In a twist that few saw coming, accessory maker Hyperkin has announced a brand-new Guitar Hero controller for Nintendo’s Wii console, set to launch in January 2025. At first glance, this seems unexpected, given that both the Wii and the Guitar Hero franchise have been dormant for years. The Wii, which catapulted Nintendo back into console market dominance after the less successful GameCube era, hasn’t been in production since 2013. Meanwhile, the Guitar Hero series effectively ended in 2015 with Guitar Hero Live, and its last Wii entry was Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock in 2010.
Still, Hyperkin believes there is a solid market for its new guitar peripheral, dubbed the Hyper Strummer. According to the company’s product details, the Hyper Strummer is an updated version of a previous model that will work with Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles released for the Wii, specifically Rock Band 2, Rock Band 3, The Beatles: Rock Band, Green Day: Rock Band, and Lego Rock Band. The one Wii entry it won’t support is the original Rock Band. Just like the official guitars from the Wii’s heyday, players can slot a Wii Remote directly into the back of the Hyper Strummer and start strumming. The unit is expected to retail for USD 76.99 on Amazon.
Why Release a New Wii Peripheral Now?
Many gaming enthusiasts are wondering why a modern release would target a discontinued console and a dormant music-game franchise. Some industry commentators point to the enduring popularity of retro gaming. According to a 2024 report from a leading gaming analytics firm, vintage consoles like the Wii have been seeing a steady uptick in collector interest, driven partly by nostalgia and partly by online communities that keep older titles alive through fan challenges and community events.
Additionally, Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars have always been prone to wear and tear, especially during intense play sessions. Original controllers can be increasingly difficult to find, often commanding high prices on the secondhand market. This new Hyperkin guitar gives collectors and returning fans a reliable way to revisit old favorites without hunting down a potentially unreliable pre-owned peripheral.
A Mini-Resurgence for Music Games?
While major publishers haven’t announced any new Guitar Hero installments, some players say rhythm-based games are slowly regaining popularity. Events like Fortnite’s “Festival” mode, where players can experience a Guitar Hero–style challenge, have introduced younger audiences to the concept of rhythm-action gameplay. Meanwhile, content creators on YouTube and Twitch frequently post videos of themselves attempting near-impossible riffs or full-combo runs on classic Guitar Hero tracks. A dependable controller is crucial for players chasing those perfect runs, and Hyperkin’s device might be just what they need.
For now, it remains to be seen how this niche release will fare. But for fans who still have their Wii consoles—and a stack of Guitar Hero and Rock Band discs, this could be a welcome excuse to bring the band back together. If there’s one thing gamers have shown time and time again, it’s that nostalgia can be a powerful driving force, even long after an official product line has faded into history.
