After teasing one thing final month, PDP formally introduced the Riffmaster, a brand new wi-fi guitar controller releasing this Spring.
The PDP Riffmaster has two configurations: one suitable with the Xbox Collection X/S and Xbox One, whereas the opposite works on PS4 and PS5. As you may see from the pictures beneath, at first look, it seems just like plastic guitar controllers made on the top of Guitar Hero and Rock Band’s reputation. However a more in-depth examination reveals some noticeable modifications to the components.
Most notably, the Riffmaster has a thumbstick behind the guitar, an ambidextrous design, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a promised battery lifetime of 36 hours on a single cost. Riffmaster’s disassembly, in the meantime, is fairly distinctive. As a substitute of detaching the guitar physique and the lengthy neck to create a two-piece teardown, the Riffmaster makes use of a foldable design that makes it straightforward to journey or retailer.
One piece that may detach from the controller is the pickguard, which can seemingly include many designs, permitting for some customization. It is a good contact, contemplating the way in which some Guitar Hero and Rock Band gamers put stickers on their controllers for private aptitude.
PDP Riffmaster will likely be suitable with two video games: Rock Band 4, which launched its closing DLC final week, and Fortnite Festival, as soon as Harmonix releases an replace that permits the sport to help Rock Band guitar controllers. When the replace does arrive, Fortnite Festival will considerably profit from guitar controller help as this free-to-play rhythm sport is controller and keyboard-only in the intervening time, making it really feel odd to play.
“Fortnite Festival is simply… Rock Band on a gamepad, and it is a bit like enjoying a light-weight gun sport on an analogue stick. Yeah, it really works, but it surely would not really feel like fairly the precise strategy to play it,” my colleague Luke Reilly wrote in his assessment of Fortnite Festival, which he scored a 4/10.
PDP has not but shared a worth for the Riffmaster, however the controller will likely be launched someday this spring.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You possibly can observe her on Twitter @TayNixster.