Okay, so it will be a Rock Band game. Apple Corps LTD., Harmonix and MTV Games have announced that rock music's dream cast, The Beatles, will be reduced to multicolored note charts on 9/9/09, when the "The Beatles: Rock Band" launches worldwide on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii.
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 ($60, all platforms) for those already surrounded by Instrument Protagonist equipment. According to the press release, The Beatles: Rock Band will be compatible with all prior Rock Band instruments and "other current music-based game peripherals."
And now we wait until September. God, we hope the person behind the store counter is named Jude. It's going to be SO funny when we ask for a copy.
Update: Speaking to an MTV representative, we confirmed that despite the "collaborative decision" to append the Rock Band brand, The Beatles will remain a "custom, standalone, dedicated game experience." MTV and Harmonix are not willing to discuss matters regarding DLC or song importation yet.
Reader Comments (132)
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 10:54PM (Unverified) said
The exporting system would have to be completely rethought, using some kind of online code system, because as of now, for a 5$ rental you can add all 55 Rock Band 1 songs to your hard-drive.
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Posted: Mar 5th 2009 12:40PM (Unverified) said
Will the bass be the first left handed guitar? Righty-flip for once?
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 12:56PM (Unverified) said
I would LOVE a Rock Band: Queen, but the Beatles are pretty sweet too. How about some Rolling Stones or Who love next, HMX?
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 1:21PM Inspace2020 said
It's so funny to me how all the RB fanboys are defending "Beatles - Rock Band" but scream bloody murder when GH makes band based GH games!! Face it, both Harmonix/EA/MTV and Neversoft/Activision are BUSINESSES and they have stockholders they have to please at the end of the day. So don't give me this self righteous crap about how HARMONIX cares more and ACTIVISION is the devil bullish they both just want your MONEY!!
So with that said...buy the games which have the music YOU like and stop bitching because one of the companies make a game with music you don't like!! They both have they're own interpretation of this genre, competition is good for the consumer in the end....you seen what happened to MADDEN when EA bought out the rights to the NFL shutting down 2K Sports....
The hypocrisy is astounding!!!! And I'll bet the game will not be backwards compatible...why because it takes lots of coding, resources, forthought and time to implement that and I don't think that was the original plan for this game...they have to make money from this, don't think the Beatles came cheap!
/rant
So with that said...buy the games which have the music YOU like and stop bitching because one of the companies make a game with music you don't like!! They both have they're own interpretation of this genre, competition is good for the consumer in the end....you seen what happened to MADDEN when EA bought out the rights to the NFL shutting down 2K Sports....
The hypocrisy is astounding!!!! And I'll bet the game will not be backwards compatible...why because it takes lots of coding, resources, forthought and time to implement that and I don't think that was the original plan for this game...they have to make money from this, don't think the Beatles came cheap!
/rant
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 3:05PM TRTX said
Here's the difference. If it's not exportable, and doesn't support existing RB content, it will be the first bundled game in the RB franchise to do so in the three years the franchise will have been around when this game is released.
Meanwhile, Activision will have released three bundled games in the span of 6-7 months that have absolutely no compatibility with one another.
And considering nobody even KNOWS what the RB compatibility is going to be like with this game, it's a little early to start calling out "hypocrit".
But nice effort.
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Meanwhile, Activision will have released three bundled games in the span of 6-7 months that have absolutely no compatibility with one another.
And considering nobody even KNOWS what the RB compatibility is going to be like with this game, it's a little early to start calling out "hypocrit".
But nice effort.
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 1:19PM TwistedJC said
I have to give Harmonix and MTV Games two big thumbs up!! "compatible with all prior Rock Band instruments and "other current music-based game peripherals."
Activision needs grow up and follow this example.
Activision needs grow up and follow this example.
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 1:21PM (Unverified) said
Oh goodness, the day before my birthday.
Seriously can't wait.
Seriously can't wait.
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 1:28PM antilucid said
The release date appears to be paying homage to their song Revolution 9 (off the White album).
Number 9....
number 9...
number 9...
Number 9....
number 9...
number 9...
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 1:29PM MatisyahuSerious said
here's hoping for some unique gameplay, which is what i prefer about RB - having to succeed at the local level to get signed, breaking big in america, successfully shifting from their pop style to rock or psychedelic style ... hell, it could almost be RPG-like if done properly.
*fingers crossed*
*fingers crossed*
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 1:34PM Cramill said
So, when are they coming out with a Led Zeppelin game? (Probably never huh?)
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 2:04PM Unab8d Ly4m said
The Beatles...blech! Not a fan...never will be. They are on the same plane as Elvis in my opinion (stuff I have to listen to because everyone else is riding their junk). I give them props for being able to get people to buy thier music, but I don't find them very influential. Only two of the band members in my opinion are worth a poop (Harrison and Lennon). Unfortunately, Lennon had to go and bring his wife on the stage with him. I will not be buying this game just like I haven't bought any of their music.
P.S. The Beatles are bubble gum pop at best. They are not a rock band.
P.S. The Beatles are bubble gum pop at best. They are not a rock band.
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 2:14PM (Unverified) said
Did you listen to anything of theirs post-1965 or so? Anything but bubblegum pop.
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Posted: Mar 5th 2009 2:41PM Unab8d Ly4m said
Yes, I have listened to music of theirs post 1965. That's when they decided to start doing drugs. So, they became a little bit more interesting at that point. That doesn't make their music any more enjoyable.
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Posted: Mar 5th 2009 2:45PM (Unverified) said
Maybe i'll buy this game for my dad.
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 3:27PM (Unverified) said
John and Yoko would approve of the release date.
"Number 9..... Number 9..... Number 9....."
"Number 9..... Number 9..... Number 9....."
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 3:57PM holyice7 said
That was actually my first thought when I saw the image, as well.
This is actually the first thing that's convinced me that Rock Band is at all worth buying. Now all I need is three friends who actually appreciate the Beatles...
This is actually the first thing that's convinced me that Rock Band is at all worth buying. Now all I need is three friends who actually appreciate the Beatles...
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 9:46PM (Unverified) said
I use to be a big Guitar Hero fanboy. I own all Guitar Hero's and neither Rock Bands. I was extremely upset by the horribly put together World Tour, and Activision's franchise milking ( Metallica & whatever that other new one is) . After this announcement I think my next music game purchase will be for Rock Band. And I have a sad feeling that Guitar Hero is going to have the same fate as Tony Hawk.
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 4:37PM PoisonFacecamo said
Rockband is easily becoming a much bigger rip off than Guitar Hero in terms of multiple title releases...
Posted: Mar 6th 2009 8:39AM zack11190 said
Afrocass is right. Since Activision took over Guitar Hero, there are more Rock Band games as there are Guitar Hero games that are out or have been announced.
Guitar Hero:
GH III
GH World Tour
GH Aerosmith
GH Metallica
GH On Tour
GH On Tour: Decades
GH Greatest Hits
Rock Band:
Rock Band
Rock Band 2
Rock Band AC/DC
Rock Band Track Pack 1
Rock Band Track Pack 2
Rock Band Classic Rock Track Pack
Rock Band Beatles
Rock Band for PSP
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Guitar Hero:
GH III
GH World Tour
GH Aerosmith
GH Metallica
GH On Tour
GH On Tour: Decades
GH Greatest Hits
Rock Band:
Rock Band
Rock Band 2
Rock Band AC/DC
Rock Band Track Pack 1
Rock Band Track Pack 2
Rock Band Classic Rock Track Pack
Rock Band Beatles
Rock Band for PSP
Posted: Mar 7th 2009 9:55PM meth0dical said
i dont really pay attention to the rb/gh "war" but i have to mention the rock band track pack retail discs are value priced dlc compilations for people that arent online. all the gh games are full priced retail games save for the announced greatest hits compilation (which could be full priced as well) bringing the count to 6/7 - 5 for the gh series.
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Posted: Mar 5th 2009 4:40PM KaneRobot said
I know this is a nice grab for Harmonix, but really - fuck the Beatles. This is Dreamcast 10th Anniversary Day.
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 4:44PM (Unverified) said
I'll consider buying it if it allows imports...I'll just rent it otherwise.
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 10:54PM (Unverified) said
Seems like backward logic here, if they allow exports with the same system as Rock Band 1, just rent it and you have all of the content for $5. If they don't allow exports (which is far more likely) you will have to buy the full game to enjoy the content for more than a week.
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Posted: Mar 5th 2009 5:33PM In A World said
C'mon.... Dreamcast 2! It's gonna be bigger than Jesus!
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 5:35PM Kinjiro said
import in RB2 or no buy, kthxbye
Posted: Mar 5th 2009 6:02PM kaneka said
Why do we give GH crap and not RB?
Because IT'S THE BEATLES. Come on! They deserve nothing less.
Because IT'S THE BEATLES. Come on! They deserve nothing less.
Posted: Mar 27th 2009 7:10AM (Unverified) said
Not enough rock songs by the Beatles??? emmm, 'Back In The USSR', 'Helter Skelter', 'Get Back' 'Revolution', 'Come Together', 'Daytripper', 'I'm Down', 'The End', 'Birthday', 'Taxman', 'Drive My Car' 'Can't Buy Me Love', 'She's A Woman', 'Sgt Pepper', 'One After 9 o 9', 'Rain', 'I Saw Her Standing There', 'She Said She Said', 'Good Morning Good Morning' 'Paperback Writer' and the list goes on and on. The Beatles - the GREATEST BAND in history. From pop to folk, from psychedelia to rock, they did it all and then some. No band has got as many great songs or as much diversity in their catalogue as the Beatles. I ma looking forward to the 'Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane' parts of the game.





