USA Today: Wii's Rock Band 2 to feature DLC, online play

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 29th 2008 at 10:55AM }

USA Today reports that the Wii version of Rock Band 2 will feature downloadable songs and online multiplayer. Up until this point, the available features for the game on the best-selling console have been nebulous. USA Today's original article stated that there would be no online functions, but has since been updated with new wording.

~~We've contacted both MTV and Harmonix PR to confirm the information.~~ Harmonix previously stated it would be difficult to have DLC on the Wii due to storage size and/or SD card retrieval issues.

Update: A Harmonix rep has confirmed Rock Band 2 for Wii will have song DLC functionality like PS3 and Xbox 360
from the online music store.

Tags: rock-band, rock-band-2, rock-band-2-wii, rock-band-wii, usa-today

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Duke @ Sep 29th 2008 11:00AM

Have to wonder how this will work out with the storage issues.

Dirty @ Sep 29th 2008 11:02AM

Not well

Ignatius @ Sep 29th 2008 11:25AM

As Nintendo has been handling it ever since. With fingers in their ears going, "Lalalala, there is no problem!"

And then, after that press conference, they relax in a soothing bath of liquid gold.

Linkman2004 @ Sep 29th 2008 11:27AM

There are these little things called SD cards. I heard they're all the rage, these days.

Duke @ Sep 29th 2008 11:37AM

Linkman, thanks for the sarcasm. We all know of the SD cards,and that doesn't solve the problem for many.

"The Wii console is only compatible with SD Cards that are 2 GB (Gigabyte) or less. Cards with a capacity higher than 2 GB will likely not work with the Wii console.

SD Cards with a slow speed may experience slow transfer time when loading files, or may not work at all. Slow transfer times can also occur with SD Cards that have a great number of files on them."

People have been asking for a larger/better storage solution for a while now. Thanks again for your comment though.

Mr Khan @ Sep 29th 2008 11:39AM

The homebrew community has proven each of those doctrinal excuses to be bullshit, though. How else am i loading my homebrew apps with speed equal to that of the Wii System Memory?

Tiptup300 @ Sep 29th 2008 1:40PM

I have the small 360 HD and I'm having trouble keeping track of all my DLC. :(

tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 29th 2008 11:07AM

I have anywhere near 40-50 DLC songs since RB1 came out. Most I would say are in the 20-30 MB range, some higher and some lower.

I'm not sure what that transfers to in space for the wii, since I'm pretty sure they still refer to it as "memory blocks" (again, welcome to last gen Nintendo) but there's no way that most wii users who downloaded a lot of VC or wiiware games will be able to go crazy with RB DLC.

Which brings me to my main point. This is better than RB1 for wii, but you're still better off getting 2 for 360/ps3.

Killjebus @ Sep 29th 2008 11:14AM

Even if this is true, it's a feature that almost no-one will be able to use. 512mb is all the Wii has. And like you I have a good 30+ songs on my PS3 HDD at about 30mb or so a song.

Just another example of the absolutely HUGE gaping hole of console functionality deficiencies that the Wii has for a "current" (yeah right) generation console.

Does anyone know when the release date for the PS3 version is?

Mr Khan @ Sep 29th 2008 11:27AM

Not to be a "negative nancy" or to reinforce the points of two of the blindest Wii haters hosted here, but its actually significantly less than 512 MB, i did the calculations once, based on the fact that a 512 MB SD card reads as 3868 Blocks, while adding up all my free space and all my saves got me somewhere into the 2100 Block range

Really, its only about 280 MB that users can actually use, the rest is for the Firmware.

Haggard (steam: haggard_dawn, PSN: HaggyWaggy) @ Sep 29th 2008 11:38AM

Maybe RB2 comes with an 8GB SD card? :D

Killjebus @ Sep 29th 2008 11:40AM

"Really, its only about 280 MB that users can actually use, the rest is for the Firmware."

