Rock Band Drum kits officially shipping to U.S. and Canda now.

[supafreak]

AND THE BEAT GOES ON… ROCK BAND DRUM KITS SHIP TO U.S. AND CANADIAN RETAIL STORES

CAMBRIDGE, MA – February 20, 2008 - Harmonix, one of the world’s leading developers of music-based games, and MTV Games, part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today that individual drum peripherals for Rock Band™ have now started shipping to U.S. and Canadian* store shelves. The Rock Band Drum Kit (Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system) has a suggested retail price of $79.99.

With standalone drum peripherals being made available, drummers have the opportunity to enjoy the full Rock Band experience by competing in the challenging “versus” modes, “Score Duel” and “Tug-O-War.” These exciting modes can be played locally or online and work with all Rock Band downloaded song tracks. In order to play downloadable content for online head-to-head matches, all players must own the same downloadable track.

Standalone Rock Band game software is currently available, as well as the Rock Band Special Edition Bundle featuring a Fender Stratocaster guitar controller, an electronic drum kit, real drum sticks, a microphone and software. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 system bundles also come with a USB hub for easy plug-in access for all instruments.
Rock Band is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

Note: The Rock Band PlayStation drums work for both PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 systems.
* Rock Band will be shipped to Canada over the next 2-8 weeks.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems, please visit Rock Band and HARMONIX

[D_Litch]

Does this include the game?

[JParker0105]

Good question, if it does, ill consider buying it.

[D_Litch]

It would be a ripoff if it doesn't. I mean, the drums are $80 and the game is $60. $40 more and you can have the whole bundle.

[supafreak]

I am pretty certain it is just the drum set. The wireless guitar is $60 and doesn't come with the game. I bought the bundle back in January b/c my understanding was just the drums were going to be $80.

[BiffCo]

I can confirm that the game is not included. I was perusing around Best Buy and Circuit City yesterday and saw this. I was actually contemplating picking it up, but noticed that the game wasn't included. Seriously, this is about the biggest rip-off I've seen other than the ridiculous prices for song packs. You're better off buying the whole kit.

D_Litch, I think it was you that said you were just going to buy the drums and the mic. I'd probably rethink that plan. If the drums cost $80, the mic is probably going to be around $30 (and it will be a piece of crap too). Factor in $60 for the game, and that's the price of the whole package at $170.

Harmonix can suck it. Communists...

-Brad

[supafreak]

That is the reason why I purchased the whole kit. I had heard that the drums alone were going to be $80 and the bundle was rumored to be a limited time deal. Luckily you can still buy the bundle if you are still interested.

[D_Litch]

Yeah, I'll be picking up the Bundle. Their pricing is retarded.