PS2 Rock Band - game only?

[StandingO]

We've gone over all the problems with releasing the PS3 version of the game only without a guitar that works, so that is not the point of this thread.

Does anyone know if you can purchase the PS2 version of ROCK BAND - game only (no bundle)? I am having a Rock Band party next weekend and having a lot of people over, and they are going to be playing in the living room with my PS3 set up (minus a guitar since the Les Paul does not work - thanks, Activision!). I would be tempted to purchase the game only for the PS2 and use it in the back bedroom as it has been established (via this forum) that the old SG guitars work and I have two of them and a Sing Star microphone - so, I could have singer, guitar and drums (PS3) and then singer, guitar, bass (PS2).

So, anyone know if this is an option?

[espher]

As I understand it that's the only thing on the shelves right now.

[StandingO]

Do you mean that the only thing on the shelves is the bundle (software, guitar, drums) or the game? I checked Best Buy last night and they did not have the game only - nor did they have the bundle.

[Quastor]

The stand alone game is available for the PS2, no bundles have been sighted in the wild yet.

I personally saw the stand alone game at my Best Buy Thursday.

[MrE]

I was just in both WalMart and Best Buy and I can confirm both stores had the Game but not the Bundle. If I can't find the PS2 bundle by Thursday, I am going to have to buy a PS3 Bundle and swap out the game for the PS2 version. I'd hate to have to do it this way since its an xmas present for someone but I might not have a choice.

[StandingO]

This sounds great - so the game is available. I will look again on Monday.

We have confirmation that the SG guitars work on the PS2 version from this forum.

Anyone tried out other USB microphones - I have the Sing Star microphone and I am wondering if it would work (if anyone has tried it).

Again, many thanks for your assistance and advice.

[soulslayer83]

yes the singstart mics work and the wired ps2 GH controlers work with rock band but the wireless ones dont

[frothymug]

This sounds great - so the game is available. I will look again on Monday.

You can try using the in-store pickup option for the game-only PS2 version on bestbuy.com. Then the employees will have to get it for you if they've been too bothered to put it out on the shelves by now.

[JesusSilencio]

This will work, but it sounds like you're going to need a multitap for the ps2.

You would have the two ps2 guitars in the controller slots, but you also need to have a regular controller plugged in to control the mic (since the mic itself doesn't have any controls on it).

[raygunn]

I bought the PS2 game only at Wal-Mart yesterday. I also bought the PS3 bundle so that I could have the strat, drums and microphone. Rock Band is great on the PS2! If these guys are smart, they'll continue to release music for the PS2 (similar to GH Rock the 80's) and they could make money on this franchise for a long time.

[Queenfreak39]

I bought the PS2 game only at Wal-Mart yesterday. I also bought the PS3 bundle so that I could have the strat, drums and microphone. Rock Band is great on the PS2! If these guys are smart, they'll continue to release music for the PS2 (similar to GH Rock the 80's) and they could make money on this franchise for a long time.

I heard somewhere that u couldnt create characters on PS2, is that correct?

[sprinter461]

yes the singstart mics work and the wired ps2 GH controlers work with rock band but the wireless ones dont

I have the white RedOctane wireless controller, as well as the Nyko Frontman wireless controller, can anybody confirm these two controllers will not work?

[beatlemania44]

I heard somewhere that u couldnt create characters on PS2, is that correct?

Well that would really suck if we couldn't! The game would lose some of its fun by getting rid of the character creations.

I am in a pickle now. Can anyone confirm for me that if you buy the PS2 game by itself, and then buy the PS3 bundle that the controllers will work? I know the game wouldn't work, but would the controllers work if you got the PS3 bundle?

[MrE]

Well that would really suck if we couldn't! The game would lose some of its fun by getting rid of the character creations.

I am in a pickle now. Can anyone confirm for me that if you buy the PS2 game by itself, and then buy the PS3 bundle that the controllers will work? I know the game wouldn't work, but would the controllers work if you got the PS3 bundle?

HMXJohnlok has already confirmed that the PS3 and PS2 instruments are the same.

HMXGlo has already confirmed that the PS2 version of RB does NOT have customizable characters. The reason for this is to be able to have 4 player tracks run smoothly at 60fps. Since that right there requires most of the PS2s processing power, they decided to make the background videos pre-rendered meaning there is no possible way to have a customizable character in those pre-rendered videos. Since the main purpose of RB is to be a ROCK BAND, they opted to make 4 player experience the best possible on the PS2.

Is it crippled when compared to the PS3 and 360 versions?... YES... but what can you expect from a 7 year old system. Be happy they took the time to bring RB to the PS2 and enjoy the game for what it is. If DLC, Customizable Characters, and Online is more important to you, buy a next-gen system.

[flrrb]

I have the white RedOctane wireless controller, as well as the Nyko Frontman wireless controller, can anybody confirm these two controllers will not work?

The white RO wireless does work flawlessly. Dunno about the Nyko.
The PS3 instruments work with the PS2 version as well.

There is no character creation or band creation (unless you count naming the band "creating")

But ALL of the tracks are there. And it rocks the PS2.

[Dekelia]

I have the white RedOctane wireless controller, as well as the Nyko Frontman wireless controller, can anybody confirm these two controllers will not work?

The white GH wireless DOES work. I don't know about the Nyko.

It looks like the answer is: if it plugs into the standard controller port, it'll work.

[wack70]

HMXJohnlok has already confirmed that the PS3 and PS2 instruments are the same.

HMXGlo has already confirmed that the PS2 version of RB does NOT have customizable characters. The reason for this is to be able to have 4 player tracks run smoothly at 60fps. Since that right there requires most of the PS2s processing power, they decided to make the background videos pre-rendered meaning there is no possible way to have a customizable character in those pre-rendered videos. Since the main purpose of RB is to be a ROCK BAND, they opted to make 4 player experience the best possible on the PS2.

Is it crippled when compared to the PS3 and 360 versions?... YES... but what can you expect from a 7 year old system. Be happy they took the time to bring RB to the PS2 and enjoy the game for what it is. If DLC, Customizable Characters, and Online is more important to you, buy a next-gen system.

So as not to beat a dead horse here... My understanding is that you can get RB for PS2 (game only) and use the PS3 bundle's hardware with the PS2 game. Here in Dallas/Fort Worth it's looking like the released version of RB for PS2 tomorrow or Wed. will be gone very quickly, so if I'm wanting to play this on Xmas day, I might have a better chance just going this route rather than taking a chance that I might find the PS2 bundle by the weekend. If this is true, does anyone know if I'll need any additional hardware like a multitap or anything?

[MrE]

So as not to beat a dead horse here... My understanding is that you can get RB for PS2 (game only) and use the PS3 bundle's hardware with the PS2 game. Here in Dallas/Fort Worth it's looking like the released version of RB for PS2 tomorrow or Wed. will be gone very quickly, so if I'm wanting to play this on Xmas day, I might have a better chance just going this route rather than taking a chance that I might find the PS2 bundle by the weekend. If this is true, does anyone know if I'll need any additional hardware like a multitap or anything?

you will need a USB hub in order to use the Strat, Drums and Mic at the same time.

[wack70]

so any multiport usb hub will work? Like this one I already have: http://www.platinummicro.com/ssproduct.asp?pf_id=11915953

[MrE]

so any multiport usb hub will work? Like this one I already have: http://www.platinummicro.com/ssproduct.asp?pf_id=11915953

it has to be a powered USB hub. idk if it needs to be 2.0 or not though.

