RedOctane has confirmed that the guitar controller for Guitar Hero II on the Xbox 360 will connect to the console using a wire.

Guitar Hero II screenshot

The X-Plorer guitar was shown in prototype form at X06 with a wire connecting to the Xbox 360. At the time it was unclear if this meant that hopes of a wireless and free rocking session were to be dashed.

RedOctane has confirmed to GameSpot that the X-Plorer will not be wireless, and just as was necessary with the PlayStation 2 guitar, a wire will have to be used. There's further bad news for Xbox 360 rockers - the game won't ship for the next-gen console until 2007, months after the game's November debut on the PlayStation 2.

It might be worth waiting for the Xbox 360 version though; in addition to containing all the content from the PlayStation 2 game, you'll also be able to download new songs over Xbox Live Marketplace.