Retail Radar: Rock Band accessories

GameStop begins taking preorders for Electronic Arts' rhythm game peripherals; prices range from $40 for microphone to $80 for drums, wireless guitars.

Electronic Arts' upcoming Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 rhythm game Rock Band will lower the talent prerequisite for gamers looking for musical enjoyment, but there may still be a significant financial barrier to entry. As picked up on by Kotaku, the online arm of GameStop has begun taking preorders for an assortment of peripherals for the game. If the product listings are accurate, outfitting a full four-piece rock band with drums, guitar, bass, and microphone could cost more than $300.

GameStop lists four different peripherals for each version of Rock Band: a microphone, a guitar, a wireless guitar, and a drum set. The microphone is selling for $39.99, with the standard guitar fetching $59.99 and the wireless guitar and drums going for $79.99 each. The retailer expects all the peripherals to arrive alongside Rock Band, which is selling for $59.99 on its own and currently carries a November 1 release date.

The listing for a wireless guitar on the Xbox 360 is notable, as the system thus far has not featured any third-party wireless accessories. Nyko has announced an Xbox 360 version of its Zero wireless control pad, but that has not yet been released.

A Harmonix representative refuted the listings, saying "Pricing and SKU configuration for Rock Band peripherals have not been confirmed and this is pure speculation by GameStop." As for when those details would be confirmed, the representative just said that information would be released "in the coming months."

Please note, while retailer listings frequently jump the gun on publishers' product announcements, they should not be taken as final confirmation of a game's existence; nor should the absence of a listing be considered as proof that a game isn't coming to a given platform.

160 Comments

  • jesus_markii

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 3:37 pm PT

    this probably means the uk price will be something stupid like £250 typical

  • LegendaryDante1

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 1:35 am PT

    This is terrible. I was going to be happy with Guitar Hero 3, but after seeing the 10-fret set, how well the drums play, and the possibility of online play so I don't have to deal with people using the microphone in the same room as me, I think Harmonix may have sold another copy of Rock Band. Damn, I hate falling prey to a cash cow...

  • Informer5

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 6:50 am PT

    In reply to TalonComics your right about the whole maybe them playing a music related video game spawning an interest in musical interest. Not long after playing Guitar Hero on ps2 that i realized how much I love music. I now own an old Yamaha electric keyboard am purchasing a (electric guitars in case you didn't know) Scheckter C1 Hellraiser Diamond Series and own a B.C. Rich Warlock. I carry my Warlock in a Hard Coffin Case and play on a Crate 65 Watt amp with 17 built in effects. and on a Peavey 125 watt amp with numerous effects and possibilities and a new Cry Baby wah pedal. So did GH have anything to do with my becoming a musician....definitely had something to do with it. So if some kid plays rock band becomes a drummer and starts his own band while planning an early retirement then more power to him.

  • cdogg519

    Posted Jul 8, 2007 7:16 pm PT

    thank you 'weisguy119' i agree 100%. i have guitar hero 2 and i play it all the time. this game looks awsome. i hope the drum set is more authentic than they say its going to be. they said you can go freestyle and just 'rock out' during a guitar,drum, or vocal solo. i hope its as good as they say its going to be because im gonna be payin a lot of money for it.

  • weisguy119

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 9:35 pm PT

    The people who come here to tell everyone to play a real instrument, rather than play this game, probably see no problem playing a first person shooter or racing game. I say, if you really want to shoot people, join the army. Rather than play a racing game, why not learn to drive a car 200+ mph on a track with 20+ other cars on it? Think that's easy? I seriously doubt it. Games are an escape for people. I don't have the dedication to form a band, or learn to race, any more than I have the desire to join the army. Get real, people.

  • miningguy

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 12:57 pm PT

    this game must be sick with the customizable finish feature

  • Rexavian

    Posted Jun 23, 2007 1:48 pm PT

    Yeah, it would be cool if i could play a game where i used a real guitar. But guitar hero is fun as it is, and if i want to play band with real instruments, then i'll just form a real band. So it's cool as it is. Rock band is gonna be cool. And im not gonna have any trouble playing with my friends, coz they love Guitar Hero and i've got experience with all the instruments, including the microphone. Everybody say i got a good voice. But i sure wish they bring some Black Metal songs in the game, too

  • magic_drummer

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 1:14 pm PT

    I'll likely be rushing to the store to get this just for the drum aspect. If only there where just a drum hero game. Guitar had already been taken care of, and you can just pick up a karyokee game if you crave the mic in your hand. Drums aren't out yet.

