Joystiq's Instrument Compatibility Matrix, v3.0

by Ross Miller { Aug 19th 2008 at 9:00AM }

With Sony shedding some new light on the sea of plastic instrument compatibility nonsense, we thought it was time to update our compatibility charts for the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series, as well as newcomer Rock Revolution. Introducing the Instrument Compatibility Matrix, version 3.0. We'll keep updating this page as new information percolates out, hoping one day to fill in every square with a green "yes." Until that time, check out our chart skills.

Update: Now with more green care of Microsoft's compatibility commitment.

Tags: activision, comparison, comparison-chart, compatibility, drums, ghwt, guitar, guitar-hero, guitar-hero-world-tour, harmonix, joystiqfeatures, konami, matrix, neversoft, rock-band, rock-band-2, rock-revolution, tabulator

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

WiiFTW @ Aug 19th 2008 9:13AM

I will never understand why they just aren't all compatible...Maybe I'm just used to PC where you can throw in any brand of peripheral and use it with the right drivers.

Haggard @ Aug 19th 2008 10:36AM

Because Activision wants you to buy their peripherals whether you like it or not.

Haggard @ Aug 19th 2008 10:37AM

Because Activision wants you to buy their peripherals whether you like it or not.

Fabozz @ Aug 19th 2008 10:40AM

"The answer to any question starting, 'Why don't they--' is almost always 'Money.'" -- Robert Heinlein

Haggard @ Aug 19th 2008 10:44AM

Nice quote and oops at double post -_-

RavenPaul @ Aug 19th 2008 9:14AM

Thank you for the updated chart. However my only question still remains: Do you think I will be able to use the RB mic with GHWT?

RavenPaul @ Aug 19th 2008 9:17AM

As in the RB 1 mic I wanted to be sure to say.

AwesomeTown @ Aug 19th 2008 9:28AM

Yes. (At least for the 360)

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/360s-guitar-hero-world-tour-to-be-compatible-with-rb-instrument/

JJ Rooster @ Aug 19th 2008 9:49AM

Can't be sure, but any USB mic will work with Rock Band so ideally any USB mic will work with GH:WT. The mics have no console specific buttons on them, so I can't imagine a problem.

Slaziman @ Aug 19th 2008 9:15AM

Wee!! thanks Joystiq!

Ghen @ Aug 19th 2008 11:09AM

seconded wee thanks =)

Jakka - The Heavy wants his sandwich back! @ Aug 19th 2008 9:25AM

Are these results for Wired,Wireless or both? I'm really looking towards the new RB, but I only have a wireless Les Paul for 360 and fuck you am I buying new instruments!

JJ Rooster @ Aug 19th 2008 9:52AM

I use a wireless Les Paul on my 360 and Rock Band, so there's no way they'd cut that functionality out in RB2.

Jakka - The Heavy wants his sandwich back! @ Aug 19th 2008 10:03AM

Thanks a lot.

Bakkster @ Aug 19th 2008 9:59AM

I still think the chart is hard to read because the columns aren't organized. Put the RB games next to each other, the GH games next to each other, and make RR sit in the corner.

Poke4Christ @ Aug 19th 2008 10:38AM

Well, if these games were kids on a playground that's pretty much how they would arange themselves.

j.howlett @ Aug 19th 2008 10:17AM

never really been interested in most rhythm games, even less for guitars though i thought guitar freaks was a cool concept back in the day. what i want to know is do they have what i would call a one man band mode where you go through a song multiple times with each instrument then sing over your combined performance? i was just thinking if i was into RB and such that would be a cool feature.

baby sea tuna @ Aug 19th 2008 10:54AM

I'm sorry that you don't have any friends. :(

dark_inchworm @ Aug 19th 2008 11:36AM

Dude, you'd be on "Won't Get Fooled Again" for over 30 minutes. Rough.

j.howlett @ Aug 19th 2008 12:49PM

it doesn't matter if i have friends, i don't even want the games. it's just i see people talking about going through the game again on different instruments or left handed. it just sounds like a fun challenge if you like the game.

Poke4Christ @ Aug 19th 2008 10:35AM

I'm still waiting for what I really care about. Will GH:WT instruments be compatible with RB 1 and 2.

I've only got Guitar hero III right now, but I want to get one of the new band sets as soon as it comes out. I'm definitly leaning towards WT for the drum set, but only if I can still use it for RB because I really want to get that as well.

From what I've seen, I'd say GH has better peripherals while RB is a better game. That makes sense seeing as how the RB band creators (Harmonix) made GH I and II but red octane made and still makes the instruments for GH.