Beatlemania down under on September 9

Bealtemania is now less than three weeks away with The Beatles: Rock Band set to hit store shelves around the world on September 9. In keeping with the previously announced worldwide release date, Harmonix, MTV Games, and distribution partner EA confirmed this week that the game will also hit Aussie shores on the same day, coinciding with the international release of the entire digitally remastered Beatles catalogue.

The Beatles-inspired rhythm game marks the first-time collaboration between Beatles-owned Apple Corps, EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing to bring the music of The Beatles to an interactive format. Giles Martin, the son of legendary Beatles producer George Martin and coproducer of the LOVE album, served as music producer on the game, working with former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to bring the music of the Fab Four to life.

The game features authentic Beatles-inspired peripheral instruments and takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s renowned career, starting from the early touring days in 1963 Liverpool to the immortal and final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop. The game will also introduce three-part vocal harmonies.

EA also confirmed pricing for the Beatles: Rock Band bundle, software, and downloadable content for Australia. The Limited Edition Premium Bundle includes a large-scale replica of the Höfner bass controller used by Paul McCartney, a Ringo Starr-inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drum set, a microphone, a microphone stand, game software, and special game accessories, and it will be available for the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii for AU$369.99 through retailers JB Hi Fi, Dick Smith, Gamesmen, and GAME.

The Beatles: Rock Band software (which can be used with existing Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero controllers and other third-party rhythm game peripherals and microphones) will feature 45 tracks and will be available via all leading game retailers nationwide for the PS3 and Xbox 360 for AU$89.99 and for the Wii for AU$79.99.

As previously announced, the entire Abbey Road, Rubber Soul, and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band albums will be available as downloadable content. Harmonix announced today that the first album, Abbey Road, will be released for the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii on October 20 (this date also includes Australia) selling for $16.98 (1,360 Microsoft points) or $1.99 (150 Microsoft points) on a per-track basis. Gamers who purchase the full-album download will be able to play the eight-song B-side medley as one continuous track, including "You Never Give Me Your Money," "Sun King," "Mean Mr. Mustard," "Polythene Pam," "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window," "Golden Slumbers," "Carry That Weight," and "The End."

Abbey Road will be followed by Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in November and Rubber Soul in December. In the meantime, the Xbox 360 version of the game will have a limited-time exclusive track, "All You Need Is Love," available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft points) from September 9, with all proceeds going to the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) charity.