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Rock Band 3 hits stage October 26

  • By Eddie Makuch, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 19, 2010 2:34 pm PT

Harmonix's latest Rock Band entry due out this fall; retailer-specific preorder bonuses detailed.

Those about to rock…will have to wait a little while longer, as Harmonix today announced that the third core installment in the Rock Band series will arrive on October 26 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo's Wii and DS.

Releasing just days ahead of Halloween. How spooky.

Releasing just days ahead of Halloween. How spooky.

Along with Rock Band 3's release date revelation, Harmonix's statement today announced various retailer-specific preorder bonuses.

Faux-instrument wielders who preorder at Wal-Mart will score a $10 e-gift card. Those who wish to place their money down at Amazon will receive an exclusive in-game guitar. And living-room rock gods and goddesses who reserve Rock Band 3 at GameStop will be able to download three songs for free at launch: "My Own Summer" by The Deftones, "Blue Monday" by New Order, and "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads.

Rock Band 3 will ship simultaneously globally in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and "other territories." The game is the first in the series to employ a piano as a playable instrument and will come with a Pro mode, where those with high-end MadCatz peripherals can literally play along with any given song.

For more on the newest entry in the rhythm-game series, check out GameSpot's interview (embedded below) with former Harmonix designer Dan Teasdale and a hands-on preview.

92 Comments

  • SolanOcard

    Posted Sep 16, 2010 1:13 am GMT

    ooops, my bad. Why have I always thought Talking Heads were Canadian? Maybe it was the french in Psycho Killers. The dumbest thing though... I had looked them up before on wikipedia.

  • Komissar33188

    Posted Jul 24, 2010 8:20 am GMT

    They said they'd carry over RB1/2/LRB DLC (OMGWTFBBQ) but without allowing for Keyboards, three-parts, or pro mode. Personally, I'm just gratified that I didn't buy mountains of DLC just to see it obliterated with the rise of RB3.

  • rbenns2

    Posted Jul 22, 2010 12:18 pm GMT

    Harmonix said that all existing DLC (except for the Beatles RB) will be playable in RB 3, though they haven't said whether they would include support for the biggest new features, such as keyboard note charts, vocal harmonies, and pro mode. Harmonix has said that Including these features would be very complicated. All DLC released after RB 3 will not be compatible with earlier entries, due to differences in game code.

  • LeadnSteel

    Posted Jul 22, 2010 11:46 am GMT

    I just hope all of the songs from the first and 2nd one will be compatible so you will be able to play them on the 3rd. They would be stupid not to allow it.

  • luffy11234

    Posted Jul 21, 2010 4:17 pm GMT

    @CaptinHerlock your welcome if you hate my oppinion then shut up and dont talk ok? im not fighting back

  • redskinStu

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 2:00 pm GMT

    Anvil.

  • NYJets12

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 1:03 pm GMT

    MadCatz has also announced the new keyboard (pictured above) will be sold separately for $79.99, or bundled with Rock Band 3 for $129.99. Then there's the Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controller, which adds a series of buttons along 17 frets, with six individual strings on the base to strum, all to better simulate playing a real guitar. MadCatz also says it can be used as a MIDI guitar instrument outside of Rock Band 3, and will cost $149.99. Lastly, MadCatz will also release a MIDI PRO-Adapter that'll allow players to use their real MIDI keyboards or MIDI drum sets with Rock Band 3 if they happen to already own any. That'll cost $39.99, and is also pictured below.

  • GoomSoilder

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 12:26 pm GMT

    Well finally a keyboard!

  • rbenns2

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 11:33 am GMT

    Not much of an announcement, since retailers have had this date nailed for well over a month. How about releasing more of the track list?

  • Ozzie234

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 11:26 am GMT

    @xkrossed

    Not if the hopo-engine is as anal as it were in RB1&2, it wont.... B)

  • ruffluffs

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 10:50 am GMT

    If I do decide to pre order it will definitely be with gamestop
    just for My Own Summer alone

  • James_Swift_Day

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 10:44 am GMT

    No word on how much the new keyboard and pro-guitar will cost?

