Rock Band Wii - 6/22/08 - $170 - Pictures!

[botticus]

4/15 - Picture edit thanks to CombatCraig.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-hands-on-rock-band-wii/

-------

It's been known to be in the pipeline forever, but the PR just came out, via GAF:

MTV Games, Harmonix and EA Announce Rock Band for Wii on June 22, 2008

The number one selling game in February 2008 is coming to Wii!

Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks, which is a division of Viacom, along with distribution partner Electronic Arts, Inc., today announced plans to release the award-winning music video game Rock Band on the Wii home video game system from Nintendo in the U.S. and Canada on June 22, 2008 for the suggested retail price of $169.99.

Rock Band for Wii will be released as a Special Edition bundle including the software, drums, microphone and a wireless guitar. Stand alone instruments will also be available on June 22nd for people who want to build their band one instrument at a time or want to play the drum versus drum game mode. The game will feature 63 songs including five bonus songs for Wii gamers to enjoy.

"The Wii's success among casual and core gamers of all ages makes it an ideal match for the cross-generational appeal of the music featured in Rock Band," says Bob Picunko, Vice President of Electronic Games and Interactive Products, MTV

"The social interaction and addictive nature of the Rock Band experience is a perfect fit for the Wii and will undoubtedly be fun for the entire family," says Steve Singer, licensing VP from Nintendo.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262687

[CombatCraig]

It's been known to be in the pipeline forever, but the PR just came out, via GAF:


http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262687

If only I had the money or the friends to make it worth it.

[Wyatt]

Will the Wii GH3 guitar work with Rock Band? If so, and if they get the DLC stuff sorted out, I'll probably end up picking this up. Good news nonetheless.

[Ryukahn]

Unless they offer a way for folk to be able to buy the songs that the PS3/360 crowd can, I don't see any reason for someone to get this version unless they only have a Wii. Even then, how long can it last without getting new songs?

I suppose they could offer compilation discs with the songs or something so that people have access to them on the Wii.

[zewone]

Unless they offer a way for folk to be able to buy the songs that the PS3/360 crowd can, I don't see any reason for someone to get this version unless they only have a Wii. Even then, how long can it last without getting new songs?

I suppose they could offer compilation discs with the songs or something so that people have access to them on the Wii.

Right, half the fun of Rock Band is the new releases every week.

[dmunkee]

Well, it'll be after the WiiWare launch, so maybe there is hope for DLC?

[botticus]

Now to answer some of the questions that will appear.

First of all there are five extra songs on disc for the Wii version of the game. As we get closer to launch we'll let you know what they are.

The feature-set is a lot closer to the PS2 version of Rock Band which was also developed by Pi Studios. We've decided to focus on getting the core gameplay on to the Wii and focus on making that awesome.

The instruments don't use the Wiimote. They function the same as our peripherals on the other platforms.

The game will be released in a special edition bundle for $169.99.

It is pretty cool to get a game of this breadth onto the Wii and we are really stoked about it.
Yay, thanks EA! Good to see those 7 months were put to good use.

[Foo228]

Fuckin' finally...at least now I've got options on what to get it for (wait for wii version or get a 360/PS3 with that version..)

[Clarke]

I'm saving up already. I was gonna save up for a DS Lite before this.

[botticus]

And while I don't care about DLC and would likely not use online very much, EA has managed to make this as featureless of a release as they could.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/51893

A Harmonix representative has confirmed to Shacknews that the Wii edition of Rock Band will not include online multiplayer or support for downloadable content.

[zewone]

So, this is just pretty much the PS2 version which means it's missing a lot of features.

Terrible, I would hope most Wii owners would pass on this.

[CouRageouS]

Wii only owners, you guys better hope its not completely stripped of everything like the PS2 version. I think the PS2 version didn't even let you create characters. No online isn't that bad, no DLC is horrible. Those 5 bonus songs might even already be available as DLC. IMO this should have been put at $149 MSRP for missing so many features.

If you have the other consoles or intend to buy one in the future, do yourself a favor get that version instead. Besides not having a stripped down version, a big selling point is the PS360 versions offer actual surround sound as well.

[zewone]

You can't create characters because it's a FMV instead of actual gameplay when you're watching your character perform. :|

[ArthurDigbySellers]

So, this is just pretty much the PS2 version which means it's missing a lot of features.

Terrible, I would hope most Wii owners would pass on this.

I'm passing. I'm sorry, but just taking the PS2 build and porting it to the Wii, even though the Wii could obviously do DLC (Wii Pay-to-Play) and online is just...expected I guess. I'll just wait until the next 360 price drop and buy Rock Band right along with it.

[crystalklear64]

I don't think those extra features are worth 400$

[zewone]

I don't think those extra features are worth 400$

Because that's the only game on the Xbox 360. :|

[crystalklear64]

Because that's the only game worth buying on the Xbox 360. :|
Very true.

[CouRageouS]

You can't create characters because it's a FMV instead of actual gameplay when you're watching your character perform. :|
Interesting. Well thats dick. Custom characters are a huge chunk of the fun.

I'm passing. I'm sorry, but just taking the PS2 build and porting it to the Wii, even though the Wii could obviously do DLC (Wii Pay-to-Play) and online is just...expected I guess. I'll just wait until the next 360 price drop and buy Rock Band right along with it.
Good choice. Rock Band is so great that you shouldn't have to play a stripped down version. You may have to wait but at least you'll experience it correctly.

[Dr Mario Kart]

It should do reasonably well from the Wii owner only base. I dont think they care about online functionality as much as the people on the HD side of the aisle. Most people have probably already picked it up for one of the 3 systems that its already out on though.

Most likely too expensive for me to ever buy, despite that it has just the right feature set for me. No DLC is fantastic, but it has to be supported by subsequent ON DISC releases.

[Strell]

Good god. Fuck you EA. Fuck you Nintendo for letting this shit be passable.

On the other hand, thank you Activision for fucking up GH3 on the Wii, since I used that to pay off Rock Band on the 360.

This shit is just pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.

[CombatCraig]

Well I'm a Wii only owner and suck at anything online BUT I would still value new songs every week. Just another reason to stick with GH now.

[Clarke]

Because that's the only game on the Xbox 360. :|
Well some people don't have anything else they would like on another system.

