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.

Wii: Winter Sports: the ultimate challenge [video games]

Winter Sports: the ultimate challenge [video games] Publisher, Date: Santa Monica, CA : Conspiracy Entertainment., [2007], c2006.

Description: 1 computer optical disc : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. Target Audience Note: ESRB rating: E for Everyone: alcohol and tobacco reference, mild language. Sports: Downhill skiing, Super-G--Slalom--Giant Slalom, Ski jumping--normal hill--large hill, Bobsledding--2 man--4 man, Men's Luge--Men's Skeleton, Speed Skating--500m--1000m, Curling, Cross-country skiing, Figure skating

Plot Summary:
Winter Sports is a game for all ages spanning over 15 of the winter sports disciplines in 9 popular sports. There are 42 missions and you are able to play against 2-4 other players in the competitions and compete with final boss rivals that recreate an international winter sport competition. You compete for record times and gold medals in this high speed action game and play to fun music that will keep you going until you hit the finish line.

Critical Evaluation:
The alpine skiing is probably the best and most interactive event in this game, while the majority of the other games are fairly standard. The graphics on the game are sufficient and the different levels of play really do encourage game play at all ages. The music is all ages friendly and fast paced to keep up with the game as well. I do think that there could be more winter games added, but in general they can be played at different levels over the course of time and it is a fun interactive way to play with a group of people.

Reader's Annotation:
This game is fun for the whole family, letting you learn how to ski, snowboard and ice skate while interactively competing in competitions and playing with opponents.

Websites to look Into:
http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/pelvCayCbXsbyCuZUnQgIa5ASWDt_lPH
http://www.nintendo.com/countryselector
http://www.conspiracygames.com/products/wii_wintersports.html

Similar Games:
Wii Sports Resort
Wii Ski and Snowboard
Wii Winter Sports 2 & 3

Booktalking Ideas:
Discussing sports and the importance of physical activity
Have the game played when you are discussing key points about it

Genre:
Video Games, Sports, Action

Interest Age:
13+

Challenge Issues:
Mild language, Tobacco & Alcohol references are the rating warnings in this game, but none the less it is rated for everyone. They are not extreme so to combat this challenge I would present the fact if one was to go snowboarding or skiing in real life they would most likely encounter these things in that atmosphere.

Why this Video Game?
I chose this Wii game because I think that it is important to include activity and sports into the collection. This game includes many fun winter activities that can reach many young adults that may not get the opportunity to get to the snow as much as they would like to.