Unreleased PS2 Guitar Hero Controller Resurrected by CRKD, Gibson
Rhythm gaming hardware maker CRKD and legendary guitar manufacturer Gibson have teamed up to resurrect an unreleased piece of gaming history. The new Stage Tour Pro Guitar Collection brings back a rare PlayStation 2-era concept alongside updated classic controller designs.
Officially unveiled during Gamescom Opening Night Live, the lineup features the Gibson Les Paul, SG, and Explorer shapes. The new controllers are engineered specifically for the upcoming rhythm game Stage Tour.
Cutting-Edge Tech Powers Resurrected Gibson Controllers
The centerpiece of the collection is the SG Midnight Blue Edition, bringing an unreleased “Guitar Hero II” prototype to life after nearly two decades. It boasts mechanical frets, LED neck lighting, and an upgraded Hall Effect click strum bar.
Celebrating 20 years of rhythm history, the 8K Gibson Explorer Edition recreates the iconic 2007 Xbox 360 controller with a fixed-neck design. Its high-speed chipset delivers up to 8,000Hz polling rates for ultra-responsive gameplay.
Rounding out the trio, the Les Paul Oxblood Edition offers dynamic neck lighting alongside a dedicated CTRL button for Stage Power. It features high-speed PC legacy modes, Bluetooth app support, and streamlined button placement above the strum bar.
Cross-Platform Support Drives Next-Gen Rhythm Revival
The new controllers launch alongside Stage Tour when the game debuts December 10, 2026. The title hits PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Stage Tour features over 90 licensed tracks, 180 collectible guitars, and four-player co-op across guitar, drums, vocals, and gamepads. Players can also use these new peripherals on legacy console games and community rhythm titles.
Pre-orders are open, with the Les Paul and SG models shipping in December 2026 and the 8K Explorer following in January 2027. Multi-platform and console-specific editions ensure wide support across two decades of music games.
