You can lay hands on the standalone drum kit February 12 and the standalone Fender Stratocaster wireless guitar controller April 1. Still tardy, still not making a lot of sense (drums before guitar when everyone bought the bundle in lieu of the useless standalone DVD?) and not exactly bargain priced when you do the math.
New standalone drum kit = $80
360 or PS3 standalone game = $60
Which equals $140, no microphone, no guitar. The bundle (which includes the game, mic, guitar, and drums) costs $170, a mere $30 more. Unless you really, really want to play "Drum Hero" without boss battles, therefore, I can't say I see the point.
If you subsequently want to add the standalone $80 guitar, you'll first have to wait until April, then take your total cost up to $210. Factor in whatever wireless on the guitar is worth to you.
For posterity, here's how you can buy Rock Band today:
1. As a bundle. Comes with drums, microphone, and guitar. Maximum kitted band size is three. Accessories not sold separately.
2. The DVD, the whole DVD, and nothing but the DVD.
3. Buy the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero III ($100) and use the controller as Rock Band's second guitar or bass.
It's really too bad MTV and Harmonix couldn't figure out how to have the extra instruments ready when it mattered, i.e. the holidays, when families and friends were gathered. I can't wait to pick up the second guitar in April, but I'm a little miffed when Harmonix's CEO waves off criticism that the company flubbed Rock Band's debut by claiming Harmonix is simply "providing the opportunity for consumers to build their band one instrument at a time.?
