bit-tech Shopping: RedOctane Guitar Hero SG Guitar Controller

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Works perfectly on both PS2 and PS3 (Guitar Hero 1)

Weaknesses: Doesn't work well with GH2 on PS3, a little pricey

Summary: I'm a huge fan of the Guitar Hero games, and needed a second controller. Since my other one is the cherry red, I opted for the white SG. It looks great, is well constructed, and has given me no problems whatsoever. I also tried playing GH1 on my PS3 using this controller and was quite pleased at its responsiveness. My only problem is the $40 + shipping price tag.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Red Octane quality control, company staying power, design knowledge

Weaknesses: None. (You can break anything, but they've made it difficult here)

Summary: Many third party controllers on the market, none but this one (and their wireless counterparts) made by the same company who developed the game for which they're designed. The saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", and that applies here in that the functionality required of this controller is flawless. I initially (upon first buying the game and controller) thought the buttons were a little stiff (i.e., often not registering my attempt to press some of the frets), but very quickly that feeling disappeared. I don't know if the controller just needed breaking in, or if I just needed to adjust from the real guitar to this game controller, but I don't notice any problems now. The "plucker" (my word - the white three-position toggle bar used to "pluck" the virtual strings) is weird at first coming from a real guitar, but I've grown quite comfortable (after a couple of months, ~3-4 hours of playing/week) with holding it pinched between the tips of my thumb and pointer finger. I've heard of numerous issues with third-party GH controllers, and given that this one isn't excessively more expensive than those guys, there's no reason to skimp on the real thing.