New Guitar Hero Controller Releasing for the Wii in 2025

Summary

• A new Guitar Hero controller for the Wii, the Hyperkin Hyper Strummer, launches January 8th, priced at $76.99 on Amazon.
• This release targets retro gamers seeking nostalgic experiences and those wanting to replay Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles on the Wii.
• The controller offers a renewed opportunity to enjoy the rhythm game genre on the classic Wii console.

The year is 2025, and a surprising development is shaking up the retro gaming scene: a new Guitar Hero controller for the Nintendo Wii. This announcement might seem odd, given both the Wii console and the Guitar Hero franchise are long considered relics of the past.

The Wii, while a massive success for Nintendo following the GameCube's relatively weaker performance against the PlayStation 2, is no longer in production, its lifespan ending in 2013. Similarly, the Guitar Hero series' last mainline entry was 2015's Guitar Hero Live, with the final Wii installment, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, released in 2010. Most gamers have moved on to newer consoles and games.

However, Hyperkin is defying expectations by releasing the Hyper Strummer guitar controller, specifically designed for Wii versions of Guitar Hero and select Rock Band games. According to Hyperkin, the Hyper Strummer is compatible with Wii versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band 2, 3, The Beatles: Rock Band, Green Day: Rock Band, and Lego Rock Band (but not the original Rock Band). This updated model, an improvement on a previous Hyperkin controller, connects to the Wii via the Wii Remote, inserted into the back of the controller. The Hyperkin Hyper Strummer launches January 8th, priced at $76.99 on Amazon.

Why a New Guitar Hero Wii Controller Now?

The target audience for this release is a key question. With both the Wii and Guitar Hero series discontinued, mass market appeal is unlikely. However, the controller offers significant value to retro gaming enthusiasts. Guitar Hero and Rock Band peripherals are notoriously prone to wear and tear, leading many players to abandon the games due to broken controllers. The Hyperkin Hyper Strummer provides a viable option for nostalgic players to revisit these titles.

Furthermore, Guitar Hero has seen a recent resurgence in popularity. Factors contributing to this include the Fortnite Festival's inclusion of a rhythm game experience reminiscent of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and the rise of challenges such as completing every song in Guitar Hero without missing a note. A new, reliable controller like the Hyper Strummer is a significant advantage for players tackling such challenges.