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CES 2008: Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker not just a fancy cash-in ... really

8:23 AM on 01.08.2008, Nick Chester 30 comments

     Guitar Hero
 
This one's for all of you sour-pusses who say things like "Why don't you just play a real instrument?" every time the subject of Guitar Hero comes up. A new toy by Jada Toys, Inc. takes it to the next level, allowing non-musicians to rock without a guitar or the use of a videogame system and guitar peripheral.
 
The Guitaro Hero Air Guitar Rocker ships with a belt, guitar pics, and mini-amplifier. When wanna-be rockers strap on the belt and strum across its buckle, a guitar will sound. The kooky gadget ships with an "Air Cartridge" featuring 10 guitar riffs, including those made famous by Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Motorhead, Van Halen, and Boston. While how fast you strum determines the tempo, I'm not sure where difficulty comes into play; Jada says the riffs range in skill level from one to five. 
 
To anyone who thinks this neat little gimmick concept sounds like a quick cash-in on the popularity of the Guitar Hero franchise, think again! 
 
"The Air Guitar Rocker is a unique product that captures the attitude of the Guitar Hero franchise perfectly," said Charles Huang, vice president of business development at Activision/Red Octane, "allowing rock fans and air guitar enthusiasts the opportunity to jam at will to some of the greatest guitar riffs of all-time."
 
The Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker will be available in stores this March for a suggested retail price of $29.99.

JADA UNLEASHES GUITAR HERO® AIR GUITAR ROCKER™ AT 2008 CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

Innovative Electronic Toy Extends the Fantasy with No Guitar or Video Game System Required

First Ever Product for Air Guitar Enthusiasts and Rock Fans to Hit Shelves March 2008

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA - January 8, 2007 - Jada Toys, Inc. unveiled today at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker, an innovative electronic toy based on Activision, Inc.'s  (Nasdaq: ATVI) blockbuster video game franchise, Guitar Hero®.   With this new toy, consumers are able to unlock their inner rock star anywhere and jam to signature guitar riffs made famous by Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Motorhead, Van Halen and Boston, as well as five original Air Guitar Rocker™ freestyle riffs.  Available in stores in March 2008 for a suggested retail price of $29.99, the Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker will be on hand for demonstrations at CES in the Jada Toys, Inc. booth # 72349 at the Sands Hotel Convention Center.

"Jada has a stellar reputation of delivering high quality, trend-setting toys," said Charles Huang, vice president of business development at Activision/RedOctane. "The Air Guitar Rocker is a unique product that captures the attitude of the Guitar Hero franchise perfectly, allowing rock fans and air guitar enthusiasts the opportunity to jam at will to some of the greatest guitar riffs of all-time."

The Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker features patented technology which includes guitar pics and a rockin' belt buckle that, when connected to a wearable, mini-amplifier, allows run-of-the-mill rock fans to transform into legendary guitarists.  With an air guitar in hand, the user waves the pic over the belt buckle to determine the tempo of the song.  The product comes with an Air Cartridge™ that features 10 guitar riffs, ranging in skill level from 1-5, including Black Sabbath's "Iron Man," Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," Motorhead's "Ace of Spades," Van Halen's "You Really Got Me", Boston's "More Than a Feeling," and five original Air Guitar Rocker freestyle riffs.  Users are encouraged to listen to the demo tracks, then try to master the riffs on their own.  The product can also be connected to external speakers to really rock the house!

"Jada's motto is 'Keeping It Real' and we're confident we did just that with the Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker," said Jack Li, chief executive officer of Jada Toys, Inc.  "Our innovative product pays homage to the great Guitar Hero brand by extending the fantasy of being a rock star to an exciting new format."

The Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker will be available at retailers nationwide in March for a suggested retail price of $29.99.   In the months following launch, Jada will introduce new buckles and new Air Cartridges,™ featuring more legendary heavy metal and new 80's rock riff assortments.

 


LAUNCH GALLERY (2 IMAGES)
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Teta's Avatar
Teta at 01/08/2008 08:36
*Insert pnis joke here*
BigPopaGamer's Avatar
BigPopaGamer at 01/08/2008 08:51
Can people get anymore gullible to spend their money on shit they don't need?
BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 01/08/2008 08:56
I can't wait to get this so I can finally have a cheap spare guitar for Rock Band.

Oh wait.
Maldom's Avatar
Maldom at 01/08/2008 09:02
Most awesomest thing I've ever seen
itemforty's Avatar
itemforty at 01/08/2008 09:37
That guy is terrible at Air Guitar.
CCGames Mike's Avatar
CCGames Mike at 01/08/2008 09:39
that is so fucking lame..i..oh god damnit i can't even conjugate or emote how fucking stupid this idea is. anyone that spends their money on this deserves to have their eyes ripped out with a claw hammer and then allow their loved ones to piss in the empty sockets [/christmas critters]
s0lesurviv0r's Avatar
s0lesurviv0r at 01/08/2008 10:02

This news is most heinous, righteous dtoiders.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 01/08/2008 10:07
Wicked.
Radical.
Gnarly.
stewy's Avatar
stewy at 01/08/2008 10:13
It would spin people out if you started playing your buckle in the street, and guitar sounds start coming out!! I can see it now, he he
brad drac's Avatar
brad drac at 01/08/2008 10:38
Bjuh?
Professor Pew's Avatar
Professor Pew at 01/08/2008 10:48
I want the Barry White edition for when I take my local strippers backstage. Ohhhh yeah!
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 01/08/2008 10:52
Thats a really fucking strange idea
GENACON's Avatar
GENACON at 01/08/2008 11:15
With this you can rock out with your cock out.
Technophile's Avatar
Technophile at 01/08/2008 11:32
Ok, so if real guitar players can get all high and mighty towards guitar hero players for "not playing a real instrument" then does this mean those of us that play only guitar hero can bring the same attitude towards the idiots that buy this?

because seriously, I'm gonna punch everyone I see using this.

Right. in. the. face.
weedgan's Avatar
weedgan at 01/08/2008 12:14
Am i alive? Like, am i really here right now?


I am starting to question the reality of this world.
Tiff's Avatar
Tiff at 01/08/2008 12:19
That fellow had no grasp on what it takes to be an Air Guitarist. Also, I think it's rather dumb to try and cash-in on something that's all together imaginary in weight, shape, and form.

In other news, Air Guitar Nation is a really fun Documentary!
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 01/08/2008 13:16
If you're an air guitarist or if you find it cool, you're a tool. I think I can safely say that without getting much backlash. Right?
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 01/08/2008 13:52
...You have got to be shitting me.
wobblefunk's Avatar
wobblefunk at 01/08/2008 14:02
"...You have got to be shitting me."

so its not just me?
braulio09's Avatar
braulio09 at 01/08/2008 17:57
...You've got to be shitting me.
TabascoMan's Avatar
TabascoMan at 01/08/2008 18:42
W... T... F... epic fail.

also, you've got to be shitting me.
Bacchus's Avatar
Bacchus at 01/08/2008 19:23
neat, now i can look even more like a tard

and for the sake of consistency;

you gotta be shitting me
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 01/08/2008 22:47
I considered buying this for lulz...until I saw the price.
BigKev's Avatar
BigKev at 01/09/2008 03:55
I'd buy it.
Fuck all you guys.
Fading Star's Avatar
Fading Star at 01/17/2008 01:21
Cool.
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