Wow Mr. Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!! (sorry, could not resist the Capt. Kirk version) I had no idea. You know my feelings on the Wii, and Nintendo's lack of storage on a system that came out in 2006 is simply Inexcusable. This is a perfect example of Nintendos attempt at dumbing down the industry simply to make a profit (just like the Repubs are doing thier best to dumb down the American public to win an election) that makes me loath the Wii so fracking much. Just pathetic.

I know this is off topic and some of you will probably hate me for this but I feel it is too important for people NOT to know. MSM will not report it but the 2 LARGEST demonstrations in Alaska's history have been anti-Palinoccio. Why this is not FRONT PAGE NEWS is beyond me. Obama gets TEN protesters and its ALL OVER the news and Palinoccio gets 1500+ demonstrators (mostly women) and it barely gets mentioned.

I urge you all to find out as much as you can about the REAL McCain and Palin. Too much is at stake for this country.

Think for yourself or someone else will do your thinking for you.

Duke @ Sep 29th 2008 12:26PM

Please give the political tantrums a rest. Do you really think that you pitching a fit here changes our political views? Stick to gaming.

SoulBlade @ Sep 29th 2008 11:11AM

wow... nicely done Harmonix (if this is true)

Hopefully they know something we don't regarding the storage issues.

booticon @ Sep 29th 2008 11:24AM

How in the hell do they plan on pulling off DLC on the Wii with the paltry 512MB of memory?

Mr Khan @ Sep 29th 2008 11:24AM

Many Wii owners would be content without the DLC, etc, just as long as they still got more features than the pitiful RB1 (no world tour, really, really?)

But yeah, each song being about the size of an N64 game (give or take) is going to cripple people pretty quick, unless Harmonix sets it up for direct play from the SD card

Either way, our house's common 360 has it (though no drums or mic, which are the only roles i can do at all) so i don't really care.

Cesaria (Gamertag: Cesaria360) @ Sep 29th 2008 11:33AM

Isn't Activision running the songs directly off of SD cards for GH:WT? Harmonix could do that. Or, you know, Nintendo could get off their asses and release the damn storage solution they've been talking about. Fingers crossed for some announcement at their conference October 2nd, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Mr Khan @ Sep 29th 2008 11:37AM

The Digital Unrest comic yesterday (as well as the author's entry about it) spoke perfectly about it. A new DS is nice, but it doesn't do anything to help current hardware owners

Doesn't mean its going to be the whole focus of the event, though. However, the likelihood of the storage announcement varies according to who you talk to at Nintendo. Talk to Cammie? It's not happening: deal with it. Talk to Iwata or Fischer? It's coming pretty soon, look for it. Talk to Reggie or Miyamoto? It's in the works, but don't look for anything for a while.

John Z @ Sep 29th 2008 11:56AM

Mind pointing me to a source/possible liveblog location for this Thursday event? I figured Nintendo was going to do something to precede TGS but hadn't seen anything solid.

Mr Khan @ Sep 29th 2008 12:33PM

I wouldn't expect it to be important enough that you would need to follow it live. I'm just gonna check up in my free time (like i do anyway, except it'll actually be relevant to my gaming interests)

Robotic Earthling @ Sep 29th 2008 1:21PM

GH:WT will give you the option to save DLC on SD cards, but when you go to play the songs, the game transfers them to the internal memory before starting the song. And judging from how long it takes to transfer N64 games to and from the SD card, us Wii owners will have quite a wait each time we want to play a DLC song from an SD card.

ScottG13 @ Sep 29th 2008 12:07PM

DLC just doesn't work on Wii. If you're into Rock Band, you need a current gen console. Its just how it is.

tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 29th 2008 12:12PM

Yeah there's really no reason for pointless fanboy wars or arguments. If you chose wii only or to buy RB for wii stuff like this are the consequences of your choice. Them's the breaks!

ScottG13 @ Sep 29th 2008 12:22PM

Its really up to the consumer to be educated on the strengths and weakness of your hardware. Just like if I buy a $400 laptop, I can't expect to rock Crysis on it.

