The Beatles: Rock Band launching worldwide on 9/9/09
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Mar 5th 2009 at 10:22AM } 
The "unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles" will allow players to tackle a cavalcade of culturally monumental songs via mic, drums and guitars, all included in a Limited Edition Premium bundle for $250 (all platforms) and "modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career." Standalone guitars will also be available ($100), as will separate game discs ($60, all platforms) for those already surrounded by Instrument Protagonist equipment. According to the press release, The Beatles: Rock Band will be compatible with all prior Rock Band instruments and "other current music-based game peripherals."
And now we wait until September. God, we hope the person behind the store counter is named Jude. It's going to be SO funny when we ask for a copy.
Update: Speaking to an MTV representative, we confirmed that despite the "collaborative decision" to append the Rock Band brand, The Beatles will remain a "custom, standalone, dedicated game experience." MTV and Harmonix are not willing to discuss matters regarding DLC or song importation yet.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Hooray It's Rob! @ Mar 5th 2009 10:25AM
Ten years to the day after the Dreamcast launch.
I can't wait!
agoergen @ Mar 5th 2009 10:25AM
So are we thinking that the chance of having the option of ripping these songs into Rock Band to is somewhere around 0%? Maybe 1%?
MarkHawk @ Mar 5th 2009 10:54AM
I think we are looking at a -8% chance... shame I know but HMX did get us most of all the RB1 songs.
If it is no different then Rock Band 2, that would suck to not be able to transfer it to see my custom RB character rock out to some Beatles.
Kenadian83 @ Mar 5th 2009 10:26AM
Jude is a guys name. Or in the song at least it is... Its short for Julian
Basic misconception on the song.
Rocketboy @ Mar 5th 2009 10:33AM
Don't take a sad joke and make it sadder...
OMGOMG @ Mar 5th 2009 11:23AM
Remember, to let the joke into your heart.
Jeff @ Mar 5th 2009 2:35PM
And then you can start, to make it better
Brucie_K @ Mar 5th 2009 10:26AM
NUMBER 9... NUMBER 9... NUMBER 9...
That song is creepy.
Lord of the Patapons (slycooper_rocker) @ Mar 5th 2009 5:38PM
haha what would have been funny would be if they released a Led Zeppelin game on 06/06/06.
Josh @ Mar 5th 2009 10:28AM
No, wait, I was just about to say that, but in a different tone.
This is totally wrong. Who the hell do they think they are? That's the Dreamcast's day! They're taking away the only thing it has left!
Bastards.
Josh @ Mar 5th 2009 10:30AM
For some reason I can't reply to Hooray It's Bob!, but this was my reply to him.
GleepGlop @ Mar 5th 2009 10:30AM
Is it just me or does it seem like the Beatles think they are too good to be with the rest of the music canon. They have to have their own separate game, and they are too good for itunes, etc. They are an influential band and I listened to them in highschool but I've moved on...
Grammar freak @ Mar 5th 2009 10:46AM
It's just you.
RPGJock @ Mar 5th 2009 11:03AM
I agree with Gleep. I mean look at the special price for the honor of buying the plastic equipment for the game. Come on, a $250 dollar bundle?? Its as much as the cost of the Wii, which honestly a lot of the people of the age bracket that they are selling to that has one or wants one. No they have to turn around pay another $250? Even stand alone the Wii disk version is the full $60. And its not just the game. I went last year to buy a comp pack of Beatle songs and its like $50 for about 20 songs. No way. I am a music fan but really that is just ridiculous. Especially for 30+ year old songs.
novus82x @ Mar 5th 2009 11:36AM
No it's not just you. They DO deserve to have their own game. Why would I want just songs when I can play a game that spans their career?
I'm gonna play this game until my fingers bleed. Love The Beatles.
oolz @ Mar 5th 2009 11:46AM
If you judge the quality of music by the date it was released, then you shouldn't bother listening to anything anymore. Don't pretend to call yourself a music fan and then downplay the importance of it because it's 30 years old. The quality of the music hasn't change, your ability to enjoy it has and that's on YOU, not the music.
Also, the $250 price tag likely includes ALL the instruments and judging by the post, we could see this game incorporate rhythm guitar into the mix, so there could potentially be five instruments in the full bundle.
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Mar 5th 2009 1:08PM
You are absolutely right. C'mon it couldn't be Rock Band: The Beatles? What a piece of crap.
arrness @ Mar 5th 2009 1:49PM
yeah, $250 is ridiculous,
you can buy the rb2 bundle and the standalone game for the same price
nonetheless i would buy a beatles guitar bundle. I only have one so far
Sonowilson @ Mar 6th 2009 12:31PM
Micheal Jackson owns the rights to the Beatles catalog.
