The rhythm game genre is having a moment, and CRKD is looking to capitalize with a hardware throwback that feels straight out of the early 2000s. According to a new review from Big Boss Battle (B3), the CRKD Les Paul Guitar for Xbox and PC delivers exactly that nostalgic punch, wrapped in a package that’s built to last. The review, published on August 22, 2026, paints a picture of a peripheral that honors its plastic-guitar heritage while incorporating modern conveniences like Bluetooth and programmable modes. The news was reported by Bigbossbattle.
The headline feature is the design itself. The review notes that the guitar “feels unbelievably well put together” and can “take everything you give it and keep coming back for more.” For players who remember the flimsy peripherals of the past, this is a significant upgrade. The package includes the guitar, a sync cable for console or PC, a body strap, and a USB connection, giving players everything they need to start strumming out of the box.
Perhaps most importantly for competitive and casual players alike, the review states that the reviewer “never experienced any latency” between button presses and the game registering them across all three connection modes. This is a critical detail for a genre where timing is everything.
Built for Fortnite Festival and Beyond
CRKD has clearly designed this guitar with the modern rhythm game landscape in mind. The review highlights that the guitar features “several different programmable modes, alongside built in ones for Fortnite Festival for easy set-up and play.” This means players can jump straight into Epic Games’ popular free-to-play mode without fiddling with complex configurations. The inclusion of dedicated Fortnite Festival presets suggests CRKD is targeting the massive player base that has embraced the mode since its launch.
The hardware also includes some visual flair that should appeal to fans of customizable peripherals. According to the review, there are “changeable LEDs all along the empty fret bars that change with your button presses.” This adds a layer of visual feedback that can make gameplay sessions feel more immersive, especially in a darkened room.
Three Ways to Play, Zero Compromise
Flexibility is a key theme in the review. The CRKD Les Paul Guitar can be played wirelessly via a dongle stored inside the guitar itself, via Bluetooth, or wired through a long cable. This three-pronged approach ensures compatibility across different setups and player preferences. The internal dongle storage is a thoughtful touch that prevents the common problem of losing small wireless adapters.
The guitar also comes with a small joystick and buttons that “match the system you’re using it on,” allowing for seamless navigation of console menus and in-game interfaces. This attention to detail suggests CRKD has considered the full user experience, not just the core gameplay loop.
A New Rhythm Game on the Horizon?
In a tantalizing aside, the review mentions that “there’s been an announcement of a new rhythm game franchise coming later in the year.” While the review does not provide specific details about the game or its developer, this statement suggests that the CRKD Les Paul Guitar may be arriving just in time for a major new title in the genre. This is an UNCONFIRMED claim from the review, and no official announcement has been verified at this time.
For now, players looking to relive the glory days of plastic guitar gaming on modern hardware have a compelling option in the CRKD Les Paul Guitar. With its robust build quality, zero-latency performance, and modern features like Bluetooth and programmable modes, it appears to bridge the gap between nostalgic gameplay and contemporary expectations. The full review from Big Boss Battle offers a detailed look at the hardware, and the early verdict is clear: this is a guitar built for the long haul.
