The Beatles: Rock Band

 Wii
The Beatles: Rock Band Image
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 67 Ratings

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  • 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 globeThe 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]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The A.V. Club
    100
    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.
  2. GamingTrend
    94
    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.
  3. DarkZero
    90
    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.
  4. GamingXP
    90
    The great songs make The Beatles Rock Band an absolute must-have for all music game fans!
  5. Game Over Online
    90
    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.
  6. IGN
    90
    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.
  7. Gamer.nl
    80
    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.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. BrendanB
    Dec 1, 2009
    10
    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, 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.… Expand
  2. TheWalrus583
    Nov 27, 2012
    10
    Flawless port of TB:RB to Wii. The only downside slightly higher DLC prices since they can't be bought in packs. That's it. Everything else isFlawless port of TB:RB to Wii. The only downside slightly higher DLC prices since they can't be bought in packs. That's it. Everything else is a perfect port of the PS360 versions and captures everything that makes the game great. The game doesn't contain any OMGWFTBBQ hard tracks; it's not about mastering another combination of 5 buttons anymore. Instead it's about using your fake guitar or drum set as a tool to experience the Beatles' music in an entirely new way; you see how each instrumental part shapes the song and creates a hook, mood, or tone. While Guitar Hero: Aerosmith was essentially just Guitar Hero with Aerosmith tracks, (which was just fine at the time) this game sets an entirely new standard for music gaming. You're not just playing Beatles tracks in the game. You're experiencing what the Beatles are all about.

    The game's whole art style has shifted to a lighter, brighter yet reflective tone, unlike the cartoony over-the-top style of Guitar Hero or the more serious and focused Rock Band 2. It runs on the RB2 engine without being an obvious re-skinning, unlike World Tour's spin-offs. The earlier songs you play are done in famous venues in Beatles' history, but thing get REALLY awesome once you start to move towards their studio period. Each song from that period has an exclusive "dreamscape" built entirely around that song, and it makes the game a complete visual treat. Some are based on in-jokes: Yellow Submarine is filled with gags and references to the animated movie. But many are built entirely around the song's structure: While My Guitar Gently Weeps does this BEAUTIFULLY. The music, of course, is all the Beatles. If you like the Beatles, you will love this soundtrack. If you can't stand the Beatles, you obviously shouldn't buy this game (and you probably failed the Turing test as well, because nearly everybody likes the Beatles to some degree.) If you're lukewarm about the Beatles, check it out. It will only improve your opinion of them. There is a reason that they are often considered to be the greatest band of all time.

    The Wii version features full online multiplayer; even with the Wii's clunky friend codes, you're still able to join a band with your online friends and the gameplay from there is just as good as it is in Rock Band 2. The gameplay is unchanged except for vocal harmonies; I've found them tricky and they need practice, plus they can't be done online unless your friends are standing right beside you. You won't use them often. But on those occasions when you CAN get three people singing in the same room... the experience is magical. Overall, this game is excellent. The already great Rock Band gameplay is there, but it's not the focus of the game. There's a reason that this game is The Beatles: Rock Band and not Rock Band: The Beatles. This is more than a video game. This is art. If you have plastic instruments still, buy this game.    … Expand
  4. SwitSwat
    Apr 20, 2014
    10
    And alas, The Beatles: Rockband... for Wii. Being an absolute Beatles fanatic, I bought this game (For Wii, because that's all I have...).And alas, The Beatles: Rockband... for Wii. Being an absolute Beatles fanatic, I bought this game (For Wii, because that's all I have...). Anyway, It's brilliant, entertaining, and just plain fun the whole way. The game includes studio recordings (studio chat), fun and interesting dreamscapes, real footage, DLC, Wi-Fi multiplayer, and more! All in all, it has a very high replay value and it earns a 10 from me.… Expand
  5. ZacharyK.
    Dec 27, 2009
    9
    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 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!!… Expand
  6. RalphcCiurczak
    Nov 27, 2021
    8
    +Graphics,although not as good as PS3,is still really good
    +Songs are amazing
    +Story mode is nice +Great way to introduce gamers to The    +Graphics,although not as good as PS3,is still really good
    +Songs are amazing
    +Story mode is nice
    +Great way to introduce gamers to The Beatles
    +No fail mode

    -Graphics are a step down compared to PS3
    -Either too easy or too hard for most gamers
    -Numerous songs missing
    -Can't download songs anymore    … Expand
  7. JoshH
    Oct 15, 2009
    8
    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 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.… Expand
  8. i76
    Nov 4, 2021
    0
    Not interested in playing a game of filthy free mason satanists.Not interested in playing a game of filthy free mason satanists.
    .............................................................................................................................    … Expand

See all 20 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Wii Game of 2009
21
#21 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2009