Having a Blast- Green Day: Rock Band Review

In theory, basing the next iteration of the Rock Band series around pop-punk darlings Green Day is an incredibly sound concept. The popular trio has exhibited a sufficient amount of lyrical rebelliousness to earn the respect of  capricious young listeners, while offering enough musical harmony to secure mainstream appeal. This skillful amalgam is a natural candidate for the Harmonix-music game treatment, allowing players to enjoy an energetic collection of three minutes ditties, while dutifully preserving the developer’s street credibility.

Like last year’s The Beatles: Rock Band, Green Day permits up to six participants to use a combination of replicated guitars, basses, drums, along with actual microphones in an effort to simulate the experience of delivering a searing music performance. Those  uninitiated to the music game genre may utilize the game’s helpful tutorials, practice modes, or drum trainers, which will assist neophytes in keeping time with the cascading streams of notes. Like most contemporary music games, Green Day: Rock Band includes a no-fail mode, allowing grandmothers to strum along to “Give Me Novacaine.” While purists might balk at the curse-free radio friendly version of Green Day’s songs, granny may appreciate the conspicuous shortage of F-bombs.

Those expecting a Beatles-like homage which follows the trajectories of Billy Joe Armstrong, Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt may be disappointed- Green Day: Rock Band’s career mode feels slightly abridged. Although the title includes unlockable photos and video clips, the game offers a scant three venues for performances: a fictionalized warehouse used for Dookie-era gigs, the Milton Keynes-based National Bowl for the band’s Bullet in a Bible tour, and Oakland, California’s Fox Theatre for songs from the 21st Century Breakdown album. Sadly, the band’s 1994 Woodstock performance, which prompted fans into an impromptu mud fight has been omitted; this could have made for an amazing unlockable stage.

Longtime Rock Band aficionados will notice a handful of nuances in each location – from some impressively rendered on-stage pyrotechnics, to wardrobes which reflect the bands maturation. On the other hand, Green Day enthusiasts might notice some musical omissions. Although the bands first, latest, and most popular albums are represented in their entirety, only a handful of songs from Insomniac, Nimrod, and Warning are included, which will obviously be rectified by  downloadable offerings. Once players pass specific requirements, the game unlocks the ability to play complete albums.

Where Green Day: Rock Band does excel is in the title’s handling of vocalizations. The individual band members singing ability is well within the range of the average crooner (Unlike, say Singstar: Queen) allowing players to have a good time with vocals, rather than being overcome with frustration. Additionally, multi-player harmonies can be pulled much easier, resulted in a much more satisfying playing experience.

While Green Day: Rock Band may not have the multi-generational appeal of the recent Beatles’ disk nor the variety found in Harmonix’s numbered releases, the title is an appealing piece of fan service. With a respectable collection of songs, and an undeniable vivacity in the game’s animations,  the game will undoubtedly please the band’s followers. Add in the ability to import the songs into the upcoming Rock Band 3 ( for a $10 charge), and you’ll find a diversion worthy of its asking price for players that know every lyric of “Geek Stink Breath.”