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Rumor: The Beatles: Rock Band track list leaked [update: Harmonix says nope]
It reads like so many rhythm/music game releases in the past -- the ubiquitous track list leak. The Beatles: Rock Band is still a few months off from its September 9 release date but Ripten has gotten its hands on a leaked list of the possible tracks from the game (found after the break).The list does include the three tracks we checked out in our hands-on with the game at E3, though it also looks an awful lot like a list of Beatles singles across their career. Ripten notes that the ten tracks found in the glorious opening to the game are all included in its leaked list -- and it is approximately the same amount of tracks we know the game will be shipping with -- though we've yet to receive any official confirmation or denial from MTV Games, Harmonix, or EA.Update: A Harmonix spokesperson has confirmed to us that this leaked list of songs is definitely not the track list for The Beatles: Rock Band, saying, "The rumored 'leaked' list is not the disc track listing for The Beatles: Rock Band. We'll be announcing more tracks throughout the summer. Stay tuned to thebeatlesrockband.com for the most up to date information about disc songs and downloadable content!" %Gallery-50259%
GameStop offers exclusive tracks, other goodies for The Beatles: Rock Band pre-orders
Should you mosey on down to your local GameStop and drop a sawbuck on any version of The Beatles: Rock Band, you're going to get more than just the usual slip of paper. GameStop is giving everyone that pre-orders the game three exclusive tracks, as well as a code for an in-game photo album.We already know that the Xbox 360 version of the game is getting the exclusive 'All You Need is Love,' and that Abbey Road will be DLC down the line, so these tracks likely won't come from that album. Also, it should be mentioned that Wii fans won't be left out in the cold, as they'll also get these three free tracks, as well as one additional item: a 2gb SD card. [Via VG247]
E3 2009, as told by Jason Sudeikis
While Joystiq sends bloggers to E3 for teh newz, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon sends Jason Sudeikis for teh lawls, as the latest episode of the late-night program shows. Available to watch right now on Hulu, highlights include Jason's brief stop by the Bayonetta area at Sega's booth, and a rather hilarious exchange with Infinity Ward about Modern Warfare 2. It's quality entertainment, and Sudeikis does a good job of making lighthearted fun of a show that we worked so hard to cover super seriously this week. Enjoy.[Thanks, Wesley!]
See The Beatles: Rock Band cartoon intro in high quality
One of the best things we've seen at E3, hands-down, has been the cartoon introduction to The Beatles: Rock Band. It was directed by Pete Candeland, of Gorillaz and Guitar Hero II animation fame. Seriously, this thing just makes our jaws collectively drop every time we see it, and we wish this was what the game actually looked like.The animation magazine Frames Per Second has the most accurate description of the trailer: "They manage to tell the career-spanning, mind-bending story of the Beatles in a couple of minutes, seamlessly blending well designed 2-D and 3-D styles of animation." We agree.
Hands-on: The Beatles: Rock Band
It'd be a lie to say what we played of The Beatles: Rock Band was much more than the game you already know (and maybe love): Rock Band 2. We should also note, for full disclosure and all that good stuff, that we love The Beatles with all our hearts. And so, rather than tell you about the little of the game we could play (10 songs from the game and no campaign mode whatsoever), we're going to talk about the game's instruments -- the one notable change from previous Rock Band titles.We sat down with the game's rendition of Ringo Starr's Ludwig drums and, erm, stood up with Paul McCartney's Hoffner bass for three different songs ("Taxman," "Here Comes the Sun," and "I Am the Walrus"). Here's the news: the drums are nearly identical to the drums that shipped with Rock Band 2, aside from a nylon screen, faking the outside of a bass drum. %Gallery-64897%%Gallery-50259%
The Beatles: Rock Band to get NO mustache DLC
Harmonix is extremely pleased that it nailed the different looks of the Beatles in The Beatles: Rock Band, straight down to the facial hair from different eras. Yes, that includes Big Beard Paul McCartney above. Harmonix community manager John Drake told us, "We're really proud of all the mustache content we have in our game. However, there will be no mustache DLC in the game. Confirmed. You heard it right here."So, if you're hoping for some kooky Salvador Dali-esque facial hair creations to come to the game at a later date, we're sorry. However, the game freaking rocks. We wouldn't even care if they featured in-game ads for the Gillette Gamer Razor in it at this point.
The Beatles: Rock Band hands-on!
