What's better?

wow, funny this topic should come up.

don't buy either for the wii -- definitely the 360 version. the wii version hardware isn't necessarily going to be compatible between the two games, but on the 360 and ps3 it is.

as the hardware goes, rb2 drums have 4 pads and a kick. ghwt has 3 pads, 2 cymbals, and a kick. that's 5 lines plus kick for drums in ghwt, only 4+kick in rb2. if you use rb2 drums in ghwt, 2 of the lines are merged into one. the rb2 drums can be extended to give you two cymbals, but those are simply giving you options to hit those instead of the normal pads (it doesn't add any lines). i don't believe getting the cymbals unlocks that 5th line in ghwt. one note, ghwt drums activate starpower (or whatever) by hitting both cymbals at the same time. i'm still trying to figure out how you do it with rb2 drums.

the guitars are pretty much the same capability-wise, but the rb2 one has a cool little effects switch that lets you monkey with effects during solos. pointless, but fun.

the mics are identical, as i understand it.

i have the whole rb2 kit and then i bought the ghwt guitar/game combo so i got 2 guitars, both games, a mic and drums.


in terms of the game play, i like ghwt's progression system a bit better than rb2's. rb2 presents too many options and it gets kind of repetive before you unlock more content. you might end up doing the same song like 3 times in different gigs before you can finally unlock something new. and the way it unlocks stuff is a bit too non-linear for a casual game. but the actual gameplay is fun and the songs are a blast.

ghwt is a bit more streamlined -- you get fewer options so the progress is much simpler. no navigating menus and submenus trying to figure out what song(s) to play next like in rb2. but the actual game play isn't as good.

the vocals are a bit too sensitive. it really encourages you to sing as flat as you possible can.

my friend is a guitar player and he says the rb2 guitar makes more sense from a guitarist's perspective. he says ghwt guitar doesn't do hammer-ons or pull-offs very well -- like they aren't where a guitarist would expect them. (he likes the ghwt guitar hardware more than the rb2 one)


i didn't notice much different about the drums, but i thought ghwt might be a bit easier... or maybe i'm just getting better (played more ghwt after playing rb2).


so i would suggest getting the rb2 bundle for 360, then later he can get ghwt when he wants to get an additional guitar.

 

I still get both, but I see Rockband as the better franchise. It feels better playing it, plus it has a little better support from music labels with the DLC.

You can even save the songs from Rock Band 1 and the AC/DC pack onto the HDD for use in Rock Band 2. That gives you nearly 200 songs to play in one game, plus whatever you buy as DLC.

 

looks like Wii's rb2 is now pushed to be released 1/13/09! I'm going to tell his dad to get rb2 for xbox.
Have you seen the Ion's drum kit? that's kickin!