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Which console to buy to play Rockband?

K

kreidel

Senior member
My wife who does not play games tried Rockband and wants it. She played it on a Wii but which system is best? Do the different systems offer different options(downloads, better audio,etc)

I don't game but I might play a baseball game one, maybe not. This console will be only play Rockband and maybe Gutair Hero.

 
The Wii version is lacking features from the 360 and PS3 versions. The Wii has no download content at all.

If you have a 360 or a PS3 I would get that version. Both are similar.
 
Originally posted by: kreidel
I don't have any system. The Wii can't download stuff?
Click to expand...

It can, but the Wii version of rock band doesn't support doing that. It also doesn't have much storage space to download into, it only has 512MB of flash inside it, though you can use SD cards as well.

There's a new Guitar Hero (World Tour) coming out shortly in the fall, and it will support downloadable content on the wii. It adds drums and a mic, so it's similar to rock band.
 
I would highly suggest not getting Rock Band or the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour on the Wii. No matter if you can download songs or not, the Wii just doesn't have a good storage system (will these games even let you use the SD memory slot?), plus the games will typically be "gimped" in some sort due to the Wii's limitations in processing power. Like said before, a 360 or PS3 will suit you fine.
 
Yes, the Wii doesn't support digital audio, which is a major gimp for a game based on music.
 
Factors to consider between the PS3 and 360 -
- Look at the selection of other games each system has. Check out the top games on each system at Gamerankings or Metacritic. They both have some very good exclusives. Xbox 360 has a much bigger selection of games.
- The Xbox 360's failure rate is still above normal, although no one knows how much that has improved with the current hardware version; you may have to live without your system for a few weeks at some point.
- Do you need Wifi? It's built-in on the PS3, costs extra on the 360.
- Would you use Blu-ray? It's a nice benefit of the PS3.
- Do you prefer the standard controller for either system (assuming you're going to use it to play other games)?
- I believe the 360 Rock Band guitar can be used with Guitar Hero III. I don't think they are compatible on the PS3. Since Guitar Hero IV is going to have drums and vocals, it's possible that could apply to the drums and microphone as well. That would make GH IV a much more feasible purchase. I'm not sure if the drums will be compatible though, I think the GH IV drums have more pads.
 
If I were you, I'd wait until early September when the price of the 360s will drop and the new Jasper chipset is supposed to be out. The Arcade version will drop down to $200 and you can get the 20GB HDD cheap now - around $30 or less. Compare that to the PS3 which is $400.

Since you say you aren't going to do much gaming, the cheapest solution seems like the best.
 
The price is'nt a huge factor, I would rather get the better system.

Do I have to pay to download the songs? Do I just use my regular internet connection or does SOny and Microsoft have their own internet thing? If so is that free?
 
Originally posted by: kreidel
The price is'nt a huge factor, I would rather get the better system.

Do I have to pay to download the songs? Do I just use my regular internet connection or does SOny and Microsoft have their own internet thing? If so is that free?
Click to expand...

Yes, you'll have to pay to download the songs. It is usually $1-$2 per song.

Just use a regular internet connection. PS3 is free. 360 is free for Silver account (no online play) and $50 per year for Gold accounts (can play online against/with others). You can get a Live Gold account for $40 or less for 13 months pretty regularly though.

PS3 has Blu-Ray if that is a factor.
360 will have Netflix streaming this fall if that is a factor.
Both have movie and TV show downloads if that is a factor.

Other than that, it is just a question of exclusives that interest you on the systems.
 
I prefer Rock Band on the 360 because I can use my Guitar Hero III guitar to play Rock Band and Guitar Hero. If you get RB for the PS3, you'll need a guitar for RB and another one for Guitar Hero. They're not interchangeable.
 
Originally posted by: kreidel
My wife who does not play games tried Rockband and wants it. She played it on a Wii but which system is best? Do the different systems offer different options(downloads, better audio,etc)

I don't game but I might play a baseball game one, maybe not. This console will be only play Rockband and maybe Gutair Hero.
Click to expand...

360's hardware quality is a big liability for me. If you are going to play baseball, go PS3 since it has MLB 08: The Show, the best baseball game hands down, which is a PS3 exclusive.
 
Originally posted by: Dacalo
360's hardware quality is a big liability for me.
Click to expand...

Meh, the Falcon chipset is much improved over the original. The upcoming Jasper chipset should have the 360 at a normal failure rate because it solves the number one cause of failure - heat from the GPU.

Not saying it isn't an issue...just a declining one.
 
360 no question for rock band. Better instrument support... can use GH3 guitar on RB. DLC comes out before it does on PS3. Many more players online if you're looking to play online with a band or in duels. Voice chat supported in 360. and Rock Band 2 comes out exclusively for 360 before any of the other consoles next month.

If you're into bluray, get a PS3.
 
XBOX 360 is the best system for rockband hands down.

1. Rockband 2 comes out Sept 14, 2008 PS3 is Oct. 19
2. Xbox 360 gets all Download Content 2 days sooner.
3. All GH 2/3 guitars work with rockband for XBOX 360. The PS3 will not work.
4. PS3 rockband does not have voice chat and it is hard to set up who is going to play bass VS Guitar and what song to play.
5. More People play on Xbox live.
6. Xbox 360 is cheaper.

I live and breathe Rockband. I'm even going to start a side business of rockband and I'll be using Xbox 360 for my business.
 
I have an idea for rockband and have all the costs in an excel spreadsheet. I?m not going to say what it is because of competition


 
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say get the PS3 version. Wireless instruments are a nice feature, and there's free online.
 
My wife and I always play rockband. I would recommend getting the 360 version because Rock Band 2 will be out a few months earlier on the 360 than the other systems.

Don't forget to look at Guitar Hero world tour too! My wife and I will be playing that this holiday too!
 
If Rock Band is the only reason you're getting a console, then hands down get the 360. If that isn't the only reason, then see all the points and counterpoints above 🙂
 
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