New Guitar Hero Controller Releasing for the Wii in 2025

Hyperkin's Hyper Strummer: A New Guitar Hero Controller for the Wii

A new Guitar Hero controller is hitting the market, specifically designed for the Nintendo Wii. Hyperkin's Hyper Strummer will launch on January 8th, 2025, priced at $76.99 on Amazon. This unexpected release targets a niche market: retro gamers seeking a nostalgic experience and those wanting to revisit the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises.

The Wii, a console discontinued in 2013, and the Guitar Hero series, whose last mainline title was 2015's Guitar Hero Live, might seem unlikely candidates for a new peripheral. The last Guitar Hero game released on the Wii was Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock in 2010. Yet, Hyperkin's Hyper Strummer offers a compelling proposition.

The Hyper Strummer, an updated iteration of a previous Hyperkin controller, is compatible with various Wii-based Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles, including Rock Band 2, 3, The Beatles, Green Day, and Lego Rock Band (but not the original Rock Band). It connects via a Wii Remote inserted into the back of the controller.

Why Now? A Resurgence of Interest

The target audience for this controller is clear: retro gamers. Older Guitar Hero and Rock Band controllers often suffer wear and tear, leading to unplayable peripherals. The Hyper Strummer provides a fresh, reliable option for those who've been sidelined by broken controllers.

Furthermore, Guitar Hero has experienced a recent resurgence in popularity. The inclusion of a rhythm game mode similar to Guitar Hero in Fortnite has rekindled interest. Additionally, the rise of "perfect run" challenges within the Guitar Hero community creates a demand for high-quality, responsive controllers. Hyperkin's Hyper Strummer directly addresses this need. The controller's reliability is a significant draw for players aiming for flawless playthroughs.