Xbox 360 The Beatles: Rock Band - Software Only

by MTV Games

• A variety of gameplay environments pulled from the Beatles career, including Cavern Club, Abbey Road and Shea Stadium.
• "The Beatles: Rock Band" software for Xbox 360.
• A song list of more than 40 Beatles hits, as well as additional DLC to follow via Xbox LIVE.
• The first music game to offer harmonies as part of gameplay, challenging players to recreate The Beatles’ vocal blend.
• Works with all Rock Band and most Guitar Hero controllers and microphones.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001TOQ8JS
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches ; 3.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: August 31, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,167 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #2 in Video Games > Xbox 360 > Games > Rhythm > Musical Instruments
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox 360 | Edition: Software Only

Amazon.com

The world's leading music game meets the greatest band in history. The Beatles: Rock Band gives fans what they've been waiting for: a chance to experience the Beatles' legendary story from the inside. In The Beatles: Rock Band you won't just watch and listen as The Beatles make rock history, create landmark records and conquer the world-for the first time, you'll be part of the band. The Beatles software is compatible with Rock Band, Guitar Hero and most other instrument controllers, as well as third party microphones including SingStar and Lips. Play across all band eras. View larger. A variety of play venues. View larger. Master classic Beatles harmonies. View larger. Exclusive Beatles controllers available. View larger. The Game Join John, Paul, George and Ringo on-stage at legendary shows, behind closed doors in the recording studio, and in dreamscapes that bring the psychedelic imagery of the latter stage of their career to life. The acclaimed Rock Band elements of interactive play and full-band capacity are here as well, but with brand-new additions. One of these is full three-part harmonies, which challenge you to recreate The Beatles’ vocal blend — a first for any music game and facilitated by the game's support for up to three microphone controllers. In addition, the game supports custom-built controllers modeled after the actual instruments that the Fab Four played, and eventually helped to make iconic, audio straight from the masters and graphics that take you on a magical tour through the key moments in The Beatles history. Produced with the full cooperation of The Beatles and Apple Corps, the game is packed with hidden fab extras that will push you and up to five of your friends to master the songs both online and offline in order to hear rare audio and view unseen photos from the archives. The Song List The Beatles were one of the most prolific bands of all time, churning out memorable hit after hit and this is reflected in the song list of The Beatles: Rock Band. From "I Want to Hold Your Hand" to "Get Back," every song in The Beatles: Rock Band comes directly from the Abbey Road master tapes. More than 40 songs are included with the game, spanning the length of The Beatles’ career, with more to follow via download at the in-game The Beatles: Rock Band Music Store for Wii, using Wii points purchased through the Wii Shop Channel. The full list of hits supplied with the game disc include: I Saw Her Standing There Boys Do You Want To Know A Secret Twist And Shout I Wanna Be Your Man I Want to Hold Your Hand A Hard Day’s Night Can’t Buy Me Love I Feel Fine Eight Days A Week Ticket To Ride Day Tripper Drive My Car I’m Looking Through You If I Needed Someone Paperback Writer Taxman Yellow Submarine And Your Bird Can Sing Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band With a Little Help from My Friends Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds Getting Better Good Morning Good Morning I Am The Walrus Hello Goodbye Revolution Back In The USSR Dear Prudence While My Guitar Gently Weeps Birthday Helter Skelter Hey Bulldog Don’t Let Me Down Come Together Something Octopus’s Garden I Want You (She’s So Heavy) Here Comes The Sun Dig A Pony I Me Mine I’ve Got A Feeling Get Back Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows The End The Instruments Although The Beatles: Rock Band supports instruments from previous Rock Band and Guitar Hero releases on the same gaming platform, it also is tailor-made for play using The Beatles: Rock Band exclusive line of instrument controllers (sold separately). Each member of The Beatles had a signature instrument(s) that became synonymous with them. Controllers available are precise replicas of those instruments and include: John Lennon’s - Rickenbacker 325 guitar Sir Paul McCartney’s trademark - Höfner bass George Harrison’s - Gretsch Duo Jet guitar Ringo Starr’s - Drums with classic black oyster pearl finish and Ludwig-branded Beatles kick drum head The Gameplay Venues Having made music together in various capacities and combinations for more than ten years, The Beatles career is inextricably linked with a variety of venues. Follow The Beatles from their earliest days in locales in Liverpool and Hamburg, to their triumphant Ed Sullivan Show appearance and beyond. In addition, join them in the studio at Abbey Road and experience dreamscapes that put you inside the psychedelic era. Just a few of the famous venues players can expect to see in the game are: Cavern Club, The Ed Sullivan Theater, Shea Stadium, Budokan, Abbey Road, Rooftop, And many more.

