Rock Band Track Packs

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Imelda Matchett

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Aug 3, 2024, 4:11:43 PM8/3/24

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Rock Band Track Packs (called Song Packs in Europe and Australia)[1] are a series of supplemental media discs for the Rock Band series of music video games. The packs are developed by Harmonix and Demiurge Studios (earlier packs were developed with Pi Studios), and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. The track packs are fully functional standalone games and do not require separate Rock Band titles to play;[2] however, on consoles that support downloadable content, the songs from these packs can be integrated with other Rock Band titles. The initial purpose of the track packs was to allow users of systems without support for downloadable content (PlayStation 2 and originally Wii) to be able to play some of the downloadable tracks. With the exception of the AC/DC pack, all songs in each track pack are available as downloadable content in online stores.

Rock Band Track Pack Vol. 1 (Rock Band Song Pack 1) was released for the Wii and PlayStation 2 on July 15, 2008. The addition was announced on May 5, 2008.[3] This disc contains 20 songs previously released as downloadable content for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 .[2][4] As there are only 20 songs, all tracks have been re-arranged into "Stages" instead of Tiers, with four "Stages" in total. The following songs are featured on this track pack:[4]

AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack (AC/DC Live: Rock Band) was announced on September 29, 2008, and was released for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on November 2. The Wii version was released on November 16, 2008. The pack contains all 18 tracks from AC/DC's Live at Donington DVD. The game, through pre-existing licensing deals that AC/DC has with the retail chains,[6] was only available at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.[7] This exclusivity agreement was only applicable in the United States, and ended on November 4, 2009, when GameStop began selling new copies of the game for $20.[8] Each copy of the track pack includes a code that can be redeemed online to allow Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners to download the content to their console for use in other Rock Band titles. The game can also be played as a standalone title, including a number of achievements for Xbox 360 owners, but otherwise does not feature many of the gameplay elements of the full Rock Band titles, such as character creation or customization, online play, or a World Tour mode.[6] The track pack retails for $30 for the PS2 version and $40 for other consoles.[5][7] Harmonix has confirmed that the songs will remain exclusive to the disc release, citing AC/DC's preference to sell their music as full albums instead of singles. They have not ruled out releasing the content in the future should the band's views change.[9]

Rock Band Track Pack Vol. 2 (Rock Band Song Pack 2) is an expansion disc for the Rock Band series featuring 20 master recordings previously released as downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network Store. Unlike the first expansion, Vol. 2 is available on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as well as the Wii and PlayStation 2. Much like the AC/DC Live pack, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions also include a code to download the songs to a hard drive for use in other Rock Band games.[11][12][13]The following songs are included on the game disc:[11]

Rock Band Track Pack: Classic Rock is an expansion disc for the Rock Band series featuring 20 master recordings previously released as downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network Store. The pack is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and PlayStation 2. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions also include a code to export the songs to a hard drive for use in other Rock Band games.[14] The Track Pack can also be played as a standalone game for all systems in the same manner as the AC/DC Live and Track Pack Vol. 2,[14] and is also the first Rock Band Track Pack on Wii and on PS2 to be fully compatible with all Guitar Hero instruments.

Harmonix released a fifth track pack for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and PlayStation 2. The disc features 21 songs, and for the first time includes songs never before seen in the Rock Band series. These songs were exclusive to Rock Band Country Track Pack for a limited time before being released to the Rock Band Music Store by late 2009 and early 2010. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions also include a code to export the songs to a hard drive for use in other Rock Band games. The Track Pack can also be played as a standalone game for all systems in the same manner as the AC/DC Track Pack and Track Pack Vol. 2.[15]

Rock Band Country Track Pack 2 contains 21 tracks, and was released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii on February 1, 2011.[17] All songs on the disc were exclusive to the Track Pack before being released as downloadable content on November 8, 2011. The retail disc export is compatible with Rock Band, Rock Band 2, and Rock Band 3 while the standalone DLC is only compatible with Rock Band 3. Both the retail disc export and standalone "RB3 Versions" feature Pro Drum tracks and Harmony Vocals where appropriate while the "RB3 Versions" additionally have Keyboard and Pro Keyboard tracks added where appropriate. A Pro Guitar upgrade is available for the "RB3 Version" of "Ride" by Trace Adkins.[18] The "RB3 version" versions of this entire track pack are available as a bundle download in the online Rock Band store, under the name "Country Mega Pack."

