The Beatles: Rock Band
Amazing band simulator features the biggest group. Ever.
Parents say
Based on 15 reviews
Kids say
Based on 37 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
The Beatles: Rock Band
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this historic game is a fairly clean music-based video game that only received its "Teen" rating because of some mildly suggestive lyrics (occasional smoking and sex references). In "A Day in the Life," the song includes the line "He blew his mind out in a car."
Community Reviews
BIG T REX COSTUME
Report this review
The Beatles Rock Band
Report this review
What’s It About?
"Do you want to know a secret?" Fans of the Fab Four can now try their hand (or voice) as one of the legendary rockers in THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND, an extraordinarily fun music game. This ambitious interactive band simulator takes you through a magical mystery tour of 45 remastered tracks that span The Beatles' legendary career -- from their early performances at the Cavern Club in Liverpool ("Saw Her Standing There," "Twist and Shout") all the way through to their final show on the rooftop of Apple Corps headquarters in London ("Don't Let Me Down," "Get Back"). If you've ever played a song in Rock Band or Guitar Hero, you'll be familiar with how to advance through this new game. Depending on which instrument you're using -- the game ships with a guitar-shaped controller, as a complete "band in a box" or by itself if you already own an instrument peripheral -- you must strum, drum, or sing along with familiar songs and follow the onscreen prompts to hit the correct note or drum at the right time (for singers, it's karaoke-style lyrics that float across the top of the screen).
Is It Any Good?
This game is extraordinarily fun. Fans of the band to get the most out of it. Not only does this game include dozens of familiar songs, amazing locations, behind--the-scenes photos and videos of the band to unlock, but there are many multiplayer options, downloadable singles and complete albums, and, for the first time in the series, singers can harmonize and be rewarded for it (depending on the song, two or three singers, all on one microphone or separately, can try to hit harmonies to earn "double fab" or "triple fab" bonus points). Aside from a couple of song omissions, there's not much to complain about with The Beatles: Rock Band -- and you'll no doubt find yourself wanting to play this game "eight days a week."
This is a fabulous game for kids and parents to play together. Parents grew up with the music, and kids grew up playing Rock Band.
Online interaction: Players can jam together in different cities, regardless of which instrument they're playing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether this game is ideal for young gamers or their parents? Who likes it more -- parents who grew up with the music, or kids who grew up with Rock Band?
Did this game give you a good sense of what made The Beatles such a popular group? Can you think of other situations where popular media has crossed over into other mediums?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
- Subjects: Arts: music, rhythm, singing
- Skills: Collaboration: cooperation, meeting challenges together, teamwork
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: MTV Games
- Release date: September 9, 2009
- Genre: Music & Dance
- ESRB rating: T for Mild Lyrics, Tobacco Reference
- Last updated: August 31, 2016
Our Editors Recommend
-
Guitar Hero 5
Fresh, fun music game sequel with edgy lyrics.
-
Rock Band 2
A great sequel, but you might want the game only.
-
Disney Sing It!
A fun way to interact with Disney pop songs.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate