Key Points
- Gaming accessory maker CRKD has teased a new drum kit controller.
- The controller will feature four pads, a pedal, and cymbals, similar to classic rhythm game kits.
- CRKD is using lessons learned and customer feedback from its previous guitar controllers.
- The drum kit is expected to be formally introduced in Q1 2026.
The gaming accessory company CRKD is growing its lineup of controllers for rhythm games. After releasing guitar controllers for games like Fortnite Festival and community projects like Clone Hero, a new teaser video suggests that a drum kit controller is next on the list.
The teaser is short, but it looks like CRKD is hitting all the classic notes of old Rock Band and Guitar Hero drum kits. The video shows four colored pads, a foot pedal, and cymbals.
In a blog post, the company said it plans to take “the good lessons (and the bad)” from its previous guitar controllers, listen to customer feedback, and aim to make an even better product. The new drum controller is expected to be formally introduced in the first quarter of 2026.
While rhythm games aren’t as massive as they were in their heyday, they never completely disappeared, especially in the indie scene. Now, they could be set for a small comeback in 2026.
Nintendo is planning to release a new game in its popular Rhythm Heaven series, titled Rhythm Heaven Groove, in 2026. Meanwhile, Epic Games continues to add new songs and support for the Fortnite Festival.
Interestingly, CRKD is owned by Embracer Freemode, which is also the parent company of the recently revived RedOctane Games.
RedOctane was instrumental in popularizing the rhythm game genre with the original Guitar Hero, and it is now working on new rhythm games. This connection could mean good things for the future of the genre and the hardware that supports it.
