Rockband for Wii

kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
edited July 2008 in Gaming
It's taken it's sweet time but it's finally arriving

Wii will shred 'Rock Band,' starting June 22

Posted by Caroline McCarthy | Post a comment
It's only rock 'n roll, but Wii like it. Harmonix, the game developer acquired by MTV Networks to create the Rock Band video game, announced Monday that the software will be available for Nintendo's Wii console on June 22. Currently, versions of Rock Band have been created for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.
rockband_270x202.jpg(Credit: Harmonix/MTV)
Rumors of a Wii edition of Rock Band first started to circulate early last month. The game was originally released in November amid the soaring popularity of Activision's Guitar Hero franchise, which had a Hollywood-worthy $115 million opening weekend for its most recent game, Guitar Hero III. MTV's Rock Band puts a spin on the concept by letting participants play bass, drums, and vocals in addition to guitar. Despite the inherent similarities to Guitar Hero, Rock Band has been a huge hit, too.
But, just like a rerun of Behind the Music, the guitar-playing video game craze has been ridden with drama. Harmonix developed the original Guitar Hero, but MTV Networks acquired it in 2006 to create rival Rock Band and distribute it through gaming mega-publisher Electronic Arts. Meanwhile, guitar manufacturer Gibson Guitar has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers of both Guitar Hero and Rock Band as well as six major retailers--according to Gibson, it's held a patent on a guitar-playing video game since 1999.
So far, none of the gaming console manufacturers--Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo--have been targeted by Gibson's suit.
The June 22 Rock Band Wii release will encompass the U.S. and Canada markets, and a core bundle (software, drums, microphone, and one guitar) will cost $169.99. Standalone instruments will also be sold. It'll feature a lineup of 63 songs, including five exclusive to the Wii.

Comments

  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited March 2008
    5 extra songs to make up for the lack of DLC. Now there's a tradeoff.
  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    edited March 2008
    what's in the downloadable content for those of us who have only the wii.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited March 2008
    Tonssssssss of extra songs. Entire albums are scheduled to come out. But it all costs extra money, so it's really personal preference. I'd just rather have the choice.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited March 2008
    But there is no choice. If you only have a Wii your choices are buy Rockband for Wii and live without DLC. Or buy another system. The choice isn't between buying rockband for Wii with or without DLC. However with the new upgrade to the Wii store they are opening up more possibilities for DLC content.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited March 2008
    I have a feeling that there will eventually be some way to get DLC onto this thing.

    It's too big a pool of $$$ for them not to pursue it.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited March 2008
    Harmonix wrote:
    Regarding downloadable content: During Rock Band for the Wii development Harmonix focused on making the core gameplay experience as solid and enjoyable as possible while tailoring it specifically to the strengths of the platform. The Wii version still contains the robust four-player band experience and all the fun at the core of other versions of Rock Band. However, because the Wii's online capabilities and potential have yet to be fully realized, we wanted to wait before we explored online functionality for Rock Band to ensure that players get the high-quality of online performance they've come to expect.
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited March 2008
    However, because the Wii's online capabilities and potential have yet to be fully realized, we wanted to wait before we explored online functionality for Rock Band to ensure that players get the high-quality of online performance they've come to expect.
    I find this statement Ironic, since what Nintendo users have 'come to expect' over the years is that there will be no online play at all...

    and if current online experiences are taken into consideration, we can expect the future of Nintendo online to be cumbersome, counterintuitive, sensored, and too 'secure' to be any fun.
  • NiGHTSNiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
    edited March 2008
    Their original market wasn't the hardcore gamer, so I can't blame them for how they've set it up. They're kicking themselves because of it, though, in the loss of at least some revenues.
  • UPSWeezerUPSWeezer Behind you... GENTLEMEN Icrontian
    edited April 2008
    Wii online is FAIL!!!

