If you walk into any guitar store, you'll likely be confronted with a large number of guitars that are either endorsed, designed, signed, or affiliated with a guitar god of sorts. For those wishing the same experience from their video games, Atari have a treat for you.

In April, Atari Australia will bring the first "certified" replica of Gene Simmons' legendary axe to Australian audiences. The Axe controller will be compatible with all the Guitar Hero games, along with added support for the Rock Band games.

The AXE Guitar controller will be compatible with the PlayStation 2 and 3, and will also offer support for the Nintendo Wii. A version for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console is not mentioned by official press announcements, nor on the product's website.

The "fully equiped" replica features the signature of Gene Simmons, and also has an image of the iconic rocker in make-up on the body of the peripheral. The controller features ten buttons on the neck, with the lower-five allowing full-integration with Rock Band's solo functionality.

Gene Simmons is happy, and excited about the impending launch of the peripheral:

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. The Gene Simmons AXE guitar is such a recognisable symbol - people have been asking for a gaming replica ever since Guitar Hero was first introduced.

The Gene Simmons Axe Guitar controller was designed in conjunction with Interactive Game Group, and is larger than your average Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars - at 75% the full size of Gene Simmons' bass guitar.

The guitar is powered by three double AA batteries, and has a wireless range of 30 feet. Expected battery life is forty hours, and each component is "fortified" in order to ensure enhanced durability and control. The controller will be available from Australian gaming emporiums in April, and a RRP has not yet been announced for the product.