First Rock Band Wii shots arrive, fail to cheer us up
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Apr 15th 2008 at 9:00PM }
To the surprise of nobody, they're pretty much identical to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Harmonix's multi-instrumental extravaganza (minus the super-sharp HD look, obviously), and, y'know, that means it's quite a pretty game, at least. Convinced, yet? No? You're still dwelling on that missing DLC and online play, aren't you? Can't blame you. So are we. Sigh.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sn1per @ Apr 15th 2008 9:06PM
So the graphics look comparable, but Harmonix claims that the Wii doesn't have the power to do create a rocker? I call BS.
TheWarlock @ Apr 15th 2008 9:08PM
I'm trying to be maintain my upbeatness but I just felt like writing another deppressing post in my blog when I read this.
@What could've been Online Play for RockBand
You know, we would have been friends if you had just wanted to. It's okay, theres no need for words, just walk away... You forgot your 58 god damned playable tracks, now leave!
'My the only one who feels this bad?
Tim @ Apr 16th 2008 10:53AM
I do........ i want to cry into my pillow, i'm starting to feel Nintendo is just happy getting by and not really wanting to make good changes........ if I were emo I would cut myself.
BrokenMonkey @ Apr 15th 2008 9:10PM
Man I wish everyone would stop blaming Harmonix. If they could make the game as good as the 360 and PS3 versions, they would. Since the hardware isn't there (both graphics-wise and storage-wise) they can't, so it's really Nintendo's fault more than Harmonix's.
Mr Khan @ Apr 15th 2008 9:19PM
You swallowed that tripe?
I mean in the what-if world where Nintendo had continued to follow conventions, certainly they would've been able to make it a straight port (unless the Wii wound up GameCube 2 and was ignored by everyone again), but the fact that they can't come up with a workaround, (which isn't that hard if a team of devs actually sat down and thought about it) is laziness, pure and simple
Basically, its as much about them not caring about this version as it is about the technical limitations of the Wii
BrokenMonkey @ Apr 15th 2008 9:22PM
If it's so easy I'd like to see you make a 1:1 port of Rock Band for the Wii. Harmonix is the kind of company that cares about the gamers and they don't like screwing over people (like Activision) so I believe that if there were a way to do it they would. If they didn't care and just wanted to get it out the door it would have been here on day 1.
Chris @ Apr 15th 2008 9:54PM
@brokenmonkey
I hate when people say "if it's so easy why don't you do it..." He's not saying it's easy to do, but come on, Harmonix is a game developer. If they're as caring and great as you think they are, don't you think they would've tried innovating at least a little and spent some time figuring out how to make the wii version at least a little unique or different from the others if they couldn't figure out how to fit the good stuff in there? Basically, they crippled the wii version and didn't try to innovate as a good company would have. I know the wii has its weaknesses, but that just allows the developers to innovate on it's strong features. they were lazy, no matter which way you put it.
snkngshps @ Apr 15th 2008 10:32PM
The fact is, the Wii does not have a storage drive for DLC, simply put. I guarantee you, if there were a way for DLC, Harmonix would have put it in. Why would they choose to lose money? Think of the millions of dollars made off DLC. They don't even have to ship a physical product.
I also don't think the Wii has the power for character creation, not because the Wii couldn't handle designing the character, but to then have the character perform in the background video, I don't think is a challenge the wii could tackle.
If there were a way to do a 1:1 port of Rock Band to Wii, Harmonix would have done it. They know they are going to lose sales over this and they know they are missing out on DLC income.. why would they do that to themselves? I don't think "lazy" works, because money speaks louder than lazy.
bhengh @ Apr 15th 2008 11:31PM
snknshps, the Wii does have storage for DLC - the SD slot. At 50MB a song, a 2GB SD card would be able to hold 40 songs. Not bad.
BrokenMonkey @ Apr 15th 2008 11:36PM
The read times on the SD card make it impossible for songs to run off of it, and Harmonix already said that it's a couple hundred MB per song. So you'd be okay with spending $30 on a 2 GB SD card, waiting all day for the song to load, then after buying 10 songs going out, buying another SD card, and switching them out when you want to play certain songs? Don't forget, you have to turn off the Wii, change the cards, turn it back on, then load the game again.
Anticrawl @ Apr 16th 2008 1:24AM
No offense BrokenMonkey, but $30 for a 2gb SD card? Are you an idiot or really just that far detatched from the real world or any current news. Flash based storage is at an all-time low. It costs nothing to produce SD cards and they sell for 4-8 bucks for a 2 gig and that is pure profit. If you pay anything more then you sir are a moron and should perhaps inform yourself better before making purchases.
On the topic of this blog, who cares, buy a 360 if you want online, get it for your PC or just not at all. If you don't buy it then that will be 150-170 US dollars in your pocket (assuming the launch price is the same).
Rob @ Apr 16th 2008 9:53AM
Doesn't change the fact that 1) it would take a long time to load off the sd card. 2) the wii doesnt have enough internal memory to even load that entire song into ram.
if you want DLC, petition nintendo to make a hard drive
or buy a ps3/xbox360 for your rock band needs.
otherwise, you arn't getting it plain and simple.
