IGN's thoughts on the limited edition

[DamnRockation]

They're right, the price is a rip-off. But do RB-fanboys care. Of course not.

[IMac007]

I just picked up the bundle this am. Had to go to 2 Best Buys (their supplier didn't supply). I bought the LE Bundle because of the McCartney bass....and upgrading from RB1 (Wii)......and I love it.......

[Ehfahq]

if you start with nothing, you can buy an xbox, the beatles game and the rock band bundle for $360.

you can also buy an xbox, rb2 and the beatles bundle, but that would cost you $510.

the extra $150 gets you a mic stand and a prettier guitar.

i think i'll go with plan A.

that is my point.

I totally understand your point. And if I didnt already have RB2 drums I would pick up the clearance bundle, and the Beatles disc only and sell the RB2 game on ebay.

But I want new drums and the Hofner.

They're right, the price is a rip-off. But do RB-fanboys care. Of course not.

How is it a rip-off?

[McCREE]

I totally understand your point. And if I didnt already have RB2 drums I would pick up the clearance bundle, and the Beatles disc only and sell the RB2 game on ebay.

But I want new drums and the Hofner.

i do too

[Ehfahq]

That Hofner sure has a purdy mouth.

[Frederf]

There's a big misunderstanding around here that "Review = opinion." Reviews, proper reviews, are not opinion. They are distilled information and objective reasoning. "I liked the movie" is not a movie review.

I think it's perfectly reasonable for a reviewer of the premium bundle to say something like: "Watch out, this bundle is a nice set Beatles-themed controllers but there are other cheaper ways to get a fully functioning set of instrument controllers. The lesser value bundle gives you RB1 controllers at a severe discount or if you already have them use your existing RB controllers."

But to say "Meh, this bundle is exactly the same as getting RB2 instruments and the standalone game" is completely missing the point that the Beatles-look instruments have additional value over the RB2-look instruments from a purely aesthetic point of view that may be worth it to some customers. Interjecting the reviewer's singular personal judgment in lieu of information to help the varied readership is just poor writing.

Also we all know people that cling desperately to GH controllers with a hatred for the Strat style but hopefully a journalist would be able to rise above that frothing attitude. My brother can't stand the Strat style but I guarantee you if he wrote a review he'd point out the differences and possibly a warning about the controllers but never say something like "avoid at all costs."

The fact that the bundle review includes gameplay aspects is a clear lack of sophistication on IGN's part. If I were to review a hardware bundle where the software is available separately I would put all comments about the software in a dedicated software review and leave the hardware bundle review completely dedicated to that which the bundle adds.

[SilverHammerOn.]

I think IGN UK should do a review on it.

GH:WT is still £120 so if you add the game in it's about same price as the TB:RB LE

[jeronemitchell]

The only problem I see with the review is the explicit recommendation of GH controllers.

The Beatles LE is a bit cheaper than buying the individual instruments, true, but that is not an apples-to-apples comparison. With the Rock Band 2 bundle at $160, and the game at $60, you are paying $30 for a mic stand and prettier instruments (not even counting any money you can get from selling back the RB2 game).

Apples to apples against their own product... and I couldn't really see myself recommending the TB:RB LE package, PARTICULARLY to someone that I know does not have Rock Band 2.

Why is it so bad to agree with part of the review.