  • Ringx55

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 10:32 am GMT

    I think most of the negative comments on here about "Learn to play a real instrument" are forgetting with pro mode it will bridge that gap so you can actually just do that.

  • Appollyn

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 10:32 am GMT

    There's a reason why some people would want to play pro mode on RB rather than a real guitar. It will probably be way more enjoyable than looking off a sheet and listening to your song and having to go back. Pro mode also builds you up to how the song is actually played(easy-expert mode) rather than throw you in without knowing anything. Overall pro mode will be easier and more fun to learn how to play a guitar.

  • CaptainHerlock

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 10:27 am GMT

    @luffy11234

    If you don't like it, then by all means don't buy it. But they're not going to say "well some random guy on the internet says we should 'let it die', and you know what? He's right! WOW! Why didn't we listen to this guy sooner? Let's give up all those millions of dollars that this game is going to make, and forget about the millions around the world who enjoy it! We need to listen to one guy on a message board who obviously knows more than we do! Thank you anonymous stranger for showing us the error of our ways".

  • Ringx55

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 10:26 am GMT

    I need to know how much the bundle is. My RB1 bundle is really wearing down, lol.

  • CaptainHerlock

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 10:23 am GMT

    @SolanOcard

    Talking Heads are from New York. Don't be such a gamer and learn your music history.

  • okassar

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 10:08 am GMT

    Haven't bought a music game since RB2, can't wait.

  • willpak posted Jul 20, 2010 9:25 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    willpak

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 9:25 am GMT (hide)

    Unless this game has the same instrument compadibility as GH5, (being able to use any combination of instruments like 3 or 4 lead guitars at the same time) I wont be getting it.

  • Beastcake

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 9:02 am GMT

    I;m so excited. I just can't hide it.

  • petemig

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 8:15 am GMT

    Can't wait. For those of you bashing the game and saying "play real instruments", I do play real guitar. But there is nothing wrong with jamming out with your friends on xbox. It is very fun and a party on wheels. Maybe if you had friends you'd be able to appreciate it.

  • conkerratchet

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 7:57 am GMT

    I still play Guitar Hero, although I'm not that good. I get my butt whooped a lot. But I can beat some songs on Expert

  • ShoryuKeith

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 7:40 am GMT

    So why aren't you?!

  • p2250 posted Jul 20, 2010 6:41 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    p2250

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 6:41 am GMT (hide)

    How long can people continue to play fake instruments? I gave up half-way through RB2.

    The time I spent playing plastic drums I could've been a real drummer by now.

  • shadowkiller11

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 6:41 am GMT

    PRO mode should be highly enjoyable. Considering i play guitar. It will not feel so restricted.

  • BigSpikeyV

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 5:58 am GMT

    For Rock Band 3 did Harmonix redo all of the instruments?

  • FunRat

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 5:47 am GMT

    I really enjoyed RockBand 1 and 2 but unless this COMPLETELY supports my song list, i'm out. I also feel like i will go broke buying this game, but i like it so much... so conflicted... going crazy... GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • reeree746

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 5:22 am GMT

    @StJimmy15

    Gamespot would give me maybe 20 bucks...maybe. I'd rather keep them and play the exactly same game. I'll give it about a year and then i'll buy it.

  • DanteDelacoix

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 4:39 am GMT

    Glad its being released at the same time all over, I refuse to wait months on end like I had to for earlier inputs. FULL SET LIST GOD DAMN IT!!!

  • punkpunker

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 4:34 am GMT

    if the game is bundled with keyboard alone i would buy it but i'm flat broke......

  • nitzan_z posted Jul 20, 2010 4:32 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    nitzan_z

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 4:32 am GMT (hide)

    if pro mode is just like real guitar, than why playing rockband instead of just playing a real guitar?

