The world of musical video games is currently going through an unexpected renaissance. Fortnite Festival reignited interest in the genre earlier this year, while Rock Band 4 continues to attract a loyal community.
Faced with this renewed interest, PDP dared to bet on launch a new gaming guitar called the Riffmaster. His goal? Offer a new guitar for purchase and replace old Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars who are seriously starting to show their age.
Buy the Riffmaster at the best price here
A deserved renaissance of the genre
This guitar comes at the right time to accompany the wave of nostalgia that affects fans of rhythm games. With the genre experiencing a slight revival, a major problem arose before the arrival of the Riffmaster: It’s impossible to buy a guitar without going through the second-hand market. The PDP instrument’s compatibility with Rock Band 4, Fortnite Festival and Clone Hero makes it the guitar predestined for Guitar Hero aficionados.
A modern design that makes storage easy
First contact with the Riffmaster: its sleek design in glossy black gives off a welcome impression of modernity. PDP clearly wanted to move away from the flashy aesthetic of old gaming guitars.
Above all, the manufacturer had the excellent idea ofintegrate a foldable handlea game-changing feature for storage. No more hassle to fit a bulky gaming guitar into a small apartment.
The lightness of the Riffmaster is surprising. Its plastic body may seem flimsy compared to older Guitar Hero guitars, but this lightweight construction allows you to play comfortably for hours without any issues. The strap provided contributes to the comfort of use. Overall, the build quality is there.
The Clone Hero gaming experience
I mainly tested the Riffmaster on Clone Hero, the free game that continues the legacy of Guitar Hero. Developed by the community, it allows you to play scores created by enthusiasts who power the software. In its PlayStation version, connection to PC via the supplied 2.4 GHz USB dongle proved childishly simple under Windows. Compatibility is immediate, with no complex configuration required.
From the first parts, the responsiveness of the fret keys shows its excellence. The five main buttons provide satisfying tactile feedbackmuch more precise than on my old Xplorer guitar. PDP also added five body-hugging buttons for the most complex tapping solos. Once the technique is mastered, these additional keys allow you to tackle the most complicated songs.
The point that could divide is the strum bar or “strum bar” for those in the know. PDP opted for a quieter mechanism than older guitars, but at the cost of less tactile feedback. On fast Clone Hero songs, this “soft” feeling can be unsettling for players accustomed to the characteristic click of Guitar Hero guitars. The adaptation requires a few hours of play, but the neighbors will thank you for it.
Battery life as long as a Lynyrd Skynyrd solo
The integrated rechargeable battery is a great surprise. I was able to continue over 30 hours of wireless gaming on a single charge. The included USB-C cable also allows for wired gaming while charging.
Our opinion on the PDP Riffmaster
The Riffmaster arrives like a breath of fresh air on the market that is too underrepresented gaming guitars. Its arrival comes at just the right time as older Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars are showing signs of fatigue after years of loyal service. If its price of €150 may seem high at first glance, it ultimately remains rather justified given the exorbitant prices charged on the second-hand market.
The real strength of this guitar lies in its ability to modernize the experience while preserving the sensations that made the genre so successful. The fret buttons offer remarkable precision that will delight the most demanding players, even if the strum bar lacks a little character.
The Riffmaster succeeds in rekindling the flame of guitar gaming. Its versatility makes it a relevant investment to take full advantage of Rock Band 4, Fortnite Festival and especially Clone Hero. Guitar Hero nostalgics and newcomers alike will find in it a reliable gaming companion with the autonomy of a champion.
Buy the Riffmaster at the best price here
If you want to rediscover the unique sensations of guitar games or discover this legendary genre, it’s probably the best solution here.
PDP Riffmaster
€150
We love
- Foldable handle for easy storage
- Excellent battery life of around 30 hours with rechargeable battery
- Triple compatibility: Rock Band 4, Fortnite Festival and Clone Hero
- Precise fret buttons with good tactile feedback
- Lightweight design ideal for long sessions
We like less
- High price of 150€
- Scratch bar with too soft feedback
- Glossy black design attracts fingerprints
