Need to Decide What Guitar Hero/Rock Band game to get

[Niode]

If you are going to be getting a 360/PS3 in the future I'd definitely recommend against getting any of the games for the Wii. Until the situation with loading DLC from an SD memory card is resolved (plus the fact that the Wii only supports non-SDHC SD cards, which means you are limited to a maximum card capacity of 2GB.)

Then again you might not even bother with DLC and that particular issue may never rear it's ugly head.

The watered down-ness of Rock Band 1 on the Wii is that there are less features compared to the 'definitive' experience on the 360 and PS3.

The PlayStation 2 version of the game was well received, but was subject to criticism for the omission of the character customization features, as well as the stripped-down Band World Tour mode. GameSpot rated it an 8.0/10, stating that "Rock Band is still a lot of fun on the PS2--it's just nowhere near the ideal version of the experience."[107] IGN.com rated it an 8.4/10, noting that the removed features made the game feel like a "lessened" version, but that the game still "succeeds because it's infinitely fun to play with your friends."[108]
Reviews for the Wii version of Rock Band also criticize the lack of features compared to the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. The Wii version is basically the same as its PS2 counterpart, but IGN criticized it for its late release and their effort in completing a full game. However, IGN notes that the drum controller is an improvement over the original version, stating, "The pads are quieter and the kick pedal will withstand more abuse."[110]

[corn619]

I would have to go with RB2. With more songs to choose from, better built instruments and better customer service if something does break its a no brainer. Not to mention the makers of RB developed GH so they have more experience in making music games. The drum kit for GH looks great but the build quality is very poor with loose solder joints and poor response. The guitar has a gimmicky touch bar on the neck to help land solos better but doen't work very well. I've been pounding on my RB drums for a year and killing my GH2 guitar for over 2 years now with no problems, both Harmonix developed products. I would go to a game store and try the demo and see what game you like better. Most stores have them set up for customer to try.

[Niode]

I've been pounding on my RB drums for a year and killing my GH2 guitar for over 2 years now with no problems, both Harmonix developed products.

Not true. The Rock Band drums are made by EA and the Guitar Hero guitar was made by Red Octane.

[racketboy]

OK -- I decided to just get Guitar Hero 3 off Amazon -- that will hold my wife over until we get a 360 or Wii.
I scored the bundle plus a 2nd wireless guitar for $60. Not bad at all.
While I was at it, I scored the Black Friday deals of $7 Wii Perfect Shot, $10 RE4, and $10 NiGHTS for the Wii.

Me loves Amazon.

[Niode]

Good idea. It's probably best to get that now and the rock band 1 & 2 when you can get it on 360. Mainly because you can get rock band 1, transfer the songs from RB1 to RB2 and have access to the full catalogue without having to faff about rebooting when you want to play a song from RB1. I don't think you can do that on the wii version.

[racketboy]

well thanks again for all your help -- it helped me think long-term, and I still have money to get my wife something other than video game

[corn619]

I've been pounding on my RB drums for a year and killing my GH2 guitar for over 2 years now with no problems, both Harmonix developed products.

Not true. The Rock Band drums are made by EA and the Guitar Hero guitar was made by Red Octane.

Rock band is a Harmonix developed game published by EA and MTV and GH2 was made before Harmonix and Red Octane split up. Do your homework. So they are both Harmonix made products.

[Niode]

I've been pounding on my RB drums for a year and killing my GH2 guitar for over 2 years now with no problems, both Harmonix developed products.

Not true. The Rock Band drums are made by EA and the Guitar Hero guitar was made by Red Octane.

Rock band is a Harmonix developed game published by EA and MTV and GH2 was made before Harmonix and Red Octane split up. Do your homework. So they are both Harmonix made products.

You were talking about the hardware.

GH periphs made by red octane.

RB periphs made by EA.

[corn619]

You would think Harmonix would have input on the designs about the hardware that works with the game they spent so much time developing or maybe thats me being crazy. Regardless we'll agree to disagree. I find RB 2 hardware better built than GHWT hardware having played both for a extended amount of time. Good luck Racket GH3 is very challenging, but the guitar for GH3 is well made and designed unlike GHWT.

[Niode]

I think we both agree, just arguing over semantics.

The GH3 guitar controller is the best guitar controller available. The new one just doesn't justify the extra cost.

The Rock Band drum kit, despite it's flaws (the drum pedal breaking and it being hopeless at staying in one place if you have laminate/wood flooring) is better than the GH:WT.

The GH:WT is just not comfortable to play, the pads are in the wrong place (it doesn't look anything like a real drum kit layout would be. I mean, the RB kit isn't anything like a real drum kit, but at least it makes sense). The cymbals are rubbish, floppy non-sensitive flaps of rubber that are again, in the wrong place, and are non-adjustable. The drum pedal isn't fixed to the drum kit, it's just plonked on the floor, this means it moves everywhere when you are playing, which is a very bad thing. Yes, the RB kit moves all over the place(depending on flooring), but at least you can just grab it and pull it back in it's place in quiet/fill sections. You can't bend down and pull a foot pedal back as easily as you can an entire drum kit mid-song.

The Rock Band guitar is pants for guitar, but I actually prefer it for Bass. So to me it makes an ideal second guitar. I picked a second copy of GH3 for the 360 (I already had it for PS2) with guitar for £37. That's laughably cheap and totally worth it. So I have the GH3 guitar for guitar, the RB guitar for Bass, RB drums and RB mic. I can find nothing wrong with this setup. Plus the newer (not the RB2 kits) have much better sensitivity and are a bit more hard wearing.

The first time I played GH:WT I just picked it apart, finding endless faults with the games and the peripherals. Playing Rock Band the only time I've ever had quibbles with the game or how it works is with the sensitivity issue with the kit, but the sock mod and some foam pads worked wonders. It's practically silent and it's very responsive now.