Product Description

Experience The Beatles music and legacy like never before, utilizing the core Rock Band game play. "The Beatles: Rock Band" in an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles. The game will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through game play that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band's legendary career.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 108 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, Amazing game - or should I say Fabulous! September 9, 2009

By Lisa Shea HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Platform for Display:Xbox 360|Edition:Software Only

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I just finished playing through the entire Beatles: Rock Band game on medium level. I was blown away in so many ways. We have all the various music games, many for several platforms, and this by far is our new favorite.

First, of course, the music. We have always loved the Beatles and playing through this game just reminds us how amazing these guys were as musicians. There's the "outliers" theory that they had amassed 10,000 hours of playing time with their high intensity early years, which speaks to their superb ability to just pick up and run on any stage. Whatever it was, their harmonies are superb, their rhythms are great fun. Bob (my musician boyfriend) commented that playing along with the songs was great. Often we have to force ourselves to play through a song on other games (even songs we like) because the coded buttons just aren't enjoyable, the coders get the rhythm a bit off. Here I was dancing along while I played guitar or sang.

There are 8 chapters / venues, from the Cavern up through the Apple roof-top. There are three Abbey Road studio chapters. You might think that's boring. However, it was *superb*. They might start a song in the studio, but then the visuals go off to a CUSTOM TAILORED TO THAT SONG video! The Yellow Submarine song is underwater. The Sgt Pepper's song is in the gazebo complete with 1800s cut-out people! The flower sequences are amazing. Usually in music games I ignore the backgrounds. Here I would miss notes because I was swept away by the background graphics! Whoever did these art collaborations needs to be given a bottle of Champagne. Maybe two. They were incredibly beautiful and a sheer perfect tie-in with the songs many times. I would gladly watch someone else play so I could watch the visuals....

Yes the "gig" shows you get early are fun - period appropriate screaming fans at Shea Stadium. I have to comment that the audience at the Budokan looked completely caucasian, surely some non-causasians should have been there? Still, a minor complaint.

Gameplay is as mentioned superbly fun, and not just because of the stellar music. You get real harmonies, which is a breakthrough for these main pair of products (GH and RB). Sing along in harmony with a friend, sometimes even three part harmony. If you have a mic stand you can even hook up your mic and play drums while you sing, play guitar while you sing, since there's no "hand clapping" or other stuff you have to do.

There are a few minor complaints. I nailed 100% several times and got nothing at all. No gold stars, no visual indication. Since I like to go through and get 100% on all songs, there's no easy way to see which to replay. The between-gig navigation is a bit rough, you have to literally page through them so you can't just scan the list. Even when you're looking at a given gig you have to go "in" to the gig to see which specific songs to work on. I really like having a scan option so I can look through for what I want to play with.

You earn photos with your stars (i.e. actual photos of the Beatles to look at) but I'd have liked something a little more fun. More instruments? I realize they want their gigs to all be period-specific with the right instruments and clothes but it still would have been cool to give the option.

Also, you are forced down their path in its completeness. You can't get past the Cavern until you play EVERY gig in it. Then you move on to the Ed Sullivan show and so on. In every case you have to play every single song. I'd really like to have the normal "earn X stars and progress" in case there's a song you're really eager to get to.

You do get to download additional songs if you want - so if the killer set list built into this game isn't enough, you can always get more!

I want to comment in general that the equipment you have for playing any of these music games matters a LOT. We have the Ion drum kit and the wireless guitars. I highly, highly recommend getting both of these. Playing any of these music games (and especially the Beatles!) on cheap gear can really frustrate you quickly. Spend the money to get better equipment. You'll find you play the games for months and months because they are so much fun. You'll also find that your real life dexterity and drumming skills will improve *amazingly*.