Just because there's thousands of games on xbox 360 doesn't mean there's enough that I like on it that justifies a purpose.

[mephitical]

I can see why everyone here thinks this is unsatisfactory, but it will sell like crazy, and I suspect EA knows that very well. Why bother spending money to put extra work into a product if it will not ultimately affect sales?

I wouldn't be getting it anyway (GH3 reminded me that all rythym games are basically the same), but if I did I also don't understand the fuss about no DLC. It makes total sense to not have to put in the development work to pioneer this on the Wii if people will buy it anyway. The idea of a disc with all the additional DLC from other systems compiled is a good idea, and it would sell just fine. If any of us were EA, we'd have done the same.

[Foo228]

I can see why everyone here thinks this is unsatisfactory, but it will sell like crazy, and I suspect EA knows that very well. Why bother spending money to put extra work into a product if it will not ultimately affect sales?

Very good point, since the Wii isn't selling any less than it was from it's launch, it makes perfect sense to release it at $170 (and garner even more money off it), and it's not like EA will be touting Rock Band on Wii will have no online, they'll make sure they include it has the 5 exclusive songs to it...stuff like that and indeed, it'll "sell like crazy"

If you recall Guitar Hero 3 was only 2nd to Super Mario Galaxy on games sold in November for the Wii

[anomynous]

Wait, people were expecting there to be DLC on the Wii version?

[m0rningbreakfast]

Maybe if they had popular Nintendo song covers or incorporated Miis into the game, it would make RB Wii a worthy contender.

[mykevermin]

Fuck you Nintendo for letting this shit be passable.

Eh, isn't that such a redundant thing to say about Nintendo at this point? While there are many, many good/great Wii titles, their threshold for "quality" is notoriously low. After all, they did drop the phrase "of quality" of the official Nintendo "seal."

[Strell]

Wait, people were expecting there to be DLC on the Wii version?

People are fucking expecting some developer to get their head out of their ass and run content directly from SD cards. Just because Nintendo is going to pussy about it doesn't mean someone can't step up.

You can access content directly in games - there's at least two instances of it happening. So why the fuck can't DLC be incorporated with SD cards?

Infuriating bullshit. Why the fuck is the SD card slot on the goddamn system? Nintendo is a cheapass company. Might as well drop it and save the 5 bucks per system in manufacturing costs.

Eh, isn't that such a redundant thing to say about Nintendo at this point? While there are many, many good/great Wii titles, their threshold for "quality" is notoriously low. After all, they did drop the phrase "of quality" of the official Nintendo "seal."

I'm really curious why so many people hold this seal in such high regard, at least recently. There was bullshit on the NES and SNES. When was the last time the seal was used? Or, if like you imply, when was it altered?

It's kind of like how some people protest "Under God" on money. Everyone else just ignores it. Why the hell is it making a difference now?

I don't - for one second - believe the two are related.

[DocRamon]

i'm wii only, and i'll still buy it...

i don't care about online or much of the features, really. DLC would be nice, but i'm okay NOT be tempted to pay MORE money every week.

ultimately, i'd rather play the gimped version than nothing at all.

[mephitical]

i don't care about online or much of the features, really. DLC would be nice, but i'm okay NOT be tempted to pay MORE money every week.


Yeah, $6 a week to add to a game I already have makes the cheapass in me cry. But for some reason people complain about $30 or less Guitar Hero expansion discs with like 30 songs on them.

[Chris in Cali]

I see people saying fuck EA, but it's not really there fault Nintendo didn't give their system a decent amount storage space and has screwy online functionality.

[ma]

Do not want. I'm waiting until I get a PS3 (or 360, if they ever make one that works). I like to support the Wii as much as possible, but gimped versions can stay on the PS2.

[botticus]

I see people saying fuck EA, but it's not really there fault Nintendo didn't give their system a decent amount storage space and has screwy online functionality.
No one else seems to be having a problem with it. If Vicarious Visions can do it, I think EA can find someone to figure it out. If they cared to.

Eh, isn't that such a redundant thing to say about Nintendo at this point? While there are many, many good/great Wii titles, their threshold for "quality" is notoriously low. After all, they did drop the phrase "of quality" of the official Nintendo "seal."This isn't really a quality issue... hell, SCEA is supposedly the publisher that people put on a pedestal in this argument, and this is pretty much the same game put out on their console. I consider a horrendous lack of features a whole different beast.

[dmunkee]

Well, that was quick. I would've considered buying the disc only version, since I have 2 guitars and a mic already (as much as I'd like them, I just don't have any feasible space for a drumkit, my place is filled with enough fake instruments as it is) but that is just too gimped for me. As it is, I'll be passing without regrets here.

[tiredfornow]

:rofl: @ this. Awesome! I don't think those extra features are worth 400$

That extra 100 dollars gives you so much more though. ;)

[62t]

so is the game going to be in mono?

[Lawyers Guns N Money]

I'm completely underwhelmed. They took 7 months longer and they're dropping features? :-s

I may buy it, but there's no way in heck I'm paying retail.

[The Crotch]

Yea-PASS!

EDIT: Man. You can tell Strell's got a bee in his bonnet when...

[BIG5]

If you can afford Rock Band, you can afford a PS3. Sadly, I can afford neither.

[Clarke]

If you can afford Rock Band, you can afford a PS3. Sadly, I can afford neither.
Really? I can? Well then since you know so much about my income can you file my taxes for me.

[mykevermin]

I'm really curious why so many people hold this seal in such high regard, at least recently. There was bullshit on the NES and SNES. When was the last time the seal was used? Or, if like you imply, when was it altered?

It *WAS* changed, of that you can be certain.

It's kind of like how some people protest "Under God" on money. Everyone else just ignores it. Why the hell is it making a difference now?

I don't - for one second - believe the two are related.

Whether or not they are related is immaterial. The Wii gets the PS2's Rock Band (and nobody's concerned about graphics here - they're bothered by the feature set that a current-gen console is lacking compared to its contemporaries. Even you mentioned it.

I'll cease my discussion on the "seal" and its implications so as to allow you to unwrangle your panties and avoid a prolonged bitchfest on the matter. But I only know of one console where I can get an identical port of Xbox's "House of the Dead 3," or PS2's "Ninjabread Man," or the PC's "Agatha Christie."

