Ant Commandos Double Range Guitar

It could be stated that a game is only as good as the controllers allow it to be.

Case in point: Harmonix and MTV Games put out the title Rock Band, and it was a bit of a revolution in terms of musically-based gaming. But a little more than two months after its release and near-constant playing, sync issues started to crop up and finally the game’s guitar died. The strummer didn’t work on the down stroke and the whole guitar element became almost unplayable.

Seven months after the release of the game, though, The Ant Commandos (TAC) has tossed its peripheral hat into the ring and introduced the Double Range Guitar. Ok, let’s get this over with right now – where has this controller been all my life!

It is, without a doubt, one sweet piece of peripheral controller device that embraces and shreds through Rock Band without sync issues (meaning that the problems encountered before were not in the game, not in the PS3 and not between the PS3 and Bravia HDTV) but can also be used in Guitar Hero. Which GH? Try all of them. This is a wireless controller that has a USB port to hook into your PS3, but if you only have a PS2, don’t worry, there is a splitter on the control link device that will also attach it to the PS2.

‘No way, dude … a wireless controller that works on the PS2?!?’

Yep, it does. You can now run through all those tunes on the original GH or GH2 courtesy TAC and the Double Range Guitar. Look ma, no cables attached!

Here is a list of the features of the guitar (gleaned from the TAC homepage):

• PowerThief Power Saving Mode - Automatically powers the controller off when the unit senses inactivity to squeeze every last drop of power out of battery packs!

• AutoSense 2.4GHz Wireless - Unlike infrared systems on other controllers that require a direct line of sight to the console, it automatically detects available single or multi-user RF channels to provide a 30 foot radius of 2.4GHz wireless connectivity!

• 360FLY Function - Special clip allow the controller to attach to belt clip with a single pivot point, which allows players to spin the controllers wildly, paying homage to flashy acrobatic visual effects made famous by ZZ Top, Cheap Trick and others! See http://www.youtube.com/theantcommandos.

• Xtended Fret Button Array - A second set of FeatherTouch fret buttons high on the neck enables players to jam like the pros by jumping to the higher set of fret buttons for world-class solos—and return to the lower set to rock out rhythm parts!

• Low Battery Indicator - When the battery is low, the Red light will blink. No more guessing!

• Patented Button Cluster - Specially designed button cluster features a recessed Start button that prevents players from accidentally pausing the game in the middle of a blistering jams!

• Super Whammy System - Finely tuned with a high density precision coil spring assembly, it provides reliable operation for many years of extreme abuse from rock ‘n’ roll animals!

• ComfortNeck - Exciting new neck dimensions and a specially designed contoured edge provides a more comfortable grip on the neck, which reduces finger fatigue even after many hours of play!

• TickleTilt Sensor - The smart TickleTilt Sensor incorporates two separate sensitive sensors so players can activate Star Power by lightly tilting the controller

• Whammy-wah food Pedal Connection - Expansion port for future connection to Whammy-Wah foot pedal for Star Power and whammy.

• PlayStation® 3 D-Pad & Home Button Support - Designed and built-in for your navigational convenient when not playing the game.

Is it as impressive as it sounds? Yes.

The connecting receiver (the part that plugs into the console) has a switch array on the side that enables players to pick PS II, PS3 GH or PS3 RB. Set it for the right game and you are good to go.

The frets on the neck are a tad wider than what you would find on either of the peripherals that came with GH3 or RB. And, in fairness, the plastic connectors for the strap might not stand up to a lot of abuse. But it’s the guitar that’s the thing and this controller is incredibly responsive. The body is the V shape popular many, many years ago by some of the top rock acts, and the controller GZ received was red with a white strum guard.

The whammy bar actually produces a very noticeable detune when you use it and the selector switch on the body above the strum bar will enable effects like wah-wah, flanger, chorus, sustain or none. Activate overdrive or star power, or hit those solos, and you have a selection of sound effects to make the work seem like your own.

It is so wonderful to have a controller that allows the joy of a game to shine through and that’s precisely what TAC has done here.