At least one of the answers will be yes. Beatles: Rock Band is out. Here’s a sample:

Looks cool. If its addictive as the rest of the Rock Band games, I know what I’ll be doing in every spare minute of mine for the next six months. The thing that gets me though is the re-release of the Beatles 14 albums. I already have them. Do I need another copy? Its not like we’re switching from vinyl to CD this time. It’s just another remaster. Then again…to quote Tommy Lee Jones from Men In Black…”guess I’ll have to buy the White Album again… Ahhhh…”

Before you start criticizing the game for being a phony version of playing real instruments, let me just say, don’t knock it before you try it.

It’s not a substitution for actually learning how to play and instrument, but it is an extremely fun game to play. “Rock Band” is different from “Guitar Hero” because it allows up to four “instruments.” You get vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar and drums.  You get some basics of playing music, like counting off quarter beats and such, but still not quite the real deal.

Give it a shot.

That’s not really why I’m telling you about this. There is a new version of Rock Band that looks quite cool and my be of interest to you. The Beatles Rock Band comes out in August.  Again, try not to dismiss it quickly as another repackaged Beatles

Check out this link to see the opening video sequence.  It’s pretty cool.