The last word on that matter is yours.

No one else seems to be having a problem with it. If Vicarious Visions can do it, I think EA can find someone to figure it out. If they cared to.

This isn't really a quality issue... hell, SCEA is supposedly the publisher that people put on a pedestal in this argument, and this is pretty much the same game put out on their console. I consider a horrendous lack of features a whole different beast.

Oh, that's tripe. You're trying to tell us that because an 8 year old console and a 2 year old console have games with identical featuresets that both have equally lax quality control? I'm not really going to try to get into that argument here, but even Strell pointed out how the Wii should use the SD slot for DLC, the Wii's online should at least allow for band play, etc. Holding the Wii to the standards of the PS2 isn't something you should be doing.

To be fair, BOTH Wii and PS2 should have online play - but with the Wii, I see no feasible excuse for no DLC. Or, for that matter, to be priced the same as the PS3/360 versions.

[D. Monic]

It's truly sad when Atlus can put online play into a $20 budget title (Octomania) and EA can't see fit to add it to a game that costs $170. EA is pathetic.

That said, to really rub this in EA's face, Activision needs to deliver that DLC they've been promising for the Wii version of Guitar Hero.

[Strell]

The last word on that matter is yours.


You act like I'm not agreeing with you on this, which is kind of annoying considering that, you know, I am. Especially when you bring it up, I question its validity, and the best you can respond with is some retarded "bla bla panties" comment. That's a new tactic from you, but an old one from idiots over at Gamefaqs. You beefing up your repertoire with that? Might as well start ending sentences with a Wayne's World era "NOT!".

And hell, beyond that, you're implying that I'm the only one who thinks this is crap. And since you're one of the first to trod off a "you're a fanboy" retort, ask yourself - shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't I be trying to downplay these downgrades as minimal altercations? Maybe your mind is just broken and is reading one thing but assuming another.

Again, I'm not convinced something matters now versus the 20+ years before it. The "revelation" that the seal is altered/missing sounds like something birthed out of a blog, and was rapidly picked up and spread around by everyone else like it was golden word. Kind of like the term "AAA title," which I assure you is not some magical industry term, and instead is just something a no name forum goer made up one day.

I'm becoming increasingly concerned about this kind of shit being pulled specifically toward Nintendo. I question - and don't pretend there isn't proof - the attitude that seemingly every developer in the world has against Nintendo. Maybe Nintendo doesn't give a shit at all, which would explain part of it. But I seriously can't imagine that everyone working at NoA and NoJ is so out of touch with the modern gaming world that they are completely fine with shoddy ports, shovelware, and featureless ports.

There have to be people over there getting pissed off about it, because that would be normal.

[SpottedNigel]

Fucking hell...

[botticus]

Oh, that's tripe. You're trying to tell us that because an 8 year old console and a 2 year old console have games with identical featuresets that both have equally lax quality control? I'm not really going to try to get into that argument here, but even Strell pointed out how the Wii should use the SD slot for DLC, the Wii's online should at least allow for band play, etc. Holding the Wii to the standards of the PS2 isn't something you should be doing.

To be fair, BOTH Wii and PS2 should have online play - but with the Wii, I see no feasible excuse for no DLC. Or, for that matter, to be priced the same as the PS3/360 versions.I guess I've never looked at features as a measure of a game's quality, in the context of whether or not the game should be accepted for licensing.

[bmulligan]

If you can afford Rock Band, you can afford a PS3. Sadly, I can afford neither.


I don't see how affording a $150 peripheral laden game means you can afford another $400-500 for a PS3. I bought Rock Band for the PS2 specifically because I can't afford a $400 PS3 right now. Or, at least, can't justify it to the wife after having spent so much money on Wii games and other controllers in the last year and a half.

If they had announced this 2 months ago, I might have waited for the Wii version, but now it's too late. But at least the PS2 instruments are compatible with the PS3 so upgrading in the future won't be a problem.

Yeah, there's no downloadable content, but it's still fun. I couldn't give a crap that you can't create a character and neither does the rest of the family. It's about the songs and playing together. It's a stripped down game, big deal. It's still fun. You minority "hardcore" console owners keep forgetting you're not the only ones who exist in the market. There are plenty of people who will buy this for the Wii and have fun playing it regardless of it's crippled status. God forbid grandma and grandpa might buy this for their Wii and be introduced to a whole new gaming experience. It would be such a shame they got a half-assed game and never knew it.

[Beige64]

This stinks, No dlc and no online, no thank you.

[rjung]

Fuck MTV/Harmonix for tossing out a slapdashed lazy-ass gimped port. :mad:

--R.J.

[mykevermin]

I guess I've never looked at features as a measure of a game's quality, in the context of whether or not the game should be accepted for licensing.

Quality =/= features, but it is undoubtedly disheartening to see a game offered at the same pricepoint as it is on other systems, but lacking the features that not only the other versions have, but that this console is fully capable of.

[rocky435]

Well this is sad.

Rock Band was that hope for DLC. :cry:

Makes me wonder if Activision or Varcious Visions was lying or maybe knew something about DLC.

Well I'm glad brought Rock Band on the PS3. But still I agree with Strell and everybody else it's such bullshit.

Nintendo must have a killer NDA with their SDK.

Well at least there's wiiware and brawl,galaxy. It's sad that the wii isn't being treated better by third parites.

But Nintendo is also to secret about their products. I mean are they afraid they will lose income to microsoft and sony if they reveal their dlc strategy's?

But then again Nintendo has said to "swap" your vc games out since it's like a fridge.
Also sakurai in the ign interview said the wii is a "disk based system" so he said there's no way to put dlc on the wii which is interesting he said that...

[seanr1221]

Everyone, please do not buy the bastard child of this amazing game.

[007]

Again, this is a case of the PS2 gimping the Wii. Is Nintendo stubborn and unlikely to go for all that 'fancy online jazz' and 'storage space'? Of course, but that's not really the issue here.

The issue is that, and this is also true (more so) for Guitar Hero... look at the sales numbers for the PS2 RB and GH3 and tell me people aren't willingly buying gimped games. Hell, going with the numbers, it seems they're more than happy to do it.

