Beatles: Rock Band, The

Digital Chumps

I cannot sing this game's praises enough. The beautiful animation, the timeless music, the attention to detail on every detail from the interface down to the load screens... I have never been more impressed with a franchised game, and this game has instantly skyrocketed to my top 5 all time favorites.

Giant Bomb

The Beatles: Rock Band sets a new standard for how band-focused music games should be executed, one that will be very difficult to match. Beyond all the stylistic flairs and the fan-service touches, this is just an incredibly fun, incredibly accessible bunch of music, with very little filler in its track listing.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

There’s only one truly disappointing aspect to The Beatles: Rock Band: Future games made around your favorite band probably won’t be half as good.

ImpulseGamer

With perfect gameplay, spectacular graphics and a track listing that can be enjoyed all, Harmonix and MTV Games have successfully recreated the virtual "Fab 4" for the PlayStation 3.

PGNx Media

The Beatles: Rock Band does one thing extremely well: it brings The Beatles’ music to a very strong platform (the Rock Band platform) resulting in a game that is undeniably fun to play.

GamerNode

In terms of actual gameplay, Beatles: Rock Band does nothing revolutionary. Where the revolution occurs, instead, is in the game's presentation, which brings new life -- and a new type of life -- to the static genre.

GameFocus

If games like Pong and Super Mario Bros. managed to pike the interest of mom and dad to play with their kids in the living room, there’s no doubt that The Beatles: Rock Band will make the rest of the family join in and have a great time. Don’t get me wrong, the Guitar Hero and Rock Band games have done great things but I think The Beatles: Rock Band is the ultimate multi-generation gathering videogame.

Vandal Online

Don't think for one moment that The Beatles Rock Band is just a new title in the series. The Beatles drew the masses in their time like no one before, and when you start playing this title you feel yourself submerged in this sparkling sensation.

PSX Extreme

If you're a fan of The Beatles, this Rock Band game is definitely the music game you want to own this year. It offers a ton of content and replay value, and truly makes for a great experience for you and your friends. I just wish they'd offer a patch to fix the microphone latency.

Gaming Target

The Beatles: Rock Band is as much a documentary as it is a game. The Beatles’ venerable music catalog is a great compliment to the Rock Band formula. This game is successful in both drawing new players to the music game genre and exposing a new generation to the music of The Beatles.

Extreme Gamer

The Beatles: Rock Band is a must have game for Beatles fans. Harmonix has done an excellent job putting together a fun package that highlights the career of one of the most successful bands in our history.

Strategy Informer

If there’s one music-oriented video game to buy this holiday season, it has to be The Beatles: Rock Band. Harmonix and MTV Games have created an exceptional representation of The Fab Four that needs to be lived by all music aficionados.

SpazioGames

The Beatles Rock Band is a real tribute to the band from Liverpool. Every detail in the game, from the arrangement of keys to the movies show a cure and a love that has no equal. Not to mention that we will hear one of the best soundtracks of all time. Harmonix does a Rock Band 2 formula's synthesis to provide an experience suitable for everyone, without distorting the brand. In few words: a game you must buy.

GameZone

The price tag for everything is steep, and there are not enough songs for my liking, but this is a true representation of a legendary band. Great songs and great fun make for a great game.

ZTGameDomain

An interesting conundrum. For what it is it is flawless. The representation of the famous foursome is impeccable and dripping with fan service. The selection of songs is disappointing, but with future DLC you will likely be able to enjoy all of your favorite tunes for a price. Beatles fans need not even hesitate; just buy the game.

GameShark

Once again the developers at Harmonix have shown the gaming industry how it’s done.

Gamer Limit

Taking one of the most popular and iconic bands of all time and creating a game about their music could not have been easy, but Harmonix handles it beautifully, instilling a level of love and attention to detail that no other developer could.

MEGamers

A truly amazing game, visually and content wise. The Dreamscapes that accompany the songs are marvels that go well with the music and are amazing to watch on their own.

D+PAD Magazine

The Beatles: Rock Band raises the bar to such a nosebleed-inducing height that we also wonder where the genre is going to take us to next. The rate of acceleration is phenomenal.

DarkZero

You have to feel truly sorry for any future artist-specific rhythm games, because it would take an enormous amount of effort to top The Beatles: Rock Band, a game very nearly bigger than Jesus.

Playstation Official Magazine UK

The best Beatles game you can possibly imagine. [Nov 2009, p.128]

Eurogamer Portugal

It is a compelling work, a tremendously quality music production, using the right fit to be almost a greatest hits of The Beatles.

Playstation Official Magazine Australia

The visuals themselves, from the evolving avatars and costumes to the stages, sets and recording booths, are beautiful. The gameplay is typically right on the button. The mixes are great. It’s all close to faultless. [Nov 2009, p.70]

Play UK

A gorgeous game that'll make Beatles fans feel like they're being swaddled in a veil of pure joy. [Issue#184, p.76]

PS3bloggen.se

The Beatles: Rock Band is filled with charm, authenticity and the exact right feeling that's required for an excellent Beatles experience. The option to have 3 vocalists means that the multiplayer actually extends to 6 players at a party, and even though the songs in the late part of the game aren't as engaging this game won't disappoint any fans of their music.

Gamervision

The Beatles: Rock Band is definitely a fantastic journey through the career of what is possibly the world’s most beloved music group of all time.

Playstation Universe

Grab your friends and family, plug in, stand up, and get ready to experience The Beatles reborn in front of your very eyes.

3DJuegos

Maybe The Beatles: Rock Band is just for fans, but it`s so good that every musical fan should take a look and test it. The only criticism is the cost of the whole pack, very expensive.

Destructoid

Harmonix has treated the band’s music, art, and history with a respect and reverence that sets it apart from other similar collections. The question is, how will anyone held responsible for a full band game -- Harmonix or otherwise -- ever really be able to clear the bar that’s been set?

IGN UK

A peerless offering that blows any comparable 'band-only' music title out of the water. Doing justice to the greatest band of all time was always going to be a tough job, but The Beatles: Rock Band offers a beautiful tribute to an enduring act.

VideoGamer

I don't think I've ever seen a game do such a great job of catering to its target audience, and at every step Harmonix displays a deep understanding and appreciation for the Beatles license.

Eurogamer

The Beatles were fascinated by the number nine. 09/09/09 is no coincidence. So it's only fitting that the game gets...

IGN

For those who have a love or even just a fondness for the Fab Four, Harmonix has created a fantastic tribute. It won't teach you the full history of the world's most celebrated band nor give you even a quarter of their extraordinary catalogue of music, but it's still great.

GamePro

There's an incredible amount of fun that comes from filing the shoes of some of the most inspiring musicians ever to walk the earth, and Harmonix captures this experience with same sense of magic that the Beatles were known for. It's well worth the price of admission, even if you forgo the replica instruments and stick to your stock Rock Band gear.

GameSpy

If you love, like, or are even lukewarm on the band, grab it. Playing through the songs you've likely heard for your entire life gives you a new appreciation for the level of musicianship and songwriting on display. Somehow, Harmonix found a way to make the greatest band of all time even better.

GameDaily

The Beatles are worth every penny, especially for fans of the Fab Four. This game delivers one of the most phenomenal music experiences, outside of hopping into a time machine and watching them perform live, we're likely to see during this phase of our digital age.

Thunderbolt

It might seem obvious but if you’re not a fan of The Beatles then The Beatles: Rock Band probably isn’t for you. I’m certain it can garner in some new fans, but if you’re buying it because you’re a Rock Band fan then you’ll be left disappointed.

Play.tm

Harmonix have created a loving dedication to one of the greatest bands of all time. It might not set the Christmas charts on fire, but it will be a critical darling for years to come.

Game Over Online

The bottom line here is that this is still The freakin’ Beatles in a triumphant rhythm game début. The music is fantastic, the presentation is out of this world (sometimes literally), and all done with the utmost respect and care.

GameSpot

Stellar presentation and vocal harmonies help make The Beatles: Rock Band something special in the world of music games.

Games Radar (in-house)

Not everyone will love The Beatles: Rock Band, but everyone should love it, because it’s amazing. It’s everything a Beatles fan could want, and even if you’re not a fan, you may find yourself converted after a few songs.

NZGamer

So very obviously a labour of love, above and beyond being simply a money spinner. If you like The Beatles, and want to play their music, this is the game for you. If you’re not into them at all, of course, stay well away – while the minor gameplay enhancements are well and good, it’s not enough to keep non-Beatles fans captivated.

Game Informer

Harmonix has done a remarkable job of bringing the Beatles' music to life in an interactive setting, devoting enormous attention to the details of history and authenticity that Beatles fans demand. The developers also added their own flair to the game, making this the most aesthetically beautiful music game to yet release. [Sept 2009, p.80]

DailyGame

Unless you're a huge Beatles fan, there's no need to go out any drop the additional $250 for Beatles-era instruments, because the existing Rock Band instruments work just fine. There's also no need to rush out and get the game today, because chances are you'll "beat" the game well before the weekend.

GamingXP

Fans of the Beatles will feel like they are back in time! Only the weak story mode blurs the fun for young and old.

PSFocus

A genius tribute to the Beatles. The game lets you walk the first steps of The Beatles to the biggest moments of their career. Colorful graphics and brilliant audio combined with traditional gameplay makes The Beatles: Rock Band a great game.

XGN

By making The Beatles: Rock Band, Harmonix did a really good job and the game is certainly good in all ways. Unfortunately the few new things aren't all useful and the game doesn't support the other Rock Band content. However, this game is full of Flower Power and therefore you really need to play this at least once in your life.

PSM3 Magazine UK

The result is a game that's as informative as the best of documentaries and right up there with the best party games available on console. That's assuming the people in your party like The Beatles of course. Despite the sheen, authenticity, and seminal extras, Rock Band 2 can still hold its head high as the most instantly gratifying and universal game in the series.

InsideGamer.nl

The Beatles Rock Band has become a very solid band-game. The game brings a unique and happy visual style, that offers a interesting setting for a wide audience. In fact it’s the ideal game for some father and son time. The tracks of the game are very entertaining, although some “click” with the Beatles music might be necessary.

Game Revolution

The gameplay and presentation are perfect and approachable for those who haven’t been introduced to music video games, especially families with wide generational gaps who have at least a remote interest in the Beatles. Though it is short and isolated from the other Rock Band titles, The Beatles: Rock Band is much better than your average day tripper.

Everyeye.it

Harmonix brought us an amazing game, able to celebrate one of the greatest groups in the history of music. A game for passionate players but above all for everyone so lucky to have seen the golden age of The Beatles. If you love music or if you simply love to perform taking a shower, you can't miss this game. Even if it's just a more of the same with a few new features.

Total Video Games

Undeniably about as brilliant as a band specific music title can get, The Beatles Rock Band easily outstretches the confines of just being a music game into something that guarantees great times for all - provided of course you're not one of the strange type of folk who just doesn't like them.

Cheat Code Central

Despite the superior presentation and excellence of the subject matter, there aren't a lot of game modes to play and the music selection leaves a lot to be desired. I wish DLC wasn't such an important factor.

Cynamite

The Beatles: Rock Band is a decent party game and the best choice for everyone who is new to music games. The overall presentation is charming, but there are only 45 songs to enjoy.

RealGamer

Whilst The Beatles: Rock Band doesn’t make any major leaps or bounds forward for the series, the game does pay a fitting tribute to the band opening up some of their greatest hits to a new generation of fans.

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

So the game may not be perfect but the Beatles' music pretty much is. [Nov 2009, p.72]

Gamestyle

If anyone deserved the standalone game treatment, it's them. And if this is the sort of standard we can expect from any future band-exclusive Rock Band titles, then we say bring it on.

Gamer.nl

The Beatles: Rock Band has become the ultimate Beatles experience. You can feel the passion Harmonix has put into this game by looking at it. It provides a feeling of Beatlemania for everyone who weren’t around when The Fabulous Four were so popular. Despite the more casual approach compared to previous Rock Band titles and the lack of some favourite songs, The Beatles: Rock Band is an example of how music games centered around specific bands should be.

1UP

But affixing "Rock Band" to the title leads to certain expectations -- as a Rock Band player who still gets plenty of use out of Rock Band 2 and its ever-expanding setlist, I feel a little cheated that none of these songs are available online for the other Rock Band games.

Edge Magazine

It's accomplished in its execution, but threatens to segregate the platform just as Harmonix seemed to be opening it up to all-comers. [Nov 2009, p.103]