Rock Band wireless guitar for Wii hits the FCC

The wireless Rock Band guitar's in the FCC (again), this time supposedly for the Wii. Oddly, the images depict it running on a PS3 (which we've already seen). Bring it on, Harmonix, it's hella difficult to do power slides when plugged in via USB.

[sneakz @ Apr 12th 2008 9:03AM]

Why couldn't they make it like the GHIII Les Paul for Wii. Y'know, the Wii remote in the guitar? And c'mon, the FCC can't afford a new TV?

[Mark.Nine @ Apr 12th 2008 11:05AM]

But that little TV is just so cute!

[treqie @ Apr 12th 2008 11:29AM]

That idea sucks. That requires an additional wiimote, and they will charge more for less.

[rechnen @ Apr 12th 2008 1:31PM]

The TV only looks little because it's next to the monster PS3.

[rafa @ Apr 12th 2008 8:30PM]

It seems that they can use the same exact tech as in the PS3 guitars, probably cutting down on costs and time.

[dvsbstrd @ Apr 12th 2008 9:19AM]

I second the "show us the Xbox controller" motion.

[P Souz 7 @ Apr 12th 2008 9:20AM]

The Wii guitar works with PS3?

[Dbs143 @ Apr 12th 2008 9:25AM]

very nice!

[isuppose @ Apr 12th 2008 9:34AM]

Best Buy in Ottawa, Ontario (yes thats in Canada) just got a whole shipment of PS3 AND 360 versions of the wireless controllers

[Steven Ryland @ Apr 12th 2008 2:02PM]

how does that have anything to do with anything? this is about the wii controller

[Ray @ Apr 12th 2008 5:38PM]

I think what he's trying to point out is that Harmonix is trying to make their peripherals work across multiple platforms. They were talking about an "open controller standard" between Rock Band and Guitar Hero, but Activision blocked Harmonix's guitars behind their back even though RB accepted GH guitars. Though the effort does seem a little trivial since what everyone wanted was compatibility between RB and GH both ways, not compatibility between RB and more BR.

[thelittleleaguecoach.com @ Apr 12th 2008 9:50AM]

king V, give me the king V

[BrokenMonkey @ Apr 12th 2008 10:26AM]

Wait, what are you talking about? The 360 Wireless guitars are already on sale, why would you expect to see one in the FCC now?

[kippertie @ Apr 12th 2008 2:21PM]

You would expect to see the 360 on the fcc site, as its a running log of all their devices. Look on the site and you will see the ps3 going through fcc and this new wii device. BUT NOT 360.. IS THE 360 being sold without FCC approval???

Anyone notice the 3 batteries in the new guitar. (TRY putting 2 in, and leaving the third one out) it works fine, the 3rd battery is a place holding battery for some stupid reason). Oh and you need a screwdriver to change the batteries. Poor quality again. i was expecting better.

[Darkroom @ Apr 12th 2008 10:31AM]

shit, i am SO OVER guitar hero / rock band... die already!

[Demaar @ Apr 12th 2008 1:14PM]

I know! Why are people buying games they enjoy?! Jeez!

[Kenny @ Apr 12th 2008 11:02AM]

I saw the wireless 360 controller for sale in Walmart last night, I did a double take to make sure I saw it right. No need to keep waiting for it to appear.

[phrogg @ Apr 12th 2008 11:08AM]

That controller makes no sense for the Wii, at least it doesn't to me. The Wii can already receive input wirelessly from the Wiimote, so why the heck does it need a dongle? Can't the guitar just transmit at the same frequencies? Or am i showing my newb-ness?

[Redbeard @ Apr 12th 2008 11:19AM]

Potentially this will mean 1 dongle to navigate all of the rock band accessories. That way, you don't need to swap 4 Wiimotes into accessories just to play.

Let me tell you. I'm lazy. The last thing I want to do is swap controllers all the time. I'd be more likely to just buy 4 more wiimotes if i had to (which i would then gripe about because of 'having' to pay another $120 after taxes, etc because of my own laziness.

[DustoMan @ Apr 12th 2008 11:44AM]

Harmonix hasn't figured out how to get a response time quick enough over Bluetooth. At least that was their excuse for the PS3 wireless dongle.

And Ryan, I bought a 360 Wireless Rock Band guitar last night. No dongle! :o)

[Matt B @ Apr 16th 2008 11:20AM]

Redbeard- No, you need a separate dongle for each guitar. And the drums and mic are wired. So now there will be a mess of wires and dongles around the Wii, instead of the cool solution of actually using the already existing wireless solution on the Wii (the Wiimote). Its dumb, very dumb.

[HimAWArl @ Apr 12th 2008 12:24PM]

O ~~~~~~~~ nice

[Eric @ Apr 12th 2008 1:30PM]

I'm a bit upset that it won't be compatible with Guitar Hero, and a bit upset that it requires that dongle, but I'm even more upset that the FCC won't even shell out for a table that isn't a large styrofoam wheel.

[Christ-ian @ Apr 12th 2008 4:19PM]

The ONLY advantage that Rock Band for Wii would have had over the other systems was if the guitar were to use the Wiimote to communicate with the system, simply because that means it would (theoretically) be compatible with GHIII and vice versa.

As it stand right now, there is no reason to get Rock Band for Wii if you have more than on system. Limited online play, no DLC, crappier graphics, no customizable characters and comparatively higher price-tag make this a completely wasted effort.
That is, unless you REALLY love your drums white (you racist bastard, you).

[Steven Ryland @ Apr 12th 2008 2:06PM]

Guitar hero 3 wireless controllers work perfectly with the XBOX 360 and play nice with the built in wireless instead of needing a dongle. i really have no idea why Harmonix is unable to accomplish this. its kinda making them look bad. not only that, but guitar hero 2 for the 360 didnt even have wireless, but as soon as NeverSoft took over the Guitar Hero franchise the technology came about. it seems like Harmonix doesnt have their shit together.

[jimmy @ Apr 13th 2008 4:16PM]

I have to agree. I prefer rockband's software over gh3, but their peripherals just feel cheaper. the rockband stratocaster looks way cooler than the gh axe, but the gh axe is more responsive. overdrive on the RB guitar is hit-or-miss. it just feels cheap, if i'm going to invest in another guitar i have to go with a gh piece

[KnuxSonic @ Apr 12th 2008 4:05PM]

I see the FCC has faced some budget cuts, now working out of the back of a semi-truck using children's TV's.

[kellvin @ Apr 13th 2008 10:02AM]

O ~~~~~~~~ nice

[JA @ Apr 13th 2008 4:00PM]

bout time!

[atrus54 @ Apr 14th 2008 1:17PM]

Please don't use adjectives like hella in posts as they degrade the legitimacy of this blog.

[Matt B @ Apr 16th 2008 11:18AM]

Ugh. So I have to have a wireless dongle plugged into the Wii, instead of the guitar using the Wii's builtin wireless solution? God that's dumb. And of course by not using the Wiimote, there goes any possibility of GH3 guitar compatibility. Way to completely screw Rock Band up Harmonix.