Quantcast


Rock Band Unplugged trailer, tracks, PSP bundle announced photo

Following a GameStop "leak," Harmonix and MTV Games have officially revealed and announced the first details for the upcoming PlayStation Portable title, Rock Band Unplugged.

Available on June 9, The title will retail for $39.99. It will also be available in one of those fancy PSP "Entertainment Packs" for $199.99 and includes: Rock Band Unplugged, a voucher code to download the film School of Rock, a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, and a "Piano Black" PSP.

As expected, the game won't utilize any peripherals, since carrying a little plastic USB guitar around with you would be idiotic and cumbersome. Instead, Harmonix (in a partnership with developer Backbone) is going back to "beat match" gameplay in what is said to be similar to their earlier titles Frequency and Amplitude. The disc will feature 40 master-recordings, and will also support an in-game music store for future downloads. 

Among the 40 tracks will be nine songs exclusive to Rock Band Unplugged for a "limited time" before becoming available for download on other consoles. Those songs are: 

3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite"; AFI's "Miss Murder"; Alice in Chains' "Would?"; Audioslave's "Gasoline"; Black Tide's "Show Me the Way"; Blink 182's "What's My Age Again"; Freezepop's "Less Talk More Rokk"; Jackson 5's "ABC"; and Tenacious D's "Rock Your Socks."

There's a trailer after the jump, and yes, it looks as if Rock Band had a baby with Amplitude. And no, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Also, if I were to have already played the game, I'd probably put a hands-preview up of it next week. Keep your eyes peeled for more details.

“ROCK BAND UNPLUGGED” FOR THE PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) SYSTEM: THE AWARD-WINNING MUSIC VIDEO GAME IS GOING ON THE ROAD ON JUNE 9, 2009

Rock Band Unplugged to utilize the first fully-featured in-game store for downloadable content on the PSP system

Sony Computer Entertainment America Celebrates the Power of Rock with a Limited Edition Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack

Cambridge, Mass. – April 8, 2009 - Harmonix, the world’s leading developer of music-based games, MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced plans today to release Rock Band Unplugged for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Rock Band Unplugged, developed by Harmonix in partnership with Backbone Entertainment, a Foundation 9 Entertainment studio, and based on the award-winning Rock Band series of games, will launch simultaneously in both North America and Europe June 9, 2009. The game will launch exclusively on the PSP system with software retailing for $39.99 in North America.

“Rock Band Unplugged reinvents band gameplay while staying true to the authentic feel of the Rock Band console games,” said Bob Picunko, Senior Vice President of Electronic Games for MTV Games. “Harmonix delivers innovation with every game they develop and we are excited to continue our long-list of industry firsts with the Rock Band in-gamewireless music store on the PSP system.”

Rock Band Unplugged creates a full band experience in the palm of your hand by combining traditional beat match gameplay with key elements from both Rock Band and Rock Band 2, such as overdrive and chords.  Your hands are the “peripherals” in Rock Band Unplugged allowing you to take direct control of the lead/bass guitars, drums and vocals. In addition, players can expect a rich Rock Band experience with fully functional modes like World Tour, Band Survival and Warm Up and a robust character creator for full customization!

Rock Band Unplugged will feature over 40 master-recordings including nine brand new, exclusive songs for the PSP system for a limited time! Plus, Rock Band Unplugged will include the first fully-featured in-game store for downloadable content on the PSP system in the North American and European markets, leveraging the PSP system’s wireless capabilities. The in-game store will be powered by PlayStation®Network, and players will be able to use their existing PlayStation Network account to purchase tracks, similar to the Rock Band console experience. PSP system owners will also have the option of purchasing tracks via PlayStation®Store on the PC.

The following tracks will launch exclusively through Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP system for a limited time before becoming downloadable content for the other platforms:

    * 3 Doors Down- "Kryptonite"
    * AFI- "Miss Murder"
    * Alice in Chains- "Would?"
    * Audioslave- "Gasoline"
    * Black Tide- "Show Me the Way"
    * Blink 182- "What's My Age Again"
    * Freezepop- "Less Talk More Rokk"
    * Jackson 5- "ABC"
    * Tenacious D- "Rock Your Socks"

To commemorate the debut of the Rock Band franchise on the PSP system, Sony Computer Entertainment America plans to release a limited edition Rock Band branded PSP Entertainment Pack at the launch of Rock Band Unplugged. The bundle will include the game, a voucher to download Paramount Pictures’ School of Rock from PlayStation®Store, a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo™, and a “Piano Black” PSP system. The Rock Band Entertainment Pack will be available in North America for $199.99 (MSRP).

