Contrary to retailer listings for standalone Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) wireless guitars, the game's plastic axes won't be available for purchase until next year. Activision made the announcement today, giving a vague "early 2008" window for the peripherals.

The wireless guitars are the newest models from RedOctane that came bundled with Guitar Hero III at its October release, with the PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 guitars modeled after a Gibson Les Paul. The wireless PS2 guitar features the stylings of a Gibson Kramer.

Though the PC version of the game comes bundled with a wired guitar shaped like a Gibson X-Plorer, Shacknews has confirmed that the game can be controlled with the wireless Xbox 360 guitar when used in conjunction with the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows.

For Rock Band (PS2, PS3, X360) players, the Xbox 360 Guitar Hero III wireless guitar works with the 360 version of Harmonix's title as well, making it an option for an extra guitar in the ensemble rhythm game. Unfortunately, all the wireless guitars have been known to operate with less-than-perfect functionality.