Nintendo Wii Fanboy

While we were eavesdropping on Microsoft's E3 press conference, we heard some really exciting stuff. We're not going to get into details (that's what the link is for, folks), but there was something mentioned that might interest Wii owners, too: the Rock Band 2 track list. We've gotten a little taste of what to expect before, but this list has a total of eight-four songs. Seventy-five of them are main tracks, while nine of them are bonus songs. There's also so much awesome on the list that we don't even know what to highlight.

Granted, this list is from Microsoft's E3 keynote, so you should be a little wary -- although these tracks were announced for Rock Band 2, they weren't necessarily announced for the Wii version. Still, unless Harmonix really, really hates Wii owners to the point that they'd gimp in-game content, too, we'd say you don't have much to worry about.

Check out the full, whopping list after the break.

The biggest and most famous band there ever was -- The Beatles. They have been notably absent in every release from the biggest rhythm games in the world -- Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Hopefully the creators have gotten all that metal nonsense out of their system, because The Beatles might just be on the way to a plastic guitar near you.

People have talked about talking about it, but according to the Financial Times, actual representatives for The Beatles have been sitting down with Activision and MTV Games to make some progress. It's entirely possible that the Fab Four might make it to both games, but we'll be getting whichever one features this nifty number. Automatic screamage factor of twelve.


[Via MCV]

Rock Band is a sore subject among Wii owners, since we'll be getting the gimped version of the game. Even so, that won't stop a Rock Band 2 from landing on Nintendo's console. At least, that's what a recent survey conducted by Listen Research for EA hints at, which has been asking gamers some questions about the pending sequel.

Most of the things that EA wants to know have to do with the player's likelihood of purchasing things. The survey includes (paraphrased) questions like: Would you buy the Special Edition set for Rock Band 2 (i.e., the version that includes all the instruments)? And: How many Rock Band Track Packs for the Wii would you purchase within six months? The inquiry we found to be the most interesting, though, asked whether consumers would be more inclined to buy Rock Band or Guitar Hero, which will also utilize multiple instruments soon.

While some people may be more invested in one franchise over the other (depending on which game and instruments they already own), we think that gaining the loyalty of Wii owners is relatively simple. Easily enough, the company who issues the least broken game for Nintendo's console will win this guitar and drums arms race on the Wii.

Rock Band for Wii isn't even screwing you over out yet, and already the downloadable content problem has been solved! All you have to do is buy an additional disc with a whopping twenty tracks for $29.99! No, you don't get to choose which ones you want and spend only a little money. You want extras? Pony up, suckers!

It's one thing -- and an acceptable thing -- to milk customers for a few bucks at a time for additional songs they really want. It's another thing altogether to offer up a full expansion for thirty dollars less than a month after the game is released. That's right: Rock Band isn't scheduled for the Wii until June 22, and this Track Pack is due July 15. And it's labeled Volume 1, naturally ... expect another round not long after that. We're anticipating September.

The only logical explanation for this travesty is that Harmonix is upset that they missed the Wii boat and are now scrambling to scrape as much quick cash as possible. The question is: will Wii owners take the rather unattractive bait? Fume your way past the break to see the full track listing for Rock Band's Track Pack Volume 1.