Finally be sure to sit through the 10 minute long (I'm not kidding) credits. You get to unlock an encore :)

Feel free to contact me with any questions at all! I have the full set list posted on my site.

UPDATE: Several people have emailed me asking if this can be played single player. YES. You play single player through the entire game if you wish. Also, if you're alone in your house, you can still play multi-player with people on Live, so you can have fun four player music by going online and finding other players through the Live network. Read more ›

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful game--my throat is sore September 9, 2009

By Nathan Hale

Platform for Display:Xbox 360|Edition:Software Only

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Amazon delivered on the "pre-order and get it on release day" promise. I received the game 10 AM day of release. Thank you UPS and Amazon!

Fantastic game. Even the transition screens between songs have been lovingly crafted. Every inch of the game is very well thought out.

Make sure to get MULTIPLE MICROPHONES! The singing include three part harmonies that are very fun, we spent the first few hours of the game just singing. If you can still find it, I recommend buying the "Lips two microphone bundle," as it costs the same as the single packaged Xbox 360 wireless mic (and it includes TWO of that same mic--as well as the LIPS karaoke game.)

You know how most music games have three, maybe four songs that you LOVE to play? Well, EVERY song in this game is like that. It's magical.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fab! Fab! Fab! September 10, 2009

By Rick

Platform for Display:Xbox 360|Edition:Software Only

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I can't top the previous review but I can say that I agree 100% with the 5 star rating. The music is fantastic and very well adapted to the game format. The graphics and the realistic animations are superb. I grew up in the UK when the Beatles were just getting started and remember "Beatlemania" very clearly. This brought back the old tingles as I played the songs all over again and was swept along in the nostalgia of the lovingly recreated backgrounds.

We played last night as soon as the package arrived and got to the first Abbey Road session - I'm looking forward to the rest of the game and then trying out the vocal harmonies etc.

If you like the Beatles music (who doesn't?) and enjoy the challenge of Rock Band or Guitar Hero I would say go ahead and get this game...you will not be disappointed. Now where's my old copy of Sgt Pepper??!

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great, but too expensive September 27, 2009

By C. D Pulaski

Platform for Display:Xbox 360|Edition:Software Only

Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

I love the Rock Band series and it's one of the most fun games to play with a group of friends. When I first heard about The Beatles Rock Band, I was excited because now no one will get "stuck" as the singer. It's much more fun to sing when you can sing as The Beatles.

The gameplay is awesome, the graphics are great and I think the game captures the essence of Beatlemania. There are a few missing features from the other incarnations of the Rock Band series (like you can only change timing lag for one instrument during a session, so if the guitar player fixes the lag for himself, it may be off for the preferences of the drummer, with no way to fix it. If the timing is off for one player, it can amount to a LOT of missed notes.)

The main disappointment comes with there only being 45 songs, and therefore only about 2-3 hours of truly unique gameplay (sure, you can change the difficulty, but you can really only play a song so many time before it gets predictable and boring). I understand that getting the rights to those 45 songs was probably difficult and extremely expensive for the developers; however I feel like the game being released (software-only) at $60 is a LOT to ask for 45 songs. What is equally frustrating is that they plan to release future albums via downloadable content... for a price. It just seems a bit shady to me. I don't want to complain too much, because I should be glad that they are at least releasing downloadable content, rather than just leaving us high and dry. It would be nice if at least a few of the to-be-released songs would be free.

The songs included with the game are awesome; however there are many (MANY) hits missing.... I guess it's just a case of me not reading the description well enough, but it also feels like with a game that LOOKS so good, they missed the mark with the songs.

In all, the game is fun and the visuals are great, but the price point is a bit high for what you actually receive. Overall, if you are a huge Beatles fan, get it. If you like The Beatles and like Rock Band, wait until it gets a little cheaper before shelling out the cash.

Overall, I gave the game 4-stars for gameplay because it IS fun, but only 3-stars for the game as a whole because of the factors described above. Read more ›