We don't know if you're like us, but we've basically been waiting our whole lives to play The Beatles: Rock Band. Well, we got one step closer at E3 2009, as we were able to actually snuggle up close and personal with the full kit and see what was what (and show off our totally sick harmonies on "Here Comes the Sun"). We have to say, Harmonix has absolutely outdone themselves with this bundle -- from the Ringo-style Ludwig drum set to Paul's unmistakable Höfner Violin bass... it's all here, and it all looks brilliant. We took the boys out for a little spin (you can see our own Ross Miller on drums there), and captured just a few photos for your enjoyment. Hit the gallery below for all the goods!
The Beatles: Rock Band 'Abbey Road' E3 booth in pictures
(click to '64 arrival size) We're not gonna lie to you: we were pretty excited to walk into the MTV Games/Harmonix booth at E3. And not just because we're feeling pretty positive about the upcoming Liverpudlian-influenced game, The Beatles: Rock Band, but because of the beautiful booth setup made to look like the iconic Abbey Road Studios. Thankfully, we had our trusty camera on-hand and captured a slew of pictures of the outside (and inside, of course) of the booth, just for you. Kick your shoes off, get comfy, and calmly pore over our gallery -- won't you?%Gallery-64897%
Video: Beatles Rock Band books surprise gig at Xbox 360 meetup
Last night Microsoft held an E3 2009 post-press conference event, and while Natal wasn't anywhere within our reach, we did happen upon Harmonix's Beatles Rock Band stage, an appropriately cliché setup on the rooftop of The Standard Hotel. We'll be getting more thorough hands-on time with the instruments later in the week, but for now, enjoy a glimpse at the concert ensemble, blasting forth with (confirmed!) three-part harmony.
The Beatles: Rock Band intro is our 'Real Love'
Rock Band fans will no doubt recognize the 3D models found in the background action of The Beatles: Rock Band, but it was the game's intro that really stole our hearts at Microsoft's Pre-E3 Conference. Using a stylized animation that spanned the early days to the later years of the band's history, the intro video to The Beatles: Rock Band left us wishing the entire game adopted the unique style instead of the standard Rock Band look. Take a look for yourself (above) and let us know which you'd prefer.
Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are at the Microsoft press conference
Hey, we'd heard rumors, but it's official, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are at Microsoft's press briefing. The remaining Beatles seemed a little unmoved by the experience, with Ringo saying "The graphics are very good, and we were great." And Sir Paul adding "We love the game. Who'd have ever thought we'd end up as androids."We don't know how you feel, but those of us who decided against going to the conference are totally kicking ourselves.
The Beatles: Rock Band's 'All You Need is Love' exclusive download on Xbox Live
During the Microsoft E3 briefing, it was revealed that Xbox 360 gamers who pick up Rock Band: The Beatles for that console will be able to download an exclusive song, "All You Need is Love," a "special version" of the track. No date was mentioned, though one can assume it will be available on day one. It was also announced that all proceeds for sales of the tune will go to Doctors Without Borders.
Ten Beatles: Rock Band songs, first downloadable album revealed
During the big Beatles: Rock Band to-do at Microsoft's E3 keynote, ten of the forty-five newly remastered songs on the disc were announced. Here's what they are: I Saw Her Standing There I Wanna Hold Your Hand I Feel Fine Day Tripper Tax Man I am the Walrus Back in the USSR Octopus's Garden Here Comes the Sun Get Back "Abbey Road" will be the first downloadable album. Oh, that's right, downloadable albums.
Video: Beatles Rock Band trailer, screenshots, Ludwig drums unveiled at E3
Today at E3 some seriously awesome Beatles Rock Band awesomeness was unloaded upon the world. In addition to getting a look at the full band set-up, confirming that you will, in fact be able to perform multiple vocals (read: harmonies), Harmonix also showed off the general in-game madness we can expect. We're filled with glee to see that no corners were cut here, and we agree with Ringo's estimation: the game is good. The Beatles: Rock Band will be released simultaneously for XBox 360, PS3 and Wii in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories. Check out the totally rad trailer, our first shot of the Ludwig drums and another screenshot after the break and in the gallery below.
