The Beatles: Rock Band slated for September release.

Harmonix, Apple Corp. LTD, and MTV games today officially announced The Beatles: Rock Band, the highly anticipated and first band oriented expansion of the hit music and rhythm game, set to release globally 9/9/2009 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii.

The expansive catalogue of songs in the title will take players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career ultimately leaving them with that top of the world feeling.‚  Screaming fans, packed stadiums, global success, rockin’ guitar solos, epic drum fills, and the smooth, smooth vocal tendencies of Lennon andMcCartney await you in this monumental music game.

Craving that authentic feeling?‚  John and George both played Fender Stratocasters back in the day, but the current plastic facsimiles look nothing like the real thing.‚  Fear not for The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a number of new hardware choices modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career.‚  To dial the authenticity up to 11 you’ll have to play lefty as McCartney and work on that accent.

The Beatles Rock Band will be available on Sept. 9^th; $60 will get you the game alone, $100 for the new standalone guitars, and $250 for the limited premium bundle.

The Beatles: Rock Band will be compatible with all Rock Band instruments and “other current music-based video game peripherals,” which can only mean the Guitar Hero goods.

Like freebies? Apple Corp, MTV Games, and Harmonix are promising exclusive content to those who pre-order the title.‚  More details in the coming months.

Keep an eye on The Beatles: Rock Band official site for new and exciting information regarding this monumental title.

About Harmonix, Apple Corp, MTV Games:

APPLE CORPS LTD., MTV AND HARMONIX ANNOUNCE “THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND”, WORLDWIDE RELEASE SET FOR 9/9/09

5th March 2009

New York, NY – March 5, 2009 – Apple Corps, Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the 9/9/09 worldwide release of The Beatles: Rock Band (http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com). The music-based video game, an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles, will be available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Wii home videogame console from Nintendo.

The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a limited number of new hardware offerings modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career.

The Beatles: Rock Band will be offered as standalone software and hardware as well as a limited edition bundle. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers and other current music-based video game peripherals.

Available on 9/9/09:

• The Beatles: Rock Band Software – Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $59.99 MSRP
• The Beatles: Rock Band Standalone Guitars – Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $99.99 MSRP
• The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $249.99 MSRP

Please note: Pricing outside of the US to be announced at a later date.

The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. The Beatles: Rock Band will be published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band. Electronic Arts will serve as distribution partner for the game. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, is providing his expertise and serving as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

Exclusive content created by Apple Corps, MTV Games and Harmonix will be made available to fans over the next few months who participate in a pre-order campaign through major retailers. More details on The Beatles: Rock Band game and pre-order will be revealed in the coming months.

Please visit thebeatlesrockband.com.