Rock Band is the ultimate platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune – all while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals. Featuring the most master recordings of any music game ever by the world’s biggest rock artists, Rock Band includes tracks that span every genre of rock ranging from alternative and classic rock, to heavy metal and punk.

LAUNCH GALLERY (5 IMAGES)
Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo









More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

23 comments | showing # 1 to 23
prev next

linuxguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 08:11
linuxguy
this thing is looking better by the day
Daxelman's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 08:12
Daxelman
I can buy that. 199.99 is a little much, since I'll by buying a DSi as well, but hell, I can buy that.

I could always use more Freezepop.
Shadowboi's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 08:17
Shadowboi
Hm exclusive except for the fact that 2 of the songs have already appeared on Guitar Hero...
Nick Chester's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 08:23
Nick Chester
@Shadowboi:

Exclusive to the Rock Band series, obviously.
Ikey Heyman's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 08:56
Ikey Heyman
oh damn, I really want this. I've always wanted to get into the franchise, but the expensive peripherals seemed unwieldy and gimmicky to me, since I don't know anyone to play with, and I'm generally better at portable games.

if the setlist turns out good, I'll get it. Freezepop in it already shows promise.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 09:07
Cowboy TTop
I'd check this out, since I too didn't previously invest in Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Its about time this got to PSP, to help push it more.
thisissami's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 09:11
thisissami
bots on dtoid? lolwut?
atastysammich's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 09:39
atastysammich
I was starting to get a decent grasp on how the thing would play, but there's apparently instrument switching.

But hey! Freezepop!
themizarkshow's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 10:00
themizarkshow
wait... a portable version of rockband without cheesy peripherals!? hell yes i'm down for that.
Destin Legarie's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 10:20
Destin Legarie
To whomever had the idea to make this game on the PSP...


fuck you
The Trout's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 10:40
The Trout
Less Talk More Rokk? THROW UP THE HORNS!
EX35's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 10:45
EX35
Wait wait wait...so...you mean to tell me...the songs in this game...will soon be available for the console version of Rock Band in the future?

...my head exploded.

Also, if given the chance, I would get this bundle in a heart beat. It was Amplitude and Frequency that really got me into music games and for Harmonix to go back to their roots for this game...I can't wait to get my hands on it! Once I get a PSP that is. lol.
Nic128's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 11:02
Nic128
Djmax portable clone, but with popular music. Seems really easy. Only 4B? I'll wait to see if there's more to it. Challenge or DLC?
mykie's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 11:24
mykie
$10 difference between this and the home version, only the home version requires a console to play on, and this package comes with everything you need to play Rock-litude.

For the first time ever, i'm seriously considering a psp.
necrozen's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 11:25
necrozen
I don't play it on the systems, but on a handheld I actually might try it.
vApathyv's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 12:09
vApathyv
Hmm...Amplitude with a Rock Band skin, and the added bonus of being portable? SOLD.
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 14:51
Syn
I as well am seeing instrument switching. I wonder how the different difficulties work. Using left, up, triangle and circle is going to be a pain in the ass.

And all the songs are lame except Tenacious D.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 15:12
Chronic Logic
It's just not the same...It's like playing audiosurf.
Numpty's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 15:20
Numpty
I hate doing this but...

Hmm...Amplitude with a Rock Band skin, and the added bonus of being portable? SOLD.

Whut he sed.
able to think's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 15:23
able to think
Thank God it controls just like D.J. Max. That is how you do a music game on a the PSP.
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 15:50
RonBurgandy2010
I forgot just how Amplitude works exactly. Guess it's time to break out the demo discs again.
YeagerMeister's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 22:10
YeagerMeister
A 4gb memery stick is pretty good...
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!