Rock Band pumps up the volume

Clement James | Nov 22, 2007 10:22 AM

Latest Harmonix game goes up to 11.

Former Guitar Hero developer Harmonix has unleashed its latest musical offering.

Rock Band Special Edition Bundle is now available at retail stores across America for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3.

Whereas Guitar Hero allowed users to play the guitar, Rock Band challenges players to put together a band with lead and bass guitars, drums and vocals.

Rock Band includes 58 tracks and spans every genre of rock from alternative and classic to heavy metal and punk.

The game allows users to play as a band or individually and claims to offer an infinite number of ways to play each song.

The Special Edition Bundle features a Fender Stratocaster guitar controller, an electronic drum kit, real drum sticks, a microphone and software. The Xbox 360 bundle also comes with a USB hub for easy plug-in access for all instruments.

Rock Band is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 on 18 December in North America and will ship in Canada on 17 December for Xbox 360, PS3 and PlayStation 2.