I’ve had the pleasure of playing Rock Band Unplugged, and was present for a short session with one of it’s producers while wandering the booth at E3.  The game is a complete single player experience, somehow packed into a single game with plays via timed button combinations on the PSP console. In order to deal with the lack of controllers shaped like the various instruments, you’re forced to swap between each instrument merely using the PSP to input the various timed commands. Of course the timing is different for each instruments, and while it might not compare to having the full Rock Band controller set, it keeps you engaged in the game. Having to switch between the instruments deals with the lack of multi-player.

Upon questioning the producer, I was able to determine that they were merely focused on getting the Rock Band experience to really translate to the PSP before looking into other possibilities, such as the potential for multi-player. As far as graphics are concerned, we’re talking about some of the cleanest on the console to date. Everything from the band members, to the sets themselves look like they belong in the original game, which considering the limitations of the hardware, is quite impressive. There is also talk of potential for a download plan similar to that you find with Rock Band for the Nintendo Wii. Rock Band Unplugged should be available in stores next week. There is also a PSP bundle featuring the game set for release.

[image source: MTV Games]