  • Sk8erHeadshot

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 3:45 pm PT

    The mic will be $20, or u can use the headset from XBOX LIVE, u can use the GH2 controller, so 1 more guitar, god only knows on the drums,(may be huge), and the game itself

  • hoogz_boogley

    Posted Apr 8, 2007 5:54 am PT

    yeah it would be cool with online gigs

  • hawk2416

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 7:33 pm PT

    A cool thing to do with this is to make it really really serious and have like, all these real live bands come and have online shows, and you'd have to pay MS points to watch the show or something like that. Or your band could get like really famous and do that. It's going to be funny when lots of the hardcore gamers have no friends to play the game with. I also hope that I can use my 360GHII Controller for it. I'm sure it'll work.

  • Shiaoran

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 10:36 am PT

    360 fanboys who buy the entire set will have no right to say the PS3 is too expensive
    I'm sure the stuff won't cost that much. People wouldn't buy.

  • hoogz_boogley

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 7:23 am PT

    hope they realize that they need to have online play for this game and maybe some sort of jam style

  • TalonComics

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 12:39 am PT

    I can't believe I'm actually seeing people say "if you put the hours you play this game on a real instrument... blah, blah, blah..." You *do* realize that this is a *game* and that it is meant to be fun? How is a game about being in a virtual band any less worth while than any other game in existence? After all, when you're playing a game you could be doing something else productive like working, rehearsing or studying.
    I suggest some people get a grip and let the kids play their music games. Who knows? It may spark them to pick up a real instrument.

  • CowbellFanatic

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 12:27 am PT

    When is a game gonna be released that lets us use actual guitars? I don't really dig these expensive "guitar controllers" that have like 5 buttons on them. Seems like they could make some sort of adapter thing and work it out . Theres probably not a huge market for guitarist/gamers but I think it would be f***ing tight.
    It would be cool for some game to just throw either standard music or tabs at you (you could choose). It would be a more enjoyable way to learn songs and you could see if your bends are perfect and how often you f***ed up during the song. Whatever.

  • puckhead778

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 10:59 pm PT

    wow sounds awesome but is that a lot of money or what?? although i gotta say nice job on that marketing scheme......their hands are already reaching for our wallets

  • NaturalBornGamR

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 10:45 pm PT

    look out world i'm gonna rock the mic

  • winnerjay

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 3:22 pm PT

    it will probably be fun as hell, only thing i could see is if you could use the GH2 guitar and the headset. then all i would need is the drums.. prob is i see alot of people thinkning along the same lines of me and there being a serious shortage of drummers

  • kslay88

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 6:23 am PT

    if you are gonna pay this much, you might as well go out and do the real thing.

  • SBNsebas

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 5:30 am PT

    OMG, that's f*cking awesome but I think it's to expensive for just 1 game but if I have enough money and enough space in my room (cause there's already a drumset in my room ) I might buy it.

  • Ziegfried

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 1:46 pm PT

    One month later my brother said "there could be a game with drums and vocals". I said "shut up, lad, its impossible, you want a whole band" and now I am amazed with his foreseen vision, LOL, man... Rock Band is gonna be a lot fun. I'm already seen myself talking with my girl "Sorry babe, I have an essay"

  • ftjx

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 11:58 am PT

    wait for this on the Wii and if there's more of you the price wont be so bad...

  • tbolt_88

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 12:39 am PT

    im interested in seeing how the drum controller looks....adn exactly how big will it be...sounds intersting though...im really interested in hearing more.

  • ngilskey

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 11:25 pm PT

    as someone who plays both real instruments and guitar hero, i think it's great to be able to open the doors to people who don't/can't play an instrument. i have fun playing both and i think it should ultimately come down to what you enjoy. if they do it right, this could be awesome, likewise I'm hesitant about a "drum" controller, but I'll just wait and see

  • paronga

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 10:54 pm PT

    yeah nah good idea in theory but i doubt that this game will work well and be anywhere near as good as guitar hero....unless theres one universal controller which was a guitar, microphone, and drum kit all in one....but thats like.....impossible to make it emulate a band properly

  • frogman666

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 10:20 pm PT

    nah not worth it but im sure their are idiots who will buy all of the stuff anyway LOL

  • UmbrellaMaster

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 7:44 pm PT

    For $300 I could buy a beginner's guitar and actually learn some stuff on it. I'm gonna go with bogus for the pricing. I hope so at least.

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 7:21 pm PT

    when this comes out i will stick wiith the guitar thank ya very much

  • archiekins07

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 6:54 pm PT

    This is real pathetic. Just another way to get the hard earned bucks from parents or your young adult life. If you really want to form a band, pick up a real mic and a real instrument. You're not going to learn how to play on gimmick controllers which are priced ridiculously. Bands that have made it today have paid there dues and have worked hard to make it in the industry. Don't listen to Harmonix Music Systems when they say they want to network talent out there!!! They just want to make some quick cash. If you want your music to be heard, there's always Myspace or Purevolume.com. I'd rather buy the new Xbox 360 elite with $300 dollars and wait for Halo 3, if you don't have an Xbox just yet. GuitarHero was cool, for awhile, something to do while your not thinking of real life. But if you really want the fame and women, get a real instrument and start f****in practicing people. Just like what Majestikk said, "Have a blast!" I can just imagine how goofy it'll be to see people playing this game."