BrokenMonkey @ Apr 16th 2008 10:21AM
The average Wii owner would just go to Target, look at the Wii accessories, buy one of those Wii-branded SD cards (because they think that that's the only one that will work), and pay more than they have to. I'm not saying flash memory isn't cheap, just that the average person wouldn't know to shop around for it.
BrokenMonkey @ Apr 16th 2008 10:22AM
Speaking of which...
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=63723
shadowchaoscontrol @ Apr 15th 2008 9:39PM
at least give us our own characters, how else am i going to see the members of dethklok play a ramones song
Steve M. @ Apr 15th 2008 9:46PM
Gotta admit...I found out the details on Rock Band and went out and bought GH3. Consumers have a choice. And if you deliver an inferior product, I'll choose the competition. Rock Band had the potential to shut down the Guitar Hero craze on the Wii and failed. Though I had been waiting to hear more about Rock Band before pulling the trigger on GH3, I was left with no choice but go with the alternative when I found out more abou tit.
snkngshps @ Apr 15th 2008 10:34PM
What's the benefit of GH3 over Rock Band? There's no DLC for it either..
Osaka @ Apr 15th 2008 10:49PM
@snkngshps
It is sooooo much cheaper.
But anyways, I'm kind of over the whole rocking video game thing.
I have GH for PS2 and I'm pretty okay with that.
I will admit I was considering Rock Band for Wii, but seriously it's just seeming less and less worth it.
Brychanus @ Apr 16th 2008 12:43AM
@ snkngshps
GH3 also has the online play that Rock Band will lack.
Rob @ Apr 16th 2008 9:53AM
You mean, the online play that never works.... ?
nytestalker @ Apr 15th 2008 10:04PM
I already have GH3 for the Wii... Preferring computers as a main gaming machine, no ps3 or 360 for me (though i did just buy a ps2 off a friend for $2
vidGuy @ Apr 15th 2008 10:33PM
No DLC means a no-go for me. Trust me, the DLC makes this game. I'm glad I bought the 360 version the day it was released.
FYI, the models are similar but a lot less smooth on the Wii, and the lack of customizable characters is super FTL. I personally love my Dethklok band and my Holy Crusaders band made up of Jesus, Moses, Joseph, and Chuck Norris, lol.
BrokenMonkey @ Apr 15th 2008 10:41PM
If you already have it why would you even consider buying it for the Wii?
vidGuy @ Apr 15th 2008 10:45PM
I wouldn't, but I'd recommend it to a friend who was a Wii-only gamer. But with no DLC, I can't in good conscience recommend this. It'd be a waste of money, IMO.
holmes @ Apr 15th 2008 11:01PM
man, i am SICK of all this negativity!
i have GH3 for the wii. i love rocking out to it. do i use the online function? only twice, ever. do i miss DLC on GH3? not really. i still love picking up the plastic guitar and playing some poison.
that's why i'm ECSTATIC that rock band is coming to the wii. i'm not going to probably ever play it online, so i don't care it's missing. the DLC is a big deal to some....but what do i care if i can't get that shitty new motley crue song?
i'm still going to be able to rock out, and i can do it at a party with a few friends over. i'm ok with this. i'm ok with this on the wii. i'm going to buy it. i'm going to love it.
if i have to make a complaint, it's that the price ($170) is a little high. they should've cut wii fans a break for the delay and the gimped version with a cheaper set....maybe $125 would've been more appropriate.
vidGuy @ Apr 15th 2008 11:44PM
Completely agree with you on the Motley Crue crap, but without DLC you'll be missing out on great tunes by Boston, Metallica, and others, as well as full albums worth of downloads, coming every week for the next few years.
eugaet @ Apr 16th 2008 12:29PM
Mötley Crüe...crap?
You have offended me, good sir.
jughead789 @ Apr 15th 2008 11:08PM
I don't buy that the wii can't handle customizable characters. Plenty of PS2 games had customizable characters and the wii is definitely more powerful than the ps2. I figure it couldn't handle the 360/ps3 character creation and rather then put in some time to design one for the wii they just left it out. I'm incredibly disappointed by the lack of effort put into the wii version something I was greatly looking forward to and will not be spending my money on it. If I wanted the ps2 version I would have bought it awhile ago...and the 5 bonus songs aren't even nearly making up for it since only half are any good
raptorspike @ Apr 15th 2008 11:18PM
That is one of the key things holding me back. The lack of customization in characters. I wanted to make a version of me (with some changes) to play lead guitar. I also don't like the version of BWT in the Wii version, with the pre-determined list of songs in each location (i.e. GH3). The thing that automatically made me say no is the inability to use my GH3 guitar. And don't anyone go say anything about it being Activision's fault. it is Harmonix/Pi's fault for being lazy. Had I been able to use my GH3 guitar, I might have considered buying this.
