Tabulator: Guitar Hero / Rock Band guitar compatibility

71 Comments by Ross Miller Mar 24th 2008 7:30PM
Filed under: Features, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Rhythm

In light of today's official Rock Band Wii announcement, we asked Harmonix if there was any chance the Guitar Hero 3 controller would be compatible with Rock Band (and vice versa). The response was less than hopeful, with Harmonix telling us it's up to Activision -- in other words, no. On the bright side, it gives us an opportunity to update our Guitar Compatibility Guide. Check it out after the break.

Xbox 360
Rock Band Stratocaster	Yes	No*	No**
Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul	Yes	Yes	Yes
Guitar Hero 2 Xplorer	Yes	Yes	Yes

PlayStation 3
Rock Band Stratocaster	Yes	No
Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul	No	Yes
Nintendo Wii
Rock Band Stratocaster	Yes	No
Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul	No ***	Yes

Notes:
* Can navigate menus, but during the songs the green button is stuck down, orange is red, and everything else is dead
** Interestingly, the drums are recognized, so you can actually navigate menus using them, but playing songs is a no go.
*** From Harmonix spokesperson: "Support for the GHIII guitar peripherals in Rock Band on the Wii was not possible without Activision's permission. Therefore, any questions regarding lack of compatibility with GH III hardware should be directed to Activision."

Tags: guitar-compatibility, guitar-hero, guitar-hero-3, guitar-hero-iii, harmonix, rock-band

Read

(Page 1) Reader Comments

John McPoop: Mar 24th 2008; 7:33PM

DUHHHHHHHHH ;p

Tell us how much better the Wii version is again, Fernando.

The Artist formally known as Jesus SSBB code: 0430-7963-559: Mar 24th 2008; 7:42PM

I don't think anybody, even Fernando, would agree the Wii version is better.

Fernando Rocker: Mar 24th 2008; 7:56PM

I think someone is in love with me =p

Seriously, I have read a lot of comments of you, and you always mention me, even if I not saying anything... that's why I love my stalkers! You took time of your life just to bash me... thanks =p

And yes, I do think that this is an inferior version, but not because Nintendo. It's because Harmonix/EA.

You know, thats why I have a 360 too. But you, you have to deal with inferior version always in the PS3.

Fernando Rocker: Mar 24th 2008; 7:58PM

Ah, by the way John...

Just like Guitar Hero III Wii is outselling the PS3 version, Rock Band Wii will outsell the PS3 version, even if is a gimped version.

And the only reason why 360 and PS2 version are outselling the Wii GH, is because they can buy only the game.

The Artist formally known as Jesus SSBB code: 0430-7963-559: Mar 24th 2008; 8:13PM

wait a sec
Which one of us is in love with you?

I'm pretty sure it's not me.
Even though I know where your casa is in Laredo, TX. And that you enjoy long walks on the beach. And that every night you cry yourself to sleep because you don't have a strong handsome man to cuddle beside you.

/creepy

Fernando Rocker: Mar 24th 2008; 8:15PM

Artist

I was replying to John.

Secura: Mar 24th 2008; 8:18PM

By your logic, Fernando, you must be in love with the PS3 since you mention it in almost all of your posts.

The Artist formally known as Jesus SSBB code: 0430-7963-559: Mar 24th 2008; 8:23PM

oh you were replying to John.

Well this certainly is awkward.

jcd: Mar 24th 2008; 9:08PM

Admit it artist, you were ready to admit your love for Fer.

Also, GH/Rock band suck!!!

Disclaimer: I have absolutely zero sense of rhythm.

John McPoop: Mar 24th 2008; 9:28PM

Oh PUUUUUUHLEASEEE Fernando....

You would love that wouldn't you....

I am not even going to get into it but you have responded to all my threads today so that makes you a stalker to... Its all in good fun anyway isn't it????

I just think your a funny little troll.... You will spin anything six ways to Sunday in favor of a Nintendo product... So I went ahead and stated the obvious that you would somehow in the same breath marganalize Sony and Praise Nintendo like you always do....

Thats all.... If it makes you feel better about yourself to call me a stalker you can go ahead... maybe that will even give your arguments more credibility... Kind of a character assassination....

Carry on....

Consider yourself STALKED DUN DUN DUN

John McPoop: Mar 24th 2008; 9:39PM

@Fernando

One more thing...

"Ah, by the way John...

Just like Guitar Hero III Wii is outselling the PS3 version, Rock Band Wii will outsell the PS3 version, even if is a gimped version.

And the only reason why 360 and PS2 version are outselling the Wii GH, is because they can buy only the game."

