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We purchased the Rock Band 3 bundle for the Wii system for our granddaughter and she is very happy with this gift. I ordered this from Amazon because we could not find the bundled package (Software package) in some of the stores we visited. The package was delivered in the time frame stated by Amazon and it was in excellent condition when it arrived.
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We've been having so much fun with this and all the other instruments that go with the wii rock band group. My 7 yr. old and his friends have been playing since Christmas.Best Deals for Mad Catz RB3 Wireless Keyboard & Software Bundle for Wii and Wii U
This is a great job of improving upon an already awesome game. The revamped quickplay mode makes this game ideal for party situations. You can drop out or join in on an instrument as you see fit, change difficulties, turn on no-fail mode, and a bunch of helpful things, all in the middle of a set list! That was the most important aspect that needed upgrade from Rock Band 2.The career mode is improved, divided into a set of 'road challenges' that go through different geographical scenes. Its much shorter than RB2, but they have eliminated that annoying aspect of playing the same song you dont want to play over and over. In RB3, you usually get a choice between a couple random time-oriented set lists and a custom one. Its an excellent way to expose you to all of the music in the game, without making you play stuff you don't want to all the time.
The new instrument, keyboard, is a good addition. It will take time to see if it is supported enough through the music, but its challenging and fun to play.
The graphics and presentation are also upgraded; nice additions. The setlist is great, and hopefully you are buying this for Xbox, because the number of downloadable songs on Xbox Live is INSANE!
ROCK.
Honest reviews on Mad Catz RB3 Wireless Keyboard & Software Bundle for Wii and Wii U
Rock band 3 is a great update to the rock band series. If you crave realism, upgrades to pro instruments really make it worth the money.Game-play/Pro Instruments
Game-play in RB3 has improved in several ways. If you use music gaming as a centerpiece for social interaction, the new version is for you. Most significantly is the upgrade to pro instruments. Standard mode (five colored buttons) instruments interact with the game in the expected way. Pro mode instruments allow more realistic game-play, and can also be set from easy to expert.
Pro drums are noticeably more usable than RB2 where little effort was taken to distinguish cymbal from toms or snare. You can play with one or more cymbals in pro mode and you can configure which additions your set has. Pro-vocals allow up to 3 part harmonies in select songs. Out of the box we had an amazing time doing vocals on bohemian rhapsody with band accompaniment.
One of my favorite extensions to game-play is the keyboard/pro keys. Unlike previous instruments (even drums which I managed to pick up quickly), this is a real keyboard. It will take real time to master. I don't find the layout of the keys onscreen as troubling as some reviewers. It takes some getting used to, but with some effort it is possible. Just realize that it takes a lot of alone time to practice. If you expect to pick up pro keys immediately at a party, (unless you have prior experience or you put it on easy mode) you may not get far. Some attempted to play keys on non-pro mode and seemed to have fun with it. Not everyone will be satisfied with this (I am not).
The only thing I'm holding out on is the pro guitar. I am a guitarist and have desired real guitar game-play for a while. The mustang pro-controller looked interesting (the one with the buttons on the neck), but as a purist I'm holding out for the actual guitar controller to be released.
Having all the instruments together (I believe it's up to 7 including 3 vocals) is great, however you don't get this in standard game-play. It would be nice if you could tour this way, but for some reason full band appears slightly limited. Many have complained about this. It feels like it was added as an afterthought. I hope more future development is put into a better multiplayer experience with all instruments and vocals fully available.
Graphics
There isn't too much to be said here. Graphics have noticeably improved. Avatars, sets, and visuals look better in general. Otherwise, things feel very similar to RB2. You unlock different game elements by touring and completing various other accomplishments. Quickplay is available again and you can create and share setlists.
Backward compatibility
It is great that RB2 content can be imported (most of it anyway) for about 10 bucks in the RB store. One nice feature is that you get pro drums with the DL, but unfortunately you don't get any enhancement to pro vocals or guitar, and no keyboard support. I've also been unable to find a way to cheaply upgrade the RB2 digital catalog to pro. I would love to play keys with some of the older songs for cheap.
Unfortunately for Wii owners, very few RB titles are available for re-license. RB1 is off the table, as are most of the track packs and other releases. Some of you are likely to be irritated by this, particularly if you have already paid for digital copies of RB1 material. This is one place where Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock beats RB3 hands down. Even on Wii, many of the full band games are available (at least in part) for digitial re-licensing (the only exception I can think of is Van Halen).
The Keyboard (keytar):
I've had the RB3 keyboard for almost a week now and my experiences are quite good. I have prior music experience with guitar and similar instruments, and some basic theory/vocal/keyboard training from when I was in college (much of which I've forgotten). Because of past music experience I probably start with a slight advantage over your average person. I've wanted to learn keyboard for a while, and RB3 moving into the realm of more realistic instrument play is a welcome change for me.
Construction:
The keyboard is built quite well. It looks and feels like a real two octave keyboard should. The keys have just the right amount of spring and resistance. The touch sensitive whammy effect also works well in game. I don't have a midi sequencing device so I can only assume that it works as expected.
Game-play:
If you are interested in getting this device, know that going into it with the correct mindset is key. Unless you have keyboard experience, don't expect to become a virtuoso the first time you pick it up. If you are interested in pro mode you will most likely need to put in a lot of time practicing alone (at the moment I find playing with others while in pro mode a bit distracting). If you lack patience the keyboard may not be for you.
The game allows you to select between standard mode (only 5 white keys are activated like the standard RB/GH guitars) and pro (the entire keyboard). Both modes allow you to select a difficulty, so pro mode is not necessarily prohibited from the start. I found that I was able to jump right into career/quickplay at a medium pro level (mostly single notes with some 2-note intervals on more advanced songs). Not everyone will be able to do the same. I've had several friends that wanted to try at a party, and all of them started off in 5-note (non-pro) mode.
The built-in lessons are handy. I went through several of them to get comfortable with the keyboard (simple scales, intervals) before moving into career mode. I'll probably go back and finish them someday, but I found myself wanting to just play some music.
Watching the partial keyboard on screen takes some getting used to. Rather than using the strap I've been placing the keyboard on my lap, which allows me to glance down occasionally. Other than that I am finding where notes are primarily by feeling around (locations of black keys give you some guidance). I'll admit that this is occasionally frustrating, particularly when intervals and solos are moving faster than I can keep up. Again, patience seems to have a key role in game-play.
Conclusion:
The game is awesome, and the device itself is great. Game-play is a lot of fun if you are willing to take the time and energy to learn, or you must be satisfied with easy or non-pro mode. While this device may not be for everyone, it adds a ton for those of us who desire more realistic game-play (and the potential to pick up a new instrument).
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