Rock Band Special Edition

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From: MTV Games
Category: Video Games

List Price: ~~$169.99~~
Buy New: $139.99
You Save: $30.00 (18%)

New (28) Used (4) from $114.88

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

66 reviews
Sales Rank: 18

Format: Cd-rom
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Genre: musical_instrument_games
ESRB: Teen
Media: Video Game
Edition: Special
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Age: 12 - 20 years
Operating System: XXX
Shipping Weight (lbs): 24
Dimensions (in): 29.6 x 15.3 x 11.5

MPN: 16797
Model: 16797
UPC: 014633167979
EAN: 0014633167979
ASIN: B0016HM45K

Release Date: June 22, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Features:

•	Comes with guitar controller, drum controller, microphone, USB Hub and game software
•	Over 40 tracks to play with - Including acts like Metallica, Bon Jovi, Stone Temple Pilots and the Ramones! Learn to play songs spanning all genres of rock.
•	Guitar controller utilizes a five-way FX switch that allows flanger, wah-wah, echo and chorus effects
•	Drum controller features four pads, a kick pedal and real drum sticks
•	Microphone can be tapped against your hand to play percussion instruments, such as tambourine and cowbell

Similar Items:

•	Rock Band Wireless Guitar
•	Rock Band Track Pack: Vol. 1
•	Rock Band Drum Set
•	Wii Rock Band Wireless Guitar
•	Guitar Hero Aerosmith Wii

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Want to be a rock star? Here's your chance to become one through the aid of your Nintendo Wii. Electronic Arts' Rock Band Special Edition includes the guitar controller, drum controller and microphone, so you'll have everything you need. The music in Rock Band covers all genres of rock and features master recordings from legendary artists, including Nirvana, The Who, Weezer, David Bowie and more. Can't play an instrument? The Tutorial mode will turn even a beginner into a rock-and-roll superstar. Developed by Harmonix, creators of the blockbuster Guitar Hero franchise, Rock Band is an all-new platform for gamers ready to take on the challenges of Rock-&-Roll with its challenges and rewards. Wii is the perfect vehicle to play, peform, and ascend toward rock stardom. Provides full support for unlockable content to deliver fresh challenges Deep online functionality allows players to play together even across immense distances

Amazon.com
Tap into your Rock & Roll fantasy as you pick your axe, form a band and tour for fame and fortune, all while sticking the rock credo of learning your instrument as you go in Rock Band.

For those about to rock!

Jam solo if that's your thing.
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Or try multiplayer action.
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Step to the mic.
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Or go Bonzo on the skins!
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Developed by Harmonix, creators of the blockbuster Guitar Hero franchise, Rock Band is an all-new platform for gamers ready to take on the challenges of the Rock & Roll lifestyle. Instruments available to players are guitar, bass, drums or vocals as they hit the road as either an aspiring superstar solo act, or for the first time in game genre history take on the true collaborative and challenging nature of music as they form a band and jam together in multiplayer action from home or around the world. Either way players will need to master their stage presence through the various game modes and poli sh their rock chops via the unrivaled Rock Band song list if they hope to make it out of the garage, into the clubs and finally on to the main stage.

* Rock Band Special Edition for Wii includes: guitar, mic, drum kit peripherals plus software.

Extensive Game Modes.
Rock Band delivers four music games in one - challenging rockers to master lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals through the five separate game modes.

Tutorial Mode: Master the basics! No need for experience. Pick your weapon of choice and ascend from beginner to rock god.
Practice Mode: Perfect your tune! Breakdown any part of any song at your preferred speed before hitting the main stage.
Quickplay Mode: Instant fix of fun! Jump into any unlocked song for some quick jam time either on your own or with other players.
Solo Tour Mode: Take it on the road! Pack up your instrument of choice and set out on the open road for a fun and challenging single player career.
Band World Tour Mode: Conquer the world! The journey to rock stardom takes you from small town bars to world-renowned venues. Earn fame and fortune along the way to secure rock star necessities.

A Song List That Goes to Eleven!
Built on unprecedented deals with top record labels and music publishers, the mix of remastered originals and covers that make up the epic Rock Band song list puts players in the shoes of legendary artists from day one. In addition to the 45 tracks listed below, Rock Band will also feature 13 songs ranging from a variety of established bands to up-and-coming independent artists that can be unlocked as you play through the game. Track list includes:

Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter"
Aerosmith "Train Kept a Rollin'"
The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again"
Boston "Foreplay/Long Time"
Mountain "Mississippi Queen"
The Police "Next to You"
David Bowie "Suffragette City"
Black Sabbath "Paranoid"
Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper"
The Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"
Deep Purple "Highway Star"
KISS "Detroit Rock City"
Molly Hatchet "Flirtin' With Disaster"
The Outlaws "Green Grass & High Tides"
Sweet "Ballroom Blitz"
Rush "Tom Sawyer"
Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"
The Clash "Should I Stay or Should I Go"
Faith No More "Epic"
R.E.M. "Orange Crush"
Iron Maiden "Run to the Hills"*
Foo Fighters "Learn to Fly"
Metallica "Enter Sandman"
Nirvana "In Bloom"
Stone Temple Pilots "Vasoline"
Weezer "Say It Ain't So"
Smashing Pumpkins "Cherub Rock"
Radiohead "Creep"
Beastie Boys "Sabotage"
Hole "Celebrity Skin"
Garbage "I Think I'm Paranoid"
Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun"
The Hives "Main Offender"
Queens of the Stone Age "Go With the Flow"
The Strokes "Reptilia"
Jet "Are You Gonna Be My Girl"
OK Go "Here It Goes Again"
Nine Inch Nails "The Hand That Feeds"
Pixies "Wave of Mutilation"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Maps"
Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California"
Coheed & Cambria "Welcome Home"
Fallout Boy "Dead on Arrival"
The Killers "When You Were Young"
New Pornographers "Electric Version"

Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Great game; Wii version limitations well known pre-release June 24, 2008
byte_man (Milwaukee, WI USA)
55 out of 71 found this review helpful

I first bought Rock Band for my PS2, knowing that it didn't support player customization, custom setlists, DLC, or online play. Didn't matter... the core of the game is so strong that you quickly forget the smaller feature set. I bought a PS3 just so I could enjoy the "full" Rock Band experience. Tonight I played Wii Rock Band at a friend's house and guess what? It's still a GREAT GAME. Anyone who did a modicum of research knew well in advance that the Wii version was more or less a port of the PS2 version. Don't penalize the game for your lack of research. Do you spend $[...] on other items before researching your purchase?

5 out of 5 stars

Great game on its own!!! July 13, 2008
E.C. (Massachusetts)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Although I've been a heavy shopper of Amazon for years, I've written very few reviews - mostly due to laziness. But after playing with Rock Band for just over a week, and noticing a lot of the negative reviews, mostly due to comparisons to versions of the same game on other platforms, i felt i really ought to provide some of my feedback.

I don't own an XBOX or a PS3. I wish i did - but.. i'm too cheap, and my kids are still too young (3 and 7) for the type of games that are popular on those systems. I've settled for the Wii. Although we've been quite happy with Wii Sports, none of the other games have really kept our interest beyond a couple of days. (granted, i've only attempted to purchase games that would appeal to both my 7 year old and all the adults around - that's pretty hard to do)... until now. Rock Band has to be one of the best "team" oriented games I've played in a long time. Its a game that has kept friends of ours over very late trying to pass the various songs. More importantly, its a game that both my 7 year old and I can play together at the same time. (she sings, and i'd play the drums..).. And to be able to complete a song together is really cool.. Its "team" oriented because you're only as good as your weakest band member.. and when the weak band member falls behind, the best band member has the ability to "save" him/her..otherwise, the team falls..

Since I've never played the Xbox or ps3 version, i have no idea what i'm missing.. but what i do get, i absolutely love! So, if you are a single console owner like myself, i think this game is a must have - its the best party game since Wii Sports.

I only hope that the equipment stays functioning for a long time as we've given it a good workout so far..

5 out of 5 stars

Wii Rock Band is being underrated June 25, 2008
August Helmbright (Plano, TX, USA)
7 out of 13 found this review helpful

Lots of reviewers keep slamming Rock Band for the Wii, but if you read their reviews, they're really slamming the Wii itself. OK, everyone who owns the Wii console knows that it doesn't have the graphics capabilities of the PS3, doesn't have a hard drive, etc., etc. If you don't like the Wii, except for the few games that are designed to take special advantage of its motion sensitive controls (Wii Sports, for example), and have limitless funds to keep buying consoles, then yes, you'd probably rather own Rock Band for the PS3. However, I can say that if Wii is your console, this game is tons of fun. I also have Guitar Hero III for the PC, along with a modern and souped up enough PC to play it adequately, so that's my main comparison. I can say that I like Rock Band for the Wii better. That's irrespective of the fact that my PC (obviously) has a huge hard drive, the PC game can play online - at least after I downloaded the latest patch - and the PC game has superior graphics. So why do I prefer Rock Band? First and foremost, the Fender guitar control doesn't just look a whole lot better than the lame X-Box controller the PC game uses, it also feels and responds far better. First try on one of the songs at medium, I got 100%, which I still haven't managed in GH III. Second, the drums and vocals are a neat addition. The vocals work far better than I would have expected, in fact.

The other main complaint is that there is no DLC (that's "downloadable content" for the uninitiated) for the Wii, but get over it. The game comes with 5 bonus tracks that were only available as DLC for other platforms, and the additional track packs you can buy (actually extra stand alone games) work out being more economical than downloading the number of songs they contain. (OK, as of this writing, there's only 1 volume, but I used the plural since they call it "Volume 1," figuring sales will be good enough that they'll add more volumes.)

