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Beatles: Rock Band, The

EMAIL PRINT wii

9.3 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 24 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 18 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: MTV Games / Electronic Arts

Developer: Harmonix

Genre(s): Music

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: September 9, 2009

Summary

The game represents the first time fans will be able to experience The Beatles’ musical career for themselves. From the early touring days in 1963 Liverpool to the immortal, final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop, fans can follow in the band’s footsteps as they traverse the globe during the height of Beatlemania. Adding to the experience is the introduction of three-part vocal harmonies to game play, allowing gamers to revel in the unparalleled vocal stylings of the Fab Four. Beatles fans will also be thrilled to hear previously unreleased authentic voice recordings from John, Paul, George and Ringo chatting between takes during studio sessions recorded at Abbey Road more than four decades ago. The game begins during the band's earliest days at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. Gamers then travel across the Atlantic to experience the band's unforgettable 1964 performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the sold-out concert at New York’s Shea Stadium in 1965, and conclude at The Beatles’ memorable concert at Budokan in Tokyo, Japan in 1966. The Beatles' studio years come to life in legendary Studio 2 at Abbey Road Studios. Highlighting the studio years are inspired artistic visual expressions known as Dreamscapes, intended to transport players to imaginative environments that capture the essence of The Beatles’ genre-busting musical and fashion transformations during their later years. The game follows The Beatles to 1969 where story mode culminates with their final performance on the rooftop of the Apple Corps Headquarters. The Beatles: Rock Band offers a new set of hardware representing the instruments made famous by John, Paul, George and Ringo. Featured in the set are the Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars - hailed as two of the celebrated, signature instruments played by John Lennon and George Harrison throughout their careers. Also included is a Höfner bass controller - a large-scale version of the bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney. Rounding out the set is a Ringo Starr inspired, Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drum set with a classic pearl finish and vintage remake of a Beatles kick drum head. [MTV Games]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

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.

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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.

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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.

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GamingTrend

What's my final verdict on Beatles: Rock Band for the Wii? It's everything I was expecting it to be and more. It's fun to play, it has just the right amount of challenge, and just about everyone can jump in and enjoy themselves.

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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.

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GameShark

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

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N-Europe

Harmonix has laid down the gauntlet for all future ‘tribute’ band games. The Beatles: Rockband ensures a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

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NintendoWorldReport

Its true genius lies in its inclusion of vocal harmonies that create an even more authentic band experience, and the art style and presentation also complement The Beatles' music greatly.

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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.

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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.

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Nintendo Power

If you're a fan of the Fab Four, The Beatles: Rock Band is unquestionably a must-buy. [Nov 2009, p.81]

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

Step aside Guitar Hero Metallica: this is how you really do a band-specific music game. Drips with Beatles love from start to finish.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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GameSpot

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

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GamingXP

The great songs make The Beatles Rock Band an absolute must-have for all music game fans!

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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. [Nov 2009, p.74]

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.

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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.

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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.

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NGamer UK

A suitably reverential tribute to the world's most enduringly lucrative band. [Dec 2009, p.53]

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.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Lucas S gave it a9:
I'm a bit of a music game obsessive. While other people have dismissed it (or at least more recent games), as simple cash-ins, and while this may be true, The Beatles: Rock Band is, in my opinion, the third best thing ever done with Beatles music, and the best Rock Band/Guitar Hero game on the market to date. Unless you are not a fan of the Beatles. Of course, giving higher points to a game for a soundtrack in this day and age, where the market for such games is huge would be unfair, so I avoided putting a 10, which I would have had I not taken the aforementioned fact into consideration. Why? The graphics, especially for the Wii, are excellent. They show the Beatles as they get older, and the Dreamscapes are masterpieces (Especially the black-and-white theater of When I'm 64 and Oh! Darling (Yes, I got some DLC, which is another brilliant part of the game. The range of DLC available is everything the Beatles ever did, or, it will be soon.), the movie referencing Yellow Submarine and Sgt. Peppers, and even *that* tree.)The fact that they use only the remastered tracks puts the sound quality waaaaay up. The gameplay is unchanged (except the vocal harmonies, which are fine, except some people have yet to grasp the concept of singing in harmony), so if you don't like that, this game will suck for you. The collectibles available are a must for any Beatles fan, and are interesting for those who like that sort of trivia too. A brief word on the Guitar Hero/Rock Band war: I used to be a GH-only kind of guy. Now, I have switched to Rock Band. I appreciate both, but the attention to detail and extras that have gone into this game are amazing. The effort that goes into DLC is also above and beyond that of Guitar Hero. They aren't rushing them out the door. However, these days, it's a race between the two to pick up more and more famous artists of the past. I hope Rock Band do even half as good a job with the rumored Queen/The Who games. In conclusion: This game is really, really good, unless you hate the Beatles/Rock Band-style games.

Zachary K. gave it a9:
I love the Beatles and I love all of their songs. This game is also awesome because of the awesome gameplay, graphics, art, and multiplayer which is accessible both offline and online. I just wish that more songs were included on the game that you don't exactly have to purchase. Overall, this newly found Rock Band experience must be played!!

Brendan B gave it a10:
For any beatles or non beatles fan, this game is truly amazing, the best graphics seen so far in a instrumental game, an amazing setlist, possibly the beginning of a new beatles revolution. Overall an excellent game.

Josh H gave it an8:
It's a weird word, but this is an attractive video game. The songs are fun to play, and whilst they're not the hardest of songs available, they're still extremely fun. However, if you're not a Beatles fan, then there is no point. If you are, brilliant.

Patrick P. gave it an8:
The Beatles certainly have their fair share of classics and the formula is still as fun as ever, but I can't let go of the feeling that the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises are due for an innovation over-hall. Still, I can't argue with a great new music game every three months.

Efestione Efestionis gave it a10:
Great game, either for beatles fans and non beatles fans. The tracklist is very good(though a little short), the graphics are the same as the hd versions and the gameplay is excellent like any Rockbnd title.

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Beatles: Rock Band, The

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