Rock Band 3 gets detailed: controllers, challenges and more

Having been spotted flaunting its keyboard controller on video yesterday, Rock Band 3 has come clean in a hands-on preview over at Joystiq.  All of the new controller hardware has been revealed, including the $150 Fender Mustang Pro and Squier Stratocaster (the latter of which can be used as a fully-functional, regular electric guitar), the three new cymbals and the MIDI-capable keytar.

If the "real" guitar is too much hassle for you, the Fender version makes do with more buttons than the average QWERTY keyboard, comprising a full 102 keys and real strings that you pluck in time with the on-screen graphics.  Altogether, there will be a total of seven different musicians supported at any one time: drums, lead and bass guitar, keyboards, lead vocals and two harmony vocals.

Harmonix are still keeping quiet on when, exactly, Rock Band 3 might be hitting the shelves of your nearest games store, but at least that gives you time to concentrate on saving money for the new controllers.  It'll be available for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii.