Summary
- A new Guitar Hero controller for the Wii, the Hyper Strummer, is launching on January 8 for $76.99 on Amazon.
- The release is likely targeted at retro gamers seeking a nostalgic experience and those interested in replaying Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
- The controller offers a chance for players to enjoy a revived interest in Guitar Hero.
In a surprising move, the Wii is getting a new Guitar Hero controller in 2025. This may surprise many, considering the Wii and the Guitar Hero series are both defunct, and have been quite for some time.
The Wii was a triumphant return for Nintendo at the time, after the GameCube relatively faltered compared to the PS2. However, the Wii's heyday is long gone, with the console no longer being produced after 2013, over a decade ago. Similarly, the last mainline Guitar Hero game was 2015's Guitar Hero Live, while the last entry to appear on the Wii launched in 2010 with Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Most gamers have long since moved on from both the console and the game series.
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With that said, Hyperkin is releasing a new Guitar Hero controller, specifically for the Wii versions of the game. According to Hyperkin, the Hyper Strummer guitar controller can be used with Guitar Hero games and the Rock Band games that launched on the Wii, namely Rock Band 2, 3, The Beatles, Green Day, and Lego Rock Band. It's not compatible with the original Rock Band. The Hyper Strummer is an updated model of a prior Guitar Hero controller released by the company, and can be used by plugging in the WiiMote in the back of the controller. The Hyperkin Hyper Strummer controller launches on January 8, with a price of $76.99 on Amazon.
Why Release a Guitar Hero Wii Controller Now?
A question many gamers may have is who this controller is intended for. With the Guitar Hero series and Wii console both discontinued, this controller isn't likely to fly off store shelves. However, it's something many retro gamers may be happy to purchase. Guitar Hero and Rock Band peripherals tend to take a beating over time, and many players may have given up on the games after their controllers gave out, especially as the official ones that launched alongside the games stopped being produced. The Hyperkin Hyper Strummer gives nostalgic Guitar Hero fans a chance to get back into the games.
Guitar Hero has also seen something of a resurgence in interest lately for a couple of reasons. One is the addition of Fortnite Festival in Fortnite, which introduced a Rock Band and Guitar Hero-esque experience for the online game. Gamers are also challenging themselves to do things like beat every song in Guitar Hero without missing a note. Having a controller that won't miss any inputs is key for those hoping to complete similar challenges, so picking up a fresh controller from Hyperkin may be attractive to those gamers.
