Most of us have had delusions of grandeur where we were in a world-famous rock band, jamming on stage with our closest friends. The truth is, most of us lack the talent to pick up the guitar or drums, or even open our mouths and exercise our vocal chords. The Rock Band video game series has at least let us pretend that we had some skill (and we could work on improving in the comfort of our own homes). But now the new iPhone version of Rock Band lets users take the game on the go.
(More on TIME.com: Rock Band 3 Review: You Might Accidentally Learn an Instrument)
Rock Band Reloaded is the revamped version of that game for iPad and iPhone, allowing more multiplayer aspects and corrects some of the gaming console glitches that seemed to always shut down the song when you were most in the groove. In addition to the upgraded graphics and ability to brag about your scores to your friends more easily, you can actually play the vocal part this time, singing into your device instead of using the track pad tapping option. (Although that option is still available if you don’t want to bother those riding on the subway with you with your nasal voice.) Gameplay is now horizontal instead of vertical, so you don’t have to squeeze your fingers into impossible positions to hit all those notes. Plus with an additional expert mode, there’s tons more to master. It’s Harmonix’s highest production value to date: With the characters moving to the music, it almost seems like you’re playing the console game… on a much smaller screen. The iPad version allows a dueling banjo mode where you literally face off with a friend on either side of an iPad on the same song. You can also play on the same team however on the same device and connect with other iPhones and iPads that may want to join your virtual band. But, don’t fret if all the changes won’t make you loose all those hours of practice on the original Rock Band: It’s basically the same game, just with a easier to use interface.
(More on TIME.com: Learn How to Play the Fiddle on Your iPad)
There are some downsides, including the fact that you can’t bring the songs from the original Rock Band mobile phone game to the new one, so they act as separate entities. The worst part of the game though: The singing function may encourage you to bust your pipes out in public, and that’s not always appreciated by everyone else around you. Trying to sing “Hungry Like the Wolf” on the street will get you more stares than applause. Plus, for some reason, the meter seems to go up when you’re NOT singing. Whether that’s because of the vocal talent of the tester or a game glitch, we’ll never know.
(More on TIME.com: Axl Rose Sues Activision Because Slash Is In “Guitar Hero 3”)
Song List
AVAILABLE TODAY WITH PURCHASE OF THE GAME
Tracks Included In Initial Download:
3 Doors Down – Kryptonite
Alice in Chains – Your Decision
Beastie Boys – So What’cha Want
Billy Idol – White Wedding
Drowning Pool – Bodies
Duran Duran – Hungry Like The Wolf
Evanescence – Call Me When You’re Sober
Megadeth – Peace Sells
Nine Inch Nails – The Perfect Drug
Nirvana – In Bloom
No Doubt – Hella Good
Pat Benatar – Heartbreaker
Seether – Remedy
Steve Miller Band – Rockn’ Me
Vampire weekend – A-Punk
Additional tracks available free today in the Music Store:
Anarchy Club – Blood Doll
Anarchy Club – Get Clean
Bang Camaro – Night Lies
Bank Camaro – Pleasure (Pleasure)
The Main Drag – A Jagged Gorgeous
Death of the Cool – Can’t Let Go
Additional tracks available through In App Purchase today:
Roy Orbison – Mean Woman Blues
Roy Orbison – You Got It
Flogging Molly – Drunken Lullabies
Flogging Molly – Requiem For A Dying Song
COMING SOON THROUGH IN APP PURCHASE
The Pretenders – Blue Christmas
Billy Squier – Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You
The All American Rejects – Dirty Little Secret
The All American Rejects – Real World
Third Eye Blind – Never Let You Go ‘09
Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Kind of Life ‘09
No Doubt – Underneath It All
No Doubt – Don’t Speak
Blink-182 – What’s My Age Again
Blink-182 – Adam’s Song
COMING SOON FREE TRACKS IN MUSIC STORE
Honest Bob and The Factory To Dealer Incentives – I Get By
Honest Bob and The Factory To Dealer Incentives – Entangled
Little Fish – Am I Crazy
Picture Me Broken – Dearest (I’m So Sorry)
Megasus – Megasus
Tribe – Outside
Tijuana Sweetheart – Seven
The Acro-Brats – Day Late, Dollar Short
MeTalkPretty – Wake Up
Cate Sparks – Whatever Happened To You