New Guitar Hero Controller Releasing for the Wii in 2025

Hyperkin's Hyper Strummer: A New Guitar Hero Controller for the Wii

A new Guitar Hero controller, the Hyper Strummer, is hitting the market on January 8th, 2025, priced at $76.99 on Amazon. This unexpected release targets a niche market: retro gamers seeking a nostalgic experience and those looking to revisit the rhythm-game classics, Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

The announcement is surprising, given the Wii console's discontinuation in 2013 and the Guitar Hero franchise's last mainline release in 2015. The last Guitar Hero title for the Wii was 2010's Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Despite this, Hyperkin is launching the Hyper Strummer, a Wii-compatible guitar controller designed for use with various Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles.

The Hyper Strummer, an updated iteration of a previous Hyperkin controller, boasts compatibility with Rock Band 2, 3, The Beatles: Rock Band, Green Day: Rock Band, and Lego Rock Band for the Wii. Note that it's not compatible with the original Rock Band. The controller utilizes the Wii Remote, which is inserted into the back of the Hyper Strummer.

Why Now? A Resurgence of Interest

The market for a new Wii Guitar Hero controller might seem limited. However, the controller addresses several key needs within the gaming community. Many original Guitar Hero and Rock Band controllers have suffered wear and tear over the years, leading to unplayable peripherals. The Hyper Strummer provides a replacement for these aging controllers, allowing players to revisit their favorite games.

Furthermore, recent trends have fueled renewed interest in Guitar Hero. The inclusion of a Guitar Hero-style experience within Fortnite's in-game events has broadened the game's appeal to a new generation of players. Additionally, the rise of "perfect playthrough" challenges, where players aim for flawless performances, necessitates a reliable controller – a need the Hyper Strummer directly addresses. For those striving for perfect scores, a new, responsive controller is a significant advantage.