Pulling the kit out of its box, I immediately noticed two new parts -- thick plastic rods that hold the kit's feet together at the bottom. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the kit have metal rods, which make horrible clanking noises against one another when tossed into a bag for transport; this is not the case with the Wii version.
The feet themselves and the height-adjustable rods appear to be the same; however, I did notice that everything feels "tighter" when snapped together. Pieces fit together more snugly than in my Xbox 360 kit, and the adjustable rods lock in more tightly as well. I was able to pick up and move the drums from one place to another without everything falling apart, something that can't be said for my Xbox 360 kit.
I also noticed, almost immediately, that the bass pedal seemed to have less give. Pressing down on it with your hand, it has more resistance, and seems more substantial than my Xbox 360 pedal. When playing the game, it's less noticeable below your foot, but there's definitely a difference -- the spring under the unit is thicker and has more coils than that found in my Xbox 360 pedal. See below.
Otherwise, the pedals are identical. In fact, the pedal that ships with the Wii kit can be used on the Xbox 360 model, and vice versa. Want your black drum set to have a white pedal? Go to town, but you might want to check in with your shrink if you own multiple versions of Rock Band and you're not me.
It should be noted that this kit is a standalone control that does not require the Wii Remote. It's not wireless, and does contain a USB cord. Most annoying is that you still are required to plug in the Wii Remote to simply start the game -- there doesn't appear to be any way to select the game from the Wii menu without doing so. The Rock Band logo that appears in the center of the kit does glow blue, though, which is really damned fancy.
As far as the feel of this kit when it's being played, there's not a huge difference from what I use on the Xbox 360. To the touch, the pads themselves feel like they're made out of a different material than the Xbox 360's kit (they feel "stickier," not as a smooth), but they're certainly just as loud.
Tomorrow I'll bring you some impressions and images of the Fender guitar peripheral, which -- surprise! -- is kind of like the Fender guitar peripherals that shipped with Rock Band on other consoles.
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21 comments + 95764 views
Looks good, but I don't know if it'll support the Wii's demographic. However, with a few tweaks and modifications to the drums, they'd sell a lot more looking less like that and more like this:
Sweet, I think I'll get it! :D
Good to know it works well, I'm more interested in the sales of the Wii version. I don't expect 'em to by high, but I can see why I could be wrong.
Hey, I bought those happy drums for my niece's first birthday.
Already have Rock Band on the 360 through my brother, so there's really no reason for me to care.
I was able to pick up and move the drums from one place to another without everything falling apart, something that can't be said for my Xbox 360 kit.
My brother's 360 kit falls apart when he tries to move it too. The lock thing between the adjustable poles and the pads dont work at all, the poles slide right out.
also, It may be because he keeps his pedal in the center of the kit, but the poles between the feet seem to push the feet off while he plays.
I still wish they would make a hook or something to hang the bass pedal on, also make the cord holder a tad bigger so the stick can rest in there as well, the game has only left my room a few times but for storing in my closet it would be nice. Biggest problem I face. <br> However mine stays together very very well, but its also my third kit from them, pads seem to not do that well, wish they would have looked at a Rolands drum kit do get an idea, would have fixed that problem AND how much god damn noise you make.
Great writeup Nick....too bad friday fell apart...it would've been fun to test it en-masse.
Sounds like the 360 version of RB got boned. I have no troubles with our PS3 drums whatsoever. Still feels like I'm strumming a sponge when I play the guitar though.
I can move my drum kit without it falling apart, but then it's taken me some practice to get to this point. You have to make sure you grab it in the right place, and balance the pedal on the rods.
The only problem with my PS3 drum kit is the almost about to crack plastic pedal.
Too bad the plastic isn´t thicker.
I was able to pick up and move the drums from one place to another without everything falling apart, something that can't be said for my Xbox 360 kit.
I've never had this problem. I can pick it up from anywhere and it holds. Only thing is I do have to balance the pedal on the rods.
I can finally have Rock Band! Now I just have to wait for GH:Metallica...
So is the Wii version essentially the same as the PS2 version? If so, I might just go ahead and buy it for the PS2, because it's cheaper by like 60 bucks or so.
Please God no one buy this cheap cash in.
Do want, and will buy.
I always carry the pedal with a separate hand, since it falls down too much if I move them. Still, I can move my drums alright, just have to be smart about it.
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