Remember the days of shredding on plastic guitars in Guitar Hero and Rock Band? Those glory days are back, and in a big way! CRKD is betting big on the resurgence of rhythm games, and their latest announcement is sure to send nostalgic shockwaves through the gaming community. Get ready to relive the magic because they're bringing back the iconic Gibson SG Guitar Controller!
Updated: November 20, 2025, 8:38 PM
Just weeks after unveiling their drum kit controller (a clear sign of the rhythm game revival!), CRKD has dropped another bombshell: a brand-new Gibson SG Guitar Controller. This beauty is designed to perfectly complement the CRKD Gibson Les Paul controller, which IGN reviewed earlier in the year. Imagine the ultimate guitar duel setup!
This isn't just a cosmetic upgrade, either. The new Gibson SG is built for PlayStation 4 and 5, and it's fully compatible with PC. It's clearly aimed squarely at Fortnite Festival, the rhythm game sensation inside Fortnite, masterminded by Harmonix, the very creators of the legendary Rock Band series. But what if you're not a Fortnite fan? (And let's be honest, IGN wouldn't blame you if you weren't). Don't worry! CRKD hasn't forgotten the classics. The SG includes a "Legacy Mode," allowing you to plug in and rock out with your older Rock Band and Guitar Hero libraries.
Just like CRKD's Les Paul, this SG isn't just a plastic toy. They've packed it with high-end features. The strum bar boasts Hall Effect sensors and mechanical haptics, giving you incredibly responsive and tactile feedback. They've even repurposed switches and knobs to mimic the feel of a real SG guitar. The pickup selector switch is now surrounded by familiar PlayStation face and shoulder buttons, while one of the volume knobs cleverly switches between wired and wireless modes. And this is the part most people miss: there's even a sneaky d-pad tucked away on the back of the controller's headstock for navigating menus. The five neck buttons feature satisfying mechanical switches, and the frets are illuminated with vibrant RGB LEDs. And yes, the neck is swappable, just like the Les Paul version, allowing for customization and potential future upgrades. Of course, it wouldn't be an SG without a whammy bar, and CRKD delivers!
CRKD is clearly on a roll, capitalizing on the Fortnite Festival frenzy and the revival of plastic instrument gaming. But they aren't the only players in this arena. Turtle Beach's PDP has been releasing their own impressive Riffmaster guitar controllers since 2024, including a recent version for the Nintendo Switch. It's a full-blown plastic guitar renaissance! But here's where it gets controversial... some argue that these new controllers are simply cashing in on nostalgia, while others believe they're genuinely innovating and improving upon the original Guitar Hero designs. What do you think?
You can head over to CRKD's website to preorder the black Gibson SG for $134.99 – the only color available for now. Shipping is estimated for December 15-19, just in time for some holiday shredding.
About the Author: Wes is a freelance writer covering technology, gaming, and entertainment since 2020 at Gizmodo, Tom's Hardware, Hardcore Gamer, and The Verge. He battles the internal struggle of resisting (and simultaneously embracing) the urge to start collecting game consoles again.
So, are you ready to plug in and relive the glory days of plastic guitar heroism? Do you think these new controllers are worth the investment, or is it just nostalgia talking? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
