…And Apparently Rock Band 3 Keys Are Showing Up In Store, Too!
If you have a Wii and are in Las Vegas, you may be one of the first people to get your hands on the Keyboard peripheral for Rock Band 3. HUGE thanks to “TheHypester” who just sent me this image from the Fry’s store in Las Vegas, which apparently is stocking several Rock Band 3 Keyboard peripherals for the Wii. While I HIGHLY doubt this peripheral is compatible with Rock Band or Rock Band 2, it is a good way for Wii players to get their hands on a peripheral for a video game that is still over a month away!
Note: Here’s a better pick of what the packaging itself looks like.
[Thanks, TheHypester!]
Print This Post
ROAD TRIP
Somebody needs to buy it and plug it in. Maybe guitar for RB2? I doubt it though.
Osteofight Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:30 am
Here’s hoping that it works. Keyboard + TBRB would = awesome.
TDCMark Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Doing the solo for In My Life on Keys would be awesome
Makes me wanna check my Fry’s and Best Buy by my house. Might have to do it after work.
You know I want to drive out there, and then look at the MIDI data that comes out of it. Man, I’m a nerd.
Croq Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:18 am
Another nerd here that wants to do the same…
Struble Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:20 pm
You can be assured, that I’m plugging it into a synth before I even think about plugging it into my PS3. Heh. This would seriously cut down on the number of things I need to play synth at an open mic.
Fry’s Electronics is pretty famous for putting things out early/getting things early/forgetting to not display things. It may be prudent to check other versions of the chain in California, as well.
MCA76 Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:07 am
That’s were I live. Will check
Antwon Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:11 pm
There’s a Fry’s all of 45 seconds’ drive away from my workplace. Might as well pop over on the way home, see if there’s anything of interest there.
Good idea to start selling them early. Let’s people who really want it purchase it, and stores a chance to restock them again if needed.
I CAN’T wait for RB3!
It’s worth noting that they’re probably working on getting all the peripherals and bundles out to stores now in preparation for the launch in a month. These stores might just have them out in the open for some reason, but I’m sure other stores are getting them now.
So this isn’t the keyboard/game bundle right? Becaus if it is I will be insanely jealous. But I’m assuming it isn’t because there aren’t a million and one YouTube videos.
Although if enough stores did break street date on the software I wonder how Harmonix would handle that.
Oh and I just realized EA is no longer involved in RB. I wonder if that lightens the threat for stores to hold everything until street date.
LoopyChew Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:30 am
It isn’t? If you look in the lower right corner, the EA “pick” logo is still there, so they’re still distributing it.
…although I suppose they have nothing on the Mad Catz instruments.
Xzyliac Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Dear lord now I’m confused again.
Nope, nope, don’t explain it to me. I’ll just revert my brain back to what I knew during RB2 like I’ve been doing time and time again.
River 0tter Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
EA is still distributing Rock Band. It’s one of the only non-in-house series they wouldn’t let go.
This makes me want to go to all the Best Buys and Gamestops near my house to see if I can find Rock Band 3 stuff o.o
BravoGangUS Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Ended up not finding any RB3 stuff at any of the places I went to…*sigh*
Excited by the early release, but makes me want the game even more now
Makese you wonder if stores already have the game in stocking rooms… if so I bet one of these games slip out before release.
MCA76 Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 1:17 pm
That would be great, but don’t think that stores have them just yet. Never know though. Wishful thinking.
RockBandAide Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
They do not. I tried asking at two different GameStop’s yesterday (although I did score a HUGE Rock Band 3 banner I can get after launch). I was told they have a bunch of the new Guitar Hero games in back, but they had nothing yet for Rock Band 3.
Game!Ov3r Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I will be picking up that GH on Tuesday! I wonder how far in advance stores get games before launch?
Xzyliac Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:56 pm
It all depends. Typically between 2 and 4 weeks.
Big (physically, not hype-wise) stuff like RB3 bundles and Halo: Reach Legendary Edition usually gets in a month early for most retailers.
It also depends on the store. Warehouses have priority based on who orders the most. So GameStop is more likely to have RB3 hardware a month early whereas smaller independent shops might get it 2 weeks, 1 week, or even a mere days in some cases in advance.
