you have 4 wii remotes, it replaces one?)
c) somehow it transfers the button presses to the wiimote in the slot in the guitar (how??)
seems like this would be the major factor in price.
Fatty @ Jul 10th 2007 1:25PM
For all of us south paws out there that whammy bar is going to be really annoying.
Hafk @ Jul 10th 2007 1:32PM
So, this one has removable faceplates, yet the Xbox360 and PS3 guitar have the exact same layout. Us Wii owners will have a limited faceplate selection. Please, redoctane, PUT THE WIIMOTE ON THE BACK!
Mr.Blonde @ Jul 10th 2007 1:58PM
The remote needs to be on the front so the buttons on it can be used/pressed. And the buttons on the guitar will be transmitted to the wii in the same was as the nunchuck buttons are. as i imagine they use the same port at the bottom of the remote.
Mr.Blonde @ Jul 10th 2007 1:58PM
oh yeah, and given the success of the wii i'm sure there will be a great variety of faceplates available too.
Slacker @ Jul 10th 2007 2:01PM
Joe - the guitar will no doubt connect to the remote via the port on the bottom (the same one the nunchuck and classic controller use).
samfish @ Jul 10th 2007 2:19PM
Wait...how do you get the Wiimote in and out of the body? It looks like it's in there psycho tight.
Thomas @ Jul 10th 2007 3:29PM
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Craig @ Jul 10th 2007 3:54PM
Has anybody considered the fact that, maybe just maybe, the guitar comes with a remote included - thus justifying the price.
Adam @ Jul 10th 2007 5:06PM
No Craig, you are wrong.
BPM @ Jul 10th 2007 9:02PM
Hafk:
The 360/PS3 guitars are NOT identical, either. The PS3 guitar has four LEDs on it to indicate which player you are. Which the 360 guitar doesn't (since the player indicators are around the guide button).
So, each system will have different faceplates.
James @ Jul 10th 2007 11:36PM
"10. i guess i'm confused: how do the button presses on the guitar get transmitted to the wii?
a) via gamecube legacy port (wired)
b) via an additional wiimote wireless connection (if you have 4 wii remotes, it replaces one?)
c) somehow it transfers the button presses to the wiimote in the slot in the guitar (how??)
seems like this would be the major factor in price."
regarding option c, i think what happens is the guitar has bluetooth built in, like the wiimote, and it only "turns on" when the wiimote is in the guitar.then the guitar "becomes the wiimote". it proably has a motion sensor on it so it can register buttons & such. thats the best i can come up with but i might be dead wrong...
Mike @ Jul 11th 2007 12:08AM
#10, 21:
I would guess it connects to the Wiimote's expansion port like the Nunchuk or classic controller.
Tim @ Jul 11th 2007 9:05AM
@Joe and James
Actually, it's quite simple. The Wiimote already sends data via Bluetooth, so anything that connects to the expansion port will simply piggyback that connection.
Nintendo designed the Wiimote to be able to send all kinds of data. An enterprising hacker has already managed to piggyback the Wiimote's Bluetooth via a hacked-up Nunchuk cable. I can't remember the exact details but he used it as a substitute for a Bluetooth chip.
Deffy @ Jul 12th 2007 4:49PM
Why are you guys so negative?
"If it were $70 or even $80 I might consider it. Until then no not really."
I mean seriously... we are already getting a better deal than anybody else... why complain and say that its too much...
"considering that the Wiimote costs $40 a $20 price break doesn't seem like much."
the wii comes with a wiimote and its only $20... we all spent over $300 on our wiis.. and considering that most games are about $70, paying an extra $20 dosent seem like much if you consider how much fun this game is going to be... and if you dont think its worth it, dont buy it. Leave more for the people who will actually enjoy ir and not bitch and complain about how much money they spent on something that will give them hours of enjoyment.
This coming from a 15 year old, without a job, and with parents who dont have a lot of money... Then there are you guys, probably adults, and probably with jobs, are complaining about money.
IamScared @ Jul 13th 2007 10:25PM
Deffy,
Unlike you, we work really hard to earn our money. That's why we complain.
Jesse Marositz @ Jul 16th 2007 5:08AM
24. Why are you guys so negative?
"If it were $70 or even $80 I might consider it. Until then no not really."
I mean seriously... we are already getting a better deal than anybody else... why complain and say that its too much...
"considering that the Wiimote costs $40 a $20 price break doesn't seem like much."
the wii comes with a wiimote and its only $20... we all spent over $300 on our wiis.. and considering that most games are about $70, paying an extra $20 dosent seem like much if you consider how much fun this game is going to be... and if you dont think its worth it, dont buy it. Leave more for the people who will actually enjoy ir and not bitch and complain about how much money they spent on something that will give them hours of enjoyment.
This coming from a 15 year old, without a job, and with parents who dont have a lot of money... Then there are you guys, probably adults, and probably with jobs, are complaining about money.
No... think about it... the game is $50 and the guitar is $40 thats fair
Jason @ Jul 16th 2007 3:48PM
"Wait...how do you get the Wiimote in and out of the body? It looks like it's in there psycho tight."
I would assume that you have to remove the faceplate to insert the wiimote, and that when you put the faceplate back on, it locks the wiimote in place so that it won't fall out.
linds0r @ Jul 20th 2007 2:07PM
Have you guys notice the Nunchuck analog stick poking through the top right of the body? It looks like that's going to be inserted into the body as well.
patrick @ Jul 30th 2007 1:19PM
Hey linds0r that's the place for the strap on the guitar!!
Scott @ Jul 31st 2007 11:53PM
Yeah, you pay so much for this guitar.. but what if you play lefty (like myself)? Is it worth it then?
Justin @ Sep 11th 2007 8:26PM
All the latest information on this game, and answers to your questions such as "how do you get the remote into the guitar?" can be found in the following article from IGN:
http://wii.ign.com/articles/816/816619p1.html
Code Zero @ Sep 14th 2007 8:24PM
HEY patrick, Look again, on the FRONT of the body there is a control stick, it LOOKS like a nunchuck stick..but it's just a control stick.
Why hasn't anyone realized that the remote will most likely be inserted from the back? Wouldn't that be the easiest way?
Also, James, it's not that complex man, there obviously is a plug that the remote jacks into, the key presses are transmitted by wires (ooh what a concept) into the bottom of the remote.. hey kinda like the nunchuck!
Also.. why in the body of the guitar and not the neck, duh weight? Have you ever held a guitar? was the weight in the neck or the body? that..and well, it's obvious that the buttons are useable from the position it's in.
As far as the price.. oh well, it's either have Guitar Hero for the Wii...or we don't. I preordered min, 106 with shipping and that includes the game.. that's not THAT big a deal considering the 50 dollar cost of the game! Well all have to wait until the actual guitars only come out to complain about their price... but as with anything, there will be knock offs shortly after the production of this game... never fails.
My main question is.. will GH3 support 4 players? And will the Wii be getting the "Rock Band" game?
racer190 @ Sep 25th 2007 7:30PM
30
Scott all u have to do is go to options or something and find screen options or something like that and u can flip the screen. At least u could in GH2