Vitamin A @ Mar 5th 2009 10:32AM
I am guessing the songs will not be importable into the regular rock band games?
green11420 @ Mar 5th 2009 10:33AM
They should have made a "The Who" Rock Band instead. Now THAT I'll buy!
xx Beta Max xx @ Mar 5th 2009 10:36AM
Don't worry, Ace of Base: Rock Band is coming out soon.
green11420 @ Mar 5th 2009 10:51AM
Ha ha, I think we'll see an ABBA RB before that.
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Mar 5th 2009 1:13PM
Agreed. How many "ROCKing" songs do they have. I can count them on my hands. The rest of their music is much more suitable for sleepy time or foot tapping classes at the nursing home.
Fo0dNippl3 @ Mar 5th 2009 10:37AM
I really, REALLY hope they go back on their assurance that the songs won't be exportable to the hard drive like they went back on the assurance that it wouldn't be "Rock Band" game.
I don't want to have to swap discs.
tmntman @ Mar 5th 2009 11:10AM
Anyone else notice that this will apparently be the first $60 Wii game?
baby sea tuna @ Mar 5th 2009 11:29AM
Hey, they wanted to be recognized as a next-gen platform. Since they can't keep up with graphics, sound, power, storage ability, or online infrastructure, at least they can have a game that's the same price!
drew @ Mar 5th 2009 10:38AM
i hope harmonix doesn't do the same thing guitar hero is doing with this whole base a game on only one band.
Martin @ Mar 5th 2009 11:15AM
Whatever would give you the idea that they are doing that? Did them making The Beatles: Rock Band give it away?
Tiptup300 @ Mar 5th 2009 11:44AM
I dunno, it looks to me that they are going all out. Custom instruments, seems like they are re-programming the from scratch. I just wish they would at least give a screenie.
MrSpaceCowboy @ Mar 5th 2009 10:42AM
Can I be the walrus now?
Deezul @ Mar 5th 2009 10:46AM
Koo koo kachoo
baby sea tuna @ Mar 5th 2009 10:50AM
Dear god I hope so. I really hope they take the time to make whacked out characters from the songs and movies and stuff. I want a band with a Blue Meanie on drums!
jsmuli2 @ Mar 5th 2009 10:56AM
Thats goo goo goo joob
Shagittarius @ Mar 5th 2009 11:10AM
The walruz playz bukkit?
ehisforadam @ Mar 5th 2009 2:29PM
Here's a clue for you all, the walrus is Paul.
ice~ @ Mar 6th 2009 7:33PM
it's goo goo gajoob....
Ryan @ Mar 5th 2009 10:43AM
BFD
John Z @ Mar 5th 2009 10:42AM
And with news like that, you know you should be glad.
Ali @ Mar 5th 2009 2:35PM
I lol'd.
FireFighter214 @ Mar 5th 2009 10:45AM
More money for Michael Jackson.
jsmuli2 @ Mar 5th 2009 11:00AM
http://www.exposay.com/michael-jackson-ordered-to-sell-beatles-songs/v/9196/
Obviously not, that's why Across the Universe came out and that's why this game is coming out. He doesn't have exclusive rights anymore.
Kspraydad @ Mar 5th 2009 11:00AM
and SONY.
FireFighter214 @ Mar 5th 2009 2:53PM
ooooooh, super sweet.
Bear @ Mar 5th 2009 10:47AM
Am I the only one who doesn't care for the Beatles?
green11420 @ Mar 5th 2009 10:53AM
Just wanted to let you know your not alone. The Beatles can't buy me love. Oooooh! No offense Beatles fans!!
Martin @ Mar 5th 2009 11:17AM
I can't stand The Beatles, and I can't in any way understand why anyone else would enjoy them.
To each their own, I just don't get it.
The Baron @ Mar 5th 2009 11:24AM
They're no Rush.
Duke @ Mar 5th 2009 11:55AM
When I was younger most of their music didn't really work for me. Yet as I got older and started to listen to the lyrics more I found their songs to be pretty damn impressive. Funny thing is, I was raised on punk and was able to make the leap - so I don't think you are giving them a fair chance.
As far as the game goes, I imagine that my wife will want the most expensive edition of this because of those instruments. Damn the game industry and their peripherals!!
Markez @ Mar 5th 2009 12:31PM
I don't care for the Beatles. There's a few songs I like, I suppose, but that's it. That being said I'd rather play this than Guitar Aerosmith or Metallica, now those right there are some garbage ass bands. Especially Aerosmith, good god.