Click to enlarge image.
As disappointing as it was to hear that the Wii version of Rock Band would be closer to the PS2 game than those on next-gen machines, we're not about to start booing the game off stage just yet. Besides, who says the Wii version is inferior in every way to its next-gen brethren? The Rock Band drums, for instance, look absolutely spiffy in Wii white -- we genuinely prefer these to the black versions that appeared on other consoles. Okay, so that's a small victory, but it's a victory nonetheless.
Speaking of Rock Band peripherals, GameStop has already listed prices for the drums ($79.99), wireless guitar ($59.99), the game on its own ($49.99), and the Rock Band Special Edition Bundle For Rich Sods ($169.99). Hit the gallery for some boxart goodness.
[Via press release]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-25-2008 @ 12:51PM
vidGuy said...
Contrary to popular opinion, I prefer the black drums. That's a horrible use of white!
**Goes back to Rock Band on the 360**
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3-26-2008 @ 4:51PM
ArmorForVictor said...
black drums FTW!
3-25-2008 @ 12:58PM
Cyantre said...
I agree, those drums are ugly. I suspect the rest of the instruments will look similar. Not only does the Wii get the inferior PS2 port, a lack of DLC, but it gets the ugliest instruments of them all.
I'm so glad I have this game on my Xbox 360. I think I'll go download a new track and create a new character. =P
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3-25-2008 @ 1:02PM
Fullmetal Salchemist said...
The drums may look atrocious, but if Harmonix is going to keep with the white motif, then that means the Wii is getting a white Stratocaster. And that shit be sexy.
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3-25-2008 @ 1:09PM
Terrorbyt3 said...
The white guitar would be damn sexy. I wonder if it would be cross-platform compatible. Cause there's no way I'm getting this for the Wii after spending so much money on the DLC for the 360 version.
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3-25-2008 @ 1:12PM
Roto13 said...
I don't give a rat's ass what the peripherals look like. The game is gimped, and that's enough of a reason for me to stay away from it.
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3-25-2008 @ 1:17PM
Joe Cart said...
some of you are just dumb.. are u really gonna attack this thing just because of the color of the drums and other intruments? I know we all have lil nerd in us, but thats just geeky there. Be happy that this game is even coming to the wii in the first place. I know I am
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3-25-2008 @ 1:20PM
pather said...
I demand the announcement of the 5 exclusive songs before I determine which version I get.
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3-25-2008 @ 1:40PM
Cyantre said...
Whatever the songs are I bet you'll be able to get them as DLC content on other systems eventually. You're better off getting the Xbox 360 or PS3 version if you really want to enjoy the full experience of Rock Band.
3-25-2008 @ 1:20PM
TheDave said...
Now for the real questions,
Will the Drums be wireless?
It will SUCK if they are not.
What about a Mic stand-alone price?
And where are pics of the Guitar?
It better had damn well be wireless!
Pretty lazy development if they are not just plugging in to the wiimote as rumored...
They are starting to look completely incompetent like Craptivision did with their Wii release of GH3 and its audio issues, and no DLC.
if Nintendo was smart they would loan out their good developers to help 3rd parties make games like this include good stuff (DLC, good grafx, etc), That way they could keep customers from going out and just getting an xbox 360...
Which after hearing this (and other things) I am considering doing.
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3-26-2008 @ 4:55PM
ArmorForVictor said...
why would you want wireless drums? that's just more batteries to go through. i think i read somewhere that yes the wii guitar will be wireless and if you are looking for a new console may i suggest a ps3?
3-26-2008 @ 5:59PM
TheDave said...
PS3? Are you F'n kidding me? Wanna buy it for me?
I already have a Wii, hence, exactly why I am here on WiiFanBoy.
I would rather have a 360, than a ps3. Sony is an evil evil company... (Remember the nice little rootkit they have on your computer for just wanting to play a Music CD?)
