Giant Bomb News

Rock Band Unplugs For PSP

Harmonix and Backbone are teaming up for a portable version of Rock Band.

This is Ampltude, in case you were wondering.
This is Ampltude, in case you were wondering.
Destination PlayStation 2009 is currently underway down in Arizona. This is a retailer-only conference where Sony slips some fresh details to store managers and other people involved in the sale of games. I suppose the thinking is that by giving out this sort of exclusive information to the retail sector, they get pumped and return to their stores and business primed and ready to push the PlayStation brand to their customers.

It sounds like the PSP is getting a sizable push at the conference, and the PSP version of Rock Band, titled Rock Band Unplugged, has been informally announced at the event. According to Primotech, which sounds like it's getting some leaked info from the conference, the game is being developed by Backbone Entertainment. It will feature tracks from Blink-182, Boston, Lit, Kansas, AFI, and more. It will also contain hooks for downloadable content through an online store.

The most interesting part is that the gameplay will be a lot like Harmonix's earlier releases for Sony, Frequency and Amplitude. Players will swap between different instrument tracks, complete phrases to trigger autoplay, and so on.

No release date has been confirmed, but expect it to hit this fall.
RoboRobbon Feb. 24, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.
Awesome!
BinaryDragon is online on Feb. 24, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
What?!
LethalKi11leron Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:03 a.m.
meh...
CF ftw xP
Drebin_893on Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:04 a.m.
Two lots of AFI? That's two more lots of AFI than should be there.
TurboManon Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:04 a.m.
ANOTHER AMPLITUDE!

Sweet.... hopefully the rock band name will give it a bump
Hexpaneon Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:05 a.m.
Frequency was godly, Amp ... not so much
Reeteshon Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:08 a.m.
Haha, the thing that GS did for 2008's April Fools, actually came true!

On a side note, I think the custom tracks feature will benefit a lot on the PS, with the easy saving and Sharing options!
sarahsdadon Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.
Got my fingers crossed.
PLWolfon Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:17 a.m.
I'm all over this!! Amplitude style gameplay with Rock Band and DLC attached to it? SOLD!!
Bulby33on Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:19 a.m.
Wow, meh.
daniel_beck_90on Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:24 a.m.
Can not wait to rock in the subway !!!
JohnDudebroon Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:31 a.m.
Pretty much Amplitude, huh?

I'm not sure that gameplay would hold up in this day and age, but I guess we'll wait and see on it. Besides, it's pretty much without competition until Guitar Hero eventually makes its way to PSP.
LaszloKovacson Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:31 a.m.
Amplitude? Yes, please.

Backbone developing and a weak tracklist? No, thanks.
Kohe321on Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:44 a.m.
Wait what? Rock Band on the PSP? Errh...
GobiasIndustrieson Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:45 a.m.
That sounds pretty badass if it's like Amplitude
Media_Masteron Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.
I wonder how you play all the instruments?
punkxblazeon Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:58 a.m.
Yay for watered down handheld versions!
icedturtleon Feb. 24, 2009 at 11:02 a.m.
One comment by Drebin 893? That's one more comment by Drebin 893 then there should be.
Jaygeon Feb. 24, 2009 at 11:05 a.m.
I won't buy it but... awesome that more games are coming to the PSP, whatever they may be.
hazzard4123on Feb. 24, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.

Uhhh... Jeff, Just a note, you put AFI twice.

Dig Deeper into Rock Band Unplugged

Rock Band Unplugged is a portable version of Harmonix's famous music games, Amplitude and Frequency, with a Rock Band theme and visual design. It was developed by both Backbone Entertainment and Harmonix.

US Release Date: June 9, 2009

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