The Nintendo Wii raised the bar when it comes to interactivity. The physical aspect gives you a whole new dimension of immersion in games, a new order of reality. But the Wii has cornered the market in the childish, family fun style games. With Rock Band, the Xbox 360 is back in the game, and with a bang. Wannabe rock and rollers can really get a feel for what it's like to up on stage, in front of the adoring crowd.



You can, if you want to, pick an instrument and play solo, or have a jam session with others through Xbox live. But this thing really comes to life when you get your mates around to form a band. The complete set up comes with everything you need to rule the world. Lead guitar and bass guitar, a drum kit with four drum pads and a base bin pedal and, of course, a microphone to belt out those rock anthems.

The first thing is for each of you to choose your characters and give them personality with suitably over the top clothes and hairstyles. Next you'll need a name for the outfit, a big, bad one. Now you are ready to prepare for stardom. New tracks are becoming available all the time from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, to add to what is already available. Choose wisely and you could be onto a winner.

Rock Band will guide you on what notes to play. For the singer, it is just like karaoke, with the words scrolling across the screen. As you sing, you get feedback on the pitch of your voice on the screen. The more you all hit the right notes, the louder the music gets and the more the crowd get behind you. The stage lights go wild and the joint starts jumping. Hit a bum note and you bring the score down.

If you are in the zone, each band member has the chance to go into Bonus Mode. If you all do it together, you are in Overdrive and then things really go out of control. The music and the noise of the crowd will blow your mind. With your body tingling and your senses reeling, you run off stage and grab a beer, in true rock and roll style.

The great thing is that you can't lose. If you really hit the spot, you'll have the crowd at your feet, baying for more. But if you suck, they won't be able to throw beer cans and ask for their money back. Speaking from experience, you don't want to go that interactive. Or maybe you do. Something for the developers to think about! As it stands, the adrenaline rush you get is real enough.

This is the ultimate party game and the ultimate Xbox 360 game. If there is a rock and roll bone in your body, you just can't help getting hooked into it. Get out of your dull existence and take a trip to rock and roll heaven. If you have ever stood in somebody's garage, plucking tentatively at a guitar and dreaming of what might be, don't dream any longer. Just jump right in and experience it for real.