In addition to standard performances, you'll also be tested by Rock Power Challenges in Story. These skill checks get the entire band involved, taking turns playing their instrument-specific tracks one at a time or occasionally with others. Because this is a challenge, you can actually fail these tests. Otherwise, Rock Power Challenges are essentially the same as standard performances even though certain band members get highlighted by the challenges. As such, I didn't find them to be particularly intriguing, but it does make for a bit more of a heightened/tense experience if for no other reason than it is possible to fail.

The game looks and sounds quite a bit worse on Wii than it does for the other consoles. While one would expect there to be a graphical drop off I terms of resolution and aliasing, the Wii version is so fuzzy, unpolished, and full of jaggies it seems like alpha code. As stated, the LEGO characters are really adorable though, especially the rock icons. Also, the cutscenes are enjoyable and well animated - the LEGO character's expressive grunts somehow communicate the story without using words. If things were sharpened up across the board, you'd notice that all the menus are identical to those found in Rock Band 2 - but they are made less mature-looking and more cartoon-like. For example, the main menu's Asian tiger has been redrawn to look round and fun rather than imposing, and the octopus tentacles that limn the border have LEGO-nub suction cups. Sound quality fairs better but is still significantly worse on Wii. The same nice selection of tunes is available, but the fidelity is not quite where it needs to be. It's not any worse than what is found in other Wii Rock Band offerings, however. So if you're used to the Wii's sound quality, you may not have an issue.

Though LEGO Rock Band is solely a local single-player and cooperative multiplayer experience, the lack of online or competitive features don't seem to be a detriment anyway. The reasons to get this game are because you have young ones around that want to get into some Rock Band action, or because you want to augment your song list by an additional 45 tracks (though, you won't be able to play the rest of your collection with this game, and you won't be able to export these tracks). Whether you're young or old, the LEGO characters and cute vibe will likely appeal to your sensibilities. All in all, LEGO Rock Band is a quality game that will get the whole family jamming together, but if you own one of the other systems, I would suggest getting a version other than Wii's.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director