Matt B @ Oct 1st 2008 10:16AM

DLC will work fine on the Wii. Stop spouting incorrect facts. There is nothing preventing DLC from working on the Wii. 2GB SD cards will work for now.

ScottG13 @ Oct 1st 2008 10:27AM

What is your definition of fine? I look forward to seeing the implementation of this mechanism on Wii. Would I have instant access to any of 200+ songs as I do now on my 360? That's the threshold that needs to be crossed.

Also, DLC doesn't work on the Wii in the way that most consumers would expect. "Emptying your fridge" is not something normal consumers will do. That is not "fine" to me.

FSK405K @ Sep 29th 2008 12:18PM

If I were to play on Wii, how would I tell my online bandmates to use star power?

Radie @ Sep 30th 2008 3:14AM

In keeping with the generation of the console...

telegraph?
messenger pigeon?
smoke signal?

Jakka(A tribute to whose who fought and failed during the Epic Flamewar of L.A. Noir and MR.ESC) @ Sep 29th 2008 12:31PM

Ah, yes.

Who's copying who now?

tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 29th 2008 1:04PM

Who's copying here? You mean the wii getting DLC? I think we can give them a pass there. They still haven't copied the others in getting a workable storage solution.

Jakka(A tribute to whose who fought and failed during the Epic Flamewar of L.A. Noir and MR.ESC) @ Sep 29th 2008 1:33PM

Nah, screw the Wii.

I was talking about Harmonix not giving a shit about it in Rock Band 1 and only introducing it now because otherwise everybody would rather buy GH:WT.

Plus it's a pun at those who keep shouting GH: Rock Band even though WT seems to have a whole lot more features than RB2.

VaultICEE @ Sep 29th 2008 7:33PM

Give me a break. Have you even played Rock Band 2 for the 360?

The new features that it does include are huge and time consuming, so why are we still complaining of lack of "features"? What does GH have, a pretty much gimped song maker?

I'll still pick up GH, but come on now...

Jacob @ Sep 29th 2008 12:57PM

Any idea if the Guitar Hero World Tour instruments will work with RB2 on Wii? I've heard they won't work with RB1, but maybe there is hope for the sequel...if it ever comes out in Europe that is!

Raikage (Mr. ESC? Mr. ESC? MR. ESSSSSSCCCCCC!) @ Sep 29th 2008 2:26PM

Yawn, too little, too late. Already sold my Wii, using the money to buy a 360. (Nothing against the PS3, but I don't have an HDTV for the Blu-ray, and pretty much all of my friends own 360s)

*Sorry Fernando and other Nintendo fans*

*Gives everyone else a High-5*

Mr Khan @ Sep 29th 2008 3:03PM

We won't miss you

Raikage (Mr. ESC? Mr. ESC? MR. ESSSSSSCCCCCC!) @ Sep 29th 2008 5:27PM

You don't mean it Khan!

I tried, I really did... but a man cannot survive on Smash and Prime alone...

I haven't bought a game for it since Smash Bros.

I'm not a fanboy of a console, just of games, and the Wii has NOT delivered. Go ahead and do your lists, it doesn't matter. At least half of those games are meh anyway, I don't have the time to waste on OK games, they have to be AMAZING, and the PS3 and 360 have those games that are worth the price.

Plus, I love multiplayer but it's not feasible anymore to be in the same room as your high school friends to play some games. So I would need online, but online on the Wii is a joke.

I'm not bashing the Wii... well actually I am, it's a terrible console that wasted it's infinite potential on making a quick buck.

There, I said it.

I would not hold my breath on any good news from wii owners from MTV and harmonix.

http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86619

My answers i got was cold as ice. They do not want you wii-wagglers kind around there parts. GH World TouR here i come.

VaultICEE id you read my post in full. There was only a few guesses no real answer's from non-staff member's.

anyway's the link below is offical word from staff members' but no answer on drum/guitar cross game compatibility.

link here http://www.rockband.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1341066&postcount=42
credit to Adam R said..