I've said this before and I'll say it again... the Wii's biggest problem is the still apparent popularity of the PS2 and its similiarity to the system. If the PS3 had taken off and the PS2 had been taken out behind the woodshed, we wouldn't have even gotten GH3 and RB on the PS2. As a result, I guarantee that Wii versions would have been stepped up to compete with the 360 and the PS3.

The sad fact of it is that until people stop buying PS2 games in huge numbers, the Wii has no incentive to evolve, so to speak. That, combined with the insane popularity of the console itself is, for the forseeable future, going to lead to situations like this.

[CouRageouS]

Its not all the PS2's fault. Its business sense. Why would they take the effort of taking the superior PS360 "full" versions and downgrading it to the Wii when they can just take the PS2 version and port it over? Its the minimal effort approach but it makes sense. Dollars and sense. OOOOH. They should have at least dropped the MSRP a bit though.

Nintendo is at fault here also. We're getting near the Wii's 2 year mark and theres no storage solution made. It hasn't even been addressed. Heavy VC supporters are screwed by having to swap games in and out. Thats bad business sense, they're not providing an HDD which consumers need and want. They haven't even given direct SD loading for a temporary solution. Its not like Harmonix doesn't want to give Wii users these features. Specifically DLC. Theres at least 60+ songs ready out the gates and its instant profit.

My biggest thing against the PS2 and Wii versions is that it'll cheapen your experience at the same cost as the more robust versions. If you intend to get a PS3 or 360 in the future, wait it out.

[bmulligan]

My biggest thing against the PS2 and Wii versions is that it'll cheapen your experience at the same cost as the more robust versions. If you intend to get a PS3 or 360 in the future, wait it out.
Sorry, this makes no sense to me. Gettting the game on the ps2 and/or the Wii is still a good deal. It's a great game and fun for everyone. If all you have is a ps2 or Wii, why wait another year when you could be playing now and having fun?

All of you people here already seem to have the game, and at the very least, already have a 360 or a ps3. So, your opinion on this version of the game is really irrelevant. Yeah, it's not as good as the one you have for your next gen system. So what? It's still fun and worth the money.

Gosh, the "Ps2 is so old and crappy - everyone should just stop playing it because the new games for the ps3 are so much better" argument holds no weight for people without a ps3.

[zewone]

Exactly.

[soonersfan60]

You know, if Nintendo doesn't announce a HDD at E3 this year, I'm beginning to think that this version of Wii might never get one and that we will have Wii 1.5 with new colors and more storage announced next year for the 5 year anniversary.

[Baron O Hell]

You know, if Nintendo doesn't announce a HDD at E3 this year, I'm beginning to think that this version of Wii might never get one and that we will have Wii 1.5 with new colors and more storage announced next year for the 5 year anniversary.

The Wii has a usb slot that you can connect any usb harddrive to. There really isn't a point in releasing a harddrive. Companies can just put on the box that it requires a SD card or harddrive. They just don't want to use it except for a few exceptions.

On a different note. They could have added single player world tour or maybe a virtual air drum mod to take advantage of wiimote. It would rock all kinds of hardness to use a pair of wiimotes as virtual drumsticks. But no all they did was add four songs. Why not 40. If you only have a wii I guess you have no choice but if you have anything else including a ps2 I would past on this. The PS2 version is at least cheaper.

[pasteater]

i'm technically a Wii-only owner...and the world tour is what makes the game in my opinion. the randomness of songs, combined with newly downloaded songs are what really makes RB great.

the announced Wii version is really a shame...

[botticus]

Somewhat related, FFCC on WiiWare - released today in Japan - has DLC (costumes, races, dungeons), so whether or not the storage space is there, the framework is in place.

[Clarke]

Man we get the crappiest version of Rock Band. Not only is it the PS2 version but it's $10 more. Plus the instruments will probably break down just as much.


I just hope there's a 10% off coupon when it comes out which will bring it down from about $180 to about $160.

[rjung]

Its business sense. Why would they take the effort of taking the superior PS360 "full" versions and downgrading it to the Wii when they can just take the PS2 version and port it over?
Because you're more likely to sell more copies if you offer more features and don't piss off your customers? Or does that not make business sense?

--R.J.

[SNKMat]

owned

[crystalklear64]

Because you're more likely to sell more copies if you offer more features and don't piss off your customers? Or does that not make business sense?

--R.J.
Not when people will buy it anyway. If you aren't going to buy it and you're pissed, they didn't piss off any customers.

Consumers, potential customers maybe, but not customers.

[zewone]

Because you're more likely to sell more copies if you offer more features and don't piss off your customers? Or does that not make business sense?

--R.J.

Not necessarily.

The Wii is being sold to the masses, a majority of who do not follow sites like IGN, 1up, Gamespot, Kotaku and so forth.

They will have no idea they're getting a gimped version.

EA has to ask themselves if taking the time to make a Wii specific RB is worth the extra investment to get people like you and others in this thread to buy it.

I guess, they didn't see it as profitable and went the easy money route.

owned
Just stop.

[bmulligan]

Not necessarily.

The Wii is being sold to the masses, a majority of who do not follow sites like IGN, 1up, Gamespot, Kotaku and so forth.

They will have no idea they're getting a gimped version.

EA has to ask themselves if taking the time to make a Wii specific RB is worth the extra investment to get people like you and others in this thread to buy it.

I guess, they didn't see it as profitable and went the easy money route.



Exactly. Oh, yeah, and it's still a fun game to play.

However, I have to add that while my whole family loves playing a gimped Rockband on the PS2, my son prefers Guitar Hero 3. The reason? He likes the extra gameplay aspects like boss battles, character customization, shopping for new guitars, etc. I guess we'll see if the quick port to the Wii was the right decision when the sales figures come out after it's released.

[Delnatha]

Some devs at EA were probably working on trying to get DLC and some other features for the Wii version. It seems obvious to me what happened.

GH: Aerosmith has a release date of 6/29.
Rock Band has a release date of 6/22.

EA decided that getting their product out the door first was more important than adding additional features to the game. Sadly, from a business standpoint they are probably right.

