Nintendo DS Guitar Grip Controller for Guitar Hero

This article identifies the unique peripheral required for guitar-based rhythm games on the Nintendo DS handheld system. It details the functionality of the Guitar Grip accessory, its connection method via the Game Boy Advance slot, and specific console compatibility requirements for playing titles like Guitar Hero: On Tour.

The Guitar Grip Accessory

The specific accessory that allows for guitar gameplay on the Nintendo DS is known as the Guitar Grip. Unlike home console versions of Guitar Hero that utilize full-sized plastic guitar controllers, the Guitar Grip is a compact, handheld peripheral designed specifically for the form factor of the DS. It features four colored buttons corresponding to the notes on the screen and a strum bar located on the front of the device.

Connection and Compatibility

The Guitar Grip connects directly to the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite through the Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridge slot located on the bottom of the system. This physical connection is crucial for gameplay, as it transmits input data from the accessory to the game cartridge inserted in the DS slot. Because the accessory relies on the GBA slot, it is incompatible with the Nintendo DSi, DSi XL, and all models of the Nintendo 3DS family, as these later systems removed the GBA port entirely.

Supported Games

The primary software designed to work with the Guitar Grip is the Guitar Hero: On Tour series. This includes the original Guitar Hero: On Tour, Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades, and Guitar Hero: On Tour Modern Hits. While there were other music games on the platform, such as Elite Beat Agents or Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, those titles relied on stylus input on the touchscreen rather than a dedicated guitar controller. The Guitar Grip remains the only official accessory that replicates the strumming and fretting mechanics of the main Guitar Hero franchise on a handheld device.