Revitalizing Guitar Gaming: The Return of Iconic Controllers
A New Collaboration in the Gaming World
In an exciting development for gaming enthusiasts, accessory manufacturer CRKD has partnered with music icon Gibson to breathe new life into guitar-shaped controllers. This collaboration features two distinctive models reminiscent of the classic Gibson Les Paul, allowing players to immerse themselves in a range of popular games including Fortnite Festival, Clone Hero, and Rock Band 4.
Overview of the New Guitar Controllers
The newly launched models are the Gibson Les Paul Black Tribal Encore Edition and the Gibson Les Paul Blueberry Burst Pro Edition. Both controllers have adapted elements from previous gaming guitars like whammy bars and colorful fret buttons while ensuring compatibility with current gaming platforms. CRKD offers these two variations as both multi-platform and Xbox-specific options, each equipped with tailored features aimed at enhancing performance.
!A blueberry colored guitar controller
Enhanced Features for an Optimal Experience
The Pro Edition stands out with its advanced frets designed for superior precision and responsiveness along with cutting-edge Hall-Effect technology applied to both the whammy bar and strum bar, which includes haptic feedback capabilities. In contrast, the Encore Edition utilizes conventional mechanical frets paired with a standard strum bar; however, CRKD emphasizes that modularity is a key feature—allowing users to upgrade components as needed in future.
Both variants come equipped with analog sticks as well as a directional pad (d-pad) fitted for seamless navigation through game menus. They offer three connection methods: wired via USB cable, wireless through a 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth compatibility.
Compatibility Across Platforms
The Xbox-specific versions of these controllers ensure compatibility across Xbox devices, PCs and Android systems; meanwhile, their multi-platform counterparts function optimally on PC systems alongside Nintendo Switch consoles and PlayStation 3 units. Players seeking enhanced support for Guitar Hero should lean towards the multi-platform model due to its broader compatibility within that genre.
!A black guitar controller viewed from below
The Resurgence of Music Rhythm Games
With music rhythm games experiencing a lull after major companies behind titles like Guitar Hero shifted focus or shut down completely, niche third-party PC alternatives such as Clone Hero have emerged alongside Harmonix’s Fortnite Festival—a mode introduced in 2023 that integrated Rock Band gameplay into Epic Games’ battle royale phenomenon—reviving interest within this genre.
Pre-order Information
For those eager to grab one of these innovative guitar controllers:
- Gibson Les Paul Black Tribal Encore Edition is available for pre-order at $109.99 (multi-platform) or $119.99 (Xbox).
- Gibson Les Paul Blueberry Burst Pro Edition retails at $119.99 (multi-platform) or $129.99 (Xbox).
Both models are scheduled to start shipping in June 2025.