So what is your point anyway Fernando? The Wii outnumbers PS3's by what nearly double or even more? So by that logic shouldn't it sell more units? But, it certainly is gimped compared to the 360 & the PS3 version. There is no denying that fact. It is in fact a gimped piece of shit in comparison. The Wii has proven that shitty games can sell millions. Just look at Mario and Sonic at the olympics for an imiediate example of that fact. I give credit where credit is due and I even like some of my Wii games. Using stats to fuel your pointless argument just marganalizes you even more. Big whoopty doo the Wii version may sell more. What does this mean Fernando? Does it mean that that version is better? Does it means Nintendo Pwns Sony? Does it mean anything et all? I think it means you are grasping for straws.

Lp47PS3: Mar 24th 2008; 11:13PM

@ Fernado, I hardly doubt the Wii version of Rockband will be better than the PS3 or 360 version. If the wii version does sell better, then it's due to the install base.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force): Mar 25th 2008; 12:31AM

These kinds of posts make my scrolling finger work for nothing.

James: Mar 25th 2008; 12:40AM

@Thorned
Lol you're right!
Ironically, that makes you and I a hypocrite :(

ill trooper: Mar 25th 2008; 5:47AM

"Rock Band Wii will outsell the PS3 version, even if is a gimped version."

Wii ROCK BAND INFERIOR; FERNANDO DECLARES: "BUY ANYWAY, TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM!"

...As though that's a substitute for one's personal enjoyment of a quality version: more people getting an inferior version of a great game. If you wanna talk about numbers, then I guess you could end up right. But if you wanna talk about playing Rock Band, then I'll take the PS3 over the Wii any one-bar count-in of the day.

In fact, I own if for the 360 and the PS3 and the PS3 is the superior version in my opinion, only inferior in the lack of 'voice chat' online. Otherwise, the PS3 has wireless guitars, a cleaner, faster interface for joining a local multiplayer band, and the ability to use the DLC on multiple PS3s.

But any version of Rock Band is bound to be fun, so I'll just say "Buyers do your research." Hate to have people disappointed when they find out they can't download any Boston or Oasis songs.

Slaziman: Mar 24th 2008; 7:37PM

So, the 360 Les Paul is winner?

It's even better cus it works with the PC GH3 too!

BTW Joystiq, can you make a PC version table? I want to know if the Rock Band guitar works :(

Jeff: Mar 24th 2008; 7:43PM

With PC, you can make anything work if you feel like applying the effort.

What works without any effort beyond putting it in the hole (beides your mom?) is just the 360 wired xplorer.

The Les Paul requires a wireless adapter, and isn't officially supported.

The ps3 and ps2 versions require another adapter, I believe. Bluetooth?

Slaziman: Mar 24th 2008; 8:38PM

But the Xplorer is fugly. Not as fugly as your mom but still!

I can confirm the wireless adapter/360 les paul works wonderfully for GH3 PC.

ApolloIV: Mar 24th 2008; 10:57PM

Rock band controller does not work with GH3 on the PC. Does not work with Frets on Fire. I haven't seen any threads on Score hero to get Rock Band Controller working either. Sorry :(
I get a big "fuck you" from activision in this table. Anybody else see it?

Wes Jett: Mar 24th 2008; 11:33PM

@ApolloIV

The strat does indeed work with frets on fire,I was using it just yesterday.

ApolloIV: Mar 24th 2008; 11:42PM

ORLY? What version of frets do you use? When I plug it in I have the same problem with GH as FoF. Maybe I just did something stupid on FoF. Please enlighten me

Josh: Mar 24th 2008; 7:38PM

How about the PS2 rockband controller on PS2 GH?

Youthinized: Mar 24th 2008; 7:40PM

I thought we already knew this answer?

Activision doesn't like making money obliviously to let their guitar work on another guitar based game (meaning the person would have to buy GHIII bundle anyway to use the guitar for both the Wii and PS3)

Activision = Fun Sucker

ToRo: Mar 25th 2008; 5:51AM

lol cock block. I would love it if they release that full Nirvana album on the day GH:Aerosmith comes out. Total pwnage.

KeenCommander: Mar 24th 2008; 7:44PM

Activision should get over themselves.

Youthinized: Mar 24th 2008; 7:50PM

Hopefully that'll happen when GH: Aerosmith comes out.

Cuz, I hope it tanks and HMX just puts the big Cock Block on and puts out some incredibly awesome DLC that week. 10x more awesome then Boston this week.

I think they would wake up a bit after that.

Curtis the Claw: Brawl Code 1075-0441-3284: Mar 24th 2008; 7:51PM

I hope that really isn't you in that picture.

