PDP formally revealed the Riffmaster, a new wireless guitar controller that will be available this spring, after hinting at it last month.
The PDP Riffmaster has two configurations: one compatible with the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, while the other works on PS4 and PS5. As you can see from the images below, at first glance, it looks similar to plastic guitar controllers made at the height of Guitar Hero and Rock Band’s popularity. But a closer examination reveals some noticeable changes to the formula.
The Riffmaster stands out for several reasons, including its ambidextrous design, 3.5mm audio jack, thumbstick beneath the guitar, and 36 hours of battery life on a single charge. On the other hand, Riffmaster’s disassembly is somewhat unusual. Rather than requiring the lengthy neck and guitar body to be separated for a two-piece breakdown, the Riffmaster’s foldable design makes it simple to transport and store.
The pickguard is one component that may separate from the controller; it will probably come in a variety of styles to enable some customisation. Considering how some Guitar Hero and Rock Band players customise their controllers with stickers, it’s a great touch.
When Harmonix publishes an update to support Rock Band guitar controllers in Fortnite Festival, PDP Riffmaster will work with both games: Rock Band 4, which just launched its last DLC, and Fortnite Festival. Fortnite Festival is a free-to-play rhythm game that is now limited to keyboard and controllers, which makes it feel strange to play. Guitar controller compatibility will be greatly appreciated when the update finally rolls out.
PDP has not yet shared a price for the Riffmaster, but the controller will be released sometime this spring.