Rock Band Country Track Pack 2 is the seventh track pack that Harmonix has released. For the most part, all of these releases include songs that are available via download or will be shortly. In the case of Country Track Pack 2, there is a slight delay between the retail release on February 1 and the DLC release, which currently has no release date.

The track pack, which isn't exportable to other Rock Band games on Wii, features 21 country songs, including Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." Personally, I am not a fan of country music, but even still, the majority of the songs are interesting to play. If you're into the bands included, which range from Lady Antebellum to Darius Rucker, then the value proposition is most definitely worth it, as you'll be paying far less than the price of all of the DLC when it comes out.

Unfortunately, since they're not exportable, you can't combine them with your other Rock Band songs. Even though these songs include vocal harmonies and Pro Drums, you can't make use of it on Wii, since the game runs on the Rock Band 2 engine, which lacks the required functionality.

I can only recommend this track pack for country music lovers who have already invested in Rock Band on Wii. Even still, if only a few songs appeal to you, it's worth waiting for the DLC release so you can pick and choose the songs you want and include them in your Rock Band 3 setlist. All in all, there is a very narrow market for Rock Band Country Track Pack 2. If you're a part of it, the game is a good choice. If you're not, ignore this release.

Rock groups don't get much bigger than AC/DC. The Australian hard-rock act has churned out 17 studio albums over 30 years, including one of the highest-selling albums of all time, Back in Black. With that kind of success, it's a no-brainer that Harmonix signed the Thunder From Down Under for an exclusive game all to themselves, following the inclusion of "Let There Be Rock" in Rock Band 2. However, though the songs on AC/DC Live sound and feel amazing to play, with only 18 songs (the setlist from the band's famous Live at Donington DVD), no special features, and fewer modes than either Rock Band or Rock Band 2, this game feels very much like a dirty deed done dirt cheap.

However, you do get some bang for your buck. The game sells for a budget price of 24.99 in the UK, or $29.92 exclusively at Wal-Mart in the US, and the tracklist should keep any AC/DC fan happy. It comes as no surprise that the audio quality is again top-notch, with the game receiving a remastered overhaul of the Live in Donington concert. Rock Band doesn't get much better than being able to rock out to classics such as "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Back in Black," "Thunderstruck," "Highway to Hell," and "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)." Regardless of whether you're assigned to lead guitar, vocals, drums, or bass, the result should be a wide grin on your face. The highlight for many fans will no doubt be playing some classic guitar riffs as Angus, although if you're up for some screaming, Brian Johnson's vocal part is also a pleasurable--albeit raspy--experience. Brilliant beats and self-indulgent drum fills make fan-favourite tracks like "T.N.T." and "Thunderstruck" must-plays and provide a truly visceral drumming experience.

AC/DC Live's lower price and the ability to export songs to other Rock Band games makes up in part for the lack of content and shorter experience. However, it still feels like this game has squandered an opportunity to capitalise on the rich history that an iconic band such as AC/DC has, as well as the specific content offered by the AC/DC Live branding, given the amount of material on the attendant DVD. If you're a fan, you'll certainly get some thrills out of it, but it's not the definitive experience that it could have been, and casual fans of AC/DC and Rock Band will find that their money may be better spent elsewhere.

Yesterday we reported that Guitar Hero World Tour's Xbox 360 buyers would find themselves with exclusive buying rights for a range of downloadable music from 30th October, but Activision has now clarified that account.

Thursday 9th October/... With music ranging from one of the first and most influential alternative rock bands, R.E.M., to the timeless GRAMMY award-winning rock anthem "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield, Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced a rich and diverse lineup of launch week downloadable content for the highly-anticipated Guitar Hero World Tour. Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for two weeks starting October 30, the R.E.M. Track Pack features three songs, which can also be downloaded as singles, from the band's newest album, Accelerate, "Horse to Water," "Man-Sized Wreath" and "Supernatural Superserious."