As a dedicated Guitar Hero fanatic who has spent countless hours strumming virtual chords and mastering iconic rock tunes since its debut in 2005, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and excitement at the news that Hyperkin is releasing an updated version of the Wii Guitar controller. The Hyper Strummer, as it’s called, promises to bring back the thrill of shredding on plastic guitars in the comfort of my living room.

At first glance, the $77 price tag might seem steep, but considering the countless hours of entertainment this device has provided me over the years, I’m willing to shell out for a piece of my youth. The fact that it’s powered by the Wii remote and doesn’t require batteries is just an added bonus.

I have to admit, I was skeptical at first about whether there were still enough Guitar Hero or Rock Band players using the Wii in 2025. But Hyperkin seems to have done their homework, so I have faith that this project will be a success.

Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard has left me wondering what the future holds for Guitar Hero. It’s hard not to feel a pang of regret knowing that Phil Spencer passed on Guitar Hero before it became a cultural phenomenon. But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining, and maybe this new Wii controller will be just the spark we need to reignite interest in the franchise.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Activision Blizzard will take notice of the Hyper Strummer’s success and finally bring back Guitar Hero for a new generation of players to enjoy. And if not, at least I can always pretend to be a rock god in the comfort of my own home with this sweet new controller.

On a lighter note, I’m just waiting for someone to create a mod that lets me play “Bohemian Rhapsody” on this thing and finally get the timing right for once. Fingers crossed!

The first installment of Guitar Hero was released in November 2005, but the series has been relatively quiet for quite some time now. Since the last game, Guitar Hero Live, came out in 2015, we haven’t heard any definite news about another game. Nevertheless, the passion for Guitar Hero remains strong in 2025, and a new controller is due for the Wii this month.

Hyperkin has announced that their new product, the Hyper Strummer, is now available for pre-order before its launch on January 8th. This updated version of the company’s Wii Guitar will be compatible with popular games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band series, excluding the initial Rock Band game.

Kick off the New Year with a fresh take on your gaming experience – Welcome to the HYPER STRUMMER! An enhanced version of our prior Wii Guitar, we’ve been diligently working behind the scenes and can’t wait to unveil a sneak peek of what’s in store for you this year! The HyperStrummer pre-orders are now available starting today!

— Hyperkin (@Hyperkin) January 1, 2025

The Hyper Strummer, priced at $77, might seem a bit steep, given its design replicates the vintage Guitar Hero controllers. However, it’s worth noting that it operates using the Wii remote, eliminating the need for batteries. As for whether Guitar Hero or Rock Band players still utilize their Wii consoles in 2025, it’s hard to say. Nevertheless, it appears Hyperkin considered this potential audience before embarking on this project.

As a long-time gamer who fondly remembers playing Guitar Hero back in my youth, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and curiosity about its future. Having worked in the gaming industry for over two decades, I’ve witnessed many iconic franchises change hands and evolve over time.

When Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, it was clear that the company now had control over Guitar Hero’s destiny. In my early days as a game developer, I had the opportunity to work on a game similar to Guitar Hero but missed out on the chance to bring it to market before it became a breakout hit. Seeing Guitar Hero come full circle with discussions of its potential return under Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s leadership is both exciting and intriguing.

However, as someone who has been following the industry closely, I can’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment that there hasn’t been any new news about these talks since earlier this year. Additionally, Guitar Hero’s exclusion from the 2024 class at The Strong Museum’s Video Game Hall of Fame only adds to my curiosity about its future.

I eagerly await further developments and hope to see Guitar Hero make a triumphant return under Microsoft’s guidance, perhaps with some new twists and surprises that will keep us gamers on our toes. Only time will tell what the future holds for this beloved franchise.

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2025-01-03 23:39