Like many others who live on a budget, I waited to read and hear everything I could about this bundle. We bought Guitar Hero for the kids and let's face it the graphics don't really connect with the parents or the kids that much, there are a few good songs among a bunch of random clunkers. The kids tried it a few times and since they actually play real instruments, they found it less challenging than trying to make "real" music. So, I waited because I thought how different could this version be from the original Guitar Hero or the countless singing/Karoake games that we bought along the way--and I mean quite a few: American Idol I and II, High School Musical I and III, Disney Sing-It, etc.
Then, the reviews started trickling in. I picked up a copy of Entertainment Weekly which gave it an amazing write-up. Same thing with the New York Times. Game reviewers started saying that this could be the only game that could actually surpass the Wii Fit in terms of accessibility, design and most importantly, the content. I finally gave in and pre-ordered it thinking, well, at least this should be a best-seller by Christmas and I don't feel like hiking it countless Toy Stores and video game stores in search of it. If you're a parent like me, you remember what a pain it was to locate the Wii or a Wii Fit.
It took me less than an hour to properly set the game up. The instructions are written in a dozen languages and really don't clearly state how to put it together well. So, here are a few helpful hints. First, the drum set legs are actually inverted. So, you'll need to actually pull one leg out of the other and then set the smaller tube inside the larger one so that the plastic ring serves as a stopper inside the larger tube. Then, the legs will fit properly together. The rest of the set-up is a pretty straightforward until you get to the mic.
There are two devices that come with the set that are supposed to plug into ports within the Wii Console (that means the white box machine itself). At first, you might think that you have at least three devices that require port connections and you would be correct. Go ahead and plug those two white connectors into the main unit. Remove any existing connections to do so. Here's the helpful hint: one of the two connectors actually has two additional ports built into it. So, if you're going to use an extra guitar (we bought both the John Lennon and the George Harrison instruments), you can accomodate them or additional mikes. The extra guitar sets also come with these white connector units.
Okay, so you turn the unit on. And, if you're like me, you're thinking "this better impress" or else I'll feel really bummed. And, you'll need to enter a user name. I tried my first name. Already taken. I tried "Paul" thinking I'll just enter each Beatles first name until I get one. Again, taken. So, be prepared not to be stymied by this preliminary step.
When the game boots on, hold on to your hat. The opening sequence is amazing. The graphics, the familiar scenes from their historic roots to their trip to the US, it's all there. Then, the game really starts and the magic begins. I tried singing to familiar songs as a "solo" setting it to Easy. The graphics were astounding. The clips they chose against the familiar "Karaoke" sing along bar that flashes at the bottom of the scene are so exact, so thoughtful, so impressive, I found my mind wandering.
I started thinking about these four music icons as real people. What a fantastic, surreal journey it must have been for these four young lads from Liverpool. What it must have felt like to have experienced such a journey--and that it actually happened within our lifetime makes it even better. This is such a great game. What makes it so terrific is that my kids will learn to sing along to this music, to visually spot the experience as it unfolds on-screen with historic accuracy. Most of all, the music---the music, the music, the music. It's so special. Nothing like it since, maybe nothing ever again.
I'm hooked. This is the one I've been waiting for to share and explain the music to my kids. To play along myself. To just pause and enjoy the fact that interactive entertainment has reached this new plateau. I'm playing music with the Beatles in my living room. They are here. And it's only up to you to let your imagination now play out on screen. Fantastic game. Run to find it. I hope you get the limited edition copy. The Bass that Paul McCartney played is included as a replica. This thing is just so cool. If you've seen the picture, it's even better when you're holding it in your hands.
What an astounding package. It's expensive. It's really worth it. Really.