by Greg - 09.01.07
The Guitar Hero 3 information has been pouring our of Activision lately. Thanks to a story on IGN, we have a few new details about the Wii version. It seems that the guitar controller is mostly just a shell that you connect your Wiimote to. This give it a few cool features that other systems lack. First of all, it is wireless right out of the box. This means that Wii owners don’t need to shell out extra for the wireless technology. In addition, the Wii version will be the only guitar with rumble. The guitar will “shake to the beat” during star power mode. The speaker in the Wii controller is also put to use here. When you screw up a note, the distinctive “squelch” will issue out of the guitar itself, a nice touch in my opinion.
It also seems that not all is doom and gloom with the online modes. Activision has confirmed that the game will use WiFi Connection and will contaian at least a few of the online modes offered on the other systems.
[Update] In another interview, it was revealed that the Wii version will not have online initially. Activision is working with Nintendo to add WFC multiplayer at a future date (probably through a patch).
Uh, the deal with the online issues came the day AFTER the IGN article was posted. I assume that these issues are present.
Nohbdy - 09.01.07 10:38 am
As I expected here is my gripe:
It’s still going to be $100 for a $5 piece of plastic! I just know that despite not having HD graphics or the same level of online integration, they’re gonna charge us the same as the PS3 and 360 versions (in fact it’s already been listed as 100 euros). Call it “we hate Nintendo fan” tax, but I’m sure developers see the modularity of the Wii-mote as a way to make more profit, rather than offer us the experience at a more attractive price. And you just know that they wouldn’t give us an equitable experience.
elmer - 09.01.07 11:01 am
Despite the flaws, this game is going to sound like it’s going to kick lots of major ass. I really can’t wait to play it.
Shiro786 - 09.01.07 12:52 pm
This article at IGN got me excited, the bbps article shot down my excitement.
Marco - 09.01.07 2:11 pm
while there is some truth to what Elmer is saying,i dont think anyone is deliberately trying to screw us Wii owners. im not expecting it to be as fully fleshed out as the 360 or PS3 version but i dont think its going to be as bad as some are making it out to be. and seeing as how Wii games are $50 instead of $60, i can’t imagine that the 360 and PS3 versions are going to be the same price as the Wii version.
and does HD really make that big of a difference in Guitar Hero? i can see how its nice for something like GoW and would have bee really sweet in Metroid, but i dont think it makes a major difference in a game like this.
kojo87 - 09.01.07 2:30 pm
Well, there’s HD and the fact that the graphics will probably just be better in general. GHII on 360 is more than just an HD version of GHII on PS2… but really, most of what you’ll be looking at is the fret and colored icons on it and for that, it really doesn’t matter which one you get.
Tony - 09.01.07 2:35 pm
Look, I’m not saying HD or online are particularly important for the experience, just that for the same money, we won’t be getting it (not the same anyway). I also don’t think the devs particularly hate us (well, actually some devs really do have retarded hang-ups against us), just that they feel they can take advantage of us more than the others. They generally seem to think we’ll buy plenty of crap. I think they also generally believe we’ll pay the same money for versions of things with missing features.
Despite the game itself possibly retailing cheaper, I fully expect them to charge the same for the guitar bundled versions. Not least because, knowing full well that HD and online aren’t integral to the game, a cheaper Wii version of the game would destroy the sales of the competing platforms. Something they don’t want. And so we’ll end up paying $50 for $5 of plastic.
elmer - 09.01.07 3:32 pm
As a nice little segway, has anyone else noticed that despite proclaiming the importance of Wii, that they actively ignored it up ’til now, how that was a financial mistake, and how that would change, EA STILL hasn’t announced Rock Band for Wii, yet PS2 has been added to the release list since the original announcement? Interpretation: either it’s not coming, or it’s coming late, else they’d be shouting it from the roof tops. Games companies hate all things Nintendo. Games companies are idiots. The ignoramuses ignoring us are making less money.
elmer - 09.01.07 3:43 pm
yeah once EA makes a decent original title for the Wii, then i’ll believe that they fully support it. as much as they claim to be fully backing the system, i’ve seen nothing but half-ass ports. (ok so i still bought NFS Carbon and Godfather but you know what im saying)
kojo87 - 09.01.07 4:47 pm
I’m pretty sure the same thing is going to happen as with GHII. The PS2 version retailed for $10 less than the 360 version did. Retail third party games for PS3/360 are $10 more on average and it doesn’t seem to hurt terribly much.
I’d not be surprised if they both cost $10 more than the Wii version. Personally, I won’t be buying it for anything since Rock Band has more of my attention and I just have ZERO interest in guitar battles featuring power-ups.
Tony - 09.01.07 5:01 pm
Greg,
We appreciate your thankless efforts to digest the news for us, but this post is uncharacteristically sloppy. There are no less than three spelling and/or grammar mistakes in it. I’ll let you find them, if you care to.
Sooth-Sayer - 09.01.07 5:32 pm
The “Elite Bundle” pre-orders are available at the Red Octane store. The Wii version bundle is $99.99, while the Xbox 360/PS3 versions are $109.99.
The Elite Bundle comes packaged with..
(1) Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Software for Wii™
(1) Guitar Hero WIRELESS Les Paul Guitar Controller
(1) Les Paul Guitar Faceplate (white)
(1) Guitar Hero Sticker Pack
(1) Standard 1″ Wide Guitar Strap
(1) Guitar Hero Faceplate for the Les Paul Guitar ($14.99 value)**
(1) Guitar Hero III Tee Shirt ($14.99 value)
(1) Guitar Hero Dual Gig Bag ($24.99 value)
(1) Guitar Hero Designer 2″ Wide Guitar Strap ($9.99 value)**
(1) Guitar Hero Key Chain ($6.99 value)
Make of that what you will, but it’s no surprise to see the Wii version slightly cheaper.
4CR-Anon - 09.01.07 5:37 pm
If they sell the Wii version at $50, it’s a killer app. If it costs any more, it won’t ve.
LSK - 09.01.07 9:37 pm
If all that comes with the wii version, instant buy :3
Though first online play and alt controll options. If those aren’t up to par, then I’ll wait for the budget version. That guitar extension would be great on FretsOfFire via glovepie+bluetooth on PC.
I’d atleast try to pick up a spare on just for that.
shadow1w2 - 09.01.07 11:41 pm
It is driving me crazy some of the multi console titles that we’re not getting on the Wii. For example, NCAA 08. Why do we not have a version? We’ve got Madden, which I could care less about. But no NCAA. I would have purchased it on launch day. Not only this, but after stressing the importance of Wii, they have released a bunch of terrible games. Come on EA, stop dropping the ball. I already don’t like you that much. Oh, and on a side note, they aren’t the only company to pull that. Ubisoft has done pretty much the same thing. After stressing how important the Wii was, even BEFORE LAUNCH they released, and then continued to release, a bunch of terrible titles. Dumb. I mean, they have even admitted this. I mean seriously, are you kidding? It’s not as if they didn’t know they were releasing complete crap.
dukobe8 - 09.02.07 8:38 pm
I think itis gonna be hard core and that no one in their right mind would pass up such a sweet game!!! does anyone know how to get an extra guitar???
jake - 09.10.07 3:25 pm