Guitar Hero 5 controller updated

By Tom Bramwell Published 15 July, 2009

Strum bar and slider changes detailed.

Neversoft has revealed how the regular guitar controller has evolved for the launch of Guitar Hero 5 this September.

The new guitar is the same shape and looks superficially similar, apart from a red and white colour scheme, but there are underlying changes to the slider bar's touch pad and the strum bar, according to the developer's Brian Bright.

The touch pad is now digital, Bright told IGN, "reducing the chance for error and latency", and also features "slight reliefs" so you can feel your finger positions better, and brighter colour-coding for visual confirmation. In-game, the "purple rope" between slider notes has also gone.

"For those who are musically inclined, GHStudio's all new expressive guitar controller capabilities is where the slider will really shine," Bright reckons.

Meanwhile, the strum bar is said to be more durable and responsive, despite appearing to be largely the same. A new surface texture means you're less likely to slip off it during a longer song, too.

Bright couldn't say whether the guitar will be sold separately or exclusively in bundles. What we do know is that Guitar Hero 5 is due out for PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 this September.

Check out our Guitar Hero 5 preview and this week's exclusive gameplay trailer to see what's changed.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (11) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Canyarion #1 3 years ago

    In a few more Guitar Heroes, they'll just ship it with a real electrical guitar.

  • kangarootoo #2 3 years ago

    I thought the world tour controller was pretty good.

    I never used the slider bar mind you, I thought it was just gimmicky.

  • stodgypudding #3 3 years ago

    does anyone like the slider bar?

  • Zomoniac #4 3 years ago

    The slider bar is pointless. You can just press the neck buttons without strumming for the purple slidy bits anyway. The tap-to-strum thing doesn't actually work at anything resembling speed. The World Tour controller is my favourite guitar there is (bought GHWT, despite hating GH games, just for it to use with Rock Band), but don't feel any need to 'upgrade'.

  • andywilkie35 #5 3 years ago

    Unfortunately my GHWT guitar is the last one I use. I think if anything its because mine is a duff one as opposed to it being shit - the strum bar isn't responsive enough so when you have to strum up and down quickly, it drops notes all the time. The GH3 one and the Rock Band one work fine though.

    I'll definitely get GH5, but I might actually get it with the new guitar too now as opposed to just the game

  • JahB #6 3 years ago

    did they fix the squeaking of the strum bar? that's all i want to know

  • kinky_mong #7 3 years ago

    Despite thinking Rock Band is infinitely better than the Guitar Hero games I am very tempted by Guitar Hero 5 thanks to the tracklisting I've seen and the fact EA are STILL refusing to release the better Rock Band instruments in this country.

  • LiveForever #8 3 years ago

    Neversoft are going to do to Guitar Hero what they did to Tony Hawk games. Milk them to death.
    Buying a new controller every year? Insane.

  • Rubarack #9 3 years ago

    I want to know if they fixed that crummy loose neck, my GH3 and WT broke at pretty much the same time. I liked the slider bar for the week that it lasted though. Not gonna risk touching Activision stuff in future.

    Oh and JahB, you can fix the squeaky strum pretty easy by slipping a tiny bit of paper in the edge. It'll stop the squeaking immediately and after an hours play will have cleared up altogether.

  • Zomoniac #10 3 years ago

    EA are STILL refusing to release the better Rock Band instruments in this country

    Beatles RB will be available in a bundle with the better instruments. Inexcusably, the drums won't be available seperately. GRRR.

  • Darkjinxter #11 3 years ago

    brighter colour-coding for visual confirmation. superlolz.