MTV Games, Harmonix and EA have announced their complete Rock Band 2 release schedule for the remainder of the year. The PS3 version ships October 19th, including both the standalone game for $60 and the special edition bundle for $190 (the Xbox 360 bundle also ships on the 19th). A specific ship date has not yet been set for the PS2 and Wii versions, but confirmation has been given that they will be on store shelves sometime in December. Check below for more on the Rock Band 2 shipping and pricing plan.

Rock Band 2 Shipping and Pricing Information:

October 19, 2008:
– Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle (Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system) $189.99 MSRP
– Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (PLAYSTATION 3 system) $59.99 MSRP
– Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums (PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems) $89.99 MSRP
– Rock Band 2 Standalone Guitar (PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems) $69.99 MSRP

December 2008:
– Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (PlayStation 2 system) $49.99 MSRP
– Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (Wii) $49.99 MSRP
– Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums (Wii) $89.99 MSRP
– Rock Band 2 Standalone Guitar (Wii) $69.99 MSRP
– Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle (Wii) $189.99 MSRP

Harmonix, MTV Games, and EA are pleased to announce that trucks filled with boxes and boxes of Rock Band 2 copies have begun their trek to supply retailers across North America for the game’s Xbox 360 exclusive debut this Sunday, September 14th. Sunday’s Xbox 360 launch will be for the standalone version of Rock Band 2 only, with standalone drum kits and guitars due out later in the week for $90 and $70 respectively and the special edition bundle coming out later in the fall. So basically this early launch window is meant to appease the existing Rock Band community. Full effort to get the game into the hands of new players will kick into gear closer to the holiday season when the bundles and other platform versions are released.

“Rock Band 2 and Harmonix are raising the bar in the music game category again with an incredible music setlist, innovative online features, and new authentic instruments. With over 300 songs available on disc and via weekly downloads, no other music game can compete with the Rock Band 2 music catalog,” stated Bob Picunko, Vice President of Electronic Games and Interactive Products, MTV. “Mark your calendar, call your band mates, and get set for the best Rock Band party ever on Sunday, September 14th.”

Harmonix, MTV Games and Electronic Arts have rolled out the full slate of features and songs set to be featured in Rock Band 2. Both the features list and soundtrack are fairly lengthy so I’ll let you browse them at your leisure over after the break, but let me give you a quick recap of the headlines. Rock Band 2 will feature both local and global online multiplayer band competition, an expanded World Tour mode, backwards compatibility with all songs downloaded for the first Rock Band and the ability to export many of the tracks on the original game’s disc, over 80 new on-disc songs (all the original master tracks) and an additional 20 songs coming as free DLC at launch. RB2 will also be the first video game to feature music from AC/DC and Bob Dylan!

As previously announced, Rock Band 2 will make it’s debut in September exclusively on Xbox 360. PS3, PS2 and Wii versions will then follow later in the fall.

Rock Band 2 raises the bar in music gaming innovation with new features to rock the world:

* Local and global online modes to connect the entire Rock Band community

* World Tour mode, now online, simplifies the best of gameplay from the original Rock Band by fusing Solo Tour and Band World Tour modes and cranks it up a notch with an all new collection of opportunity gigs, challenges, cities, venues and hirable staff

* Tour Challenges that offer rockers a chance to play through mini-campaigns focused on the best songs by instrument, decade, genre, artist, album and more

* Battle of the Bands mode challenges players to go head to head against other bands in constantly refreshed contests* created by Harmonix (*internet connection required)

* Quickplay makes it easier than ever to get in and jam without hassle while allowing for new prefab characters or customized characters that can play on any instrument plus lets you make your own set lists and organize your song lists in a variety of categories (genre, era, etc.)

* Customizable Set Lists keep the music rolling and your band rocking in Quickplay mode

* Drum Trainer mode gives players the fundamentals of different beats and fills, translating gameplay into real drumming skills

* Character Creator completes your look with all new choices in clothing, accessories, tattoos, hairstyles, instruments and more to keep your unique rock avatar playing the full rock part

* Backwards compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable music content released to date

* Disc Export Feature gives owners of the original Rock Band the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay–the first time ever in videogame history![2]

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including:

* The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs – with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall .

* Unrivaled Blend of Classic, Developing and Emerging rock acts including Pearl Jam, Metallica, Allman Brothers, Motorhead, Devo, Jane’s Addiction, Megadeth, Paramore, Modest Mouse and more.

* Rock Band 2 is the first and only video game to feature the music of AC/DC. It includes their epic rock anthem, “Let There Be Rock”

* After 14 years since Guns N’ Roses last official music release, Axl Rose selects Rock Band 2 to debut official new track, “Shackler’s Revenge” from the highly-anticipated album Chinese Democracy

* For the first time ever, music from American music icon, Bob Dylan, is featured in a video game with “Tangled Up In Blue”

* With ongoing weekly DLC releases including individual tracks, track packs and full albums, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year’s end!

From the solid officially licensed Rock Band 2 instruments to the expanded third party options, Rock Band 2 introduces new and improved choices that promise to deliver unsurpassed realism. In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games have become the first companies to officially support third party instruments and accessories in a music videogame.

Achieve ultimate stardom with the upgraded functionality and smooth new look of the official Rock Band 2 instruments.

* Fender Stratocaster Controller takes on a new authentic look plus adds a reinforced strum bar, quieter buttons, wireless functionality and a built in calibration tool that automatically sets your AV setup to an ideal setting for maximum rock.

* Drum set goes wireless while also featuring quieter, velocity sensitive drum pads and a metal reinforced pedal.

* Microphone showcases authentic styling and weight.

Kick up the intensity with officially licensed third party instruments from Mad Catz:

* Fender Telecaster Controller features soft buttons with lower action to help you shred faster than ever.

* Fender Bass Controller, the first bass guitar controller ever, takes the shape of the Fender P-Bass with extended length, tuning pegs and a split strum bar to replicate finger-bass style picking.

* Full-sized Squire Stratocaster Guitar Controller multiplies the authentic guitar experience by featuring a controller built into an actual Squire Stratocaster body.

* Cymbal Expansion Pack is a straightforward but amazing upgrade to the Rock Band 2 drum set featuring add-on cymbals.

Take Rock Band 2 instrument authenticity to a whole new level with a high-end peripheral from ION:

* ION Drum Rocker, a real electronic drum kit that functions as a game controller, brings the Rock Band fantasy to life featuring a simple substitution that takes the drum kit from a controller to a real instrument.

Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List:

1. AC/DC “Let There Be Rock” 1970s
2. AFI “Girl’s Gone Grey” 2000’s
3. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” 1990’s
4. Alice in Chains “Man in the Box” 1990’s
5. Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man” 1970’s
6. Avenged Sevenfold “Almost Easy” 2000’s
7. Bad Company “Shooting Star” 1970’s
8. Beastie Boys “So Whatcha Want” 1990’s
9. Beck “E-Pro” 2000’s
10. Bikini Kill “Rebel Girl” 1990’s
11. Billy Idol “White Wedding Pt. I” 1980’s
12. Blondie “One Way or Another” 1970’s
13. Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue” 1970’s
14. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” 1980’s
15. Cheap Trick “Hello There” 1970’s
16. Devo “Uncontrollable Urge” 1980’s
17. Dinosaur Jr. “Feel the Pain” 1990’s
18. Disturbed “Down with the Sickness” 2000’s
19. Dream Theater “Panic Attack” 2000’s
20. Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” 1980’s
21. Elvis Costello “Pump It Up” 1970’s
22. Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” 1970’s
23. Foo Fighters “Everlong” 1990’s
24. Guns N’ Roses “Shackler’s Revenge” 2000’s
25. Interpol “PDA” 2000’s
26. Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song” 1980’s
27. Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1970’s
28. Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” 2000’s
29. Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” 1980’s
30. Journey “Anyway You Want It” 1970’s
31. Judas Priest “Painkiller” 1990’s
32. Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” 1970’s
33. L7 “Pretend We’re Dead” 1990’s
34. Lacuna Coil “Our Truth” 2000’s
35. Linkin Park “One Step Closer” 2000’s
36. Lit “My Own Worst Enemy” 1990’s
37. Lush “De-Luxe” 1990’s
38. Mastodon “Colony of Birchmen” 2000’s
39. Megadeth “Peace Sells” 1980’s
40. Metallica “Battery” 1980’s
41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Where’d You Go” 1990’s
42. Modest Mouse “Float On” 2000’s
43. Motorhead “Ace of Spades” 1980’s
44. Nirvana “Drain You” 1990’s
45. Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” 1960’s
46. Panic at the Disco “Nine in the Afternoon” 2000’s
47. Paramore “That’s What You Get” 2000’s
48. Pearl Jam “Alive” 1990’s
49. Presidents of the USA “Lump” 1990’s
50. Rage Against the Machine “Testify” 1990’s
51. Ratt “Round & Round” 1980’s
52. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away” 1990’s
53. Rise Against “Give it All” 2000’s
54. Rush “The Trees” 1970’s
55. Silversun Pickups “Lazy Eye” 2000’s
56. Smashing Pumpkins “Today” 1990’s
57. Social Distortion “I Was Wrong” 1990’s
58. Sonic Youth “Teenage Riot” 1980’s
59. Soundgarden “Spoonman” 1990’s
60. Squeeze “Cool for Cats” 1970’s
61. Steely Dan “Bodhitsattva” 1970’s
62. Steve Miller Band “Rock’n Me” 1970’s
63. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” 1980’s
64. System of a Down “Chop Suey” 2000’s
65. Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” 1970’s
66. Tenacious D “Master Exploder” 2000’s
67. Testament “Souls of Black” 1990’s
68. The Donnas “New Kid in School” 2000’s
69. The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” 1980’s
70. The Grateful Dead “Alabama Getaway” 1980’s
71. The Guess Who “American Woman” 1970’s
72. The Muffs “Kids in America” 1990’s
73. The Offspring “Come Out & Play (Keep ‘em Separated)” 1990’s
74. The Replacements “Alex Chilton” 1980’s
75. The Who “Pinball Wizard” 1960’s
76. Abnormality “Visions” 2000’s
77. Anarchy Club “Get Clean” 2000’s
78. Bang Camaro “Night Lies” 2000’s
79. Breaking Wheel “Shoulder to the Plow” 2000’s
80. The Libyans “Neighborhood” 2000’s
81. The Main Drag “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” 2000’s
82. Speck “Conventional Lover” 2000’s
83. The Sterns “Supreme Girl” 2000’s
84. That Handsome Devil “Rob the Prez-O-Dent” 2000’s

By now I’m sure you’ve already heard, but just in case you may have missed it Harmonix, MTV Games and EA yesterday announced Rock Band 2. I know, I’m a bit slow in getting this news to you, but I’m pretty much over the whole Guitar Hero/Rock Band craze so it’s hard to build up any sort of enthusiasm. Rock Band 2 will feature basically everything you’d expect from a sequel. It’ll have more songs (including backwards compatibility with all tracks purchased for the original game), “dynamic” new online modes, more instrument variety, new and improved drum and guitar designs, and plenty else to be revealed at a later date.

But the big news on the Rock Band 2 front is that Microsoft has worked up a deal to get the game a timed exclusive release on the Xbox 360 in September. Don’t worry too much, though. It’ll still be launching on “additional platforms” this year, so there won’t be much of a wait. To be honest, I don’t even get the point of releasing it exclusively on the 360 first. Only a month or two head start isn’t going to drive 360 sales that much I wouldn’t imagine. So many people already bought it on the PS3 and certainly aren’t going to switch platforms and abandon all the add-on songs they bought for the original game. But hey, I’m not a Rock Band freak, so what do I know.