    Still, Rockband on Wii is a dream come true. I can't wait! And isn't the release date the day LAN08 ends. What a week that's going to be.:celebrate
  • UPSWeezerUPSWeezer Behind you... GENTLEMEN Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    Song Pack Announced

    Tracks:
    30 Seconds to Mars - "The Kill"
    All American Rejects - "Move Along"
    Blink – 182 - "All the Small Things"
    Boston - "More Than a Feeling"
    David Bowie - "Moonage Daydream"
    Faith No More - "We Care A Lot"
    Grateful Dead - "Truckin’"
    The Hives - "Die, All Right!"
    KISS - "Calling Dr. Love"
    Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Gimme’ Three Steps"
    Nine Inch Nails - "March of the Pigs"
    Oasis - "Live Forever"
    Paramore - "Crushcrushcrush"
    The Police - "Synchronicity II"
    Queens of the Stone Age - "Little Sister"
    Ramones - "Teenage Lobotomy"
    Smashing Pumpkins - "Siva"
    Stone Temple Pilots - "Interstate Love Song"
    Weezer - "Buddy Holly"
    Wolfmother - "Joker & the Thief"

    **All 20 tracks utilize original master recordings**
    ** All tracks are available as DLC on competing platforms**

    Price: $29.99 MSRP
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited May 2008
    My hope is I can get the game, buy the drums separately and use my two existing GH3 guitars on the Wii version, I so much prefer them over the Rockband Guitars. I could care less about the Mic.
  • UPSWeezerUPSWeezer Behind you... GENTLEMEN Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    I'm definitely going to get the WHOLE set. Its a must for when i have a bunch of friends over.
  • MAGICMAGIC Doot Doot Furniture City, Michigan Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    I just sold my wii to get a ps3 for rock band... I'm still more excited about having a ps3 than any game that has come out for the wii though.
  • UPSWeezerUPSWeezer Behind you... GENTLEMEN Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    the wii will have its big moment someday. what about brawl though? that game was good.
  • UPSWeezerUPSWeezer Behind you... GENTLEMEN Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    Well... I just pre-ordered RockBand today. I guess it's the last week to do it. I got the entire set, and I already have a GH3 guitar so I'll be all set to rock.

    EDIT:/ I just found this: http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/tabulator-guitar-hero-rock-band-guitar-compatibility/

    THIS SUCKS BALLS!!! No GH guitars compatible with Rock Band.:mad2:

    On the plus, Rock Band for Wii will have a bonus 5 songs to add to the previous song list. They include:
    • "Dirty Little Secret" - The All American Rejects
    • "Don't Look Back in Anger" - Oasis
    • "Roam" - The B-52's
    • "Rockaway Beach" - The Ramones
    • "Roxanne" - The Police
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited May 2008
    Yeah when I found out that the GH3 guitars won't work on rockband I'm not bothering. Instead I'll wait for GH4, it's backwards compatible and has a better drum kit and is looking to be a more solid game all the way around anyway.

    The 5 bonus songs are a nice touch, but they aren't exclusive to wii they are DLC for the other systems.
  • UPSWeezerUPSWeezer Behind you... GENTLEMEN Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    I know they're not exclusive but they come free with the game.
  • UPSWeezerUPSWeezer Behind you... GENTLEMEN Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    kryyst wrote:
    Yeah when I found out that the GH3 guitars won't work on rockband I'm not bothering. Instead I'll wait for GH4, it's backwards compatible and has a better drum kit and is looking to be a more solid game all the way around anyway.
    I heard GH4 is only for PS3.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    Uhm, unlikely.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    There is no WAY they wouldn't release GH4 for the much-higher selling 360 o.O
  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited May 2008
    < PS3-Fanboy >Man the 360's a dinosaur. It's on it's way out man! Can't you see the trend of crap that spews from Microsoft? Man that's so bogus! The 360 is so much trash!< /PS3-Fanboy >

    Sadly that's how those arguments go. I highly doubt Red Octane will release it exclusive to the PS3. That's dumber than hell.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited May 2008
    UPSWeezer wrote:
    I heard GH4 is only for PS3.

    Nope, PS3, 360, Wii, PS2
  • UPSWeezerUPSWeezer Behind you... GENTLEMEN Icrontian
    edited July 2008
    I got Rockband the day it came out. I have almost all the songs. The additional 5 are great especially Don't Look Back in Anger by Oasis. It plays EXACTLY like PS2.

    Now for the songs that will be available to buy in a month or so... they are NOT for download. They will come on a separate disk. It'll also act as it's own game; there will be a solo and multiplayer career just like the original. There will be NO downloadable content for this game. Same goes for PS2. They did say something about downloading on Rockband 2.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited July 2008
    Once I learned that the GH3 guitars don't work on for Wii Rockband I passed on it. I'll gladly wait until October for GH4 to come out.
  • PurplezArcticPurplezArctic
    edited July 2008
    GLaDUS on Rockband = pwn.
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