Konami's Rock Revolution drums revealed
by Jason Dobson 
{ May 16th 2008 at 8:40AM }
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Harmonix must be beside itself with this last week finding not one but two companies hopping on the developer's coat tails and revealing a pair of drum kits that bear more than a passing resemblance to those used in Rock Band. However, while Guitar Hero IV's kit still carries some basis in reality, the kit revealed by Konami for the company's newly announced Rock Revolution looks to be designed for players with extra appendages or other rhythm enthusiasts who are not quite human.With six face pads of three different sizes, as well as a kick pedal, Konami's kit is certainly the most complex of the three. However, according to MTV Multiplayer blogger Patrick Klepek, the drums carry what sounds like a much more forgiving difficulty curve than those in Rock Band, which while great are almost unapproachable by rhythm game newcomers even on the easiest setting. By contrast, and according to his admittedly brief time with Konami's offering, the game doesn't penalize players for improvising during a song, and also features five difficulty settings with the lower two removing the foot pedal entirely. Still, the question remains as to if there is room enough for another peripheral-heavy rhythm game, not so much in the genre but in our own living rooms.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
PeterBeck @ May 16th 2008 8:44AM
Yeah, I'm gonna avoid both GH4 and Rock Revolution because of the drums.
Not as a "oh noes, they ripped off teh rock bandz!" protest, but because I don't have much room for more than one video game drum kit.
Slayer @ May 16th 2008 9:00AM
You think thats bad? I was recently given a real drum set. I'm having the hardest time trying to get that damn thing setup and fit in my room properly.
A Pissed-off English Gamer @ May 16th 2008 10:42AM
Oh, poor you! Given a drum kit, you must be so depressed.
GHFAN @ Jul 7th 2008 4:57PM
The GH4 Drum kit is super compact so you should still get that, but this rock rev drum kit looks absolutely bulky and retarded
License to ill @ May 16th 2008 8:48AM
I'm about done with Guitar/drum games...
x876543 @ May 16th 2008 9:13AM
Yeah I'm all about the Harmonica Hero!
Superstar90 @ May 16th 2008 5:10PM
How about Recorder Hero, Grade 5's would all be pros!
Demaar @ May 16th 2008 8:50AM
Damn... was kinda expecting more from Konami. Surprised that GH4's drum set wins.
Kizzle @ May 16th 2008 9:04AM
Rock Band's drumset wins because it was out first and people don't want multiple fake kiddie-looking drumsets in their house.
Dr. @ May 16th 2008 9:04AM
Rather difficult to choose a winner until you've had a chance to use them all, no?
Demaar @ May 16th 2008 9:42AM
True enough. I guess what I meant was, the GH4 set seems to win in aesthetics and theoretical functionality.
Heck, I'm so impressed with the GH4 set that, assuming the kick pedal isn't wasted on star power or something, it even beats out the RB set. Which blows, since I finally plonked the money down on RB only weeks ago.
NATO_Duke @ May 16th 2008 10:05AM
Not really Dr. So many of us got the RB kits when it came out, and now have no interested in more drums piling up around the house.
I would say its easy for many to say that RB's kit wins by default.
TWiNKiE @ May 17th 2008 9:00AM
Finally, a Drum controller that actually looks like a drum set!
The Rock Band ones looked like a whole bunch of bongos with a bass pedal. It didn't even have designated cymbal options. It just replaced the toms.
chris @ May 16th 2008 9:04AM
I don't know...for someone who plays drums, I like the Konami set. Hi-hat, Crash, and ride cymbals along with a snare and two toms? Maybe it's not the perfect thing for the typical gamer, but I think it'd be fun.
