The Guitar Hero III controller broken down (literally)

by JC Fletcher { Aug 30th 2007 at 10:40AM }

Many of our commenters have wondered how the Wiimote fits into the Guitar Hero III controller, and, more generally, what the benefit is of sticking the Wiimote in there. IGN has answered the questions in their latest Guitar Hero III writeup, which includes pictures detailing the guitar's design.

The most obvious new feature in the guitar is its portability. The controller's neck can be removed, making it much easier to fit into a backpack or suitcase. The other noticeable feature, the Wiimote-shaped hole, is actually not the point of access for the remote. Instead, a removable door on the back of the guitar allows you to plug in your Wiimote, with a little indentation provided for balling up and stuffing the wrist strap.

The Wiimote actually does more in the guitar than just broadcast your Nintendo fandom: it provides the wireless connection capability and motion-sensing Star Power activation for which the other GH guitars have their own hardware. Exclusive to the Wii version, powered by the Wiimote, is force feedback-- the guitar rumbles along to the beat, just like a real guitar.

The Wii game, developed by Vicarious Visions, will have all the same songs as the next-gen versions, and will run in widescreen at 480p. It looks fine, and graphics really don't matter in Guitar Hero (who has time to look at them?) Apparently it'll have some kind of online mode, but the exact implementation has yet to be revealed.

The Wii version of Guitar Hero III actually looks like it might end up being a solid purchase-- if the rumored Wii Rock Band release doesn't happen.

[Via NeoGAF]

Tags: activision, guitar, guitarhero, redoctane

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 30th 2007 11:14AM

Woohoo! glorious rockdom awaits.

anonymous @ Aug 31st 2007 7:42AM

guitar hero is garbage.

Jonathan Tran @ Aug 30th 2007 11:22AM

you forgot to mention that the "missed note" squeak will also come out of the wiimote speaker now

erniesthings @ Aug 30th 2007 11:37AM

Will we see GH reissues for the Wii now?

I sure hope!

Rocketman @ Aug 30th 2007 11:44AM

So... any news on that "Wii Music Composer" game they used a year or so ago to demo the Wii?

Sam @ Aug 30th 2007 12:09PM

How do the Wireless Guitar's buttons have any effect on the game if they're not connected to anything? Surely there must be a docking connector where the Wii-mote gets plugged in.

Regardless, the extra guitars should be (but won't be) a hell of a lot cheaper considering all they are in their Wii form is cheap plastic and a single connector.

Taedirk @ Aug 30th 2007 4:17PM

@sam: Read the article, look at the closeup pics. The neck hooks into the guitar base, the guitar base connects to the Wiimote expansion port on the bottom (same as nunchuck/classic controller). Great success. In theory, these should be much cheaper than a PS/Xbox controller, since they only have to interface with the wiimote and let it do all the work rather than have its own wireless adapter and motion detection device.

Dr. Reverend Shmoove, PhD @ Aug 30th 2007 4:25PM

what the eff are you talkin about sam? did you look at the photos on ign? the guitar plugs into the wiimote just like the nunchuk. and just like the stick, c and z buttons work on the nunchuk the guitar's buttons will work. i'm wondering if since there are more buttons and stuff going on with the guitar peripheral, if that will have any effect on battery life of the wiimote.

i agree that the extra guitars should be a lot cheaper since they're basically a shell with buttons and a connector but it's doubtful they will be. maybe red octane will hook us up with an extra faceplate or something though to make up for it.