Konami announces ‘Rock Revolution’
Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 8:01pm by Jake
This was a bit of a surprise to everyone today. Konami has revealed their version of a peripheral driven music rhythm game set to launch this fall for all major game platforms. Rock Revolution will support lead, and bass guitars, but the overall gameplay revolves around Konami’s new custom drum peripheral. The 6 padded Drum set is said to deliver an “…experience unlike any other.”
What makes this rhythm game unique when compared to Rock Band, or Guitar Hero? Two things: Wii remotes + Air drumming. Read on to check out the full press release, and trailer.
—
EL SEGUNDO, CA - May 15, 2008 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Rock Revolution, an unprecedented, authentic music-based video game that will re-define the rhythm genre. Brought to market by the company that created the music video game category, with breakthrough titles such as DanceDanceRevolution®, Karaoke Revolution®, Beatmania and Guitar Freaks, Rock Revolution provides an unmatched rock experience. Breaking new ground with its definitive drum experience, Rock Revolution also gives players a chance to rock out on the bass and lead guitar. Designed by musicians, Rock Revolution will be available with the most realistic drum peripheral on the market at launch for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
“Rock Revolution will be the most innovative and realistic rock game to hit the market, that will provide a quality drum peripheral and music that players will appreciate,” said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “As the originator of music-based games, we are dedicated to bringing fans a truly preeminent music experience. With Rock Revolution, we put the emphasis on the drum kit, delivering an experience unlike any other.”
Rock Revolution features an extensive music selection on the game disc, along with a wide variety of downloadable songs available at launch for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system versions of the game. Additionally, title offers a variety of innovative single-player and multi-player modes.
A unique aspect of the Wii version is the interactive use of the controls with the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk for an air-drum and air-guitar experience. Rock out anywhere with the Nintendo DS version, using the stylus for intense rhythm matching sessions.
Rock Revolution is scheduled to launch this Fall for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 system and the Wii™ and DS™ video game systems from Nintendo. For more information, please visit www.konami.com.
From the looks of things…I’m still going with Guitar Hero IV.
What will you be getting? Rock Band, Guitar Hero IV, or Rock Revolution?
May 15th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
GH4, son. Done and done.
What’s with the “Revolution” titles on Wii games? Didn’t some of these publishers get the memo on the name change?
May 15th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
After the new GH4 announcement this week, I’ll be getting that instead of RB.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I’m sorry, but I don’t think *sigh* Guitar Hero 4, most definitely!
May 15th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I’m glad Konami is finally getting back into the game that they basically invented. But I really don’t think theres enough room for 3 nearly identical games, unless the accessories work with all of them.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Konami is kind of slow to the punch. If they released their game when Guitar Hero 2 came out they may have had the opportunity to gain some marketshare. With two other heavy hitters and these games costing so much, what makes people want to buy Konami’s game?
It’s sad that Konami invented the genre. They have a drum game and a guitar game in arcades..
May 15th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
@David, Konami made Dance Dance REVOLUTION and Karaoke REVOLUTION so I don’t see the problem with them retaking that kind of name and applying it to a new franchise. Nothing to do with the Wii at all.
I’m curious to see how air-guitar and air-drums will work but color me interested. More competition means better games for us.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:17 am
I’d be glad to purchase some Beatmania games if Konami would actually support it in America. Rock Revolution, not so much. The top-down view makes spotting the hammer-ons/pull-offs harder, if I did in fact see any from the video.
I really don’t see the need for another “music band” game franchise. Konami’s just jumping onto the bandwagon with this. I doubt they’d have bothered to bring what is basically their DrumMania franchise to the states (and other countries) if GH and Rock Band hadn’t been such hits. It’s too bad I’m already invested in Rock Band, I would have loved to play Spoon Man.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:12 am
So Xbox and PS3 get peripherals, but Wii just gets “air guitar” and “air drums”?
Um, no thanks.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Don’t know why Konami isn’t blazing a new path instead of stumbling down one that’s still being etched by other companies.
When are we going to get better DDR games? they’re pretty good now, but there’s loads of things they could do with the series on Wii.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Another guitar/band music game. Seen it played it. I don’t know why these companies just don’t release a definitive version and just release track list updates for them. Guitar Hero 4 should do this, the emphasis of the previous games were on GUITAR, hence the title, but now they’re adding drums, it isn’t rock band it’s guitar hero. But it’s nice to see Konami experimenting once more in the music genre. These games to me have all become the same. But with Rock Revolution I liked the soundtrack I’ve heard in the trailer. But that isn’t enough anymore. I’ll try it out though because it may have some interesting differences from the rythm genre leaders.