Game Details
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  • $59.99+
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Rock Band (Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2)

common sense media says

A fantastic music game for the entire family.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that even though there are some mildly offensive lyrics, this game is appropriate for players 10 and older (despite the "Teen" rating). Some songs have offensive words bleeped out, while other lyrics are kept as-is, such as The Hives' "Main Offender" ("I'm stuck in ways of being an ass"). This game is best for social settings since players get different instruments to play. It can also be played online, which Common Sense Media doesn't recommend for anyone under age 12.

Educational value: You can learn what goes into a song composition.
Positive messages: This is a great game to play with friends because you become part of a rock band. If one player is struggling in a song, the other players can bail him out.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Some suggestive lyrics, such as "You know she was a dancer...she moved better on wine" (Mountain's "Mississippi Queen").
Language: A few bleeped out lyrics such as "You're so f--king special" (Radiohead's "Creep") and words like "ass" and "damn."
Consumerism: Partners include musical instrument companies like Fender and Ludwig.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Rock Band

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how the developer built on a popular concept -- Guitar Hero -- and expanded on it by adding drums, bass, and vocals. What does this game teach you about being in a rock band? Does it seem easy or do you have a new appreciation for the work that goes into becoming a good rock band?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Similar to the Guitar Hero games, ROCK BAND players form a band and work their way up from rags to riches by pleasing fans and racking up points, and then unlocking bigger and bigger venues. In front of the animated band performing on stage is a kind of giant guitar fret board with a camera that sails down it as the song plays to show players which notes/drums to hit at certain points in the song. Color-coded buttons on the guitar neck and drum pads must be hit at the correct time, while the singer must follow the karaoke-style lyrics to hit the right note at the right time, for the proper length of that note. Play well and the virtual crowd cheers you on, but fumble too many times and you might just get booed offstage.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The soundtrack in Rock Band is extraordinary, featuring nearly 60 classic and newer rock songs, mostly from the original bands. Highlights include The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again," David Bowie's "Suffragette City," Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper," The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop," Nirvana's "In Bloom," and Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." Adding to its replayability, new songs can be downloaded each week for a couple bucks apiece. You can go with the pre-built musicians or use the integrated tools to create your own by selecting from hundreds of options.

Rock Band is the ultimate party game, best enjoyed with a group of friends. It's one of the most accessible and enjoyable games in recent memory, for all ages. Music fans, run -- don't walk -- to pick up Rock Band today.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2
Available online
Genre: Music
Developer: MTV Games
Released on: November 20, 2007
Price: 59.99+
ESRB Rating: T for Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes

This review was written by Marc Saltzman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

Rollacoastalex
teen, 15 years old
 
Best music game ever next to Rock Band 2? Yes.
Really the only language problem is in Mississippi Queen from Mountain (see above in Language section), Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden ("R**ing the women and killing the men") and Nirvana's In Bloom ("Nature is a wh*re") All of these actually are barely heard if you are concentrating on the song (which is almost everytime you play the song). So other from that, this is a great game. Perfect for parties, or just random get-togethers. There is Downloadable Content for those on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 (internet required). Songs are 160 pts. on Xbox, but for PS3 I don't know. Downloadable songs can have lyrics more noticable (still censored) than on-disc songs. For example, a Megadeth album is available, Metallica pack, etc. All profanity is censored other from an occasional "d*mn" or other swears equivalent to that. So lyrics aren't a big deal if you don't mind little cussing here and there. I HIGHLY reccomend this game (as well as the sequel Rock Band 2)

Mi3
adult
 

Sara2573
teen, 14 years old
 
PERFECT with practice :D
Yes, I did concern language, because there is language, but GUESS WHAT! That's life! Your kids will ALWAYS hear swear words. (unless you lock them up in a cage) I love rockband and it is very educational and safe. Would you rather your kid play Left4Dead 2 No...I don't think so.