Benjamin Breeg @ May 16th 2008 10:41AM
I play the drums as well, and I don't like the idea of having one tom and one floor tom. Then again, it's just a game, and I wouldn't expect 8 pads to play on. The basic drumset these days has two toms and a floor tom, and few band's drummers use any less than that, so it's gonna end up being difficult to map the drums if they plan on staying faithful to the designated cymbals.
chris @ May 16th 2008 11:48AM
Yea that's very true, I'd definitely prefer a 5-piece set too, but I'd think what they have would be at least better than the four drums used for Rock Band. I find their lack of cymbals disturbing.
ogvor @ May 16th 2008 11:58AM
That's what I thought. My real drumset has a hi-hat, crash, ride, (and a splash), 2 toms, a snare, and a bass drum, so this is actually closer to what a lot of drumset players really play on, even if it is a little cramped. Still, I don't have a lot of room for my Rock Band drums, so I don't really know where I could put these.
S.H. @ May 16th 2008 9:05AM
What imitation are you talking about!? Konami released Drummania way before Rock Band...even though it did not leave Japan...did it?
Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ May 16th 2008 9:14AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drummania
Now here comes the REAL question... if Bemani wasn't THE most mismanaged franchise in gaming today, would the whole Guitar Hero franchise have launched? Frankly, no. Because Red Octane, sensing the decline in their business dependancy selling DDR custom pads, wanted a new controller phenominon and hired Harmonix to develop Guitar Hero.
So in essence, I know it sucks that Harmonix is getting the credit that's rightfully Konami's, but seriously. They had years upon years to get Bemani out of Japan. It's their fault for either dragging their feet or delivering shit ports when the occasional Bemani title did escape (Beatmania on PS2).
Jon @ May 16th 2008 11:01AM
Exactly. Since 2000, PS2 owners can already link up GuitarFreaks and DrumMania, and play together.
deft @ May 16th 2008 1:44PM
Exactly.
The same goes with Guitar Hero, even Harmonix has said that their inspiration, if you may call it that, was GuitarFreaks and Drummania.
{peshue @ May 16th 2008 9:07AM
Except that Konami did guitar and drum games before anyone else.
Farseer (GDI) @ May 16th 2008 9:07AM
"more forgiving difficulty curve than those in Rock Band, which while great are almost unapproachable by rhythm game newcomers even on the easiest setting."
Really? Everyone (including my wife, father, and father-in-law) who I've pushed to try the RB drums have had no trouble on the easy setting...
Brent @ May 16th 2008 9:19AM
I wish EVERY game came with its own proprietary controller!!!1
Dick @ May 16th 2008 9:30AM
Sousaphone Hero!
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/activision_reports_sluggish_sales
Dick @ May 16th 2008 9:32AM
Hendleman admitted that the $345 retail price might be a bit steep for many consumers. She also conceded that Activision may have erred by not releasing the game between Memorial Day and July 4, the prime parade season in the United States. Even so, she added, Sousaphone Hero contains "more than enough" features to keep gamers absorbed.
"In the career mode, you can rise from playing in park gazebos for church picnics to performing in the halftime show of the Harvard-Yale game," Hendleman said. "If you score enough points, you can unlock the ultimate level: playing in the John Philip Sousa–led Marine Band at Grover Cleveland's inauguration."
"And if you like multiplayer gaming, you're in luck," Hendleman continued. "In Sousaphone Hero's cooperative marching-band mode, as many as 135 of your friends can play simultaneously."
PojoMofo @ May 16th 2008 9:49AM
Im guessing you have Steel Battalion dont you???
whistlepig @ May 16th 2008 9:20AM
so which game is gonna add double bass pedals windchimes and cowbell
Tiptup300 @ May 16th 2008 10:04AM
ROCK BAND: Neil Peart Edition
whistlepig @ May 16th 2008 10:05AM
lol
Zoot Suit Jedi @ May 16th 2008 10:17AM
Yes, and I want to be able to link all three drum kits together and surround myself with them.
PS-Neil Peart effin' rules!
jesus_bon_jovi @ May 16th 2008 11:44AM
Dude, don't forget the Gong.
donHefe @ May 16th 2008 9:31AM
First the drums need to work with other games. I have a RB drum set and 2 plastic guitars that my wife is not happy about, no way I can play these other games unless they are compatible.
I would like to see the drum games accept more improv work outside of RB's rainbow areas
Devwar @ May 16th 2008 9:37AM
Theres always room for more Bemani.
FOXHOUND @ May 16th 2008 9:38AM
I can't wait for the syringe included with HEROIN HERO so I can finally chase the dragon down. :\
The True Gamer @ May 16th 2008 10:04AM
+1 internets for South Park reference!
Sieck @ May 18th 2008 6:43PM
You know you never catch that dragon, right?
dave @ May 16th 2008 9:50AM
Personally i would choose the one that might actually teach me how to play the drums (i might as well build up a skill i could use in real life). What intrigues me about this set up is that you would not be penalized for being creative.
whistlepig @ May 16th 2008 9:58AM
good point
Kyattsuai @ May 16th 2008 10:01AM
I can stack 3 guitar controllers... 3 drum controllers, not so much
DarthDavid @ May 16th 2008 10:08AM
I been playing bemani games for over 8/9 years (beatmania,DDR) I respect Konami for creating the first music based games......but this drums stuff is getting out of hand....Activision is milking Guitar Hero...(that 's why they bought the name/company)....I'm going to stick with Harmonix....they are a true music game developers that brought guitar/drums to US first.
Jon @ May 16th 2008 11:04AM
Why is Konami doing this meant that it is getting out of hand? They have DrumMania for many years now, with the ability to link-up (ala Rock Band) with their GuitarFreaks titles. Maybe not the first in the US but as far as gaming in general is concerned, Konami pioneered it.
Fatbuster @ May 16th 2008 10:14AM
Yeah, Konami released these types way before Harmonix even got the idea of guitar hero. First one was actually released back in 1999. Just look up "Guitar Freaks" and "Drummania". They even had console versions and many sequels to these games.
peechu @ May 16th 2008 10:18AM
Err, newsflash. redoctane and harmonix drew from Konami. Sorry to burst your bubbles but guitar freaks and drummania ruled arcades and japanese home consoles LONG before guitar hero even emerged. Kthx. And you can utilize your electric drum kits with midi outs to PCs and PS2s for the games themselves. If rockband/guitar hero 4 could utilize that, gamers with electric sets could save themselves a bit of dough.
JJ Rooster @ May 16th 2008 10:18AM
Jesus, 1st timers on RB drums take some getting used to. People will be afraid to sit down at this contraption.
JJ Rooster @ May 16th 2008 11:26AM
wow, this game has no vocals, and all songs are cover versions. Back up the dump truck for another load of FAIL.
peechu @ May 16th 2008 9:55PM
As a side note, any gamer into music and rhythm games should embrace the competition. I hate guitar freaks, but i love guitar hero. Love drummania, hate rockband drums. Love belting out terribly in rock band, hate karaoke revolution.
If only konami/harmonix/activision(or neversoft) could smash heads together and make a great game, that'd be fake band bliss.
I understand the concern of not many gamers have the kind of money to spend on more peripherals, but before you criticize the way these companies are handling the genre, why don't you give their versions a try you can determine your winner. Granted, even I thought Beatmania in the US lacked, but reading the reviews for it made me kind of sad that no one can embrace such a fun game because of it's difficulty curve. That's one way I guess Bemani was totally mismanaged. Thanks konami, you have a giant focus group in California spending countless tokens on your games, and cash importing it, and yet you can't deliver a decent one for the states.
LongshotX @ May 16th 2008 10:39AM
Their beating this rock thing to death. When are they going to release Hip Hop Band?
Mic
Turntables
Break Dancing pad.
Cellien @ May 16th 2008 10:47AM
LOL - Gotta love Konami. They sue the pants off of every dance game developer then they come in wanting a piece of the guitar/band games.
Also, as a drummer, those drums look terrible.
Alzheimers @ May 16th 2008 11:04AM
These are the same jagoffs that can't get their panties out of a twist long enough to support each other's hardware. Now they all expect us to buy each of their own cheap plastic crap piles?
Screw brand loyalty, this is exactly the kind of crap that leads to the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD fiascos. If you can't support the stuff I've already invested in, then wait the few years until it breaks before hoisting more crap at us that's intented to replace it.