Wii Rock Band Special Edition
by MTV Games
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Our Price: $324.87 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $174.00 (click here) Category: Video Games See more product details |
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Video Game Reviews of Wii Rock Band Special Edition
Customer Review: Great Game that your kids will LOVE
Summary: 5 Stars
Just like the title says. Your kids will not stop playing it. Mine Love it. No complaints here. Just good qualility fun that the entire family can play.Customer Review: Get the Special Edition, add Rock Band 2 Later
Summary: 4 Stars
This Christmas, Santa brought us a Wii, Wii Fit, Dance Dance Revolution and Rock Band Special Edition.
Rock Band Special Edition was suprisingly enjoyable and fun for the whole family.
Other reviews are available for Rock Band for the Wii. I want to concentrate more on the Special Edition version. Really the only thing that makes this version special is that it comes with everything you need to properly play the game. Sure, you can buy the game and a guitar ala carte' but we wound up finding the Special Edition for only $89. Prices seem to have increased after Christmas - no doubtedly because of the demand created by all those new Wii's openend on the morning of December 25th.
What's in the Box
When you open up the box, there is a big red piece of paper that says if you have any problems, DON'T RETURN IT TO THE STORE. Rather, they would prefer that you contact them directly. Other reviews that I have read indicate that customer service is pretty good and will handle your needs. Also in the box: Drum set with stand and kicker, wireless guitar, wireless receiver, USB hub, USB connector for the drums, a USB microphone, real drumsticks, and Rock Band, the Game for Wii. You also get a 4-pack of alkaline AA batteries for the Guitar.
Drum Set
The Drum Set is very durable. After a modest setup time of around 15 minutes, my 3 year old and 8 year old sons immediately took to smacking the snot out of it. No damage that I can see yet. There are two height-adjustable legs that are stiffened by two cross bars at the bottom. The bass (kicker) pedal sits in one of two positions on the near cross bar. There are hooks that attch to the back of the drums to hold the sticks while not in use (though I can't find mine - they could still be in the packaging somewhere). The bass drum pedal connects via a standard 1/8" jack to the back of the drums. A USB cable travels from the back of the drums to the USB hub that connects to the back side of your Wii.
Microphone
The microphone is a no-fuss, heavy weight (not cheap feeling at all), peripheral with about a 15 food cable that connects to the USB hub.
Guitar
The Guitar that comes with the Special Edition is a signature piece designed by Fender after the Stratocaster just for Rock Band. Unlike many after market Rock Band [and Guitar Hero] guitars that require you to insert your Wiimote, the Fender Stratocaster transmits directly to its own receiver that is plugged into the USB hub. This makes the guitar look a lot better, but it adds a peripheral to the base unit. The guitar has five colored buttons at the top and five smaller buttons near where the neck meets the body (for littler fingers). There is also a five-position effects switch and a whammy bar. The strummer takes a bit of getting used to, but for me (a true greenhorn beginner), it was fine. There is a power switch on the back, and a sync button on the front as well as a wiimote-like led indicator showing your battery strength and unit number. A plus and minus button completes the wiimoteability of the guitar.
There have been a lot of questions asked about the compatibility between Rock Band instruments and Guitar Hero and Rock Band 2. From what I understand and have read, Rock Band Special Edition instruments can continue to be used when you buy just the Rock Band 2 disc. The instruments are not quite as nice as the ones bundled with the newer software, and they aren't compatible with third party add ons designed for RB2 (ie: cymbals). But, if you can get RB Special Edition for cheap and RB2 for $50, you're ahead of the current going rate for RB2 Special Edition. Also, from what I understand, the instruments do NOT work with ANY Guitar Hero edition. If I'm wrong about this, please leave a comment on this review.
Customer Review: GREAT VALUE
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great product for the whole family. Older parents may not recognize some of the rock music (unless hard rock is your music of choice) but it can get the entire room moving!!!Customer Review: Good game, but Rock Band 2 Is Even Better
Summary: 4 Stars
I had played Rock Band 2 for the XBox at a friend's house and really liked it. I purchased Rock Band 1 for the Wii without realizing it wasn't the same version. The game is still fun to play, but you can tell the difference between the two. Rock Band 2 has a wireless drum set, which is not available on Rock Band 1. Both the guitar and drum set are also quieter and sturdier. They are pretty loud in Rock Band 1. I also found it very difficult to calibrate the guitar and drum set so that it was timed correctly with the screen. It took a ton of trial and error to get right, but once we got it right, it's a really addicting game to play.Customer Review: rock Band
Summary: 4 Stars
It is a great game to play with friends or family. The guitar is not as sturdy as the guitar that comes with guitar hero and there is not as a big a song selection.