  • a_dirty_hippie

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 3:29 pm PT

    dang hate hate hate. im sure when halo was about to come out every one was just like meh that will be just another sci fi shooter(which it is i still dont understand the craz) so give it a chance

  • bagelbuster02

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 3:07 pm PT

    ehhh thats just too much

  • ImTheCody

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 2:48 pm PT

    The microphone is selling for $39.99

  • GFofgaming

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 2:42 pm PT

    That Microphone is way overpriced. 300$, u can get a 360 with it.

  • majestikk

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 1:32 pm PT

    I'd have more fun wailing away on a real drum set. If anyone would put the numbers of hours they would in this game, on a real instrument, who knows how far they'd progress.


    But if playing on an imitation "whatever" is fun to some, by all means: "Have a blast!" I can just imagine how goofy it'll be to see people playing this game.

  • Mikazukinoyaiba

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 1:32 pm PT

    Good grief, what is with the music games?

    If you already have an instrument, you already play and make music and are part of a band (which honestly, how many people don't form bands? It is way too common).

    Frankly, these music games are no more then a clever way to milk people for their money.

  • AliasUK

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 11:52 am PT

    If this game is as good as I hope, I'm getting it! I really REALLY want to learn to play the drums, butttt they're too big atm, and if I put them in my garage the wood would warp Lets just hope the drum peripheral isn't massive.

  • bysmitty

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 11:49 am PT

    I am still convinced that this is a April fools day joke. They cannot be serious about this. I mean, common, this just can't be real.

    ...bysmitty

  • smackalicious

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 11:16 am PT

    Wow...there seems to be a lot of newfound "hate" for this genre appearing on these boards. "Why don't you just buy the instruments and learn to play?"

    Obviously you don't play any instruments, or you would know it would take significant investment in time (i.e. years) to even come close to playing the songs on these games. Unless you would just be satisfied learning to play London Bridge...

    Sometimes you need to stop being so "practical" to actually have fun in life.

  • tigerfan1993

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 10:43 am PT

    This game sounds fun. But very... VERY expensive. Wonderful christmas present i presume.

  • Slayer420

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 10:35 am PT

    I just don't really get the fascination everyone has with these games. I have watched friends play Guitar Hero on PS2 and I find it very irritating to hear songs I like being butchered when someone makes a mistake. It is the same reason I will walk out of a bar as soon as karaoke night starts up. Oh well, to each their own...

  • Legacyoftain

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 10:01 am PT

    $300 for a game..nice..I have been a drummer for 16 years...and it sounds like this game will be alot more complex than Guitar Hero...so for those who have no musical talent this game will most likely be a waste of $$..and for those of us that DO have musical talent we prefer real instruments so this game will most likely be a waste of $$...and YES Steel Battalion did do well..but none of us own or have acesss to a mech or tank..if you wanna be in a crappy rock band then get a $50 guitar $50 bass $20 mic with $30 speakers and a crappy $100 drum kit all off CL and you can stay well below what the price of this game is and prob have more fun.

  • nopeace182

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 9:37 am PT

    These games are retarded. Actually playing the music is so much cooler and MUCH more enjoyable. They keep making these idiotic games in which the gameplay bears no resemblance to playing the real instrument. And being in a band is infinitely more difficult than playing by yourself (although it is more rewarding). THIS. GAME. WILL. SUCK. PERIOD.

  • majestikk

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 9:13 am PT

    Why don't you just buy the real instruments and learn to play?! You're going to be doing the same thing on the game?

  • Ninjachef04

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 9:11 am PT

    Who really has the "stones" to go online and sing? Honestly, it's going to be like american idol but worse.
    but you'll see me on the drums or bass anyday!

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 8:34 am PT

    silly stuff

  • The_Weekend

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 8:10 am PT

    price is not a factor those who can afford, i just happen to be the among the millions who find it a pinch OW OW OW.

  • zsc4

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 7:47 am PT

    it just gets better, not the game the price

  • FratleyLionhart

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 7:16 am PT

    Does anyone remember Steel Batallion? That game cost over $200 and it flew off the shelves. The truth is, if people like the idea, they're going to buy it.

    Besides, like everyone has said, just pick up the one you want to play and play over Live.....it's that easy

  • ztype85

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 7:03 am PT

    $80 for an electronic drum set. Expect the thing to break very quickly at that cheap price

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