AFI fans will have a chance to rock out to such tunes as “Beautiful Thieves”, “End Transmission” and “Love Like Winter” to name a few.  If you are a Bangles fan, you will get your chance to rock out “Walk Like and Egyptian”.  And just for those paying attention, Susanna Hoffs was totally looking at me in that video.  “Walk Like an Egyption” will also be playable in Lego Rock Band.

If you have Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP, you will have a chance to grab “California uber Alles” by Dead Kennedys and “Your No Rock n’ Roll Fun” by Sleater-Kinney.

Check the jump for the full press release with pricing info.

ROCK BAND ADDS AFI FIVE-PACK AND THE BANGLES

Also, tracks from Dead Kennedys and Sleater-Kinney for Rock Band Unplugged!

Cambridge, Mass. – Nov. 13, 2009 – Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that a five pack of tracks from AFI and a single from The Bangles will be added next week to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Wii™. Tracks from Dead Kennedys and Sleater-Kinney will be available for download next week for Rock Band Unplugged on PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 System and Wii

Rock Band is delivering more tracks from punk outfit AFI with a five pack of songs to join “Girl’s Not Grey” and “Miss Murder,” which are already available on the Rock Band platform. “AFI Pack 01” features three songs from the group’s eighth studio album, Crash Love, released Sept. 29, including “Beautiful Thieves,” “End Transmission” and “Medicate;” as well as “Love Like Winter,” from Decemberunderground, and “The Leaving Song, Pt II,” from Sing the Sorrow.

“Walk Like an Egyptian,” the 80s staple from The Bangles, will also be available in the Rock Band Music Store next week.

Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Nov. 17) and PlayStation 3 system (Nov. 19):

· AFI – “Beautiful Thieves”

· AFI – “End Transmission”

· AFI – “Love Like Winter”

· AFI – “Medicate”

· AFI – “The Leaving Song, Pt II”

· The Bangles – “Walk Like an Egyptian”+

(All tracks are original master recordings)

These tracks will be available for purchase as “AFI Pack 01” as well as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system, and as individual tracks on Wii. Tracks marked with a “+” are also available in the family-friendly LEGO Rock Band Music Store

Price: $1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track

$8.49 £5.25 UK, €6.59 EU (680 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “AFI Pack 01”

$2.00 USD (200 Wii Points™) per track

Rock Band Unplugged Tracks for PSP®System

Rock Band Unplugged fans will enjoy the addition of Dead Kennedys’ “California über Alles”and Sleater-Kinney’s “You’re No Rock’n’Roll Fun” to the 57 tracks already available via the Rock Band Unplugged in-game music store for the PSP system.

Tracks available for Rock Band Unplugged (Nov. 19):

•Dead Kennedys – “California über Alles” •Sleater-Kinney – “You’re No Rock’n’Roll Fun”

Price: $1.99, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU per track on the PSP system

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **

Website Links:

For more information, please visit:

Rock Band Website

AFI Website

Rock Band 2 is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii system. Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Wii versions support downloadable content. Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Storeusing Wii Points™ purchased through the Wii™ Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the system memory or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.

There are now 949 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 60 million paid downloads since its launch Nov. 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB. Music downloads are not rated by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo

It was only a matter of time before someone saw the value in marrying insanely popular fake-guitar-playing games and actual musical instruction, but it seems as though that time is coming sooner rather than later with Rock Band 3 aiming to be more than just a bit of fun in its next incarnation.

Dhani Harrison, son of Beatle George and a musician in his own right, not only confirms the existence of Rock Band 3, but also goes on to explain its potential educational merit. “I’m working on Rock Band 3 and making the controllers more real so people can actually learn how to play music while playing the game,” Harrison told the Chicago Tribune this week. “Give me a couple years, it’s going to happen.”

Considering his significant involvement and contributions to the Beatles: Rock Band, he does seem well placed to know what’s happening behind the scenes.

Whilst this throws up the question of whether people actually want to learn when they’re unwinding playing video games, the concept of learning how to play a real instrument at the same time as rocking out with friends is undoubtedly an interesting one. Considering the significantly bad press these types of games have, including criticism from (usually aging) rock stars themselves, I can’t wait to see if and when instructional music games hit the shelves. How about you?

Source: G4TV

For those of you that have Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP will have two new tracks to add to their library.  The first is “Excuse Me Mr.” from No Doubt and “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys.

All tracks are 160 Microsoft points, 200 Wii points or $1.99 on PS3.  The three White Strips tracks can be had in a package on the PS3 and 360 for $5.49 and 440 Microsoft points depending on platform.