AS in “new” GH game?
When I read the title, I thought it was about the song called “…And Justice for all” XD turns out it was …And Apparently
What use is it without the game? :/
Sorixas Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:58 pm
A MIDI instrument?
Kiseong Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
ur thinking more guitar hero and old rock band, this is real music baby!
Has anyone seen it in Canada yet. And is it $49.99.
dabrry0523 Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 3:48 pm
well if your asking if it’s $49.99 USD then no its $79.99 USD.
Xanadu Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 7:26 pm
LOL check your post next time.
To correct you, yes I’d say 70-80$CAD
If the drums and keys have started leaking, I wonder if that means the other new instruments will be leaking soon as well. I’ve been needing a new mic for a while, so the RB3 mic is looking awfully nice. Even if it doesn’t leak anywhere near me, it would be nice if someone could get their hands on it and put it through the motions to see if it would be a worthwhile investment.
MCA76 Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 6:02 pm
What’s different about the RB3 mic? Isn’t it just the same, but slightly wider?
Mo Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 6:47 pm
If I recall, it is supposed to be much better at picking up pitch than your average USB mic, in addition to it being a full-sized microphone. Whether that is true or not… well, that’s why I’d like it to hit stores so people can test it out.
Polite Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:41 pm
full size microphone? full size compared to what? the current one is slightly smaller than say a shure SM-58 or a big condenser mic, but it’s bigger than plenty of other professional mics.
Mad catz said there are no changes to the mic recently. I’d just go pick up an old rb1 mic cheap from somewhere. or ebay.
Don’t get singstar mics. I thought I would pick up a pair of the newer wireless ones, but the volume on them is a bit too low for rock band, even after adjusting all the levels up.
Mo Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 10:39 pm
From http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171722
“The new MadCatz mic it is actually a wholly new design, ditching the old Logitech design for a larger, more accurate and higher-fidelity microphone. The shape and size of the microphone is actually 1:1 with a real stage microphone, although obviously not on par in terms of quality.”
That is the information I have. I suppose the information might not be entirely accurate, and isn’t overly detailed, but I have no reason to believe the post is wrong.
I’m not in a hurry to get a new mic; my old one still works, it’s just a little duct-taped together. No reason why I can’t wait to see if the new MadCatz is worth the extra 15-20 bucks.
RockBandAide Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 8:34 am
From the MadCatz press release (http://rockbandaide.com/8080/madcatz-announces-remaining-rock-band-3-instruments-accessories/):
“Fully compatible with all games in the Rock Band franchise, as well as other music games, the Rock Band 3 Microphone features a wide frequency response delivering crystal-clear vocals, essential for aspiring lead singers everywhere. Durable ‘concert-style’ design provides gamers with a realistic and highly sensitive microphone, ideal when singing solo or when harmonizing with others.”
does that mean we should keep an eye out for the Mustang too?
I was at the LV Frys the other day, I paid too much attention to the Pro-drums being out already.
I almost think the Keyboard Peripheral might end up being the hard to get item this year for Christmas (On some systems), but then again, I maybe overestimating the power of the Rock Band.
Polite Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:43 pm
I doubt it considering it’s the default bundle item.
RockBandAide Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Doubtful. I asked the local GameStop (two of them, actually), and the system said that the Mustang will not ship to them until November 2nd.
Now if they could only release the adapter early…
I’m not surprised these have shown up in stores already.
Polite Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:43 pm
I am. Surely it’s confusing for shop owners and consumers alike. Especially considering you can’t even use the keyboard for anything except via midi.
Now when the actual bundles come out, people are possibly less likely to take notice.
Xzyliac Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Yeah, I would’ve probably confused these for the bundles with the software and been pretty PO’d if I hadn’t checked here first. If I had found one that is.
I got my keyboard today. Ordered it from Buy.com for $72.99.
I didn’t believe it was possible, but it actually made my desire for RB3′s release even greater!
I did notice too that the inside box looks like they use the same one as the bundle. There is a video game size cutout on the side of the inner box, and a cardboard holder where a game would go. Unfortunately, they didn’t decide to slip a game in there by accident…
Oh well, guess I’ll have to wait like (most) everyone else…