Wii Guitar Hero Update

[Momma Bear]

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Activision recently held a session for a select few to get a taster of its upcoming Guitar Hero III. After attending the event, [Only registered users can see links. ] reported back with some interesting new details about the Nintendo Wii version of the rock-em-up title, including information on the wireless controller and online community.


The videogaming site seemed particularly impressed with the Nintendo Wii version of the wireless guitar controller, pointing out one or two extra functions it includes over its Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 rivals:

The guitar uses the Wii Remote’s wireless functions as well as its motion control, but the use of the Wii Remote offers this version two features: rumble during key “rocking out” moments, as well as the ability to play “sour” notes through the Wii Remote’s speaker…a cool little feature that can be turned on or off in-game, but is extremely cool and handy when playing in multiplayer since you’ll know which player’s screwing up. The Wii guitar is also the only one of the bunch that has an analog stick built into it, its sole purpose is to allow players to navigate the Wii front end in order to boot up the Guitar Hero III disc.

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As for online play, the Nintendo Wii version of Guitar Hero III (unlike the other versions) will require the use of Friends Coodes if you want to battle it out in custom match-ups. While PS3 and Xbox 360 owners will be able to leap into full net-based play with any ol’ soul, Wii fans will need to exchange individual ID codes - probably not a popular choice amongst the majority of Wii gamers.


Activision has worked hard to make Guitar Hero III’s online features as fully fledged as possible. Game modes include rank or unranked matches; face off; pro face off; battle, and co-op. Leaderboards and other options also feature heavily:

“…the leaderboards are just the tip of the iceberg. Activision is creating its own online web portal for Guitar Hero III that will link your game with the rest of the world. Think Bungie.net for a suitable corollary. You can go sign up now to reserve your online tag at the Backstage Pass site and you may as well because you’re going to be using the web site quite a bit once Guitar Hero III launches.
So how does the web community tie into the game? Once you sign online with Guitar Hero III, you’ll be able to get a unique code that will link your game with the webpage. From there, all of your stats will be available on the webpage to browse and compare with everyone. And since the Xbox 360, Wii and PS3 versions will all make use of the online community, these will be the ultimate leaderboards.

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In related news, RedOctane (responsible for publishing Guitar Hero before being acquired by Activision) has revealed a little about its plans for the making of Drum Hero. In and interview with [Only registered users can see links. ], the firm’s co-founder Charles Huang revealed that it is an idea that has had time invested into it, with plans for it to be a standalone game or even connect to Guitar Hero:

GS: RedOctane has filed trademarks for Keyboard Hero, Drum Hero, and Band Hero. You also designed the Guitar Hero II Xbox 360 controller with an effects pedal jack that has gone unused so far. Considering Harmonix is already introducing the drum and band concepts with Rock Band, when are we going to start seeing RedOctane flesh out its plans?


CH: We look at a lot of interesting options for where we’ll take it. One of the early trademarks we did was for Drum Hero. Our approach was to take it and make a drum game that could stand on its own. It should be fun for someone to play just sitting in a room by themselves with a drum kit, playing a game called Drum Hero. And we’ve put some time and effort into creating that. Now it may connect eventually to a Guitar Hero, but at minimum, we wanted people to feel that they could just buy that, and if they never played with anybody else, they could have fun playing Drum Hero.

Lots of fascinating titbits of information to divulge in that little lot, eh? What are your thoughts on the Wii’s Guitar Hero III controller, online play and the possibility of a Drum Hero link-up?