[Grecco]

Incredibly stupid by EA. No reason for no Online on this

[Clarke]

Sign the petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/rockwii/petition.html

[SpottedNigel]

Sign the petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/rockwii/petition.html

I just spun a circle and then punched a wall. I got just about as much done as signing that petition.

[rjung]

Oh, I dunno -- if you sign the petition with "Fuck you Harmonix/MTV" five hundred times and it gets sent to them, someone there might actually see it, at least...

--R.J.

[Clarke]

Oh, I dunno -- if you sign the petition with "Fuck you Harmonix/MTV" five hundred times and it gets sent to them, someone there might actually see it, at least...

--R.J.
That's exactly what I did

[JoeB1233]

I'm largely of the opinion that petition's are ineffective, at best.

That said, I was waiting for Rock Band to come to the Wii before diving in. Thinking the guitars would be of a similar design as the GHIII ones, I thought the package might be introduced at a lower price point. No such luck.

Also, it's a shame that the Wii is going to be reputed as the "inferior" console, simply because the game companies are going to reintroduce PS2-equivalent ports for the Wii. I blame the wild success of the PS2 for most of this, but also Nintendo's lackluster online system.

It's not like Rock Band is a graphics heavy, and I have little doubt that the Wii could reproduce the visuals quite faithfully. But a large part of the appeal is the DLC, which, for the moment, is - as I understand it - impossible on the Wii.

Meh, rereading this post, my thoughts seem scattered. Overall, I'll say this: I'm going to pass on this game.

[The Crotch]

Sign the petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/rockwii/petition.html...

I'm just gonna go play Brawl some more, okay?

[pasteater]

so can someone explain why making all new, wired instrument controllers for a truly wireless console is the best answer. wouldn't designing each instrument to accept/be powered by a wii remote make them a bit cheaper, and obviously wireless, just make sense? i am really baffled by that decision over all other terrible oversights in the game itself.

i'm just seething...sorry.

[rjung]

so can someone explain why making all new, wired instrument controllers for a truly wireless console is the best answer. wouldn't designing each instrument to accept/be powered by a wii remote make them a bit cheaper, and obviously wireless, just make sense?
But that'd require worrrrrrrrrrrrrrrk...

--R.J.

[munch]

Why on erff . . .

[lilboo]

I would say the very least they could have done, would be give Rock Band Wii like 20 EXCLUSIVE songs not found on the other consoles. Ya know, make it somewhat special?

[opportunity777]

Not when people will buy it anyway. If you aren't going to buy it and you're pissed, they didn't piss off any customers.

Consumers, potential customers maybe, but not customers.

... And since people are too pathetic to vote with their wallet, then they shall be p0wned by large corporations every single time.

[CombatCraig]

Well I'm passing on this because of it's lack of well...everything, along with the fact that it costs a small fortune. But the other deturrent for me is I don't really have any friends (I just moved! I'm not weird I swear) so it would just be my wife and me playing it, so I don't really think 2 people could be called a rock band. (Is it even possible to play with 2 people or is it pretty much a Guitar Hero clone - is it even fun with 2 people?)

[rlse9]

so can someone explain why making all new, wired instrument controllers for a truly wireless console is the best answer. wouldn't designing each instrument to accept/be powered by a wii remote make them a bit cheaper, and obviously wireless, just make sense?

They couldn't make the instruments powered by the wii remote because they'd be requiring people to own 3 or 4 wii remotes just to play the game, which many people don't have, myself included.

I agree, this version does seem very watered down, blame EA and Nintendo. I have no intention of buying it anyway but it sucks that the console is getting so much crap, especially when it's games that are done properly for other systems. But doing it this way makes the most money for EA so what do you expect.

[rocky435]

Rock Band is best played on a PS3 or 360. Also, since the PS3 version is equal software wise to the 360 and song wise since the PS3 version is getting the Harmonix Pack 1 with three songs that were only on the 360. :D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_in_Rock_Band#Downloadable_songs

I'd say Rock Band is fun with two people. It's worth your time. I just like the create a band it's fun too. World Tour is way ahead of GH's "career" mode. But again the 360 or PS3 version is worth people's time, not the PS2 or Wii version. Well if you want the whole Rock Band game.

Ah, thankfully the wii has other games besides GH and Rock Band.

[rjung]

I agree, this version does seem very watered down, blame EA and Nintendo.
Why should I blame Nintendo when it's Harmonix and MTV who are slacking?

--R.J.

[bmulligan]

Jebus, it will STILL be a fun game regardless if it's the same as the PS2 version.

As a Wii owner who doesn't have either a PS3 or a 360, I guess I'm used to games being comparable to the PS2 or 'dumbed down'' for the Wii. PS2 graphics and non-online play are pretty much the norm. It's just not that big of a deal anymore. Why not just complain about the graphics sucking comparatively too?

I have a ps2 and bought that 'dumb' version and it's still given the family 50+(and counting) hours of fantastic gameplay. I couldn't even wait for a Wii version after trying this game, so I say, If all you have is a Wii - get this game, you won't be disappointed.

[Doomed]

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=186489


"Come on Nintendo, we need a hard drive,"
"That's what we want. The whole problem is there's nowhere to store it."
"If the platform could do it, we'd jump on it. It's something that we championed to Nintendo, that we'd like to do it. Who knows what will happen down the line, I don't know what's coming down the line, but that's the reason there's no DLC in Wii Rock Band"

[rlse9]

Why should I blame Nintendo when it's Harmonix and MTV who are slacking?

--R.J.

Harmonix may have taken the easy way out and done a port of the PS2 version instead of putting effort into it, but you can't blame them for the Wii being unable to handle DLC well or the Wii's online structure being piss poor at best.

[Strell]

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=186489

That's fine, but I want to hear why they can't do it with SD cards.

Home brew nerds at home can do it in their spare time. Are you telling me that programmers who do it for a living and have devkits can't?

[botticus]

That's fine, but I want to hear why they can't do it with SD cards.

Home brew nerds at home can do it in their spare time. Are you telling me that programmers who do it for a living and have devkits can't?They could have done it without SD cards. What they won't say to people is that the smaller available space built-in to the Wii will result in less space (without people going through the effort of clearing stuff off) for owners to buy more of their DLC to give them more money. The platform is there, with or without a hard drive.

