Right in time for the reissuing of the entire back catalogue (completely re-mastering that took about 4yrs) of Beatles music, the folks at Harmonix are set to release (Sept 9) their latest iteration of the popular music game series The Beatles Rockband. Yours truly had the opportunity to get some hands on time this past weekend.

The gameplay hasn’t changed if you’re familiar with the series but it does give the inclusion of being able to have backup singers. Some games actually have the ability to accept 2 or more singers for some parts. The basic premise of the game puts you in the Fab Four’s shoes as they rise to stardom from their early days playing at Liverpool Cavern Club, to the Ed Sullivan show, to their impromptu Rooftop concert.

Harmonix painstakingly referenced photos and videos from Apple corps and it shows in the art direction and presentation they took. This game is truly beautiful and it was easy to get distracted by the visuals in the background. The song selection that Harmonix used is awesome. Out of all the songs i managed to get through, there was only 1 or 2 that I wasn’t particularly fussy over. Further to that, expect more DLC to be available right from the get go with the remaining songs from Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road and Rubber Soul.

Song list:
A Hard Day’s Night
And Your Bird Can Sing
Revolver
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Birthday
Boys
Please Please Me
Can’t Buy Me Love
A Hard Day’s Night
Come Together
Abbey Road
Day Tripper
Dear Prudence
Dig a Pony
Let It Be
Do You Want to Know a Secret
Please Please Me
Don’t Let Me Down
Drive My Car
Eight Days a Week
Get Back
Getting Better
Good Morning Good Morning
Hello Goodbye
Helter Skelter
Here Comes the Sun
Hey Bulldog
I Am the Walrus
I Feel Fine
I Me Mine
I Saw Her Standing There
I Want to Hold Your Hand
I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
I Wanna Be Your Man
If I Needed Someone
I’m Looking Through You
I’ve Got a Feeling
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Octopus’s Garden
Paperback Writer
Revolution
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band /With a Little Help from My Friends
Something
Taxman
The End
Ticket to Ride
Twist and Shout
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows
Yellow Submarine

What this games does besides provide some incredible music, it gives you the ability to live the music alongside the band and a damn fine party game.

Pros:

  • Incredible Song list
  • Art Direction
  • Presentation

Cons

  • Original instruments make it hard to use extra mics

Feed Your Console gives The Beatles Rockband 9 out of 10

Developer: Harmonix, Pi Studios
Publisher: MTV Games
Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (reviewed), Nintendo Wii