[wack70]

Well, apparently the database for this forum was down over the past 15 min. or so, so in the short time it was down I ran up to Best Buy across the street and picked up both the PS2 game and PS3 bundle. I guess I'll need to go back up there to get a powered USB hub. My real plan is to hold on to these for the next few days and maybe a PS2 bundle will be available. I can then just return these items and go about this the normal way...

[wack70]

I bought the PS2 game only at Wal-Mart yesterday. I also bought the PS3 bundle so that I could have the strat, drums and microphone. Rock Band is great on the PS2! If these guys are smart, they'll continue to release music for the PS2 (similar to GH Rock the 80's) and they could make money on this franchise for a long time.

Raygunn - How is this working out for you? Are you using the strat, mic and drums at the same time by using a powered USB hub? If so, what brand/model USB hub are you using? I'm not able to find any USB hubs that are not powered by anything other than a PC's USB port (aka cable powered).

[MrE]

Raygunn - How is this working out for you? Are you using the strat, mic and drums at the same time by using a powered USB hub? If so, what brand/model USB hub are you using? I'm not able to find any USB hubs that are not powered by anything other than a PC's USB port (aka cable powered).

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8480351&st=usb+hub&type=product&id=1185267960270

Check Store Availability. 4 of my local Best Buy's have them available.

[wack70]

OK, I'll have to pick up one of those. I found good info on this subject at this forum: http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=15501

From what I now understand, the PS3 has 4 usb ports, but the lower end PS3 and Xbox only have 2, hence the need for the powered USB hub. Also, it looks like using the USB hub will allow me to connect the strat, mic and drums all at the same time to the usb port on my PS2, which will leave the standard PS2 controller ports open for a PS2 controller and an additional Guitar Hero 1 or 2 guitar for my bass. This should work out perfectly.

I'm guessing the PS2 RB bundle will include a USB hub.

[MrE]

From what I now understand, the PS3 has 4 usb ports, but the lower end PS3 and Xbox only have 2, hence the need for the powered USB hub.

Correct about the PS3. 20, 60 & 80gb models have 4 ports while 40gb model only has 2. The 360 however actually has 3 ports (2 in front and 1 in the back). Since I don't have a second guitar yet, I have not needed to use my included USB hub.



I'm guessing the PS2 RB bundle will include a USB hub.

yes

[wack70]

So i take it that you are playing RB on 360?

[wack70]

By the way, thanks for the info. I'm probably going way over the top to get this before xmas, but hopefully I can snag the PS2 bundle and take all this back and save myself about $100 (spent on the game only, hub and extra $10 for the PS3 version).

[MrE]

So i take it that you are playing RB on 360?

yeah. I'm picking up the PS2 Bundle as an xmas gift for my sister and her family


By the way, thanks for the info. I'm probably going way over the top to get this before xmas, but hopefully I can snag the PS2 bundle and take all this back and save myself about $100 (spent on the game only, hub and extra $10 for the PS3 version).

no problem. Even if you can't find a PS2 Bundle, I would at least try to exchange the PS3 game for the PS2 version (at WalMart) and then return the extra PS2 game to the store you bought the other one at. That is my plan if I can't find a PS2 Bundle.

[wack70]

no problem. Even if you can't find a PS2 Bundle, I would at least try to exchange the PS3 game for the PS2 version (at WalMart) and then return the extra PS2 game to the store you bought the other one at. That is my plan if I can't find a PS2 Bundle.

Hmm... I wonder if Wal-mart would trade out a new copy of RB PS2 for a new PS3 copy that comes in the bundle and bought from Best Buy. That would work for me. I haven't opened the box yet since it's for xmas, but I wonder if the bundle version of the PS3 game looks just like a single copy off the shelf?

When I went up to Best Buy yesterday afternoon to get the USB hub, I asked one of the mgrs. if he knew if they were going to be getting any PS2 bundles this week. He said he couldn't tell if any would be coming in, but he did tell me that their truck comes between 4 & 6 pm Wed. and to call all I want during the day to check on the status. Hopefully it will work out for me.