CRKD, the premium collectible gaming brand behind the award-winning Nitro Deck™, NEO S™ and ATOM™ collectible controllers, announced today the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller range, a new era in rhythm gaming hardware and the result of a landmark collaboration with Gibson, the world’s most iconic guitar brand.
Building upon an unrivalled legacy in music gaming hardware, the CRKD brand was established by the product development and design team previously at RedOctane, best known for creating Guitar Hero™ and designing the hardware for the title. In an epic return to their roots, CRKD is bringing the band back together, working together with Gibson and leading community creators to push the boundaries of what a guitar controller can be in 2025.
Reimagined for modern gamers, the Les Paul® Guitar Controller range features groundbreaking technology, seamless connectivity, and impressive customization options, bringing a host of innovations to the genre, designed to enhance performance and cater to players of all skill levels.
The PRO Edition guitar controller sets a new standard with its Advanced Fret System (AFS), a mechanical fretboard engineered for unmatched precision and responsiveness. It also features a newly innovated Hall-Effect Strum Bar with haptic feedback, delivering ultra-fast response times, exceptional accuracy, and superior durability. Players can customize the actuation point and sensitivity of their strum bar, along with the simultaneous haptic feedback, allowing for a new experience which can be finely tuned via the CRKD companion app. The Encore Edition comes with standard strum and fret buttons, but both the Encore and PRO Edition feature a modular design, allowing players to upgrade fret necks anytime for customization based on performance or personal preference, offering a unique upgrade path for both models.
With both Encore or PRO Edition guitar controllers, gamers can choose between multi-platform or Xbox specific hardware. Both guitar controllers are available for pre-order today and expected to ship in June 2025.
The multi-platform guitar controllers are compatible with PC, PC handhelds, Nintendo® Switch™, and Android® devices, including smart TVs, tablets, and mobile devices. With Legacy Mode, gamers can also use their controller with many classic Guitar Hero™ and Rock Band™ titles on PlayStation® consoles. (Refer to the compatibility chart on product pages for details.)
The Xbox guitar controllers are officially licensed for use across Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. In addition, they are also compatible with PC, PC handhelds, and Android devices including Smart TVs, tablets, mobile devices.
Both the multi-platform and the Xbox guitar controllers are also compatible with cloud streaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and Luna®. Whether you’re rocking out in Fortnite® Festival, reliving classic Rock Band™ games, or shredding in community favorites like YARG or Clone Hero, CRKD has redefined a legend with innovative, modern features built for today’s rhythm gamers.
Offering a wealth of options for enthusiasts, each guitar controller features three distinct modes of connectivity. Wired Mode features a rock-solid connection which competitive gamers can rely on and features ultra-low latency with rapid polling technology. 2.4GHz Wireless Mode facilitates a high-speed wireless connection via the included dongle with rapid polling technology for precision performance, and Bluetooth® Mode provides an exceptionally easy way to connect to mobile or Smart devices. Each guitar controller includes a Shoulder Strap, USB Wireless Dongle, Removable Rechargeable Battery, and a 2.5m (8.2ft) USB cable with a locking top to prevent disconnection during intense standing play.
CRKD has expertly engineered a unique eight-button Navigation Hub, seamlessly integrated into the guitar controller. At its center, a left Hall-Effect analog stick allows gamers to navigate menus and options with ease, while an authentic Guitar Knob houses a second right Hall-Effect analog stick. Combined with the Hall-Effect Whammy Bar, they offer superior consistency, accuracy, and long-lasting performance. Positioned discreetly on the back of the headstock, a fully flat D-Pad provides effortless access for additional inputs. Finally, the Platform Switch and Mode Dial allow for instant switching between platforms, input presets, games, and difficulty modes with a simple turn or flick. Designed for ultimate convenience, the controller offers plug-and-play simplicity, letting gamers jump straight into the action.
Both guitar controllers feature an RGB Show Mode for customizable, reactive lighting that enhances dynamic gameplay. CRKD Tilt is also included, allowing gamers to activate Star Power with a flick of the guitar. Players can easily adjust settings via the CRKD app and quickly tap their mobile device to discover and register their hardware, adding it to their collection of CRKD products.
Commenting on the new CRKD Gibson Les Paul® Guitar Controller range, Head of Product Design at CRKD and former RedOctane designer, Stephen Withers, stated, “The rhythm music genre holds significant historical importance, and our dedication to the legacy we contributed to remains steadfast. The enthusiasm for music gaming continues to thrive, particularly with the immense popularity of titles such as Fortnite Festival. We believe it is the right moment to enhance the experience and innovate the hardware that greatly influences gameplay. We are pleased to collaborate with Gibson to introduce this new range to both longstanding and new fans, and we anticipate witnessing the continued growth of the genre in 2025 and beyond.”