 
Less Mature than Guitar hero.
Rock band being a music game is obviously going to have Violent, Sexual and full of language music. Its easy to play when you get used to it. Making it much better to play on. Its educational because of knowing how songs work, May even help with fingerwork on the Guitar. The violence is just in the music, None on screen. Just the lyrics. Some are mature and disturbing for kids. The sexual is also just in the lyrics too. But you may have women in the videos quite unusually dressed shall we say. The language is obvious in songs and everything Its a great family game.

oniongirl
teen, 14 years old
 
AWESOME GAME!
I LUV THIS GAME! IT IS SO FUN! great fun for the whole family

horrorpunk416
teen, 15 years old
 
hello children
This is a great game, i highly reccomend it. You get to crate an awesome character, pick an awesome customizable instrument. If you are playing with more people, you can create a band and pick its name ect. All the insruments are fun. They have lots of great songs too, wont get fooled again by the who, sabatoge by the beastie boys, blitzkrieg bop by the ramones, dani california by the red hot chili peppers + the clash, queens of the stone age and others. When you are old enough to understand this game, it is iffy, if you dont sing when you are young you should be fine

tjstar
teen, 14 years old
 
EVERYONE! GET THIS GAME! IT IS OFF THE HOOK!
Okay, I got rockband for Christmas in 2008 and then I raced down the stairs and set up the guitar and drums (and microphone) and I started playing. I didn't have a clue what on earth I was doing but I will tell you this: IT WAS AMAZINGLY FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoever came out with this wicked game, IS A GENIUS! Everyone who has never heard of it, look it up online and go out to the store and get it! Trust me! You will have so much fun! It's great to play with friends and family, too! GET IT!

golden retriever7
kid, 12 years old
 
Better than Guitar Hero!
I have guitar hero and I like it but rock band is even better! You can sing and play drums in this game. My friend has it and he has every instrument. It was awsome!

benbrm
kid, 12 years old
 
easy fun not bad. GREAT song list


kid, 12 years old
 


teen, 14 years old
 


kid, 11 years old
 

bonso
kid, 11 years old
 
ROCK BAND IS AWWWWWWWWWWWWWESOME!
I THINK ROCK BAND SHOULD'VE MADE HISTORY! ROCK BAND IS VERY FUN SO IF YOU'RE READING THIS, GET OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND GET ROCK BAND NOW!

Mainmaines
teen, 16 years old
 
Holy crap this is a fun game
I love this 4 player party game great for any guitar hero or music party game, lots of songs but not as good as Xbox 360 and ps3 but great for anyone...

melted831
teen, 15 years old
 
perfect for families to play together
This game is the best it has it all. You can rock out with multiplayer mode where some one sings, plays the drums or the guitar and bass guitar. Also there is single player modes. The controls are fairly easy to get use too. Also you can learn how band instrument works and how bands come together. There is some language in a few songs but it's bleeped out. Aslo you can choose not to play those songs.

weeone23
teen, 15 years old
 
best game ever
i luved guitar hearo so i knew i was gona luv this. i got it for christmas n played like all day with my sibilings. theres alot more songs i no n there more modern. th guitar is better n so r the drums n mike. i play ths all th time n its so much fun playing it with friends

blueguy101
kid, 13 years old
 
the worlds gamers......
best game evr! i mean u get to play the drums! and on guitar hero only guitar..........sad isnt it? and u get to sig and play bass! kick up huh? i recomenned anyone to buy it! i have it for ps3!

CensorEraser
kid, 12 years old
 
Great game, but challenging
This game is awesome, fun and cool. It is not inapropriate in any ways, except for the fact that you can make inapropriate tatoos, suck as a raised middle finger, and bad language, but younger kids won't know how to do that, since it is challenging. This game is fairly challenging to play, but it can help you with a musical instrument such as the bass, guitar, vocals and drums. Suprisingly the drums part can make you stronger, because you have long, challenging parts which make your'e arms move up and down, similar to lifting weights.

filmguy
kid, 11 years old
 

 
This game is actually very good. The only problem is if your parents look at the RB2 review, your in for trouble. Getting the game only might be a good financial decision, but the Rock Band One instruments are old, cruddy, and outdated. They are not easy to use as the guitar has a strum bar that is hard to move correctly, the drums are wired and cant have cymbals. This is a game that is good if you have the rock band two instruments, so if you have RB2, and not this, your good to go. If not, get the full band set of rock band two, and this.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age