Posts tagged ION Drum Rocker
Review: Rock Pedal
Aug 24th
If last week’s paean to the ultimate Rock Band drum set cast my reputation as a savvy consumer into doubt, I’m probably sinking my credibility to the bottom of the darkest ocean with this review of a premium kick drum pedal for a video game.
Strictly speaking, the Rock Pedal is an actual, real drum pedal, complete with chain, spring and hammer. However, it’s been modified to work with Rock Band with unparalleled precision and durability, putting the easily-broken pedals of Harmonix’s own kits to shame.
There’s no question whether the $80 pedal works as intended; Rock Pedal comes with a 30-day trial and a one-year full warranty, and my own experiences with the pedal over the last month have been nothing short of stellar.
No, the real question is one of value. What kind of person would benefit from a drum pedal that costs as much as the standard Rock Band drum kit?
Review: ION Drum Rocker
Aug 19th
Before we begin, one thing must be accepted as an absolute truth: The ION Drum Rocker is not for everyone. With an asking price of $300, you could purchase a brand new Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 Slim. You could even invest in a full menagerie of fab instruments with The Beatles: Rock Band bundle. And if Snuggies are your thing, well, you’re looking at a couple weeks’ worth of cuddly, cost-efficient warmth.
With its authentic, professional-grade electronic drum pads and cymbals that can be rearranged to the drummer’s every whim, even a casual Rock Band player will find his or her attention seized by the sheer spectacle of the Drum Rocker. But is it the kit for you?
The answer is simple! Just take our three-step quiz:
- If you don’t own a Rock Band game: Please don’t waste another second living under that rock. Kindly redirect your browser here and pick up the Rock Band 1 bundle along with Rock Band 2 and the AC/DC Live Track Pack for a mere $80. Those Rock Band 1 drums will get you acquainted with the basics.
- If you’re a light to moderate Rock Band or Guitar Hero player: You’re better served spending your money on expanding your song or instrument library in a less extravagant fashion. There’s not a single expert drum song that can’t be passed on the stock Rock Band or Guitar Hero drum set, so don’t panic.
- If you’re a super-big Rock Band geek with naïve aspirations of learning how to play a real drum kit (kind of like Neil Peart but without the tragic history and freaky Objectivist lyrics): Oh thank goodness. I’m not alone. You should keep reading this article.
Enough Is Enough: How to sell (and cope with the loss of) your old, boring games
Jul 20th
Look at it. Isn’t it just lovely?
It’s mine, you know. I just ordered it off Amazon for less than a hundred bucks! And it’s listed for two hundred ninety-nine dollars and ninety-nine cents. But thanks to some astute deal-watching over at Cheap Ass Gamer, I got wind of an offer I couldn’t pass up: By trading in $50 worth of used games to Amazon.com’s Trade-In store, your next video game or video-game accessory (that part’s crucial) purchase will be 50% off. The ION Drum Rocker is probably the most expensive game accessory Amazon offers, and it’s one I’ve been dying to own ever since I first played one almost a year ago.
I didn’t waste any time. Within minutes I was tossing games into piles, not unlike how a monkey organizes its feces — “Must Keep,” “Should Probably Keep So Friends Will Admire Me” and “I’m Not Sure Why I’ve Got This but Maybe It’s Good.” A few quick price checks later and I knew I had more than enough games I could part with to make the deal.
It should have been a no-brainer. But I hesitated, and guilt washed over me.
I couldn’t help but feel that, by completing this heinous ritual, I was splitting my soul into several discrete fragments that forged horcruxes and ensured my immortality. But, well, come on — just look at this drum kit. Who cares about that preserving-one’s-humanity nonsense?