Toys, pack-ins, gimmicks, add-ons and peripherals are all words that are not unknown or unheard of to Nintendo Wii owners’ ears.  Since the console’s launch in 2006, a great many guns zappers, dance pads, microphones, etc., have been bundled with Wii games filling living rooms to capacity -- especially with the onset of rhythm games.  Even Nintendo’s best-selling game, WiiPlay is merely a controller with a $10 tech demo, and there has always been a premium attached to the bundles that have exceeded the normal price point for a Wii game at $49.99. Read More...

At Gamescon in Cologne, Harmonix announced which full albums will be available as DLC for Beatles: Rock Band in 2009. They also revealed the pricing structure and some extras you'll receive. This on the heels of yesterday's reveal of 19 of the last 20 songs on the disc. I would normally say that the 1360 Microsoft points (roughly $17) for an entire album and the typical 160 Microsoft points ($2) per song may turn off the owners of this game, but I would be wrong. I know how wrong by the fact that upon reading the press release, I balked at the number then quickly followed up with, "yeah, I'll probably buy it anyway." Beatles fans have been waiting for something like this since plastic guitars began filling up living rooms. Read More...

As I correctly speculated in my last Beatles: Rock Band article, there was yet another teaser for the fans as today MTV Games and Harmonix announced 19 of the 20 songs yet be revealed. With only one song remaining to be divulged, it looks as if it will be either a widely popular tune or a special "not-previously-released" track that's been hidden in the vaults and purposely kept from public view so that it can be released live with the remastered recordings set to release on the same day as the game. Considering the track list so far, there are some big Beatles songs on there indicating they are not afraid to show their hand, so the latter does seem more likely. Looking at the breakdown by studio album* it appears that they've set up a few albums to be big DLC money makers. Read More...

Standing outside of the famous Abbey Road, I thought about all the artists that have passed through into stardom. The doors opened to a vintage theater seating, a stage and curtain and giant LCD monitors. The curtains drew revealing Studio 2 made famous by the Beatles. The instruments were cardboard cutouts and we were still in the Los Angeles Convention Center, but as Harmonix began to demonstrate their newest Rock Band offering, it was difficult to not be swept up in the melodies and harmonies of a band as influential as The Beatles. Releasing on September 9th, the disc will have 45 tracks with plenty of DLC to follow, beginning with "All You Need is Love" (time-released exclusive) on Xbox 360 and the entire album, Abbey Road. All proceeds from purchases of All You Need is Love will benefit Doctors without Borders. Read More...

Rock Band Unplugged Does anyone else remember a little game Harmonix made oh so long ago called Amplitude? Where you flew a space craft around on different tracks and shot down "notes" to keep the beat, vocals, etc. going on a song playing in the background. You could upgrade and change your avatars and ships based on your scores. Also had some kick ass music that has yet to be fully seen on any of Harmonix's current projects. Ring a bell? Read More...