The Beatles: Rock Band site unveils Ed Sullivan studio
The background image on the Beatles: Rock Band site has changed from a studio full of instruments to a reproduction of the set of the Ed Sullivan show from the Beatles' American debut on February 9, 1964. Without the band present, it just looks like the show is really proud of that drum riser.We're currently checking with Harmonix to verify whether you can play on this set in the actual game. With all the work that went into modeling it, it would be pretty silly if it didn't show up in the game. We would, then, also expect at least one of the songs performed at that "really big shew" to be playable: "All My Loving," "'Til There Was You," "She Loves You," and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."%Gallery-50259%
McCartney's replica Rock Band bass looks awesome, backwards
Regardless of your feelings towards the mop-topped British rock sensation upon which the next Rock Band game is based, you have to admit -- The Beatles had them some lovely instruments. Two of these six-strings, Lennon and Harrison's Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet, will be coming as $99 add-ons to The Beatles: Rock Band -- however, a third replica guitar will be coming in the game's Limited Edition Premium Bundle: Paul McCartney's Höfner bass guitar, pictured above.According to a recent Harmonix press release, this wireless periph will work with all versions of Rock Band. It certainly looks gorgeous, but as our well-read colleagues at Engadget point out, this Höfner controller was designed for a right-handed player. McCartney, of course, was a Southpaw. Man, the game isn't even out yet, and already Harmonix is taking outrageous liberties with history. Unbelievable.[Thanks, MarkHawk!]
Beatles Rock Band pre-order is on, custom guitars are a go
If you're like us, you're literally counting down the days until The Beatles: Rock Band is released (127). So, the news that it's now available for pre-order is, shall we say... exciting to us. Even more enthralling is confirmation of our wildest dreams: there will be two custom guitars available for purchase on top of the Special Edition bundle (the game itself, Höfner bass and Ludwig drums microphone and mike stand). The guitars -- a Gretsch Duo-Jet and a Rickenbacker 325 -- will retail for $99.00 each when the game arrives on September 9th. Until then, may we suggest you use the video after the break to work on your harmonies.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
The Beatles: Rock Band guitars confirmed, pre-order club announced
MTV Games and Harmonix have announced The Beatles: Rock Band will have two standalone guitars made available alongside the forthcoming Liverpudlian music rhythm game. The Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet, played by John Lennon and George Harrison allegedly throughout their respective careers, are set to go on sale when the game launches in September for $100 bucks a pop. For those of you playing along at home, that equates to $250 for the full "premium" bundle plus another $200 for both of these guitars, altogether adding up to a whopping $450 for you serious Beatles fans. We spoke with Mariana Agathoklis at MTV Games this morning who said, "These guitars are really for the hardcore fans."Additionally, the "pre-order club" has officially opened for business at the game's official site, allowing those who've already pre-ordered the game to access "breaking news and access to exclusive game elements including art and behind-the-scenes footage." The bad economy has us in a bit of a fiduciary bind -- maybe you fine folks pre-ordering the game would be so kind as to shoot us a tip when the hot scoops hit?Update: Mariana at MTV Games asked us to clarify that these guitars will be compatible with "all Rock Band instruments, as well as most Guitar Hero and other music game peripherals." We've also added an image of the guitars in question in a gallery below, direct from the pre-order site to your eye cavities.%Gallery-51667%
The Beatles: Rock Band limited edition bundle priced, detailed
Finally, a few whispers straight from the horse's mouth. While we've heard rumor after rumor regarding the actual hardware to be bundled in with the sure-to-be-hot The Beatles: Rock Band, MTV Games, Harmonix and EA have come forward today with a few succulent tidbits to keep you interested until the 09.09.09 launch. We're told that the Limited Edition Premium Bundle will include the game itself, a Höfner Bass (which will undoubtedly do Sir Paul McCartney and southpaws the world over no favors by being right handed), a microphone, a microphone stand, undisclosed "additional special content" and the real kicker -- a Beatles-inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums, complete with a classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head. The whole kit is slated to launch worldwide this September, with USers having to pay $249, Europeans paying €199 and Britons paying £179. Finally, we're told that North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the game will be eligible to join the The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club and "receive breaking news and access to exclusive game elements including art and behind-the-scenes footage directly from MTV Games and Harmonix." Oh, goody!
The Beatles: Rock Band priced in Europe, UK
MTV Games this morning revealed pricing for the European and UK iterations of its upcoming Beatles-based rhythm game extravaganza, The Beatles: Rock Band. Aside from the already announced $250 US release, the "limited edition premium bundle" arrives in the EU at €199 and £179 in the UK. The release makes no mention of the rumored multiple microphone support (for harmonizing, naturally) but remains steadfast that the bundle will come with "additional special content." Maybe that special content is the unreleased Beatles material included with the game? We'll just have to wait until September 9th to find out. In the meantime, take a gander at the uber-classy box art below in the gallery.%Gallery-50259%