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!): Mar 24th 2008; 11:31PM

Yeah, Kermit is a douche on Smash Bros...

The Artist formally known as Jesus SSBB code: 0430-7963-559: Mar 24th 2008; 7:46PM

Eh, I never liked the Les Paul. My left fingers would always get tired from pressing the fret buttons too hard.

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994): Mar 24th 2008; 7:59PM

my orange button always stuck on my les paul therefore i now despise it and let my friends use it, they haven't passed medium
Jesus wanna brawl?

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994): Mar 24th 2008; 8:00PM

also you're missing a digit in your code

The Artist formally known as Jesus SSBB code: 0430-7963-559: Mar 24th 2008; 8:22PM

oh, right. That last digit is 8

But I don't play online. It just lags too much for me. There's always at least a 1 second delay on my button presses. It's annoying to me.

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994): Mar 24th 2008; 8:58PM

yeah i've got the same problem, thats why i picked up a USB/ethernet adapter today to try and improve my connection, dsl + wifi FTL

The Artist formally known as Jesus SSBB code: 0430-7963-559: Mar 24th 2008; 9:23PM

Did the USB/Ethernet adapter help at all?

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994): Mar 24th 2008; 9:26PM

i haven't been able to notice, then again i've only played with it with one person who overall has a low connection so i'm not sure, i'll try and get back to you if it works well or not

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994): Mar 24th 2008; 10:04PM

artist, i have noticed a substantial difference when i host games, i had some lagless 1v1 with occasional slow downs but no half second delay in movement

The Artist formally known as Jesus SSBB code: 0430-7963-559: Mar 24th 2008; 10:13PM

that's cool. I'll consider buying one of those USB/ethernet doohickeys.

Shadow El: Mar 25th 2008; 7:59AM

For me, the Les Paul controller>the SG>the X-Plorer.

Because you could at least hold the Les Paul and LG without it feeling awkward as hell.

AndrewNeo: Mar 24th 2008; 8:18PM

Way to use the 360 controllers in all the pictures.

Nick the Hero of Canton: Mar 24th 2008; 8:41PM

Does it matter?

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994): Mar 24th 2008; 8:46PM

the 360 les paul is white? mine was black

AndrewNeo: Mar 24th 2008; 8:48PM

Well, I was going to mention the color being wrong too, but they have faceplates. But if you look, it has the guide button on it.

Flyy;;: Mar 24th 2008; 9:06PM

zomg ross miller is teh tobias

Tiptup300: Mar 24th 2008; 10:08PM

The wii versions and ps3 versions have both their corresponding guide buttons. They are too small to make out.

scissorguts: Mar 24th 2008; 9:09PM

What about the PS2? I know the PS2 Guitar Hero II guitar (Gibson SG version) works on GH3 and on PS2 Rock Band.

Nick: Mar 24th 2008; 9:36PM

Fernando, why are you taking shots to the ps3 version. I just bought it and it has everything the 360 version has, DLC / online play, but the online is free? I like the 360 version just fine, but whats wrong with the ps3 version.

The only issue i see with Rock Band for ps3 is that GH3 guitars won't work for it. Which is activisions fault.

Just like this is NINTENDOS fault for not having a hard drive and a non gymped online community. I like nintendo, and i love my wii, but what makes you think that this is EA's fault? Do you expect them to send out a Hard Drive attachment so that DLC will work on a system that doesnt have a HD? I don't get it. This is nintendo's fault 100%

Autopsy15: Apr 6th 2008; 12:34AM

Why is Fernando taking shots at the PS3?
Is that a serious question?
We are talking about Fernando "PS3 ARE SUCZ" Rocker here right?
Researchers have been studying Fernando since he joined Joystiq and even THEY don't know why he hates the PS3 so much.

He's just a hater, I guess.

jasenj1: Mar 24th 2008; 9:53PM

The guitars not being compatible on the Wii is totally lame and a total cop out. The GHIII guitar acts just like a Classic Controller The buttons are all mapped to CC buttons and the whammy bar is... either one of the shoulder buttons or one of the joysticks, can't remember at the moment.

I call shenanigans on them being blocked by Activision.

Nate: Mar 24th 2008; 10:38PM

They did it with the PS3 when Harmonix had the patch to make the GH3 guitars work on Rock Band. Why do you think they wouldn't do the same thing for the Wii version? I'm guessing Activision *specifically* put something in the code/controller that gives them an out that lets them block Harmonix. It's not like the code is the problem, folks. It's the lawyers.

whymog: Mar 24th 2008; 10:43PM

What possible reason would EA have to block the Les Paul on Rock Band for Wii when they've demonstrated an interest otherwise in numerous statements and with Rock Band on the 360?

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