Wii: The Beatles Rockband [video game]

Wii: The Beatles Rockband [video game]

Publisher, Date: Redwood City, CA : Electronic Arts, MTV Games, Harmonix c2009.

Description: 1 computer optical disc : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. Target Audience Note: ESRB rating: Teen (mild lyrics, tobacco reference).

Songs:
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 U.S.S.R.--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

Plot Summary:
Harmonix is the company that developed this game and they were founded with the mission of making the thrills of music-making accessible to non-musicians. This game enables musicians and non-musicians to play on different game play levels of expertise, to play Beatles' songs together at famous Beatles' venues. You are able to recreate their legendary vocal blend with three-part harmonies, for the first time with Rockband games, you can play instruments that look like the patented members' instruments, and rack up great scores and be rewarded with rare Beatles photos and audio. There can be up to six players with the ability to play three different controllers modeled after music instruments (a guitar controller for lead & bass guitar, a drum controller and 3 microphones for singing). Players simulate the performance of rock music by using their controllers to play scrolling on-screen notes and they gain points for how good they perform and lose points when they miss notes and keys. Each successful performance unlocks more songs and special features and allows you to battle for the highest score.

Critical Evaluation:
This game was highly criticized for the lack of Beatles' songs that were included into the game (there were not enough), but it can be noted that it has potential to add songs onto the game and include upgrades. They do have a long list of songs, but even my personal favorite Beatles' song is not included "Places I Remember" which says to me that there will be a large audience that agrees that their favorite song was not included. Rock Band can be a hard game to play, but they do have levels of game play that are suited for the most masterful player and the most beginner player. The graphics are good and the sound quality of the music is also well done. I think that the adding in the different popular Beatles' venues where they played was a nice touch and the detail of the instruments that can be with game are very original and different from the original game instruments. All in all I think that the game is fun and well done, but I do feel that more songs would make for longer play and less repetition in playing with the band and testing your skills.

Reader's Annotation:
Play some of the most popular Beatles' songs at their most famous venues with rockin' equipment with this interactive video game.

Websites to look Into:
http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com/
http://www.harmonixmusic.com/

Awards:
PC World, 9th Best Product of 2009
Spike Video Game Awards, Best Music Game, 2009
13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Family Game of the Year
Included in 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die, 2010

Similar Games:
Wii: Rockband, Rockband 2, & Rockband 3

Booktalking Ideas:
Listening to the Beatles music
Discussing playing instruments and the positive aspect that they have on teens

Genre:
Video Games, Music

Interest Age:
13+

Challenge Issues:
Mild lyrics, Tobacco references are why it is rated for teens but I cannot really imagine that these are very large challenge issues do the fact that young adults everyone are saturated by media that shows them worse things than tobacco and mild language.

Why this Video Game?
I chose this Wii game because I think that Rockband is wildly popular and I think that The Beatles are a very influential and timeless band with great songs. Wii gaming consoles are very interactive and can have a very positive group influence.