Gene Simmons Love’s His AXE Guitar Videogame Controller (So Do I)

The God of Thunder (Gene Simmons) in cooperation with Interactive Game Group launched the AXE Guitar controller for the PS2 and PS3 on November 15 and unsurprisingly, Gene is very pleased with the product. The guitar controller is shaped just like his famous Axe shaped bass that long time fans of KISS may recall with a bit of misty nostalgia in their eyes.

“I never do anything half way. My AXE controller is the closest thing you can have to being onstage in KISS. I created and designed the Gene Simmons AXE bass guitar and I can’t wait for the fans to experience it for themselves,” said Gene. “The Gene Simmons AXE guitar is such a recognizable symbol - people have been asking for a gaming replica ever since Guitar Hero was first introduced.”

The AXE guitar controller is available for Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises, is a fully equipped, replica of the bass, it is wireless and a three-quarter-sized replica of the original. Customized with a replicated paint finish of the original guitar, it also features a painted autograph from Gene along with and his photo in full-on KISS make-up which is painted onto the body of the controller.

If you are interested in purchasing it, you can get it here at www.genesimmonsaxeguitar.com for $79.99. As of this past Monday, Wii owners who play Guitar Hero are now able get one as well, with the Rock Band compatible version being made available on January 31. Xbox 360 owners– stay tuned because they are working on one right now.

If I had $79.99 to blow, I would get one for the Xbox 360 myself. KISS was one of my favorite bands as a kid and just to prove how big of a fan I was, let me let you in on a little secret of mine: I still have the KISS lunch box I carried to Catholic school in 3rd grade for which I caught tons of hell over from the nuns, I was part of the KISS army, I own all of their music on both LP and CD, I stuck with the band through good and bad, through Gene dating Cher and Diana Ross and I showed up to four of their concerts with my face painted like Gene.

Unfortunately, I just cannot afford such an expensive game controller. Maybe Gene will read this and send me one (hint hint) (not bloody likely).