Rock Band 2

Rock Band 2
Cover art
Developer(s)Harmonix[a]
Publisher(s)MTV Games
Designer(s)Dan Teasdale[6]
Sylvain Dubrofsky[6]
Casey Malone[6]
SeriesRock Band
Platform(s)Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii
ReleaseXbox 360
  • NA: September 14, 2008[1]
  • EU: October 19, 2008 (Bundle)
  • EU: November 21, 2008[2]
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 2
Wii
  • NA: December 18, 2008[5]
  • EU: October 9, 2009
Genre(s)Rhythm
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Rock Band 2 is a 2008 rhythm game developed by Harmonix, published by MTV Games, and distributed by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to Rock Band (2007) and the second installment in the Rock Band series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments. Players can play the lead guitar, bass guitar, and drums parts to songs with "instrument controllers", as well as sing through a USB microphone. Players are scored on their ability to match scrolling musical "notes" while playing instruments, or by their ability to match the singer's pitch on vocals.

Rock Band 2 features improved drum and guitar controllers, while supporting older controllers, as well. New features include a "Drum Trainer" mode, a "Battle of the Bands" mode, online capabilities for "World Tour" mode, and merchandising opportunities for the players' virtual bands. In addition to the 84 songs included on the game disc and 20 free downloadable songs, over 1400 additional downloadable songs have been released for the Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3 versions, with more added each week. All of these songs, existing and future, are compatible with all Rock Band titles.

Rock Band 2 software was released in North America for the Xbox 360 on September 14, 2008, along with individual instrument peripherals, and later for the PlayStation 3 on October 19, 2008. The software/hardware bundles for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were made available on October 19, 2008. Versions of the game for the PlayStation 2 and Wii platforms were released on December 18, 2008.[5] Rock Band 2 received highly positive reviews from critics upon release and sold 1.7 million copies through the end of 2008.[7] Rock Band 2 is considered to be one of the greatest games of all time according to critics.

  1. ^ Goldstein, Hilary (2008-06-30). "Rock Band 2 in September". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  2. ^ Bramwell, Tom (2008-10-29). "Rock Band 2 EU Xbox Release". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  3. ^ a b Walton, Mark (2009-02-27). "Rock Band 2 hits UK PS3s in March; Wii in April". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  4. ^ "IGN: Rock Band 2: Special Edition (Rock Band 2 Bundle)". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  5. ^ a b c "RB2 Wii and PS2 Release Information". Harmonix. 2008-12-12. Archived from the original on 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  6. ^ a b c Teasdale, Dan (2008-06-30). "Let There be Rock Band 2!". Harmonix. Archived from the original on 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  7. ^ Thorsen, Tor (2009-01-23). "Guitar Hero World Tour sells 3.4M in '08, Rock Band 2 hits 1.7M". GameSpot. Retrieved 2009-01-23.


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