Nyko's Tele-shaped Frontman Wii Guitar Hero controller hits shelves

Given how clumsy some of Nyko's other Wii accessories are, we didn't exactly have high hopes when we heard that the company was shipping the first third-party Wii Guitar Hero controller -- so imagine our surprise when we found out it's in the shape of a Telecaster, our fave axe and one thus far criminally ignored in the Guitar Hero pantheon. Just like the official controller, the Wiimote slips into the chassis to do most of the heavy lifting, but you won't have spend quite as much to get your multiplayer on -- $50, about $10 cheaper than the Activision Les Paul. The white version includes black and pink pickguards, while the blonde edition comes with black and white -- anyone have a spare IGNORE ALIEN ORDERS sticker handy?

[Ayman @ Mar 20th 2008 7:13PM]

Oh come on
even with this you put the wii mote!!!! what for....

[Ayman @ Mar 20th 2008 7:18PM]

oh wait i get it now
you use it as an Axe when your done playing guitar SMART

[Zorque @ Mar 20th 2008 7:20PM]

What is this post.

[Ayman @ Mar 20th 2008 7:21PM]

What do you mean

[Liam @ Mar 20th 2008 7:27PM]

What you say???

I think all he was saying was for an explanation of your post.

[Ayman @ Mar 21st 2008 5:17AM]

SHISH...... Apparently i have to spell it out
DO YOU KNOW A WII PRODUCT THAT DOESNT INVOLVE WII MOTE IN IT... THEY HAVE EVERYTHING FROM WII RACE WHEEL, GUNS, AXES,... (WHICH IS JUST PLASTIC) TO BOXING CLUBS... All of which are just lame accessories to the wii mote and the most annoying thing is that you can play without them.. they are in a way useless (don't get me wrong, i love the Wii but when i look at the these accessories at first i thought that it was nice, now i see them in stupid designs which are useless (AS IN YOU ARE BUYING JUST PLASTIC)



I was just pointing out that even in this there is Wii mote (what for) it cost $50

[Glazun @ Mar 21st 2008 6:57AM]

Eh... the guitar for the wii actually feel a lot more stable than the others, mainly because it has extra weight in it. It's cheaper too because they dont have to put stuff into the guitar. There is a lot of crapware out for the wii, but most smart people should be able to avoid it. You dont run out buying every pointless USB plugin you can find do you?

[Alan @ Mar 21st 2008 12:03PM]

What the hell are "Boxing Clubs"? Do I have to pay to be a member?

[Vern Roberts @ Apr 10th 2008 4:15PM]

You sir, for lack of a better word are....stupid. I agree that there are several lame Wii-mote accessories out there which are nothing more than aesthetic add on-ons. But honestly.... have you tried playing GH with just the Wii-mote... IMPOSSIBLY DIFFICULT!

Regardless of the fact that the game only came with one guitar, if you plan to play two player you will need another. Not to mention, having two of the same kind of guitar is boring.

In my opinion, if the quality of the physical product holds up to what I see in the design I think this will be an awesome addition to my GH axe repertoire!

[OSnix*-geek @ Mar 20th 2008 7:22PM]

Not a 'fender man' myself... so even if it were "better" it just wouldn't feel natural.. I will take a heavy LP, or my PRS any day of the week.. Show me a controller that looks like a PRS and I am sold! I know it's just a controller....

[Liam @ Mar 20th 2008 7:29PM]

GH has some stones songs, right? Would be fun to pretend to be Keith Richards. Would need to rough the controller up a bit, first... should really come looking a bit beaten up, shouldn't it?

[Marc @ Mar 20th 2008 7:29PM]

ok... what tool decided to have a white body with a black pick guard?

and where's my accoustic controller? :)

[Jeff @ Mar 20th 2008 7:45PM]

I would imagine tort guards are probably not gonna be possible in this price range...

[Bad Karma @ Mar 20th 2008 7:36PM]

Yes! the Telecaster is the greatest electric guitar ever made! Besides the great vibe and Tele twang, I also use mine to chop down trees and it also works great as an emergency car jack. Try that on you're Les Paul!

[Ray @ Mar 20th 2008 8:51PM]

The Jackson RR24 is the greatest guitar ever made.

http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=2913024577

[blackfeather @ Mar 21st 2008 1:17PM]

That Jackson flying V is MY axe... but mine is older with the Charvel logo.

[MitchSchaft @ Mar 20th 2008 7:47PM]

"Given how clumsy some of Nyko's other Wii accessories are..."

Wow, that sounds like a n00b comment. Nyko's Wii stuff is awesome. What is that guy referring to?

[Intellectualdiot @ Mar 20th 2008 8:01PM]

Probably one of the several accessories that he linked to during the initial sentence.

[Libb @ Mar 21st 2008 2:09AM]

Nyko failed me by not releasing the Wii Party Station - it would have completed my all-night SSBB party last week :(

[MitchSchaft @ Mar 21st 2008 2:20AM]

sorry, I keep forgetting not to post right after I get home from work!

[SJ @ Mar 20th 2008 7:57PM]

Still too expensive for just a shell...the total cost of each guitar comes to $90 since you also need a Wiimote.

Even more so for the absurdly priced original guitar.

[dvsbstrd @ Mar 20th 2008 8:28PM]

I love the Joe Strummer/Clash reference.

Brightened my day for damn sure.

[Chris Kraynik @ Mar 20th 2008 11:15PM]

Unfortunately, that reference is well beyond the comprehension of the average Engadget user. XD

[blackfeather @ Mar 21st 2008 1:13PM]

I had the same comment... but with a link:
http://www.mboss.force9.co.uk/guitar/strummer.jpg

[kyle allen @ Mar 20th 2008 8:35PM]

im still waitin for the vox spitfire controler

[Eric @ Mar 20th 2008 10:53PM]

The price is still a bit higher than I'd prefer, but it's worth it for a Telecaster.

I almost bought a real Tele over the weekend but found a Strat that gave me the same tone.

[Cerebus @ Mar 21st 2008 12:56AM]

Teles don't have tremolos.

[eric marshall @ Mar 21st 2008 2:10PM]

Tele's don't have tremelos?
http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0130050306
http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0256800509

[Eh @ Mar 21st 2008 1:07AM]

telecasters are an acquired taste, I cant see many kids swooning over playing with a telecaster controller, there are a lot of other guitars that would sell better

[Ghen @ Mar 21st 2008 3:49PM]

I don't give a flying f what it looks like, it just has to play the game without being expensive... and at that Nyko fails. When they announced it I was hoping for $30, expecting $40. The thing can't cost more than $15 to make!

[Bb @ Mar 21st 2008 11:11AM]

I'd wait for the Japanese re-issues. The necks are generally superior, but you might want to swap out the pickups.

[Derek McNelly @ Mar 26th 2008 7:48PM]

facepalm.jpg

Clever.