Post by: Skeeter8887 on May 10, 2009, 03:36:25 AM
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18408
With its release rapidly approaching, it isnt a surprise that Harmonix and MTV Games are teasing us with new information on The Beatles: Rock Band. When the title was originally announced, they revealed that this iteration's gear would receive a complete makeover. The drums, guitar, and bass will all model the equipment played by the famous band. Earlier this week, Harmonix and MTV Games revealed two of the official controllers: the Rickenbacker 325 and the Gretsh Duo Jet, both most frequently played by John Lennon and George Harrison.
According to Harmonix and MTV Games, the Rickenbacker 325 and the Gretsh Duo Jet guitars will be made available as standalone products when the game launches. They will be fully wireless and carry an MSRP of $99.99. The instruments will join the already announced Ringo Starr inspired Ludwig drums and the Paul McCartney custom Höfner violin bass controller.
Rickenbacker 325
Gretsh Duo Jet
MTV GAMES, HARMONIX AND EA UNVEIL REPLICA RICKENBACKER AND GRETSCH GUITAR INSTRUMENT CONTROLLERS FOR THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club Goes Live Today, May 5th
New York May 5, 2009 Harmonix Music Systems, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacoms MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today that replica Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars will be made available as standalone music peripheral controllers for The Beatles: Rock Band. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club also goes live today in the U.S. and Canada[1] giving fans exclusive news and access to exclusive game elements from the eagerly awaited game set for release worldwide on 9/9/09.
The Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars are hailed as two of the signature, most celebrated instruments played by John Lennon and George Harrison throughout their careers, respectively. They will be made available for MSRP $99.99 in the U.S. and in continental Europe for MSRP 99.99 and for MSRP £89.99 in the UK. These wireless instrument controllers join the previously announced Höfner bass controller, a large-scale replica of the bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney, and the Ringo Starr inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums, with a classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head. All controllers will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION® 3, Wii and will be compatible with all Rock Band titles.
Also announced, The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club officially goes live today. North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the The Beatles: Rock Band at a participating retailer will be given an access code to officially join the Pre-Order Club. After entry of the code, consumers will gain access to breaking news and exclusive behind the scenes elements[2]. For a list of participating retailers or to learn more about The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club, please visit www.thebeatlesrockband.com.
The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the bands legendary career. Available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii system from Nintendo on Sept. 9, 2009, the game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other third party music video game peripherals and microphones.
For The Beatles: Rock Band standalone guitar front of box art, please visit www.mtvpress.com
Post by: TJ Spyke on May 10, 2009, 03:48:29 AM
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 10, 2009, 04:02:40 AM
I almost never do this, but I am seriously hoping this game bombs. $250 for the full bundle is f***ing retarded. Every music game keeps getting more and more expensive. I know that The Beatles license drove it up partially (because the rights holders are greedy), but the other music games went up in price too.
You do realize that you can just buy the game without the instruments and if you don't have any you can just pick up the original Special Edition, which last time I checked was selling for $99, effectively making the price $160.
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on May 10, 2009, 09:13:37 AM
I almost never do this, but I am seriously hoping this game bombs. $250 for the full bundle is f***ing retarded. Every music game keeps getting more and more expensive. I know that The Beatles license drove it up partially (because the rights holders are greedy), but the other music games went up in price too.
You do realize that you can just buy the game without the instruments and if you don't have any you can just pick up the original Special Edition, which last time I checked was selling for $99, effectively making the price $160.
Insano is right, Harmonix is one of the only companies that always wanted cross compatibility with all music instruments on all music games. Activision was the company that didn't want the GH instruments working with Rock Band until the platform holders set down the law.
Post by: NWR_pap64 on May 10, 2009, 09:17:15 AM
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 10, 2009, 09:27:50 AM
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on May 10, 2009, 09:44:02 AM
So this means that The Beatles: Rock Band can be played with all of the instruments available in the other Rock Band releases?
Yes, it should also be compatible with the GH World Tour instruments as well. On the front of each game box in the Rock Band games it says that it is compatible with most guitar, drum and microphone controllers.
I don't think there's been any official confirmation but I can't believe that enough people at Harmonix could be stupid enough to think requiring the new instruments would be a good idea.
The only difference with the Beatles Rock Band instruments is purely cosmetic so there shouldn't be any major differences internally.
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on May 10, 2009, 01:08:52 PM
A friend observed recently that you can get the Rock Band 2 bundle and The Beatles: Rock Band game for LESS than the Beatles bundle. That's two games instead of one, and you have three instruments either way.
