Developers at Harmonix Music Systems designed a new adapter for the next-gen consoles, Xbox One and PS4, that gives Rock Band 4 players the option to use old Rock Band instruments that have been gathering dust over the passing years.
The older instruments that were designed for the PS3 and Xbox 360, are being revamped by a simple instrument adapter that can change the situation and make them compatible with the new console systems. For the financially hard times that many people have been facing, this is a great way to save money and still play your favorite game.
Purchasing the Adapter
Harmonix has currently released the adapter for pre-purchase which comes with an edition of Rock Band 4 respectively for the PS4 and Xbox One. The prices differ slightly between the PS4 edition costing $59.99 and the Xbox One for $79.99, due to a conflict with Microsoft changing their wireless connections.
“We worked closely with Microsoft to let players use their legacy Rock Band and third party guitars and drums on the Xbox One, as we all understood the value there,”
– Harmonix
Making the price influx by $20 gives Harmonix the ability to bundle in a peripheral called the Legacy Game Controller that makes a connection with the Xbox 360 instruments a possibility. The Legacy Game Controller will be sold separately from Rock Band 4, but the date and price is unconfirmed, but likely set at around $20.
“We don’t currently support wired USB instruments.”
The main difficulty between the Xbox 360 and Xbox One is that the new console doesn’t support the USB instruments of old.
This pertains only to the guitars and drums since microphones have always been designed for USB connection.
Sony Customers are lucky
To play Rock Band 4 on the PS4, the adapter isn’t completely necessary if the players have the old USB modules from the PS3 edition. This is due to a major difference between the Xbox One and PS4 editions where the PS4 Rock Band 4 game fortunately supports both wired legacy and wireless peripherals. It isn’t completely explained why the Xbox One and PS4 games are so different, but I expect it has something to do with the wireless connection that Microsoft has changed.
Harmonix released a chart that shows exactly what is compatible with Rock Band 4 so gamers don’t make mistakes when purchasing items. Gotta love it when companies are straight forward with you on what works and what doesn’t.
Instrument compatibility chart for Rock Band 4
Saving money where it matters
For some gamers, pinching pennies isn’t a big deal for affording the new Rock Band 4 game and guitar bundle at $129.99. The complete band set of a guitar, microphone, drums, and game will retail at $249.99.
Whether or not people choose to use the adapter or buy a whole new set of Rock Band instruments, Rock band 4 releases on October 6th for the PS4 and Xbox One.
How do you feel about an adapter created for the compatibility? Does it make Rock Band 4 a bit more appealing? Share your opinions below!
