THQ’s upcoming game Battle of the Bands (previously known as the much more appropriate Band Mashup) has gotten a bit of flack for its similarity to that other big band game.

But the big selling point for the Wii-only game is that it will contain 30 different songs, each of which has been recorded in 5 different styles; rock, hip hop, country, Latin, and marching band. There’s no peripherals for this game, as it’ll simply use the Wii
remote to register different directions. (Let’s just hope it works
consistently.) It’s all about the battles here… you’ll be playing against an opponent and during the course of your battle you’ll change up the style of the music to fit your tastes. It’s easier to just see it in action than explain how it’s done- check it out-

Have to admit, I’m very intrigued. I didn’t think that any other music game could interest me after Rock Band but this one looks like a nice twist on it. The fact that other styles of music are incorporated only sweetens the deal. Check out some of the tracks included:

The Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc.”
Tag Team – “Whoomp! There It Is”
Tenacious D –  “Master Exploder”
The Ramones -“Blitzkrieg Bop”
The Commodores – “Brick House”
KC and the Sunshine Band – “That’s The Way (I Like It)”
The Texas Tornados – “Adios Mexico”
The Black Eyed Peas – “Dum Diddy”
Cypress Hill – “Insane in the Brain”
Kool & the Gang – “Jungle Boogie”
LL Cool J – “Mama Said Knock You Out”
The Fix – “One Thing Leads to Another
Soundgarden – “Spoonman”
Def Leppard – “Photograph”
Korn – “Coming Undone”
The Soggy Bottom Boys – “Man of Constant Sorrow”

That last one’s going to be in heavy rotation at my house if I get the game- I’ve been known to annoy people with my Karaoke rendition of it many a time. Note that these are all cover versions, unfortunately. Although the country version of “Whoomp! There It Is” is absolutely hysterical.


Battle of the Bands hits stores on April 21st. For more info check out the official site.