Report: Some Guitar Hero World Tour peripherals not functioning properly
Sadly, such a scenario has reportedly been experienced by many a concerned forum poster, as threads stating issues with the game's peripherals have sprung up like discontent weeds. Their complaints are many -- one GameFAQs thread includes reports from players with unresponsive cymbals and, less commonly, drum heads; some posters decry their guitar's inability to register every strum; and some complain of faulty fret buttons.
We should point out that there are a number of forum posters who have stated complete satisfaction with their newly acquired fake instruments -- still, Activision has been quick to direct those with busted periphs to their customer service page, where information on how to get warranty replacements from RedOctane is given. We certainly hope the replacement process is a speedy one -- not that you don't already have a gaggle of fully functional instrumentrollers strewn across your den.
[Thanks, Neb.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
nirvanafan0 @ Oct 26th 2008 8:05PM
and that's why I bought the Rock Band 2 kit as opposed to the Guitar Hero World Tour band kit.
Tiptup300 @ Oct 26th 2008 8:38PM
It's a good thing barely anyone got the Aerosmith guitar, I bought it just for the guitar then I was just planning on selling the game for like 30 after finishing it.
Well, I bought it and noticed that the strum bar couldn't go down at all. Well, it did, it just didn't register. So I tried fixing it by hitting it downwards very hard and it sorta worked sporatically then....
I took it back and got a brand new game and guitar. So I got to sell the game for 30 bucks to a friend, still in the case. My new guitar hasn't had problems but when you down strum it just makes a squishing sound, not a click, so I think it may stop working eventually, might just be in my head.
Long story short, I like the feel of the les paul, but I'd rather have the reliability of the Strat.
Jason @ Oct 26th 2008 9:20PM
Went to best Buy at 11am to get my first set:
1. On the first set, everything worked fine except the yellow cymbal. The cymbal would register most of the time, but you'd have to hit it really hard. The orange cymbal was very responsive.
2. The second drum set was completely messed up. Both cymbals had issues, and the red drum wouldn't register very well either.
3. The third set was by far the best; however, like the first, the yellow cymbal didn't work very well. If you hit the top part of the yellow cymbal, it worked almost 100% of the time. However, that's still really frustrating, and the really fast sequences of notes would never come through 100% of the time.
Luckily, Best buy just refunded my money at that point. I saw about 8 returned GHWT boxes that were behind the return counter, and someone was in the return line next to me, returning his copy on the Wii because of the same drum issue.
On a positive note, I really, really like the GHWT drums. They definitely feel more sturdy than the RB drums. The drum parts are more fun to play on GHWT (in my opinion) than they are in Rock Band. I also didn't have any issues using them with Rock Band 2 (well, except for the flaky yellow cymbal). True, the pressure sensitivity thing is messed up, and the cymbals in RB don't map... but you can still use them for both games, in the event you don't want 2 sets of drums in your living room!
I also took apart the yellow cymbal to see if I just needed to rejigger something to make it work; however, there was just a bolted-on motion sensor underneath - so I wouldn't expect any type of DIY fix for the cymbals.
Also, it should be noted that the Activision RMA procedure SUCKS! If you have a defective drum set, you first have to mail in your busted yet (you also pay shipping). Then activision takes 2-3 weeks to TEST your defective drum set. Then they mail you a replacement. They said the entire process should take about a month. Now, this brings to light the whole "guitar and drum" fiasco with Rock Band last year. However, EA, unlike Activision, immediately sent out a replacement guitar, and then they gave you the return label and box to ship back the defective guitar. then, on top of that, they gave you a FREE game because of the issue. Now that's what I call customer service!
So, after a highly frustrating Sunday, I've decided to not purchase this game for a few months, until Activision admits to the issue and corrects it. I unfortunately don't have the stamina to keep making trips to Best Buy.
Tiptup300 @ Oct 26th 2008 9:21PM
I submit, I can't top that long of a story.
evan @ Oct 26th 2008 11:48PM
The new Rock Band 2 kit has it's problems again as well. A lot of the drums register "phantom" hits on the green pad, making using them impossible. My drums stop working after a while of play and I have to take out the batteries and put them back in to get it to start working again. And I've heard of some guitar issues as well.