4-01-2008 @ 10:59AM
Tom Boucher said...
much as I like the DLC of Rock Band, I'm not spending $279 on a system, then $169 on a game just to play it, not to mention the $99 on a wireless thing to get it on the network to DLC, then the $49 to get the right xbox live thing, and $49 for a controller for th other games.
I'll just skip rock band for now, maybe.
3-25-2008 @ 1:26PM
Waffala said...
I understand the need for the drum heads to be the four different colors, but this would have been beautiful if they had all be lighted with that signature blue glow we get on the Wii itself, and since I'm not really into the whole rhythm game boom (besides taiko drum master, because those drums are way too cute) aesthetics are everything to me.
Still this isn't so bad, regardless of color this peripheral itself is pretty cheesy looking, but so is the guitar hero controller, but no one really cares, you still look like a tool no matter how good the 'intrument' looks, and that's part of the fun.
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3-25-2008 @ 1:43PM
Matthew McNutt said...
If I ever get the game, I'm going with the 360 version. When either way is the same price, it just doesn't make sense to go with the Wii version when the 360 offers so much more. I would think they should knock the price down on the Wii version to make up for it not having some of the other options; charge $150, and I'll think about it! And unlike the others, I like the white drums. Very cool.
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3-25-2008 @ 1:48PM
Matt B said...
The drums look cool, but until the GH3 guitar can be used with this game, no sale for me. (I'm not paying another $50 for a guitar when I have a perfectly good one that I should be able to use)
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3-25-2008 @ 2:10PM
slugo said...
i'm sad to say but this might be the last straw for my wii. these games should be the best on the wii, but the companies really dropped the ball. no dlc(which is the game killer), wired peripherals, no release of gh2. and i heard there are problems playing online.
i'm looking at 360s now, and a great machine will now be sold or gather dust in a corner.
i don't know who's fault it is, but it is sad.
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3-25-2008 @ 2:19PM
sn1per said...
Sorry Harmonix, I really wanted to buy this game, but you just lost a customer. There's no reason the Wii shouldn't have DLC, proper online play, create-a-character, band world tour, and better graphics than the ps2 version. You got lazy, and still want to charge $170 for it? No thanks.
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3-25-2008 @ 2:56PM
schwal said...
i saw the drums for 360/ps3 seprate on sale for $80 at the Cambridge MA microcenter.
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3-25-2008 @ 3:30PM
deadmilkman34 said...
I understand the frustration created by no DLC, but blame nintendo, not harmonix. With the amount of DLC available and still to come, you'd be buying more memory sticks than anything else. If they had slapped more than a USB flash drive in the wii for memory, maybe its users would have DLC. Think about what they have to work with before you point blame.
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3-25-2008 @ 4:10PM
tmntman said...
The Wii may have limited storage space for downloaded content, but it does HAVE storage for downloaded content. So until I hear one reasonable explanation for why it is Nintendo's fault when a developer decides not to use the functions that are available on the system, then in my opinion the blame belongs on the developer.
Wii Ware has launched now in Japan and will be out in the US before this game launches. It provides the means to do downloadable content. So how is it not the developer's fault when they choose not to use it.
3-25-2008 @ 5:36PM
oddEvan said...
They're selling the game by itself... so does that mean the USB peripherals from the Xbox360 work?
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3-25-2008 @ 6:51PM
EcnobA said...
note to myself: . avoid this game at all cost.
p.s.p: .all 3rd party developers are lazy...
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3-25-2008 @ 7:05PM
KidSqueek said...
i want this game so bad for the wii but im having second thoughts. i have a ps2 but i dont want rockband for it so why would i get the wii version if it might be the same? i guess i'll put that $170 back to my ps3 fund...
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3-26-2008 @ 6:02PM
WiiRockBand said...
An online petition was started addressed to both Harmonix and Nintendo about some of the features most of us feel are missing from the Wii version of Rock Band.
http://www.petitiononline.com/rbwii/
It looks like a decently written petition.
Wonder if this will do any good?
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