Rock Band for the Wii Announced

Harmonix recently announced that Rock Band for the Wii will be released in both the U.S. and Canada on June 22nd. The special edition bundle will include the game, drums, microphone, and a wireless guitar controller.

From The Release;

Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks, which is a division of Viacom , along with distribution partner Electronic Arts, Inc., today announced plans to release the award-winning music video game Rock Band on the Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo in the U.S. and Canada on June 22, 2008 for the suggested retail price of $169.99.

Rock Band for Wii will be released as a Special Edition bundle including the software, drums, microphone and a wireless guitar. Stand alone instruments will also be available on June 22nd for people who want to build their band one instrument at a time or want to play the drum versus drum game mode. The game will feature 63 songs including five bonus songs for Wii gamers to enjoy.

Full Press Release, Photos, and more details after the jump.

Additional Details

The biggest downside to the release for the Wii is that, given the online issues with the Wii, it will likely not have DLC or online play capability.

Harmonix has also indicated that the ‘Band World Tour’ mode and band customization may not be part of the game as well. So consider the Wii release to be just like the PS2 version.

The standalone instruments will also be available for purchase on June 22nd for gamers who don’t wish to buy the full bundle.

For those of you hoping to use your Guitar Hero III Wii controllers with the game, think again. While nothing is official, the dispute between Activision and Harmonix is still fresh, so don’t expect cross compatibility between the two controllers.

Full Press Release

Wii Will Rock You!
MTV Games, Harmonix and EA Announce Rock Band for Wii on June 22, 2008

The number one selling game in February 2008 is coming to Wii!

Cambridge, MA - March 24, 2008– Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of MTV Networks, which is a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced plans to release the award-winning music video game Rock Band on the Wii home video game system from Nintendo in the U.S. and Canada on June 22, 2008 for the suggested retail price of $169.99.

Rock Band for Wii will be released as a Special Edition bundle including the software, drums, microphone and a wireless guitar. Stand alone instruments will also be available on June 22nd for people who want to build their band one instrument at a time or want to play the drum versus drum game mode. The game will feature 63 songs including five bonus songs for Wii gamers to enjoy.

“The Wii’s success among casual and core gamers of all ages makes it an ideal match for the cross-generational appeal of the music featured in Rock Band,” says Bob Picunko, Vice President of Electronic Games and Interactive Products, MTV.

“The social interaction and addictive nature of the Rock Bandexperience is a perfect fit for the Wii and will undoubtedly be fun for the entire family,” says Steve Singer, licensing VP from Nintendo.

Rock Band is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune - all while learning to master leadbass guitar, drums and vocals. Featuring the most master recordings of any music game ever by the world’s biggest rock artists,Rock Band includes tracks that span every genre of rock ranging from alternative and classic rock to heavy metal and punk. Rock Band has garnered over 40 awards this year including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007and three awards at The 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards including Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, Family Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack.

Rock Band is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

Rock Band is currently available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and on the PLAYSTATION 2 computer entertainment system.

EA is the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band.

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