THE WHITE STRIPES MAKE THEIR ROCK BAND DEBUT

Also, tracks from No Doubt and Dropkick Murphys for Rock Band Unplugged!

Cambridge, Mass. – Nov. 6, 2009 – Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that a three pack of tracks from The White Stripes and singles from The Damned and Kasabian will be added next week to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Wii™. Tracks from No Doubt and Dropkick Murphys will be available for download next week for Rock Band Unplugged on PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 System and Wii

Brother/sister duo The White Stripes will release a three pack of some of their most loved songs on Rock Band next week. The band, composed of Jack White (of The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs, both featured in Rock Band) and Meg White, has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide and has won five Grammy Awards, including three for Best Alternative Music Album. “The White Stripes Pack 01” will feature “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground,” from the 2001 album, White Blood Cells; “Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine,” from the 2003 album, Elephant; and “Icky Thump” from the 2007 album of the same name. A tour documentary titled “The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights” debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival this September and is currently making the festival rounds to rave reviews. The film, directed by Emmett Malloy, is a visual and emotional documentation of The White Stripes making their way through Canada where they played every province and territory, culminating with their 10th anniversary show in Nova Scotia. “The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights” is scheduled to be released in early 2010.

English punk rockers The Damned make their Rock Band debut next week with “Smash It Up,” and English rockers Kasabian add to their Rock Band catalog, with “Club Foot.”

Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Nov. 10) and PlayStation 3 system (Nov. 12):

· The Damned – “Smash It Up (Part II)” +

· Kasabian – “Club Foot” +

· The White Stripes – “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” +

· The White Stripes – “Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine” +

· The White Stripes – “Icky Thump”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

These tracks will be available for purchase as “The White Stripes Pack 01” as well as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system, and as individual tracks on Wii. Tracks marked with a “+” are also available in the family-friendly LEGO Rock Band Music Store.

Price: $1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track

$5.49, £2.49 UK, €3.99 EU (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “The White Stripes Pack 01”

$2.00 USD (200 Wii Points™) per track

Rock Band Unplugged Tracks for PSP®System

Rock Band Unplugged fans will enjoy the addition of No Doubt’s “Excuse Me Mr.” and Dropkick Murphy’s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” to the 55 tracks already available via the Rock Band Unplugged in-game music store for the PSP system.

Tracks available for Rock Band Unplugged (Nov. 12):

•No Doubt – “Excuse Me Mr.” •Dropkick Murphys – “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”

Price: $1.99, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU per track on the PSP system

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **

Website Links:

For more information, please visit:

Rock Band Website

The White Stripes Website

Rock Band 2 is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii system. Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Wii versions support downloadable content. Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Storeusing Wii Points™ purchased through the Wii™ Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the system memory or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.

There are now 938 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 60 million paid downloads since its launch Nov. 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB. Music downloads are not rated by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo

To see the tracks for each band, along with pricing info, click the jump.

ROCK BAND ADDS TO ITS CATALOG OF TOP ARTISTS WITH MORE NIRVANA AND FOO FIGHTERS

Also, tracks from Bullet for My Valentine and System of a Down for Rock Band Unplugged!

Cambridge, Mass. – Oct. 30, 2009 – Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that a three pack of tracks from Nirvana, a four pack of tracks from Foo Fighters and a single from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts will be added next week to the Rock Band Music Store and the LEGO Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Wii™. Tracks from Bullet for My Valentine and System of a Down will be available for download next week for Rock Band Unplugged on PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 System and Wii

Nirvana released their debut album, Bleach, in 1989 on Sub Pop Records, and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this platinum-selling album, Sub Pop will release a special edition of the album, featuring a complete and previously unreleased live concert recorded in 1990 in Portland, Oregon. The anniversary edition of Bleach will be released the same day and date as “Nirvana Bleach Pack,” which includes “About a Girl,” “Blew” and “School.”

American rockers Foo Fighters, will release Greatest Hits Nov. 3, the same day the third DLC pack from the band will be available in the Rock Band Music Store. Greatest Hits will feature 14 of the three-time Grammy Award-winning band’s most-loved songs, as well as two new songs, “Wheels” and “Word Forward,” both of which are featured in “Foo Fighters Pack 03,” along with “Best of You” and “The Pretender.”

American rockers Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ “Fake Friends” from the 1984 album, Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth, will also be added to the Rock Band Music Store and LEGO Rock Band Music Store Nov. 3.

Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Nov. 3) and PlayStation 3 system (Nov. 5):

· Foo Fighters – “Best of You”

· Foo Fighters – “The Pretender”

· Foo Fighters – “Wheels”

· Foo Fighters – “Word Forward”

· Nirvana – “About a Girl”

· Nirvana – “Blew”

· Nirvana – “School”

· Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – “Fake Friends”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

These tracks will be available for purchase as “Nirvana Bleach Pack,” “Foo Fighters Pack 03” and as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system and as individual tracks on Wii. 

