Guitar Hero Video Game Controllers & Attachments

A Quick Guide to Guitar Hero Video Game Controllers and Attachments

”Guitar Hero” is a popular music and rhythm game published by Activision in which players must match the on-screen notes to the button presses of their guitar-shaped controller. Most new releases in the series are bundled with their own unique and affordable controller accessory. The series first came out in November 2005 for the PlayStation 2, and it has since grown to encompass more than 10 titles across multiple platforms.

What are some Guitar Hero controller accessories?

With a few exceptions, every version of the Guitar Hero series has been accompanied by the development of a new guitar-shaped controller. The first “Guitar Hero” game released with a Gibson SG electric guitar. This was followed by the Gibson Explorer for “Guitar Hero II” and the Gibson Les Paul for “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.” Each subsequent version of the main franchise shipped with an updated controller. Some of the exceptions to this rule include spinoffs such as “Guitar Hero: Metallica.” You would have to purchase one separately to play the game. Apart from the guitar, some games are compatible with microphones and drum sets as well.

How to determine controller compatibility

A quick rule of thumb for the Guitar Hero series is that each new game release is compatible with previously developed controllers. For example, “Guitar Hero World Tour” is compatible with the guitars from the first three games. The Guitar Hero controllers are also cross-compatible with EA’s Rock Band series. However, there are some notable exceptions to both rules. If you want to ensure maximum compatibility, then it is a good idea is to use the controller with the game for which it was designed. If you do want to reuse controllers between different games and are unsure about implementation, then you should consult a compatibility chart for more information.

What are some features of the guitar controllers?

Most controllers share a common set of features, including a whammy bar, fret controls, and a standard set of start and select buttons. The fret buttons mirror the action buttons on a standard controller. They are pressed in time with the on-screen notes to score points in the game, thus testing your rhythm abilities. The whammy bar is generally used to change the pitch of the music. Otherwise, most guitar models differ widely in terms of color, design, and button placement. Guitar Hero enthusiasts can choose from their favorite designs or add more preowned guitar controllers to their gaming collection.