Review: PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller For Switch 1 & 2

The PDP Riffmaster debuted in April 2024 and is a wireless guitar controller that has received positive reviews, although it leans towards the expensive side at the £130/$150 price point.

We’ve previously examined the CRKD x Gibson Guitar Controller, which is a bit less costly and manages the task quite well… however, the selection of guitar-compatible games on Switch consoles is rather limited right now, so you’ll likely be sticking to Fortnite Festival with this latest option.

I presume that the Riffmaster is specifically created for this scenario (though, naturally, overcoming Dark Souls with a guitar is what you’re here for). This marks PDP’s first guitar accessory since 2015, when they launched a Fender Jaguar-style model for Rock Band. Ah, back when everyone’s home was cluttered with plastic guitars for the post-pub ritual of ‘being superior to your friends at pretending to play a guitar’.

Admittedly, I wasn’t really expecting to receive a guitar accessory to review for Switch when this one arrived. I had moved on from my fascination with all things Guitar Hero-related, and my collection of plastic instruments (believe me, I’ve had numerous drum kits, guitars, and DJ decks) has long since departed to that grand CEX in the sky. So, what’s it like to re-engage with the PDP Riffmaster?

If only it had a wider assortment of games tailored for it — if I could just plug it in (you don’t even require a dongle, just sync and strum) and blast my favourite tracks — I’m certain I’d be having a fantastic time. Unfortunately, Fortnite Festival is not all that enjoyable, and it can be an annoyingly menu-heavy experience for those who aren’t accustomed to Fortnite.

Nevertheless, I’m here to assess the guitar, not Epic’s cash extraction tool, and the Riffmaster is a wonderfully lightweight (just 1.570 grams, reportedly), quiet, and user-friendly guitar controller that significantly enhances the 2015 model I mentioned. Its buttons are better arranged, it includes a dedicated screenshot button to capture images from the Fortnite menus, and it smartly mitigates accidental inputs as you rock out.

The strut bar is completely noiseless, providing a great way to jam quietly with headphones, and it also stores conveniently thanks to a foldable neck that doesn’t compromise durability for portability. Simply lift the small switch on the back of the neck to flip the neck up or down. It clicks satisfyingly into position and never feels like it’s wobbling or insecure as you play. Consequently, we are immediately in a favorable situation, as having large plastic guitars cluttering your space can be undesirable, and I appreciate how easy it is to hide this one. Even the box is surprisingly compact.

The head can be completely detached as well, if necessary, but the rest of the model is a single piece, which contributes to an overall sense of quality in the construction. There’s no discernible squeaking or movement of components while playing, the fret buttons mounted on the upper and lower parts of the neck feel responsive, and it didn’t take long (even with the game’s UI) before I was failing dramatically at all the tracks in Fortnite Festival — which appears to have plenty to offer. At least they got that part right.

Now, my favourite feature is that the strut bar is utterly silent and doesn’t produce any irritating clicking or clacking during movement. I detest that. I have always found it very distracting against the music (on older guitars, you could even hear it at full volume), and I’m thankful it has been eliminated.

This smoothness extends to the fret buttons, which feel light, responsive, and easy to release. There’s no clickiness or other distracting feedback as you transition between notes. It feels like a high-end version of what I recall playing years ago, which is what you would anticipate at this price point!

Am I any better at executing the songs as a result? No. But it feels easier to slide across the fret buttons swiftly, so it’s unlikely to be the guitar’s fault. Oh, and the range, which is said to be 30 feet of low-latency excellence, impressed me as I walked into the kitchen for a snack midway through Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun (space themes make me hungry) and it didn’t lose its connection.

In terms of overall design, it bears a strong resemblance to the PDP Fender, but here they’ve exaggerated the lower left side to make it look 70% more like it belongs to a guitarist from a sci-fi movie band. I’m fond of it. It’s aesthetically pleasing. However, there’s a slight issue with the included strap, as the connection point is situated next to the resultant groove along the bottom, which causes the strap to get a bit caught around the USB-C port. Not a major issue, but worth mentioning.

It’s also quite a shiny guitar, so your preferences may vary if you dislike fingerprints—it truly showcases every last mark and smudge. You can remove the faceplate if you wish, creating an opportunity for customization. Maybe add a Nintendo Life logo or something similar. Oh, and isn’t it fantastic to no longer require a plethora of batteries for these devices? This model lasts around 30 hours on a full charge.

To summarize, the PDP Riffmaster is an impressive piece of equipment. It’s got me longing for proper gaming sessions. The only genuine critique I have is that the price is tough to rationalize on Switch given the limited game selection. Fortnite Festival suffices — and I’m sure you’re aware of what you’re getting into if you’re contemplating a purchase — but it would indeed be wonderful to try this out on some legitimate games and engage in some real local co-op action, as everything feels excellent.

If you’re searching for a guitar controller for your Switch or Switch 2, and the CRKD isn’t quite your style, aside from a minor issue with the strap not syncing perfectly with the body shape, everything else here is fantastic, streamlined, and easy to begin jamming with. Now, let’s see a resurgence in rhythm games!

The sample used in this review was provided by PDP.

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