The rhythm game revolution exploded in the mid-2000s, and at the forefront were giants like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. For many, these games offered a thrilling taste of rock stardom, letting players shred iconic riffs and drum along to their favorite songs. However, as the franchises expanded with new games, platforms, and instruments, a crucial question arose: what gear works with what? If you’re looking to dive back into Guitar Hero 3 or any of its contemporaries, understanding instrument compatibility is key.
This guide, originally crafted in 2009, breaks down the compatibility landscape for Guitar Hero and Rock Band instruments across different consoles. While the gaming world has moved on, the information remains vital for retro gamers and those seeking to revive their plastic instrument collections. Whether you’re dusting off an old Guitar Hero 3 guitar or seeking a new one for your setup, we’ve got the compatibility details you need.
A collection of guitars and drum sets for Guitar Hero and Rock Band, illustrating the range of instrument options available for these popular music games.
Initially, many gamers eagerly jumped into both Guitar Hero and Rock Band, drawn by the promise of playing a vast library of music across both franchises. At Audioholics, we embraced the craze on the Xbox 360, drawn to its early release and extensive game library. But as we invested in instruments for both Guitar Hero and Rock Band, compatibility headaches started to surface. Could your Guitar Hero guitar work with Rock Band? What about drums? And did console choice matter?
This guide addresses these very questions. Consider it your compatibility matrix, designed to clarify which instruments work with which games on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and PlayStation 2. The lists below are generally ordered by release date. If an instrument isn’t listed for a specific console, assume it’s either incompatible or wasn’t designed for that platform.
Xbox 360 Instrument Compatibility
For Xbox 360 gamers, the compatibility picture is somewhat favorable, particularly for early adopters of Guitar Hero. Your original Guitar Hero USB X-Plorer guitar or the Les Paul guitar will function as a wired bass guitar in Rock Band or Rock Band 2. RedOctane/Activision instruments showed slightly better cross-platform functionality on the Xbox 360, likely due to their earlier market entry, making them compatible with Harmonix’s Rock Band software. Staying current with instrument releases generally ensured a decent cross-platform experience for both guitars and drums on this console.
| Guitar Hero III/Aerosmith | Rock Band | Rock Band 2 | Guitar Hero World Tour/Metallica | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Hero X-Plorer (USB) | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Les Paul Guitar | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Rock Band USB Guitar | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Rock Band 2 Guitar | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Rock Band USB Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Rock Band 2 Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Ion Drum Rocker | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | INCOMPATIBLE |
| Guitar Hero World Tour Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
PlayStation 3 Instrument Compatibility
PlayStation 3 compatibility mirrors the Xbox 360, leaning towards better support with newer game releases. However, true cross-platform compatibility remained limited. Notably, the Les Paul guitar, compatible with Rock Band on Xbox 360, is incompatible with Rock Band and Rock Band 2 on the PS3. Despite these nuances, focusing on instruments released alongside the latest game iterations generally provided a smooth experience across both Guitar Hero and Rock Band on the PS3.
| Guitar Hero III/Aerosmith | Rock Band | Rock Band 2 | Guitar Hero World Tour/ Metallica | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Les Paul Guitar | Works | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | Works |
| Rock Band USB Guitar | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Rock Band 2 Guitar | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Rock Band USB Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Rock Band 2 Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Ion Drum Rocker | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | INCOMPATIBLE |
| Guitar Hero World Tour Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
Nintendo Wii Instrument Compatibility
The Nintendo Wii presented the most restrictive compatibility landscape. Wii instruments were heavily game-specific, offering virtually no cross-platform game support. This limitation was a significant drawback for Wii owners, seemingly prioritizing hardware sales over software enjoyment. For Wii users wanting to experience both Guitar Hero and Rock Band fully, the limitations were frustrating, potentially necessitating separate instrument sets for each game franchise.
| Guitar Hero III/Aerosmith | Rock Band | Rock Band 2 | Guitar Hero World Tour/ Metallica | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Les Paul Guitar | Works | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | Works |
| Rock Band USB Guitar | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | INCOMPATIBLE |
| Rock Band 2 Guitar | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | INCOMPATIBLE |
| Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar | Works | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | Works |
| Rock Band Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | INCOMPATIBLE |
| Rock Band 2 Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | INCOMPATIBLE |
| Guitar Hero World Tour Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | Works |
PlayStation 2 Instrument Compatibility
The PlayStation 2 showed an interesting dynamic. Rock Band demonstrated greater cross-platform compatibility on the PS2, particularly with drum sets. While Guitar Hero‘s wired SG controller offered broad compatibility, its drum kits did not. Given that drum kits were typically more expensive than guitars, PS2 owners seeking a full band experience might have found Rock Band a more versatile initial investment. However, a Guitar Hero guitar would still be needed to enjoy Guitar Hero titles fully.
| Guitar Hero III/Aerosmith | Rock Band | Rock Band 2 | Guitar Hero World Tour/ Metallica | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Hero SG Controller | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Guitar Hero Kramer Striker | Works | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | Works |
| Rock Band USB Guitar | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | INCOMPATIBLE |
| Rock Band 2 Guitar | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | INCOMPATIBLE |
| Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar | Works | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | Works |
| Rock Band USB Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Rock Band 2 Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | Works | Works | Works |
| Guitar Hero World Tour Drums | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | INCOMPATIBLE | Works |
In conclusion, while Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 offered some level of cross-compatibility, especially with later game versions, Wii and PS2 owners faced significant limitations. These gamers were often compelled to choose a platform ecosystem or invest in two separate, costly sets of instruments to enjoy the full spectrum of music games available. While we hoped for greater compatibility in the future, the landscape at the time highlighted the platform-centric approach of game and console developers.
Rock on!
