’m going to spend the next few paragraphs detailing feature sets, comparing systems, and praising song selections. Before I do, I’d like to ask a few questions that should tell you whether Rock Band Wii is for you. Do you own a PS3 or a 360? If the answer is yes, then you need read no further. There is no reason I would suggest the Wii version to you. If the answer is no, but you do have a Wii, then the second question is whether rocking out with your buddies in a pretend band sounds like fun. If so, even with its limited options, then this is a pretty sure thing.

Rock Band has been dramatically stripped to successfully run on the Wii. The character creator has been completely axed – you play with pre-fabs. The Band World Tour mode has also disappeared. The excitement of choosing venues, setlists, and growing a fan base has been replaced by a straightforward song progression. Behind the ever-descending tracks of notes, the background videos are entirely preset, and surprisingly blurry. Finally, you can forget about downloading songs. The game with the best and most comprehensive DLC in history is missing that component on the Wii.

All of that stinks. So why is it a sure thing for Wii owners? Even ravaged by all these missing features, Rock Band is the best music game on the system. It has a fantastic selection of songs, including a few of the best DLC hits. The audio mix is amazing, the track layouts are varied and exciting for all skill levels, and the instruments are as good as the ones for any other console, albeit with a shiny white sheen.

Rock Band represents exactly what most people who own a Wii are looking for. This is cooperative gaming at its best – the perfect party game for friends, family, and new gamers alike. Even with its regrettable omissions, Rock Band has a broad audience of Wii owners just waiting in the wings to get their chance on stage.