Round two of the epic battle between “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” is creeping inevitably closer. I expected that the months leading up to the titles’ fall releases would devolve into a slap fight for song and artist exclusivity.

Fortunately for gamers, that scenario has not happened. However, some music game aficionados might still find it difficult to pick a side. Even though both titles will provide a full-band experience, there are enough differences to distinguish each title. For instance, “Guitar Hero: World Tour” will allow gamers to create their own music (sans vocals). Not to be outdone, Harmonix will make over 500 songs available for “Rock Band 2″ owners by the end of 2008.

It can be a difficult choice. However, it is one that Xbox 360 owners (and hopefully PS3, PS2 and Wii owners) might not have to make ever again. (more…)

“Rock Band 2,” the sequel to Harmonix’s 2007 smash-hit, is no doubt one of the most hotly-anticipated titles of the fall season. In the weeks following the game’s official announcement, a few play testers revealed a multitude of songs that would supposedly ship with the game. Until now, these leaked set lists were merely rumors. However, Harmonix has gone ahead and revealed the entire set list for the game.

Hit the jump for the list. (more…)

Next Generation’s gotten word from Bloomberg that Konami are filing a lawsuit against Viacom (the owners of Harmonix Music Systems) for apparently infringing patents the Japanese company was issued in 2002 and 2003 in Rock Band. The patents are related to ’simulated musical instruments’ and a ‘musical-rhythm matching game’.

Hit the jump for a little more news on this story.

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As I have become the resident Rock Band 2 guy around these parts, it is my duty to bring you the latest news from the Harmonix camp.

The latest is located after the jump. (more…)

The folks at Harmonix might want to change their E3 plans. Instead of debuting Rock Band 2 in Los Angeles, they might want to set up a live feed from their offices and simply confirm, or deny a recent slew of rumors that have lit up Internet blogs and message boards.

These rumors have primarily focused on a handful of leaked song lists provided by a few play testers that supposedly got their hands on the game early. However, today produced some potentially blockbuster news that could set the Internet ablaze.

Check out all of the Rock Band 2 goodness, after the jump! (more…)

[Update]: Apparently, Harmonix isn’t satisfied with simply making all Rock Band DLC compatible with every game in the franchise. Kotaku has reported, based on statements made by IGN’s Nate Ahearn, that Rock Band 2 owners will essentially be getting two games for the price of one. That’s because every song that shipped with Rock Band will be available to download free of charge.

This is great news for those of us (myself included) that never purchased Rock Band. However, once again, early adopters seem to get screwed. Though, this free DLC will come in handy when you are craving REM’s “Orange Crush,” but don’t want to switch game discs.

This week has been a great for fans of Harmonix’s Rock Band platform.

On Monday, it was revealed that Rock Band 2 would be released in September for the Xbox 360 and later this year for the Playstation 3, Wii and Playstation 2.

Tuesday’s episode of X-Play aired a screenshot that was apparently taken from Rock Band 2’s in-game set list (9 new tracks revealed). A second list of leaked songs hit the Internet Wednesday, when a user on the ScoreHero forums, who claimed to have played the highly-anticipated sequel, posted 11 additional songs.

The full list of songs can be found here.

Alex Rigopulos, the CEO of Harmonix, recently spoke with CNN about the upcoming sequel to one of 2007’s best games.

Hit the jump to find out what he had to say. (more…)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was a great game. I played the hell out of it and still pick up my plastic ax every now and then (thanks to some free DLC).

When I read the first previews for the next iteration, Guitar Hero: World Tour, I couldn’t imagine what Harmonix (developers of Rock Band) could do to outshine Activision. Along with a new set list, Guitar Hero: World Tour will feature user-generated content (minus the vocals), new peripherals (doing its best Rock Band impersonation), cameos from some of the biggest names in rock, customizable instruments and characters, and online play for an entire band. Before you ask, the guitars from Guitar Hero III will be compatible with Guitar Hero: World Tour.

I was ready to devote another $60 to the Guitar Hero franchise.

That all changed last Friday. (more…)

[UPDATE]: Looks like the 12 tracks have been confirmed on the official the Who website.  I cut and pasted this straight from the site (thanks Shane86!):

Release date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 (Xbox LIVE® Marketplace and PLAYSTATION®Store)

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PLAYSTATION®Network

When the Rock Band hype machine was in full swing, one of Harmonix and MTV’s bullet points was selling full albums of downloadable content. One of the promises of Harmonix was the Who’s “the Who’s next” full album release on day one of Rock Band’s release. It didn’t happen. Almost 9 months later, the Who have something else up their sleeve for Rock Band.

Find out what the Who have in store, after the jump.

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Rock Band was one of the most popular games released in 2007. The opportunity to play as an entire band took music games to a whole new level. Even though it was outsold by Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (perhaps due in part to a higher price tag), critics lauded Rock Band for its addictive multiplayer gameplay and steady stream of downloadable content (via an iTunes-like music store).

Last Friday, rumors hit the Internet, based on an online survey, that the retail version of Rock Band 2 would ship with 120 songs and feature rock gods, AC/DC.

Now word comes that Rock Band 2 will be available in September!

Find out more after the jump.

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It’s been known for a while that Mad Catz was going to be releasing some officially licensed Rock Band instruments but it appears the wait for more information may be a LOT shorter than we might have thought. The guys over at RockBandMods.net happened to snag some details from the short-lived Amazon.com entries for a new guitar, microphone, and multiple drum kits.

Continue on for the juicy details… (more…)

I don’t often regret things. Whenever I make a purchase, it is usually based on solid reasoning and a thorough understanding of the product. This is especially true of videogames. I have become quite judicious about my software purchases. For instance, I once bought “ClayFighter 63 1/3″ for the Nintendo 64. Yea, I know. I promise it won’t happen again.

The point is, I usually make sound decisions. At least I think so…

Well, right about now, I am starting to think I backed the wrong pony (sorry for the cliché, but I’m from Kentucky).

Find out the details of my conundrum after the jump. (more…)

I love Rock Band. I don’t play it enough. One of the best, but puzzling things about the game is the constant DLC that EA brings out to support the game. Some may disagree, but having new songs to download every week keeps the game fresh, for me personally, and extends the life of the game in general. That’s the good, but what keeps me puzzled is the selection of DLC. Why is it that Faith No More’s only DLC is “We Care A Lot?” When are we going to get the Who’s “Baba O’Riley?” When are we going to get a Pearl Jam download pack?

I want it all.

Enough with the fringe stuff from our favorite rock bands. Bring on the hits. That said, here’s ten songs that I want in Rock Band and I want it NOW!

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Okay, so I’m several days late, and as you read on you’ll understand why I’m also several dollars short… I put my Rock Band disc into my 360 this weekend after a lengthy hiatus because I was in the mood for a little “music therapy.” I was prompted to update the game, which I was expecting, and then I immediately checked out the new Rock Band Store. What I wasn’t expecting was how two subtle changes to the way we can now buy Rock Band tracks has changed how I will buy them forever. (more…)