[Strell]

They could have done it without SD cards. What they won't say to people is that the smaller available space built-in to the Wii will result in less space (without people going through the effort of clearing stuff off) for owners to buy more of their DLC to give them more money. The platform is there, with or without a hard drive.

Ok, but that has nothing to do with my question at all.

We've all complained about the lack of space and how even VC games and save data is filling up our little 512 megs of space. Last I saw, a song on 360 Rock Band was as much as 20 megs. That would exacerbate the problem highly.

So I still want to know why no one can access data directly from the SD card drive. Otherwise, it's an entirely useless addition to the system.

Nintendo might as well remove it like they did with the digital out port on the Gamecube.

[zewone]

Ok, but that has nothing to do with my question at all.

We've all complained about the lack of space and how even VC games and save data is filling up our little 512 megs of space. Last I saw, a song on 360 Rock Band was as much as 20 megs. That would exacerbate the problem highly.

So I still want to know why no one can access data directly from the SD card drive. Otherwise, it's an entirely useless addition to the system.

Nintendo might as well remove it like they did with the digital out port on the Gamecube.
Wouldn't be surprised if they did.

I'm sure they just keep it on as a bullet point: as in, "Look at your family's digital photos on your television!"

[Strell]

Wouldn't be surprised if they did.

I'm sure they just keep it on as a bullet point: as in, "Look at your family's digital photos on your television!"

Exactly.

Maybe they'll do a survey and find out that less than 2% (or whatever the number was with the Gamecube) use it for photos and drop it.

It would mean higher profits for them after all.

[rjung]

Harmonix may have taken the easy way out and done a port of the PS2 version instead of putting effort into it, but you can't blame them for the Wii being unable to handle DLC well or the Wii's online structure being piss poor at best.
I've had no problems playing Wii games online, so I don't know what you mean by "piss poor". Heck, I'm ready to jump on Mario Kart Wii on day one just for the 12-player online racing.

If we ignore the lack of DLC and the lack of online play, how does Harmonix/MTV explain the lack of the create-a-band and online leaderboard features? Hell, if a HDD is so essential for DLC, then why is it available for the XBox 360? After all, the Arcade doesn't have an HDD either...

---R.J.

[Kaijufan]

Super Smash Brothers has no problem loading and saving data to the SD card, Harmonix is just being lazy with the Wii port.

[rlse9]

I've had no problems playing Wii games online, so I don't know what you mean by "piss poor". Heck, I'm ready to jump on Mario Kart Wii on day one just for the 12-player online racing.

If we ignore the lack of DLC and the lack of online play, how does Harmonix/MTV explain the lack of the create-a-band and online leaderboard features? Hell, if a HDD is so essential for DLC, then why is it available for the XBox 360? After all, the Arcade doesn't have an HDD either...

---R.J.

Well, I don't think anyone would argue that Nintendo's online system is anywhere near the level of Microsoft or even Sony. Nintendo World Report asked their readers for their feedback on their online experiences with Smash Bros and the responses were overwhelmingly negative: http://nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=24696.0 Between the DS and Wii so far I've been unimpressed by Nintendo's online system. That's not why I bought either system so it's not a big deal to me, but I think they could do better than the horrible friend code system, problems with lag, problems with matchmaking, lack of features, etc.

No, you're completely right, Harmonix is completely phoning it in and going the easy route to just make as much money as possible without putting any work into the game.

Harmonix would be idiotic to say "some 360s don't have HDDs so we shouldn't bother with DLC even though there are millions and millions of systems that do have them." And the people who got the version with the HDD are the ones who are way more likely to purchase DLC anyway.

If they could use the SD card drive that would be great and it'd make the Wii a lot better. But I'm guessing it's not that simple, they wouldn't be that lazy if it were easy because having DLC would make them a lot more money, I couldn't imagine that they wouldn't do something like that if it were feasible.

[007]

Well, essentially... has anyone but Nintendo loaded from the SD while in-game?

If so, there's no reason that Harmonix shouldn't be able to do it. However, I appreciate the fact that high-profile people are calling Nintendo out on it. Regardless of whether there's a work-around, it's something that needs to be addressed.

I think most of the RB problems come down to Nintendo having extreme trepidation with online and DLC, and this is just their way of getting around admitting it.

[mephitical]

Well, essentially... has anyone but Nintendo loaded from the SD while in-game?
Endless Ocean does it.

[007]

Endless Ocean does it.

Ok, so then I fail to see why exactly Harmonix can't do that. Unless, again, it's a DRM issue and they don't want people sharing the DLC.

Of course, wouldn't that still be the problem with an add-on HDD?

Something's gotta give here soon, and I'm just hoping it's not too far off.

[rjung]

Well, I don't think anyone would argue that Nintendo's online system is anywhere near the level of Microsoft or even Sony.
Sure, but it's all a matter of what you want and how much you're willing to pay. If I were an XBox owner, for instance, I'd refuse to pay for Live, as IMO online gaming should be free (I'm already paying for the broadband). All I want is a way to go online and play with people, and Nintendo offers that in an easy and reliable package, so I'm happy (and getting cussed out by anonymous 11-year-olds is not a benefit I'm missing).

The fact that they're taking steps to shield my kids from weirdos is merely a bonus, as that means my son can trade Pokemon on the net without me lurking over his shoulder.

--R.J.

[mephitical]

Sure, but it's all a matter of what you want and how much you're willing to pay. If I were an XBox owner, for instance, I'd refuse to pay for Live, as IMO online gaming should be free (I'm already paying for the broadband). All I want is a way to go online and play with people, and Nintendo offers that in an easy and reliable package, so I'm happy (and getting cussed out by anonymous 11-year-olds is not a benefit I'm missing).

The fact that they're taking steps to shield my kids from weirdos is merely a bonus, as that means my son can trade Pokemon on the net without me lurking over his shoulder.

--R.J.
I pretty much agree with this. Online abilities are basically a non-interest for me. When I got GHIII I thought, "This is the game that I will play online." I tried it three or four times and went back to playing the computer - online play with a random person felt so detached that I would rather play a well-programmed CPU opponent. As a parent who is friends with gamer parents across multiple time zones, none of us could ever hope to coordinate online play with each other. I can see how it would matter more for more dedicated gamers, but the local friend (non-parent) that has Rock Band on 360 tried it online a few times and was diappointed for many of the same reasons. He much prefers to play with other people actually in the room.