I do have to admit, that is one pretty looking game.
Rob @ Apr 16th 2008 9:53AM
I actually prefer the fact that it doesn't have customizable characters. I never do that crap, I always accept the defaults and get pissed at my friends for taking 10 years to design themselves. Its a damn game I want to play I don't care if the dude on the screen kind of looks like me or not.
SourceJR @ Apr 16th 2008 5:55PM
@raptorspike
actually it is Activisions/MTV's fault
Other players discovered at the game's launch that the Gibson Les Paul guitar controller bundled with the PlayStation 3 version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is not compatible with the PlayStation 3 version of Rock Band, despite Harmonix stating that any controllers that followed the open-controller standard would work. While this incompatibility can be resolved through technical solutions, both Harmonix and Activision have cited the other party is at fault for failing to correct the incompatibility. Harmonix developed a patch to fix the issue, but it has been blocked by Activision.[111] Activision states that MTV Games is unwilling to reach an agreement to pay Activision to use the Guitar Hero III technology in Rock Band.[112] Nyko has released a PlayStation 3 version of their "Frontman" guitar controller,[113] that works with both Guitar Hero and Rock Band.[114]
raptorspike @ Apr 17th 2008 12:40PM
SourceJR, there is no special technology on the Wii version. the guitars are just buttons and a cable. the Wii Remote does all the work. EA/Harmonix/Pi are just lazy
Matt B @ Apr 15th 2008 11:20PM
Yep, still unimpressed, because I can't play a complete band unless I spend an additional $70 on a third guitar because of Harmonix' decision to not use the Wiimote in their guitar, and hence not allow the GH3 guitar (and no, its not Activision's fault- the guitar uses the standard Wiimote interface and Activision can't prevent Harmonix from allowing the guitar as its just a classic controller in a guitar shell.)
I never thought I'd say this, but for all the faults of the Wii version, Activision actually took the time to tailor the experience to the Wii console, unlike Harmonix. The guitar uses the Wiimote, it has online play, and there is DLC capability announced (not that I believe until I see it, but at least they said they were trying.) Activision is actually the good guys on the Wii, which I didn't think was possible. But Harmonix found a way.
BrokenMonkey @ Apr 15th 2008 11:38PM
So you'd rather be let down by the promise of DLC in GH that you'll never get, than be told the truth from the get-go?
nick @ Apr 15th 2008 11:39PM
Rock band without dlc= lose.
The only reason i prefer rock band to gh3 is DLC. Gh3 had a superior INITIAL track list to begin with, but the DLC in rock band absolutely kills. I mean working man, limelight, 6 boston songs, 3 metallica songs, bowie etc.... it really made the game for me.
For wii players, i think gh3 is a better package as it isnt that expensive and has online play.
Also the reason the background characters/ stage looks so good, is because it is a pre-rendered video in the background just like on the rock band website. That is why, customizable characters were not offered.
Hafk @ Apr 16th 2008 12:30AM
I want to know what the Wii practice mode is like.
If it is like the shitty 2 speed PS2 version, than I am not even going to consider purchasing this.
Perverted @ Apr 16th 2008 5:43AM
The only thing I forgive is the lack of DLC, mainly as there's no HDD and DLC costs money I wouldn't pay.
Online for the Wii works and works well(see MKW) and if GH3 can have it why not this? No excuses. Create a rocker could easily have been added there's been create a character since way back when and I remember creating a wrestler back on the N64 and having have fight etc. How is this any different? it's not and the Wii is a lot more powerful.
Then there's the guitar from GH not working, but this was kinda expected after the ps3 thing......
Wow even I'm hating on the game and I never cared for it in the first place......
kervin cornwall @ Apr 16th 2008 10:55AM
ahh cheere up guys as soon as pay and play comes harmonix will prob. put the downloadable content on their with a simple upgrade. and still the graphics are good and they are giving us ten free bonus songs, you dont see them doin that on the ps3 ps2 or 360 do ya. but harmonix has been talking about online play and downloads. (omg)
kervin cornwall @ Apr 16th 2008 10:56AM
i meen 5 free songs still good
Miike @ Apr 17th 2008 12:36AM
Okay, the pictures are pretty nice, I'll give 'em that. No online play? I can handle it. My Brother can play, and his friends and my friends all like GH and RB, so I don't care that much about playing online. No DLC? Ouch, but I would probably only buy 10-15 songs in total, so I'm not missing that much. No Customized characters? Okay, I can live with this, but it kinda pisses me off. If they didn't want to make charecter customization, give us the option of using Miis, because that would be funny to have ALi G playin the drums, Boomhauer singing, Ganondorf playin' the bass, and Jack Black jammin' on the guitar. No guitar compatability? More money I'll have to shell out, but I could swallow the pain. No Band World Tour? That's it, I can't take anymore! The BWT was what made RB, like, 5x better than GH. I don't want to play a pre-ordered setlist. I kind of enjoy getting random setlists and getting occasionally screwed with a really hard song. No Full World Tour, no Rock Band on Wii for me.