Keep on Rocking (Rock Band 2)

So, it's a long story, but my go at selling Rock Band 2 ended with two possible buyers, neither of them actually following through with their intended purchase. One because she didn't believe that the game was in almost perfect condition and the other because maybe he doesn't check his email.

So I'm taking it as a sign to just keep the game. I think once Brian gets his internet upgraded and my website cohort gets his red-ringed 360 back from Microsoft and buys RB2, we'll all have a jolly old time and I'll forget all about the money. Even in this time of financial/political ruin.

Besides, the game does have a better progression for single players alone (which is that you actually can play by yourself and progress) and the ability to just merge all the old songs from the last game.

Maybe I'll have better luck selling that one on eBay.

Shedding, Not Shredding, Rock Band 2

After an late nighter with a bunch of friends playing Rock Band 2 until 2am, I feel like Rock Band 2 surved it's purpose and is ready to go back out into the street.

I don't know what I was expecting with a music game sequel. More music tracks, obviously, but the improvements or changes to the game didn't really warrant another $60 game purchase. There was a drum fill/beat trainer that was interesting for a few hours, some really obviously changes to the way bands and band members work (which should have been in the first game) and that's about it.

So the important thing here is the music. The game has 80 tracks on the disk, but just like Rock Band 1, there are really only so many songs on that we really like. Then having the downloadable content made things better by being able to pick and choose, like an iTunes store.

Luckily though, there's no pressure to buy Rock Band 2 for fear of being locked out of downloadable content for new music. So I'm selling the over-priced program update and putting that money towards buying downloadable tracks.

E3: Nintendo

Well today's Nintendo press conference at E3 was kind of disappointing. I added some news bits in the sidebar though, most notable (again, to me) are Grand Theft Auto coming to the Nintendo DS, the new, improved motion sensitive controller add-on for Wii controllers (lightsaber duels, please!), a new Wii Sports game called Resort, and a Shaun White snowboard game to play with the Wii Fit board.

Some other news dropping today are a $400 80GB PS3, which signals to me that soon I will own a $350-ish PS3/BluRay player in about a year. I don't really care about the PS3, but a BluRay player that plays PS3 games I'm all in for.

The new Bionic Commando game is getting some decent play reviews. I want to like it, but classic remakes usually don't fair well. Especially if they are remakes from the 80s. I have absolutely no data to back that statement up. :)

Also, The Who's album "Live at Leeds" just hit Rock Band. I'm going to have to see if there are any songs worth a purchase. I've never listened to them. Maybe having the album to play in the game will make me like them just like Boston's Rock Band offerings did.

E3: Microsoft

Well it's finally that time of year for E3, the formerly Electronic Entertainment Expo known as the E3 Media and Business Summit.

Today is Microsoft's day, unveiling tons of new stuff for the 360. Here are some personal surprises and things I'm really looking forward to now.

• Rock Band 2 gets 80 tracks, 20 free future songs. Rock Band 1 content can be transferred for "under $5" (should be for free, IMO).
• Xbox Live gets avatars (Microsoft's version of Nintendo Miis) and new Dashboard redesign/overhaul, group chats.
• Portal: Still Alive internet game coming to XBox Live Arcade.
• Neflix downloads coming "at no additional cost"
• Resident Evil 5 pushed back to March. Booo.

They mentioned a bunch of other stuff, but I'm not Kotaku.com or Joystiq. I only write about stuff that interests me.

UPDATE: Here's some more info on that Dashboard update this fall. They're also allowing you to copy games to the harddrive to play without spinning up the loud disk drive, Live Marketplace content can be browsed from the web and waiting for you when you get home and launching games from the Guide button on the controller.