[bmulligan]

I still don't see this as a big deal. 6 months from now Harmonix can put out another disc with all the DL content from the 360 and charge $50-60 for it. End of controversy. Everybody wins.

I sure hope they do that with the PS2, at least. Otherwise I'm screwed and I'll have to upgrade to a ps3 eventually.

[CombatCraig]

Didn't Activision promise DLC for Guitar Hero III in the beginning of the year (they're starting to miss that timeframe obviously lol)?

Doesn't that mean it's possible? Would Nintendo allow them to announce such a claim if it weren't possible?

[rjung]

I still don't see this as a big deal. 6 months from now Harmonix can put out another disc with all the DL content from the 360 and charge $50-60 for it. End of controversy. Everybody wins.
...unless you want the Create-a-Band or online leaderboards.

--R.J.

[bmulligan]

...unless you want the Create-a-Band or online leaderboards.

--R.J.

you can still create a band even in the dumbed down version. As far as the nuances of gameplay, I don't know about them, so I guess I won't miss them.

And as far as leaderboards go, I couldn't care less about who else across the world can play better than I can and has more points. All that really matters to me is having fun with the people who are playing with you, not in competition with someone I'll never meet.

[ogbaka]

360 for me if it drops under 100 and include all the download like a collectors edition :)
i can wish can't i

[CombatCraig]

Come get your disappointments! Now with pictures (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-hands-on-rock-band-wii/)!

[Strell]

Come get your disappointments! Now with pictures (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-hands-on-rock-band-wii/)!

Well at least the instruments look good and are wireless, something my stupid 360 version can't do.

[botticus]

So how many batteries are these instruments going to drain?

I would very likely have bitten on the $161 price in my Gold Box yesterday if the guitar was GH compatible. So unfortunate. I shall await a more palatable price. Luckily there seem to be a decent number of deals on the other versions, so I'm hopeful something will pop up in the near future.

[WiiGame]

lol... this game's coming out on my birthday
love the 360 version of this game

[CombatCraig]

I'm sure none of this (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/rumor-guitar-hero-iv-adding-vocals-drums-regular-dlc/) will be coming to the Wii but it looks like Activision is a too little too late

[Clarke]

So how many batteries are these instruments going to drain?
Only guitars use batteries.
http://www.tantronics.co.uk/acatalog/energizer_15_min_charger_240.jpg

[botticus]

Only guitars use batteries.
http://www.tantronics.co.uk/acatalog/energizer_15_min_charger_240.jpg
I actually have those, work quite well.

Reread it, apparently I made up the fact that they were all wireless.

[lpj8]

Rock Band is in stock right now at walmart.com

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10086532

Breaking the street date perhaps?

[decrot]

Rock Band is in stock right now at walmart.com

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10086532

Breaking the street date perhaps?

is there an official street date? I saw it at 2 stores around me today, walmart and sears.

[007]

Yeah, I've seen a few threads on it, and since I've now seen it myself... Rock Band Wii is *definitely* out in stores now. Maybe not all, but Wal-Marts seem to have them for sale. My Wal-Mart had a stack of at least 6 of them.

The date has always been the 22nd, but apparently that's not a 'firm' date or anything.

[Scorch]

Check your local Wal-Mart, mine has it displayed already.

It''s supposed to have a street date of the 22nd. Yes, a firm street date. Most retailers are confused as Rock Band has been out since, what, late last year, so they're not thinking twice about tossing it on shelves.

[DocRamon]

i've been checking walmarts but still haven't seen it. besides, if it's street dated, is anyone actually gonna be able to get it early at walmart? in my experience, they use the computers to block sales of street dated items nationwide. so even if the store displays it, they ain't selling it. people might have SEEN it there, sure... but has anyone actually tried to BUY it?

[Delnatha]

Ok, so I called a few Walmarts. First one said it's not for sale until the 22nd. Second one said they had 2 but then the lady talked to a manager who said they can't sell them until the 29th. Third one just said they had them in stock.

So, I went to the third store, grabbed one and took it up front. It rang up as "do not sell." So she called the manager who told me it was being recalled. I said that wasn't the case, it just came out. So she called up the electronics manager who had no clue what was going on. 20 minutes and numerous phone calls later they told me it had a release date of the 27th. The manager would not overide the sale but she called the co-manager. He said they would get in trouble if they sold it before the street date but he gave me a $25 dollar gift card for my trouble and put my name on the box and set it aside to save it for me to make sure I would get it the day it was supposed to be sold. (He said 27th, I assume I can get it the 22nd.)

So, that's my story. YMMV!

[Lawyers Guns N Money]

It rang up as "do not sell."
Even Wal-Marts computers don't want a gimped version of RB.... :lol:

[Zing]

I bought it from Future Shop (Canada) today just because I was there picking up a Wii Fit. I didn't plan on buying it and I still don't really plan on cracking it open, but I figured there was little harm in me holding it for 30 days to decide if I want to play it or not.

I played it for several hours on the PS3 and it was fun, but the song selection blows fat nuts compared to Guitar Hero.

[evergoo]

I bought it from Future Shop (Canada) today just because I was there picking up a Wii Fit. I didn't plan on buying it and I still don't really plan on cracking it open, but I figured there was little harm in me holding it for 30 days to decide if I want to play it or not.

I played it for several hours on the PS3 and it was fun, but the song selection blows fat nuts compared to Guitar Hero.

All I have to say are two words: downloadable content.

As a former Wii-only owner, I myself was envious of character creations and particularly DLC for the 360 and PS3. Hence, I couldn't resist from buying a PS3 and Rock Band.

Now I have over 25 DLC songs and paid only about 10 bucks.

[Clarke]

So, that's my story. YMMV!

Haha you got payed $25 to preorder at Wal Mart. I would love to pick up Rock Band early but I already decided I'm getting Guitar Hero WT. Maybe they'll think the new Guitar Hero is Rock Band and sell it early.

[eugaet]

Just picked it up.

http://www.eugaet.com/download/rock_band/Rock_Band_Wii_Small.JPG

I'd stay up and rock if I wasn't so tired. And so old. Sheesh.

