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

[quote name='botticus']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.[/QUOTE]

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.
 
[quote name='Strell']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.[/QUOTE]
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!"
 
[quote name='zewone']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!"[/QUOTE]

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.
 
[quote name='rlse9']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.[/QUOTE]
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.
 
[quote name='rjung']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.[/quote]

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.
 
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.
 
[quote name='007']Well, essentially... has anyone but Nintendo loaded from the SD while in-game?[/quote]
Endless Ocean does it.
 
[quote name='mephitical']Endless Ocean does it.[/quote]

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.
 
[quote name='rlse9']Well, I don't think anyone would argue that Nintendo's online system is anywhere near the level of Microsoft or even Sony.[/quote]
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.
 
[quote name='rjung']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.[/quote]
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
[quote name='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.[/quote]
...unless you want the Create-a-Band or online leaderboards.

--R.J.
 
[quote name='rjung']...unless you want the Create-a-Band or online leaderboards.

--R.J.[/QUOTE]

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.
 
[quote name='CombatCraig']Come get your disappointments! Now with pictures![/QUOTE]

Well at least the instruments look good and are wireless, something my stupid 360 version can't do.
 
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.
 
[quote name='botticus']So how many batteries are these instruments going to drain?[/quote]
Only guitars use batteries.
energizer_15_min_charger_240.jpg
 
[quote name='Clarke']Only guitars use batteries.
energizer_15_min_charger_240.jpg
[/quote]
I actually have those, work quite well.

Reread it, apparently I made up the fact that they were all wireless.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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!
 
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.
 
[quote name='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.[/QUOTE]

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.
 
[quote name='Delnatha']

So, that's my story. YMMV![/quote]

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.
 
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!
 
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!
 
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 ?
 
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.
 
[quote name='AmigoOne']Just wait to pick up Guitar Hero World Tour. Cmon.[/QUOTE]

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.
 
[quote name='DocRamon'] what's wrong with getting both?[/QUOTE]

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.
 
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?
 
[quote name='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?[/quote]Played tonight for 3 hours and didn't notice anything like that.
 
[quote name='eugaet']Played tonight for 3 hours and didn't notice anything like that.[/quote]

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.
 
[quote name='bmulligan']I guess no one is buying this since GH IV announced downloadable content?[/quote]
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.
 
[quote name='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?[/quote]
Try it on a different TV.
 
[quote name='Clarke']Try it on a different TV.[/quote]

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.
 
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