Price: $1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track

$5.49, £2.49 UK, €3.99 EU (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Nirvana Bleach Pack”

$6.99, £3.49 UK, €5.29 EU (560 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Foo Fighters Pack 03”

$2.00 USD (200 Wii Points™) per track

Rock Band Unplugged Tracks for PSP®System

Rock Band Unplugged fans will enjoy the addition of Bullet for My Valentine’s “Waking the Demon” and System of a Down’s “Toxicity” to the 53 tracks already available via the Rock Band Unplugged in-game music store for the PSP system.

Tracks available for Rock Band Unplugged (Nov. 5):

•Bullet For My Valentine – “Waking the Demon” •System of a Down – “Toxicity”

Price: $1.99, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU per track on the PSP system

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **

Website Links:

For more information, please visit:

Rock Band Website

Foo Fighters Website

Nirvana Website

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Website

Rock Band 2 is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii system. Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Wii versions support downloadable content. Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Storeusing Wii Points™ purchased through the Wii™ Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the system memory or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.

There are now 930 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 60 million paid downloads since its launch Nov. 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB. Music downloads are not rated by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo

Today Harmonix/MTV Games announced their Halloween-themed DLC pack. And by Halloween-themed, I really mean in a very-very-loosely-connected-by-means-of-slightly-spooky-artist-names kind of way.

Up for offer are three tracks from Rob ZOMBIE (omg! Zombies!), five from WOLFmother (WOLVES! aaaargh!) and . . . um, tracks from the decidedly less amusingly-titled artists Liz Phair and Morningwood. All will be available over the next week in time for your Halloween rock-outs.

Hit the jump for the details.

Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Oct. 27) and PlayStation 3 system (Oct. 29):

• Rob Zombie – “Burn”
• Rob Zombie – “Dragula”
• Rob Zombie – “Superbeast”
• Wolfmother – “New Moon Rising”
• Wolfmother – “Pilgrim”
• Wolfmother – “Sundial”
• Wolfmother – “White Unicorn”
• Wolfmother – “Woman”
• Liz Phair – “Rock Me”
• Morningwood – “Best of Me” *
• Morningwood – “Sugarbaby” *

Tracks from Sonic Youth and Steely Dan will also be available to download for PSP’s Rock Band Unplugged next week.

The Alice in Chains pack includes a new song from their first album in 17 years called ” A Looking In View”.  The other tracks are from their back catalog of hits including “Would?”, which was prominently featured in the movie Singles.

Also, while I have never heard of the singer Just Kait, I am compelled to buy the song because of its name, “U Suck”  That could be a party favorite on the name alone.

ROCK BAND CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF NEW ALBUMS BY BREAKING BENJAMIN AND ALICE IN CHAINS

Plus two tracks from Foo Fighters for Rock Band Unplugged!

Cambridge, Mass. – Sept. 25, 2009 – Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that Breaking Benjamin will make their Rock Band debut next week with a three pack of songs available for download in the Rock Band Music Store. A five pack of songs from Alice in Chains, as well as songs from Kula Shaker and Just Kait will also be added next week to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Wii™. Tracks from Foo Fighters will also be available for download next week for Rock Band Unplugged on PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 System and Wii

American alternative metal outfit Breaking Benjamin will release three songs for Rock Band Sept. 29, day-and-date with the band’s fourth album release, Dear Agony. The three pack of songs features the single from Dear Agony, “I Will Not Bow,” as well as “So Cold,” from the band’s second album, We Are Not Alone, and “The Diary of Jane,” from the band’s third album, Phobia.

A five pack of songs from alternative rockers Alice in Chains joins “Man in the Box,” available on-disc on Rock Band 2. The five pack features the band’s new single, “A Looking in View” from the band’s first album in 14 years, titled Black Gives Way to Blue, which will be released day-and-date with the DLC pack. Alice in Chains has sold more than 17 million albums worldwide and has received six Grammy nominations since their inception in Seattle in 1987. The five pack also includes “Would?”, which was featured in the soundtrack to the film Singles and won the award for Best Video from a Film at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards.

Additionally, multi-platinum selling English psychedelic rockers Kula Shaker make their Rock Band debut with “Hey Dude” and “Knight on the Town,” and Just Kait makes her Rock Band debut as well, with “U Suck.”

Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Sept. 29) and PlayStation 3 system (Oct. 1):

· Alice in Chains – “A Looking in View”

· Alice in Chains – “Check My Brain”

· Alice in Chains – “No Excuses”

· Alice in Chains – “Rooster”

· Alice in Chains – “Would?”

· Breaking Benjamin – “I Will Not Bow”

· Breaking Benjamin – “So Cold”

· Breaking Benjamin – “The Diary of Jane”

· Just Kait – “U Suck” *

· Kula Shaker – “Hey Dude”

· Kula Shaker – “Knight on the Town”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

These tracks will be available for purchase as “Alice in Chains Pack 01” and as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system and as individual tracks on Wii.

Price: $1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track

$8.49 USD, £5.25 and €6.59 (680 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Alice in Chains Pack 01”

$2.00 USD (200 Wii Points™) per track

*Denotes $.99 (80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) or $1.00 (100 Wii Points) per track

Rock Band Unplugged Tracks for PSP®System

Rock Band Unplugged fans will enjoy the addition of Foo Fighters “Monkey Wrench” and “Lonely as You” to the 43 tracks already available via the Rock Band Unplugged in-game music store for the PSP system.

Tracks available for Rock Band Unplugged (Oct. 1):

•Foo Fighters – “Monkey Wrench” •Foo Fighters – “Lonely As You”

Price: $1.99, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU per track on the PSP system

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **

Website Links:

For more information, please visit:

Rock Band Website

Alice in Chains Website

Breaking Benjamin Website

Kula Shaker Website

Just Kait Website

Rock Band 2 is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii system. Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Wii versions support downloadable content.

Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Storeusing Wii Points™ purchased through the Wii™ Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the system memory or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.

There are now 877 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 60 million paid downloads since its launch Nov. 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB. Music downloads are not rated by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Wii is a trademark of Nintendo.

Thanks to Joystiq.

As an avid music lover, and musician, I’ve had a hole in my gaming heart that is constantly being filled by the rhythm games genre. Since the time Frequency popped up quietly on the PS2, to the latest iterations inviting you to create a virtual band, I’ve been able to live out my dream of being a professional musician vicariously through these games. So after I finally took the plastic plunge and picked up the Rock Band 2 bundle last year, rocking out has become a frequent expedition for me and the girls.

What I love about these titles is the ability to teach my kids more than just twitch reflexes from visual cues. Although many argue over whether playing a fake plastic instrument is the same as the real thing, one cannot deny the fact that these titles provide a healthy way of building a sense of rhythm. Without any scientific proof to back it up, I will state that I am positive that my oldest daughter has been developing hers and can now consistently keep a beat with even some faster paced music. Maybe in a few years, I can finally have a permanent drummer for my real band.

Speaking of drumming, this seems to be my kids favorite of the instruments, and it’s probably due to the being the easiest of the three, or four if you consider bass to be different than guitar in these games. What I’ve found that works best for us is my kids will sit on my lap while I hold the sticks in their hands and help them hit the pads at the designated times. My oldest daughter has managed to pick up the on-screen signals and can get some of the beats on her own. Problem is that they tend to lose focus after a while, which may be due to the music. And I don’t think filling my musical database with Miley Cyrus is going to fix that. Maybe Spongebob could lend some assistance though.

Now the topic of music is where some will stonewall me for having even mentioned this title. While all of the tracks are radio-edited, there still may be some themes that people will curse as bad influences. If this is the case for you, just don’t play those tracks. Problem solved. Personally, I find that most of the music they probably shouldn’t hear, they or I don’t want to play anyways.

So if you are looking for a way to engage the whole family in a cooperative experience, swing out and pick up a copy of Rock Band with the full peripherals and start your own version of the Partridge Family. I know that even as my kids age this is one title that will be in our repertoire of games.

ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Lyrics
Suggestive Themes

Average web score: 10 out of 10
(according to Test Freaks)

Gaming critic Ian Bogost holds a similar view, although his cynicism is largely borne of irritation with a ridiculously hyperbolic New York Times review. The Times suggests that BRB “may be the most important video game yet made.” Really. Bogost also asks why we should all fall down for this game when the group “spent decades not only failing to understand [gaming], but also [deriding it] as useless and insolent?”

It’s not unusual for non-gaming publications to appear out of touch with our little world; the media gets us wrong all the time. But this time, we have a confluence of agreement between just about everybody, inside and out. It seems like only a handful of us disagree with the statement that Beatles: Rock Band is “transformative entertainment experience.”

Not that BRB is a bad game. Far from it. It’s packed with songs you know, it has a great look, and parts of it are absolutely brilliant. There’s just not enough of it when stacked against other music games.

What’s your take? Do you think it’s worth full price? Are we paying a Beatles Tax on this one?