While the full, multi-instrument bundle isn't available for the Xbox 360 at the time of this review, individual guitars and drum sets are, and whether or not you need to put down money for them will vary. The guitar is wireless, a nice step up from the original axe with a burnished wood finish and a darker colored neck. The fret buttons have a more distinct feel to them and the strum bar is much more responsive, yet still lacks the nice click of the Guitar Hero guitars. The tilt sensor is a lot more responsive; however your mileage may vary. The guitar has both a microphone and an photo sensor so that it can auto calibrate your lag settings, a fantastic feature, especially for those that end up playing roadie and bringing their gear from house to house. Is the new guitar worth the money though? If you're still rocking out with the original guitar, absolutely. The wireless alone is worth it. If you already have a wireless guitar, that's less of a certainty. See if you can play a friend's before you make a decision.

The drum set has also been overhauled, and this new kit can safely be placed in the "no brainer" category. It too is wireless with the exception of the connection between the bass pedal and the main unit. It also sports quieter, bouncier, velocity sensitive drum heads. They're not whisper quiet, as it is still a drum kit, however it no longer sounds like you're playing on plywood and the bounce of the material makes it easier to sustain long, rapid beats. The new kit also has ports for the upcoming cymbal attachments, so if you're planning on adding cymbals, this is the only ride in town. Finally, the bass pedal has received a durability overhaul with a new metal plate added to the pedal and a sturdier spring attached to the underside. The spring not only makes the pedal feel like it can take a howitzer shell and shrug it off, but the increased tension makes it easier to play with the pedal partially depressed.

While the new tweaks and additions may not seem like much, and certainly feel like they should have been there from the beginning, the end result is a tightly wound, efficiently running powerhouse of rock. Rock Band 2 takes the winning formula of the original and polishes it to such a high sheen that once you place it in your tray, it's hard to think of why you'd ever go back to the original. Long live rock, indeed.

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