But the mics seem to work. Unless you have a PS3, and then the wiggly arrow problem is still there from time to time.
zuburi @ Oct 26th 2008 11:50PM
"On a positive note, I really, really like the GHWT drums. They definitely feel more sturdy than the RB drums."
Didn't you just say that you returned THREE sets before deciding to get your money back? What, did the Rock Band ones blow up and light your house on fire when you played them?
MarkHawk @ Oct 27th 2008 1:41AM
Just wanted to say thanks to Jason. It was a good read. Now to find some info on how the ION drum kits are working.
peter @ Nov 4th 2008 6:38PM
I just got GH WT this weekend as a gift. The drums feel great BUT--the left cymbal has a plug sticking out of it with nothing to plug it into-can anyone explain this one to me? Is this a defect?
giantenemycrab @ Oct 26th 2008 8:09PM
Drums were DOA for me and the guitar sometimes thinks I'm strumming when I'm not even touching it. IE, I started up a song and instantly lost because it thought I was strumming before the notes had even come down the "highway." Really annoying. I think I'll just stick to RB2, personally.
Ryan @ Oct 26th 2008 8:09PM
Their warranty policy is a joke. They make you pay to ship the faulty peripherals back.
MowDownJoe @ Oct 26th 2008 9:09PM
EA didn't make you do that. And that's saying something, since IT'S FRIGGIN' EA!
Activision really is the new EA...
E.J. @ Oct 27th 2008 1:57AM
@MowDownJoe
Untrue. People who bought the game at launch, myself included, and had failures immediately were charged $20 to get the replacement and return box.
T @ Oct 27th 2008 9:21AM
Speak for yourself. My launch guitar and drums stopped working within a week, I was sent replacements for both at no charge (including no charge to ship back the malfuntioning units)
Darin @ Oct 29th 2008 10:40PM
Mow that is funny and true as hell
capt_carl @ Oct 26th 2008 8:13PM
Makes me glad I'm still undecided on which bundle to buy.
Kyattsuai @ Oct 26th 2008 8:20PM
Looks like the Xplorer retains its throne for another year.
Christ-ian @ Oct 26th 2008 9:16PM
Really? The Xplorer? That's easily the cheapest feeling / worst playing official guitar. Les Paul or Strat all the way brother.
ratm @ Oct 26th 2008 11:09PM
Really.
cranium @ Oct 27th 2008 1:23AM
Xplorer owns all
dark_inchworm @ Oct 27th 2008 9:48AM
One more vote for the Xplorer.
Christ-ian @ Oct 27th 2008 10:06AM
Ok then. Was not aware the Xplorer was so beloved.
I learned something today. Good times.
TWiNKiE @ Oct 27th 2008 1:42PM
My guitar of choice is the Xplorer. Then again, I haven't seen the GHWT controller. I'm hoping that it's good (a fully functioning one that is).
whistlepig @ Oct 26th 2008 8:21PM
didnt see this coming . i figured rockband learned the lesson and made sure the 2 bundles worked . i was expecting guitar hero drums or guitar to have some issues as well which is why i just bought the rockband 2 bundle and just the guitar hero game . hopefully everyone will get the problem fixed quickly
kavendano14 @ Oct 26th 2008 8:22PM
Weren't they talking shit about RB instruments' reliability?
jpw21683 @ Oct 26th 2008 9:09PM
Yes, yes they were.
The sweet taste of irony.
OMGOMG @ Oct 26th 2008 9:30PM
Here's the exact quote:
"They can pick up the standalone version of World Tour and use those instruments, and when they break they can buy ours."
Neversoft is the anti-King Midas.
thecmoneyshow @ Oct 26th 2008 8:23PM
Bought the GUITAR bundle and got a faulty wammy and directional button. I already replaced it with the retailer (wish me luck this time).
Played the game a bit and was very MEH.
My wife and I will be sticking with RB2 for the most part but I personally like the GH guitar better and wanted a second wireless.
