I’m sure not everyone here will find this as interesting as I did, but then, 10 years at a magazine (a magazine that went through more redesigns than I can remember) caused me to develop a bit of an insider’s interest in graphic design. If you’re like me — or you just really dig The Beatles: Rock Band — click through to see what the game might have looked like in an alternate dimension.

[Read | image: Joystiq]

It’ll hit Wii next Tuesday, February 16, and PS3 a couple weeks after that, on Thursday, March 4. The price will be the usual for a single: $1.99 on PS3, 200 Wii Points on Wii.

So there you have it, Beatles completists. Now you can have it all.

From the press release:

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of people around the world who have contributed to us through the download of “All You Need Is Love” and the sales of the one-of-a-kind Xbox console,” said Dr. Matthew Spitzer, president of the Board of Directors for MSF-USA. “It is because of funds generated from initiatives such as this that MSF was able to respond to the Haiti earthquake so quickly, providing urgent lifesaving medical care immediately in the aftermath.”

The promotion ended yesterday, but the press release went out on Friday — so I’ll be curious to see if the push of the final weekend bumps that total much.

[Read]

The contest is giving away 10 Beatles Rock Band Premium Bundles for the 360 — that’s the one with the Höfner bass controller and shiny Ringo-approved drum kit.

Oh, and there’s also a trip for two to London:

Roundtrip coach class air transportation to London, England.

Ground transportation from London Heathrow Airport to hotel.

3 night hotel stay.

Beatles fan experience: may include touring the Apple Offices, the London Theater, Abbey Road Studios/Abbey Road crossing, and more!

So: solid prizes, easy entry, no obligation. Why are you still reading this? Go!

[Read]

Here’s the breakdown:

PS3
The Beatles: Rock Band — #14 (88% review average)
Guitar Hero: Metallica — #23 (86%)
Guitar Hero 5 — #26 (86%)

360
The Beatles: Rock Band — #11 (89%)
Guitar Hero 5 — #22 (85%)
Guitar Hero: Metallica — #26 (84%)

Wii
The Beatles: Rock Band — #2 (89%)
Guitar Hero 5 — #3 (89%)
Guitar Hero: Metallica — #11 (85%)

And the consumers seem to have agreed with the critics: the NPD Group’s Anita Frazier recently reported on her Twitter feed that Guitar Hero and Rock Band were two of the top five highest-grossing properties in gaming for the year. (The other three: Call of Duty, Wii Fit, and Mario Bros.)

Hit the Read link for the exhaustive rundown of the top 40 games on each platform.

[Read]

And to give you a glimpse of what’s being offered in the pack, I’ve embedded the Rubber Soul trailer after the break. What can I say, I am that giving. Continue reading →

There’s none of the Abbey Road-style shenanigans with regard to which songs are available as singles here; they can all be downloaded individually for the usual two bucks or equivalent, or downloaded as a pack for $17.99 or 1440 Microsoft Points.

The full track listing is after the break, but as usual, links go only to the physical album since Beatles MP3s are only available via unusual means. As a consolation prize, though, here’s a link to the new trailer for the Rubber Soul DLC. You’re welcome. Continue reading →

It’s an interesting show, which includes lots of interviews with all the significant folks behind the game, as well as plenty of entertaining hamming on the part of Paul and Ringo.

The video’s in three parts, which are all embedded after the break.

[via @JeffChausse]

 Continue reading →

The video includes advice on which Beatles package you might want, explains exactly how to set up and calibrate instruments, and gives a basic primer for actually playing along. It also — not coincidentally, I’m sure — shows off some of the highlights of the game, to help make that buying decision go that much more smoothly.

Here’s hoping all your holiday dreams come true.

[View, via @RockBand]

And if you’re hungry for more behind-the-scenes Beatles Rock Band goodness to complement the gravy that now runs sluggishly through your veins, check out Game Informer’s exclusive video (via @RockBandAide) about the making of the intro cinematic. It’s a fun and interesting little piece.

Now, back to your food comas and your Black Friday shopping madness!