[DocRamon]

yep... got mine at midnight. a sleeping baby kept me from rocking with it right away though.

i opted to rock with guitar hero ds and headphones instead!

[Clarke]

I wanna play rock band right now :cry:

I have to wait till September for guitar hero though.

[DocRamon]

well... i guess i'm officially a rock band owner now...

i just ordered a replacement guitar from EA. my green fret was broken. i couldn't select anything. but i could go back to the title screen!

[bmulligan]

That's a disappointment.

Is the guitar identical to the PS2/PS3 guitar? They look identical in the pics except for the +/- lables for Start/Select. I'm wondering if the instruments are interchangeable so I can get the Game for the Wii and use my PS2 instruments.

Anybody know ?

[Zing]

The Wii guitars also have the little blue LEDs for showing which controller they are, so they do not appear to be identical. Whether they are compatible or not, I do not know.

[AmigoOne]

Just wait to pick up Guitar Hero World Tour. Cmon.

[DocRamon]

Just wait to pick up Guitar Hero World Tour. Cmon.

i keep hearing this... but i don't get it. what's wrong with getting both? it's not like buying rock band prohibits me from buying guitar hero world tour. why should i wait for the next one when i can be playing and enjoying the current one?

what if (hypothetically speaking) rock band 2 is announced for wii before guitar hero world tour comes out? and it's WAY better than guitar hero. then should i wait for it instead of buying guitar hero?

if i keep waiting for the next big thing, i'll never get to enjoy the current big thing.

[Strell]

what's wrong with getting both?

I'd say money is the first issue, and space is the second. And really, those aren't honestly "related" to the game itself when you think about it - i.e., you don't even have to go into discussing playlists and difficulty and overall fun.

It's kind of like asking why someone with a few disposable hundred bucks can't buy two systems of this generation.

[primetime]

This game's framerate drops once or twice almost every song for a couple seconds. It's not game breaking but certainly is annoying. Anybody else having the same problem?

[eugaet]

This game's framerate drops once or twice almost every song for a couple seconds. It's not game breaking but certainly is annoying. Anybody else having the same problem?Played tonight for 3 hours and didn't notice anything like that.

[primetime]

Played tonight for 3 hours and didn't notice anything like that.

It's weird. Like I said, it doesn't break the game or anything but seems like it shouldn't be happening. You really have to be dialed in to notice it though.

[bmulligan]

Somebody plug that guitar and drums into a PC and see what happens.

[bmulligan]

I guess no one is buying this since GH IV announced downloadable content?

[Lawyers Guns N Money]

I guess no one is buying this since GH IV announced downloadable content?
I'm holding off on this one. DLC isn't as important to me as the customization, but DLC and the ability to customize characters and guitars definitely has me holding out for GH.

Although if RB drops to a respectable price for a gimped version, like the $100 the PS2 version was going for recently, I may bite.

[Clarke]

This game's framerate drops once or twice almost every song for a couple seconds. It's not game breaking but certainly is annoying. Anybody else having the same problem?
Try it on a different TV.

[primetime]

Try it on a different TV.

See, it doesn't seem like its the TV's problem. It's not a big enough problem for me to hook everything up to a different TV, but it is annoying.

[bmulligan]

Is the guitar bluetooth enabled or is there a usb receiver for it like on other systems?

[primetime]

Receiver.

[mephitical]

I guess no one is buying this since GH IV announced downloadable content?
I put it on my goozex requests, but I can't imagine the complete package will ever get traded. I couldn't justify it at release (but I was tempted), but I suspect that there will be some deals in the near future since that happened with Guitar Hero III and the other versions of Rock Band. I'll probably pick it up then. Honestly, my only real concern with this game is storage - I'm almost completely out of room in my game closet.

[Clarke]

See, it doesn't seem like its the TV's problem. It's not a big enough problem for me to hook everything up to a different TV, but it is annoying.
Do you really have to hook up everything? Why not just put in the mic.

The reason I say it might be your tv's refresh rate. I can't play Super Metroid at all on my sisters tv but it works on all other tv's I've tried.

[Kayday]

I just returned my copy back only because single player sucks when it's really designed for more people. It's not a bad game but not what I was expecting for single player. Guess I'll just stick to guitar hero for now.

[Clarke]

I just returned my copy back only because single player sucks when it's really designed for more people. It's not a bad game but not what I was expecting for single player. Guess I'll just stick to guitar hero for now.
What makes guitar hero different? Does guitar hero come bundled with a friend? On rock band you're playing guitar by yourself. In guitar hero you're playing guitar by yourself. I don't see the difference.

[mephitical]

What makes guitar hero different? Does guitar hero come bundled with a friend? On rock band you're playing guitar by yourself. In guitar hero you're playing guitar by yourself. I don't see the difference.
Kayday - I'm actually curious about this as well (without the snarkiness), because I would be playing primarily alone. Can you be more descriptive about your experience with it? What you wrote sums up my hesitation about getting this game, and I'd like to know more.

[lilboo]

Rock Band IS meant for multiplayer. Locally or online. I haven't kept up with this, but is this version online? I don't think it is.

If you really have no one to play this with, it's not worth the $170 tag AT ALL. First of all, the Wii version shouldn't be that much anyway because it is lacking online and DLC that the PS3/X360 versions have..so that alone should had been a reason for like.. $140 or less.

[primetime]

I prefer GH for just playing guitar alone as well. This is mostly because of the strum bar first and foremost, the interface for guitar (like hammer ons), and to a lesser extent the challenge and songlist. If you only plan on playing guitar by yourself, I would recommend GH because of the reasons above as well as the price. But those are just my preferences.

There is no online in the Wii version. No leaderboards or anything.

I don't feel the need to try it on a different TV. I was referring to hooking up a the Wii to a different TV as well, not just the instruments. I was just wondering if anybody else was having the same problem.

[Clarke]

Rock Band IS meant for multiplayer. Locally or online. I haven't kept up with this, but is this version online? I don't think it is.

If you really have no one to play this with, it's not worth the $170 tag AT ALL. First of all, the Wii version shouldn't be that much anyway because it is lacking online and DLC that the PS3/X360 versions have..so that alone should had been a reason for like.. $140 or less.
The "Special Edition" is $170.