The Beatles: Rock Band Announced and Dated

Last year, when MTV Games, Harmonix, and Apple Corps announced that they had reached a licensing agreement for use of the library of music from The Beatles, fans everywhere started salivating over the possibility of hitting Rock Band’s virtual stage with John, Paul, George, and Ringo. That possibility was immediately shot down, with the involved parties specifically stating that the new game would NOT be an expansion to the Rock Band line. Fret not, rock game gods, it seems like SOMEONE was stretching the truth.

Earlier today, the key members of the licensing deal (MTV Games, Harmonix, and Apple Corps) officially announced the upcoming release of The Beatles: Rock Band. Even more exciting to fans, the game will be released later this year, currently slated for release on September 9th of this year. I guess that explains the lack of a Rock Band 3 release anytime this year. The Beatles: Rock Band will offer players “unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles”. And, just in case you want your virtual Beatles cover band to be as authentic as possible, MTV and Harmonix will offer peripheral instruments “modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career.”

The Beatles: Rock Band game disc will go on sale in North America for the 360, PS3, and Wii on Sept. 9th at a retail price of $59.99. Standalone Beatles Rock Band guitars will run you $99.99 a pop, and a special limited edition bundle (presumable including a Rock Band drum kit along with a copy of the game and a guitar) will run fans $249.99. No word yet for how much things will run outside of the U.S.

Now, with The Beatles: Rock Band finally getting set up for release, all we need is that Led Zeppelin game, and all our rock dreams can be complete.