5 out of 5 stars

Awesome! June 28, 2008
Indi
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

This game rocks. There are a ton of songs (63 from what I can tell so far) that are fun for all instuments. As a singer I found the game quite enjoyable and good exercise for keeping in tune and singing the correct note lengths. My friends and I had a blast rocking across the land, shredding all the while. I am looking forward to Volume 2 (even though I have yet to see the entire catalog I have now!).

5 out of 5 stars

This is the Best Music Game on Wii June 22, 2008
C. Ward
14 out of 17 found this review helpful

If you're looking for an excellent pick up and play solo experience that gets even better with friends, look no further than Rock Band. You don't have to have any prior experience with any of the instruments to be able to rock out to a very strong and varied set list for hours on end. From 70s garage punk to contemporary industrial, this game will let you sing, drum, or strum your way to the top. And trust me, the experience gets exponentially better the more people you have playing along.

While my rating for this game looks at it as simply the game itself, there are some drastic differences from the other versions of Rock Band that a potential buyer should be aware of to make an informed decision on which version to get:

1) This game comes with the newer, updated, and more sturdy instruments than the other versions originally shipped with. The best part about this is that the Wii drums have softer pads and end up playing much quieter than the XBOX 360 version I've played this game on. It can still create some good noise if you hit it hard enough, but it's not going to cause any noise complaints.
2) This version is more similar to the stripped down PS2 version. That means no online play. That means no songs to be downloaded. That means no tour the world career mode (progression is instead done linearly much like Guitar Hero). You also will not be able to customize what your band looks like, but instead will see FMVs in the background while you play songs (much like DDR).

If point #2 is a concern, and you have a PS3 or a 360 as well as a Wii, I would high suggest that you pick up one of those versions. However, point #2 does not cut into the greatest strength of the game: the core gameplay:

Playing Guitar: If you have played any Guitar Hero game, you will be right at home. The Rock Band guitar feels sturdy when in hand, and has two different sets of keys for you to play on (the smaller ones towards the bottom of the neck are meant for solos). Personally, I find these keys fine, though people who prefer the Guitar Hero III controller will be disappointed to learn that it doesn't work with this game. However, it is truly wireless and comes with three AAA batteries right out of the box. After playing Guitar Hero III through Hard, I had no problem picking this up and going right to it, though I will say that Guitar Hero is far more forgiving on the timing of when you strum notes. However, if you're just starting out, easy mode is far more forgiving, or you can take it a step further...

Playing Bass: In earlier levels and with newcomers to the game, I would suggest that they take up playing bass. As it focuses more on sticking with the rhythm, it tends not to be as complex. Just so you know, the bass is played with the same guitar as the guitar itself, so if you want to have 4 people playing you'll need to either pick up another Rock Band guitar or have a friend bring one over. Later in the game, bass gets far more complicated and interesting, but it is a great lead in for beginners or non-gamers if they're too shy to...

Sing Along: Nothing quite says "Great for a party" like being able to watch someone make a fool out of him or herself by blaring along to a familiar or famous tune. This game will work with any USB mic that works for another Wii game (as of this writing), but keep in mind that it does come with one in the box. On easier difficulties, it focuses on you just being able to keep up with the rhythm of the words, but in later difficulties it requires you to hold onto the pitch as well (Boston still makes my throat hurt!). You can't be shy or timid though...if you don't project your voice into the mic it will not pick it up and you will fail.

Laying the Beat: To be honest, this is the portion of the game that I was most excited about (and if you get the special edition, the part that requires the most assembly and takes up most of the box space). The drumming tutorial was very helpful for getting started, and while the included sticks may be too small for some people, any set of drumsticks will work. The pads are very sensitive, and as long as you keep your foot down on the foot pedal instead of raising it back up between uses, your ankle will be fine. Most songs give you moments to beat into the drum like crazy, which is a bonus for when the rest of your band is trying to be as precise as possible in the middle of a song.

In the end, I would recommend this product tremendously if you only have a Wii. If you have a PS3 or a 360, the other features and single player mode are worth having, but if you don't you won't be totally missing out; the game play is incredibly satisfying. The cooperative modes clearly demonstrate that Harmonix thought out what would go into each different instrument for each song, and will also be the major draw for if you have other people over to play the game. Furthermore, you get the same songs as the PS3 and 360 plus five bonus track that those systems would have to download. And if you really like the game? In July the first track pack will be released for the Wii and PS2 and it will include 20 of the most popular songs from the downloadable content.

Yes, there are some features missing. Yes, this version could be considered stripped down. Even so, it is still one of the best single player and multiplayer experiences to be had on the Wii, and it is easily the best music, rhythm, karaoke, etc (sorry if I'm missing a genre!) game on the Wii. Rock Band is well worth the price of admission.

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