‘The Beatles: Rock Band” follows the Fab Four through their music career from their beginnings at the Cavern Club to their final performance atop the Apple Records building rooftop.  The game features 45 songs from The Beatles’ catalogue including “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “I Feel Fine,”  “I am the Walrus,” “Back in the USSR,”  “Here Comes the Sun” and “Octopus’s Garden.”

Players are able to play guitar, bass, vocals or drums just as in previous “Rock Band” titles.  In celebration of The Beatles, however, special versions of the instruments are available for the game inspired by the instruments played by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.  The instruments are sold separately from the game or can also be purchased in the special edition box set for $249.99.

“The Beatles: Rock Band” should definitely be on the “To Buy” list for both “Beatles” lovers and “Rock Band” fans alike.  The game lives up to standards set by the previous two “Rock Band” titles in terms of game play.  However, one downside is that players cannot use downloadable content from other artists as can be done on the previous games.  The game play, therefore, can become somewhat boring if the player is not a “Beatlemaniac.”

The price of the special edition box set is relatively high compared to that of the standard version priced $100 less.  A positive side is that the game does not feature opening bands making it focused and original. Also, the likenesses of Lennon, Harrison, Starr and McCartney are astoundingly uncanny to the musicians.  This game gets an 8 out of 10.

“The Beatles: Rock Band” is rated “T” for mild lyrics and tobacco reference

Official websites: www.rockband.com www.thebeatlesrockband.com