Rock Band 2 works with other instruments, could miss Christmas

Harmonix has confirmed to Game|Life that Rock Band 2 will boast full compatibility with all other Wii instruments. That is super-great news for gamers, though whether the title will make stores in time for Christmas is another matter entirely.

Harmonix announced a December 18 release date last week, but Game|Life's Chris Kohler scoured the official press release and discovered a disturbing detail in the small print: December 18 is the date that Harmonix will begin shipping Rock Band 2. The company says that a further 5 - 7 days will pass before shipments arrive in stores, meaning it could miss Christmas entirely. Guitar Hero World Tour, meanwhile, continues to sell out everywhere -- particularly the best-selling Wii version. For EA and Harmonix, "D'oh!" doesn't even begin to describe this mess.

For its part, Harmonix has assured us all that it "cares deeply" about getting the franchise right on Nintendo's system. They've promised downloadable content that will "work seamlessly with an SD card," tons of online support (in the form of regular new battles), and a "fully functional online world tour." The developer has pledged that future Wii versions of their games will release at the same time as those on other platforms, and apologized for its dopey handling of Rock Band 2 on Wii. No need to say sorry, Harmonix -- it's our Holiday money you're missing out on!

[Thanks, Chris!]

Reader Comments (21)

I personally don't mind how long it takes for Rock Band 2 to some out. As long as the wait is made worth while in the form of DLC evolving into openly shared wad files.

I was told at Gamestop today they expect to have it on shelf Friday, so that 5-7 days may be a very cautious overestimate in some cases at least. Bundles were already all reserved but game only was still available for preorder, so jump on it if you want it before xmas.

I've got it preordered through Amazon.com. They're saying I'll be tearing the tape off of the box sometime on January 7th. So they got my holiday $$$ after all...

Harmonix has the biggest bunch of morons running their business.

1st there was the completely castrated Rock Band (1) they quickly ported over to the Wii. What a pitiful excuse of a game for what is actually a good game on the other current consoles...

Next, comes Rock Band 2.
Wow, they finally got the message.
Give the Wii owners a FULL version of their game.
Too bad it is releasing over 2 months later then the other current gen consoles...

After the castrated 1st version was announced, I moved on, and got a 360. VERY well worth it.

Really though Harmonix?
You really think it is smart business to delay the (probably) #1 "party game" for the #1 "party/social" gaming console (Wii)?

What kind of complete morons make your business decisions?

Full compatibility is apology enough. I fully accept it, and I'm glad you realized how bad you tried to screw us over last time. I do believe that Rock Band 2 is now on my to buy next list.

Guilty Parents? Last minute shopping? Console they got for the family room but never use anymore?

Sounds like a winning strategy to me.

I agree... full compatibility (with proper DLC - if it's really the entire catalog within a couple months, and it's as seamless to the SD card as GHWT) was the reason for the delay, then the features are apology enough and I'll be getting RB2 disc as soon as I can. It's sort of an ironic bonus that I'll almost surely be able to use my GHWT drums to play RB2 before I ever get to really use them for GHWT because six weeks later, I STILL don't have a replacement from Red Octane, and I can't even get an email response (I don't mean to hijack, but has ANYONE gotten a replacement for broken cymbal pads or anything else yet?)

They shipped me a MIDI to USB rather quickly so I could check my calibration. I'd be bitching about the lack of response.

hey guys! i got a message from HMX henry on rockband.com this is a copy and past version of what he said

RE: rockband 2 wii date
Hey Rocker, RB2 for the Wii will ship on Dec 18th. It may take 5 to 7 days to arrive in stores, but some retail locations may receive bundles sooner. Unfortunately we don't have any control over which stores get RB2 Wii first, but you can check with your local stores for availability. Rock on! -HMXHenry

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 / 7:27 pm

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← Return to Inbox


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if you think i lied well then i will put my password here and you can see the message (i trust wii fans)

The instrument compatibility thing has been back and forth so much, I don't know what to believe anymore. I guess I'll wait for reviews to make my purchase.

I'm not buying more plastic instru-trollers.

Can they have after christmas sales of stuff that doesn't hit the shelves until after christmas?

On IGN's Nintendo Voice Chat, Bozon already said that they have the final game (review hits tomorrow) and that yes it does support GHWT (Wii) instruments.

I really hope it comes this week. I've been wanting to play a good RB on Wii.

Wow, I love Wii fanboy, but I hate the fact that you guys are always dissing Rock band! "Why are they taking so long?" "There doing it wrong!". Um, they're doing what Activision failed to do, make a freaking awesome game! . WT looks like it came out in beta form IMO. Don't say I'm a RB fanboy, I've loved GH up until WT, when I first heard of Rock Band (until I played it). Rock Band 2 may not sell as well as GH:WT (since WT has been out long), but I can confirm right now that it is gonna kick it's ass!

-----
@TheDave
I'd rather get a full, complete game, then a half- assed game, wouldn't you? You can't play off the SD card w/ WT, and you will with RB2! Full band online? Not in WT. Sure it's late, but it's gonna be worth way more than what I paid for for WT.
----

And there's gonna be 30 tracks (plus the 20 free tracks) of DLC there when I get it. BEAT THAT!

/end rant

Oops, what I meant to say was:

Don't say I'm a RB fanboy, I've loved GH up until WT, when I first heard of Rock Band, I didn't really care for it (until I played it :P ), I liked GH better at the time.

Hey, no hard feelings, we're all friends. Some Wii owners are still ticked at the gimped version of Rock Band dumped on us, that they are anti-fans of Rock Band. Like I was. Now that they've included full compatibility, I'm no longer one.

just saw it in wal-mart in north alabama.

Just picked one up at Best Buy in New Hampshire. They said the truck just delivered them 5 minutes before I got there!

Hmm, encouraging to hear that a couple of people are reporting seeing RB2 for the Wii in stores already.

Question for those who have seen it... Was it just the game by itself or was it the full band kit?

I am still hoping it shows up in Canada prior to Christmas.

I picked up the full band kit yesterday. I had RB2 "software only" on backorder and went to Best Buy yesterday and had RB1 in my hands when a lady rushed up to me and said, "Are you sure you want RB1 because the truck is here with RB2 right now!" I don't know how many they got in but the lady was telling everyone and as I checked out there were 2 other people behind me with RB2 in their carts.

Seems like Best Buy got the 1st shipments of RB2 for wii before Walmart! Hopefully they ship enough of these to all stores so everyone that waited can get one this time. They certainly cut it close but came through.

Owner of GHWT love it.... Picked up RB2 and everything works. Guitar works (except for the slide, no biggie) Drums rock!! Mic works. In band mode family used guitar, bass, drums and mic...... now the best of both worlds. Happy Holidays to all!!

Rock Band 2 works with other instruments, could miss Christmas

Reader Comments (21)

Posted: Dec 16th 2008 1:42PM (Unverified) said

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