Best of luck.
nirvanafan0 @ Oct 26th 2008 9:27PM
that's what really got to me. I bought the RB2 band kit last weekend, and I got the Guitar Hero World Tour game only today. I was very unimpressed with Guitar Hero World Tour as a whole. It wasn't really a full band game. It's like Activision redeveloped Guitar Hero 3, and then at the last minute realized they needed to put other instruments in.
burgerbat @ Oct 26th 2008 9:38PM
I was wondering what someone with experience with both thinks about just buying the GHWT disc. Having been burned by GH3 and GH:A, I figured I'd wait this out. Thanks for your insight, you probably just saved me $60. Is it true that you can't save bandmates who are failing?
nirvanafan0 @ Oct 26th 2008 9:59PM
you are correct sir.
heck, we were playing on XBL and we couldn't even tell WHO was failing out.
burgerbat @ Oct 27th 2008 2:11AM
That's a problem.
Foetoid @ Oct 26th 2008 8:23PM
Does anyone state if the faulty components are console-specific? I'm getting the Wii guitar bundle, i hope its ok.
Superstar90 @ Oct 26th 2008 8:26PM
I was going to get this today! But it was sold out, good luck I guess. But I feel bad for the really happy looking kid who was walking out with it as I was walking in.
Solid Warri0r @ Oct 26th 2008 8:31PM
perfect reason to buy rock band 2 ;D
Dragod @ Oct 26th 2008 8:34PM
After having my Xplorer break about a month away from GH3, then having my Les Paul's frets start to become unresponsive after about 2 months, I've learned to wait a while for the bugs that are becoming expected in Music game instruments...
Steve @ Oct 26th 2008 8:36PM
I have this for Wii, and it is working PERFECTLY. No problems whatsoever. From looking at the Guitar Hero forums, mostly all of the malfunctions are from the 360 version.
Foetoid @ Oct 26th 2008 11:50PM
Thanks for the good news. I've got my Wii guitar bundle pre-ordered cause it aint out here in Australia yet. Couple more week....
Im just keen to rip up Satch Boogie on Expert.
Roto13 @ Oct 26th 2008 8:44PM
FAO Rock Band fanboys:
Remember last year? Think. Think really hard.
ToRo @ Oct 26th 2008 8:57PM
Yes I remember. The instruments were horrible. I had to send my drum pads back 6 times! But you know what's the difference between GHWT and the rockband instuments?
I don't have to fucking pay to send my rockband drums back.
ampMOD @ Oct 27th 2008 4:50PM
@ roto13
you got OWNED brotha.
Roto13 @ Oct 27th 2008 4:51PM
*head desk*
deaftly @ Oct 26th 2008 8:47PM
thats what you dummies get for buying this instead of rock band
Tez (PSN: Tezasaurus) @ Oct 26th 2008 9:06PM
Yeah, because all the Rock Band instruments worked perfectly for everybody.
T @ Oct 26th 2008 9:28PM
I think that's what he's saying. So many people were ripping on Rock Band and saying "I'm getting GHWT insetad because Red Octane always has reliable instruments!"
Well, karma's a bitch.
Mr Khan @ Oct 26th 2008 8:55PM
A floormate of mine who went home this weekend to pick up World Tour for Wii (despite having RB2 for 360 here at our school), and reported finnicky Cymbals
Though he enjoys the other new features.
KIMP @ Oct 26th 2008 9:00PM
Just got the Wii version which is very cool.
One question though, I need to have a Wii Remote to access the menus with the Microphone. That means that I need an extra Wii Remote ONLY for the Mic to work! This is ridiculous!!!!!!!
[.sm0ke.] @ Oct 26th 2008 10:21PM
Not really... How did you expect to navigate the menus with just a microphone?
Deezul @ Oct 26th 2008 9:04PM
A GHWT setup at a Best Buy near me had a faulty drum set on the PS3 set. The buttons on it would register, but you couldn't use it to play drums.
jpw21683 @ Oct 26th 2008 9:11PM
@Tez:
Please see ToRo's comment above:
"I don't have to fucking pay to send my rockband drums back."
T @ Oct 26th 2008 9:23PM
I hadn't noticed any problems with the drums when i was demoing in store, but EVERY demo unit at every store had a "faulty" touch pad.
As in, even if you hand wasn't on it it would 'register' a tap/slide.
Of course, my second GH Wireless Les Paul is having the same issues my first did (buttons "dropping").
I'm pretty sure it'd tied to the stupid decision to make the neck detatchable. I'd send in for a third, but they make me pay shipping on replacements. That's just absurd.