No, you're not misreading the headline — video game peripheral maker Hyperkin has released a brand new Guitar Hero controller. In 2025. For the Nintendo Wii.
Announcing the news on New Year's Day (spotted via GameSpot), the Hyper Strummer is a retro controller that's based on the company's previous model and compatible with all Wii entries in the Guitar Hero — from Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock to Warriors of Rock — and Rock Band 2 and 3. We're not forgetting the first Rock Band, don't worry - the controller will not work with the first game in the series, unfortunately.
Pre-orders for the controller are open now on Amazon for USD $76.99.
The announcement has caused some controversy, however, with many accusing Hyperkin of repurposing and repackaging old stock, and even questioning why the company is releasing such a specific controller for the Wii in 2025.
The next day, Hyperkin released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), explaining its decision while refuting claims that this is a recycled controller.
"While it is correct that this is the same shell mold of a previous Hyperkin release from 2009, that is all it is. We used the mold to make brand new shells, fitted with new 2024 internal components. This is not old stock, nor is it old guitars that have been sitting in the warehouse," the manufacturer writes.
With Hyperkin claiming that many similar controllers cost upwards of USD $100, it states that "The new Hyper Strummer was developed to meet the demand for an accessible and budget-friendly solution."
As you'd expect, the response to this statement is still mixed — it is a little odd to release this in 2025, particularly given that Fortnite Festival, which was made by former Guitar Hero devs Harmonix, is a thing. And while the PlayStation and Xbox controllers are compatible with PC and consoles (and the official Wii ones only with PC), you can't currently use the guitar controllers on Switch.
Hyperkin has previously created Switch-compatible controllers based on famous American food and drink fans, such as Oscar Mayer hot dogs, and has also released a "drift-free" N64 control stick.
Still, the Hyper Strummer caught our attention for the sheer bizarreness, and hey, if you're looking for a new Guitar Hero controller for your Wii, then this is the product for you.
Are you confused about the new Guitar Hero controller? Will you be grabbing one? Give us an encore in the comments.
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[source x.com, via gamespot.com]
Comments 25
I have one of the "original" Hyperkins. They're pretty good and much sturdier than the OG Rock Band controllers. I will probably pick up another as I still play the Wii Rock Band entries from time to time.
Had to double check we weren’t already in April Fools territory
@Antraxx777 I don't know what you mean? I'm looking forward to this. Gonna be a good year for the Wii for sure. Kirby: Epic Yarn was announced and Metroid other M.
Won't ever get any better than this.
@Antraxx777 I am guessing with the holidays just ending it's a slow news day as developers are just finally getting back to work.
New stuff usable on the Wii U? Let’s go!! (not that I’ll get it)
I’d like to see the future of rockband/guitar hero be a self contained game tied to the instrument rather than console releases that fade away after a generation. I can’t wait for my 4 year old to someday play on the 360 with me… supposing it still works when she’s old enough. 🤦♂️🤦♂️
Why is there controversy? I think it's cool that companies are still supporting niche control schemes like this, even if $80 is pricey.
I wish they'd release a new game, my kids would love it and used prices are insane
I own Guitar Hero: World Tour for Wii but no guitar controller. Is this product for me? Probably not.
On the topic of rather odd news right now, have you heard of the random googly eye switcheroo (pun unintended) cases that have been doing the rounds lately?
I just rediscovered my DJ Hero turntable in my crawl space yesterday. What a wonderful time in my youth.
The OG Wii Les Paul shell is probably my favorite shell to use, but the Beatles Hofner is the prettiest.
I'm curious what the "truly groundbreaking" thing is and when we will find out about it.
I think I already own that controller, it’s hanging on my game tower. I also own GH3 Legends of Rock. Though thinking about it more it’s probably for PS2, which I traded in. 🤷🏻♂️
I stopped playing Band Hero and Rock Band 2 last year because my guitar controller broke. I might pick one of these up
I felt my soul try to leave my body when you called a guitar peripheral a retro controller.
I remember hearing a year or so ago that the Wii guitar hero guitars are very pricey now on the used market. I think there are some PC guitar games that work well with it, making it the best one to get.
I’m just regurgitating what some guy told me at a game store a while back but if true, I imagine that’s why these are being made.
I have both a Wii and PS3 Les Paul as well as a Wii World Tour guitar. The PS3 one is infinitely easier to connect to PC but the Wii discs are where I played the games first so I have a lot of nostalgia for these controllers with the big Wiimote window.
I believe part of the point is actually for Fortnite Festival even if the branding doesn't suggest this. From what I've gathered, the Wii guitars are often used by players via adapters to make them compatible with the new game.
I have a PS3 guitar but the red button has been used so much, I even took it apart and cleaned it but no luck. But to be honest my PS3 blew up a few years ago so will probably never use it again.
Looking at the buttons they are all over the place, not very helpful I think.
I've lost my 360 guitar hero controller.. still can't believe it is missing.... never played the wii one (not spending 76 dollars though)
Nice, guitar hero is a fantastic franchise, it shaped much of my musical taste.
If everything could ever be this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
How I wish we got games à la Guitar Hero and their peripherals on Switch (another example being DDR)...
That said, I agree with those mentioning that it's cool to see companies still releasing stuff like this for older systems!
While I'm certainly not in the market for a Wii Guitar Hero controller, I'm glad that they're making them available again for a variety of systems. I recently picked up a PS4-compatible one and have been playing Rock Band 4 on the PlayStation plus Clone Hero on PC. Good games that really deserve being easily accessible.
I'm guessing they don't want to come right out and say it, for obvious reasons, but the Wii guitars are some of the most recommended and sought after controllers for Clone Hero, which is what I suspect these are actually being made for. Why let the second hand market have all the fun when there's potential profit to be made?
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