By Following the debut of the brand’s Gibson Les Paul Guitar controller earlier this year, CRKD has now formally declared a new Drum Kit Controller. I must caution you, the information we possess is scant as only a teaser video has been unveiled thus far. Given that CRKD has produced some of the most distinctive PC controllers, and top Switch controllers recently, it’s easy to feel enthusiasm about what’s on the way.
It appears that we won’t see this new addition to the gaming ensemble until 2026, yet it’s certainly something for digital drummers to keep on their radar. Fortnite Festival has become an increasingly favored addition to the reliable battle royale series, and it has been wonderful to witness the return of a nostalgic type of hardware to the forefront.
Another CRKD Instrument is Joining the Band… – YouTube
A statement from CRKD declares: “Nobody caters to gamers quite like the team at CRKD, tirelessly working to innovate and provide the absolute best in collectible, premium gaming hardware, and the brand-new Drum-Kit Controllers will undoubtedly continue our goal to offer the community what they desire and uniting the band for an entirely new age.”
Regrettably, the announcement is quite lacking in pertinent specifics regarding the new controller, but it seems it’s well on its path to store shelves. Enthusiastic digital musicians can enroll for any and all updates about the new controllers via CRKD’s site.
Assembling a band?
If you’re just starting your Fortnite Festival band, you might want to learn about these two first:
PDP Riffmaster:
$119 at Amazon
CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: $124.99 at Amazon
We are entirely uncertain about the platforms this new set will support; however, if recent Guitar Hero controllers serve as a reference, aspiring drummers across all platforms will be accommodated.
From what I gather from the trailer, it seems that the CRKD Drum Kit Controller will feature a main control panel to facilitate easier navigation of menus. From pausing at the right moment, you can view a closer image of that panel below, which includes a joystick, the usual face buttons of a standard controller, and several function buttons in the center. Potentially. It’s been a decade since the last Rock Band game was released, so it’s likely CRKD has discovered ways to refine this style of controller since then.
The set comprises four drum pads and three cymbals; however, it remains unclear from the shadowy visuals if they will be adjustable. At least one pedal is discernible (for hi-hat and bass drum capabilities).
CRKD has emulated the example set by the PDP Riffmaster Guitar controller, bringing back a piece of this nostalgic gaming hardware for players. In just the past month, CRKD has introduced a special edition color variant of its Gibson Les Paul controller, and Turtle Beach has released a Switch 2 controller version of its Riffmaster product. I was curious if the expanding ecosystem of Fortnite Festival would lead to more Rock Band-like hardware, and it certainly appears that it is. It’s unfortunate that these controllers aren’t compatible with a broader range of games—although the Guitar Life controller on Switch 2 indicates there are inventive methods to innovate on the concept.
Interestingly, I haven’t come across any whispers regarding other brands like Turtle Beach (the parent company of PDP) extending their lineup of rock band controllers. I speculate whether, since PDP was integrated into Turtle Beach, this has become a lower priority or if it’s something anticipated later. With no other drum kit controllers currently confirmed, CRKD appears poised to “fill” a gap in the market—catch that? A little drumming humor for you!
What intrigues me, as someone who has been tracking and writing about this brand since its beginning, is that it’s hinting at a new kind of rhythm game controller rather than a version of its exceedingly popular CRKD Nitro Deck+ for Switch 2. Maybe this is in progress, though we’ll need to wait and discover what’s in store for 2026.
- PDP Riffmaster: $119 at Amazon
- CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: $124.99 at Amazon
For additional information on the newest controllers, check out the finest PS5 controllers, the top Xbox Series X controller, and the best Switch 2 controllers.