  • shin_kagato

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 4:18 am GMT

    Cant wait for this, looking forward to having sore fingers playing the new guitar! I have 3 games worth of songs and a tonne of dlc, i hope the game forces to play each new song at least once or ill never hear them for my own stuff.

  • SuprSaiyanRockr

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 4:02 am GMT

    Any news on the full tracklist, and what dlc will be compatable?

  • xkrossed

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 4:00 am GMT

    Just a little bit longer. GH has been needing its own hero to save it for a looong time now. RB3 will really bury GH and all its sequels.

  • anthonycg

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 12:45 am GMT

    I wonder how many bands will milk this game and give us overpriced DLC in a box? I'm sure the game will be good but the add-on thing is making me second guess this installation.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 12:38 am GMT

    I'll be getting this, also a fun game to play with a group of people over

  • firehawk998

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 12:23 am GMT

    Awesome Pro mode sounds the deal maker for me buying this game. Harmonix doesnt dissapoint.

  • ANTHONYMVP2U

    Posted Jul 20, 2010 12:10 am GMT

    yeah**** rock band 3 baby

  • kazstar23

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 11:46 pm GMT

    question is will australia get rock band 2 for free considering that it never even came out here?
    and why are people still saying that we should still play real instruments instead with this? that's what pro mode is... buy the guitar that Mad catz is making or just read the chart as a tab in the game... duh!

    but anyway im glad this one is coming out here! was gonna get warriors of rock but screw that!

  • singhellotaku

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 11:34 pm GMT

    if pro mode is what they say it is this will be the greatest game ever

  • singhellotaku

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 11:34 pm GMT

    @rocker6 eat you're words this game DOES let you play guitar for real

  • MissObvious

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 11:31 pm GMT

    Good to know...I'm still undecided as to if I'm going to get this or not...

  • guitardude1243

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 10:44 pm GMT

    They should definitely keep up the innovation. I'll probably keep it as cheap as possible and stick to the standard controllers, I'll just play the actual instrument if I want to go "Pro" mode.

  • Crazyguy105

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 10:35 pm GMT

    Awesome! I'll definitely pick this up.

    I just wish they would show somemore of the setlist.

  • yman173

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 10:17 pm GMT

    I applaud the innovations that Harmonix is attempting with this entry, but at this point if you really want to be a "pro" you might as well just buy a real instrument and learn how to play it. I still like the rhythm-game franchises, despite some bad entries last year, but to me its just a "game". A plastic guitar with 5 buttons and a clicky-thing. Its the closest Ill ever get to playing a real instrument and I kind of like it that way.

    Id settle for simply continuing the good DLC, and perhaps some QUALITY band-only entries like Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, or Pearl Jam. (Maybe Guitar Hero could create a next-gen version of Rocks the 80s and the original GH as a months worth of DLC...for those of us who dont use a PS2 anymore).

    Just my 2 cents anyway. Im gonna let this year's games simmer a bit before I spend any money on them.

  • Rocker6 posted Jul 19, 2010 9:51 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Rocker6

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 9:51 pm GMT (hide)

    Im not interested in music games.Its better to learn how to play guitar for real.

  • Peng33

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 9:41 pm GMT

    @ ugadog re: your comment:

    "Seriously, when do we get a game where we can plug in real MIDI instruments and learn to play real songs?"

    I'm pretty sure that game is called Rock Band 3. If I remember correctly, you can buy a $40 adapter upon release, and use a MIDI keyboard with RB3.

  • amaan4ever

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 9:31 pm GMT

    lets hope they give us real guitar lessons.i'll get it only if it can gives me guitar lessons

  • phatmatt030

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 9:29 pm GMT

    hahah, I looked up the price of the pro guitar on gamespot. It's $150. You can get a real guitar for that price. Way over priced.

  • InuHanyou1701

    Posted Jul 19, 2010 9:08 pm GMT

    How much will the real instruments be is my big question. I have enough fake instruments cluttering up my room so I'm not interested in Rock Band 3 for anything but Pro mode

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