Rock Band Prices, Release Dates Revealed

MTV has let slip pricing and availability details for the upcoming Rock Band music video game: November 23 for Xbox 360 and PS3, and a retail price of $169.99.

MTV Networks has revealed pricing and availability information for the highly anticpiated Rock Band video game, being developed for Electronic Arts by Harmonix, developers of the first two installments in the Guitar Hero franchise. Rock Band aims to be the first video game which enables players to take on all the basic roles in a rock-and-roll outfit, including vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Rock Band for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 will launch on November 23, with a suggested retail price of $169.99. No question that’s a high price for a video game, but the title comes with the game, a microphone, a guitar, and a drum kit controller. Surprisingly, a version of the game for the PlayStation 2 will also land in time for the end-of-year holiday season, launching in North America on December 10 for $159.99.

The PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game will feature a wireless guitar controller, while the initial Xbox 360 guitar controller will be wired. Reportedly, a wireless version of the guitar controller for Xbox 360 is in the works for a later launch.

In addition to letting players simultaneously take on multiple instruments in a band, Rock Band also aims to offer users new game levels based on full length albums. The first full-length add-on will be Who’s Next by The Who; Harmonix says it will release new Rock Band downloadable content every week.