Harmonix, the world’s leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced the full setlist for Rock Band™ Unplugged, the music videogame based on the award-winning Rock Band series of games, coming exclusively to the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system in the UK on 19th June 2009.

Based on the award-winning Rock Band series of games, Rock Band Unplugged features 41 songs on-disc that encompass popular tracks from the Rock Band music library, as well as nine songs exclusive to Rock Band Unplugged for a limited time before becoming available as downloadable content on other console versions.

Staying true to the Rock Band franchise, the Rock Band Unplugged soundtrack spans all genres of rock, from punk and metal to alternative and classic rock.

Rock Band Unplugged Full Track List:

2000s

AFI - "Miss Murder" *
All-American Rejects - "Move Along"
Audioslave - "Gasoline" *
Black Tide - "Show Me the Way" *
Freezepop - "Less Talk More Rokk" *
Jimmy Eat World - "The Middle"
The Killers - "Mr. Brightside"

Lacuna Coil - "Our Truth"
Lamb of God - "Laid to Rest"
Modest Mouse - "Float On"
Queens of the Stone Age - "3's and 7's"
System of a Down - "Chop Suey!"
Tenacious D - "Rock Your Socks" *

1990s

3 Doors Down - "Kryptonite" *
Alice in Chains - "Would?" *
Blink 182 - "What's My Age Again" *
Foo Fighters - "Everlong"
Judas Priest - "Painkiller"
Lit - "My Own Worst Enemy"
Lush - "De-Luxe"
Mighty Mighty Bosstones - "Where'd You Go?"
Nine Inch Nails - "The Perfect Drug"

Nirvana - "Drain You"
The Offspring - "Come Out and Play (Keep 'em Separated)"
Pearl Jam - "Alive"
Smashing Pumpkins - "Today"
Social Distortion - "I Was Wrong"
Soundgarden - "Spoonman"
Weezer - "Buddy Holly"

1980s

Billy Idol - "White Wedding Part 1"
Bon Jovi - "Livin' on a Prayer"
Dead Kennedys - "Holiday in Cambodia"

Motörhead - "Ace of Spades"
The Police - "Message in a Bottle"
Siouxsie & the Banshees - "The Killing Jar"

1970s

Boston - "More Than a Feeling"
Jackson 5 - "ABC" *
Jethro Tull - "Aqualung"

Kansas - "Carry on Wayward Son
Rush - "The Trees"

1960s

The Who - "Pinball Wizard"

Rock Band Unplugged helps players keep on rocking by delivering the first PSP game to feature an in-game store for downloadable content. Harmonix will stock the music store with 10 tracks at launch, and additional music will be released on a regular basis. PlayStation®Network will power the in-game store, and players can use their existing PlayStation Network accounts to purchase tracks, similar to the Rock Band console experience. PSP system owners will also have the option of purchasing tracks via PlayStation®Store on the PC.

The first 10 DLC tracks that will be available in the Rock Band Unplugged music store starting June 9, 2009 are listed below.

• 30 Seconds to Mars “The Kill”
• Belly “Feed the Tree”
• Disturbed “Inside the Fire”
• Lynyrd Skynyrd “Gimme Three Steps”
• Muse “Hysteria”
• Mute Math “Typical”
• No Doubt “Just a Girl”
• Oasis “Wonderwall”
• Paramore “Crushcrushcrush”
• Red Hot Chili Peppers “Under the Bridge”

Rock Band Unplugged creates a full band experience in the palm of players’ hands by combining traditional beat-match gameplay with key elements from both Rock Band and Rock Band 2, such as overdrive and chords. The hands are the “peripherals” in Rock Band Unplugged, allowing players to take direct control of the lead/bass guitars, drums and vocals. Players can expect an in-depth Rock Band experience with fully functional modes, like World Tour, Band Survival and Warm Up, as well as a robust character creator for full rocker customization.

To commemorate the debut of the Rock Band franchise on the PSP system, Sony Computer Entertainment America plans to release a limited edition Rock Band-branded PSP Entertainment Pack at the launch of Rock Band Unplugged. The bundle will include the game, a “Piano Black” PSP system, a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo™, and, in the United States only, a voucher to download Paramount Pictures’ School of Rock from PlayStation®Store.

Rock Band Unplugged is developed by Harmonix in partnership with Backbone Entertainment, a Foundation 9 Entertainment studio, and is distributed by Electronic Arts. The game will retail for £29.99 in the United Kingdom.

The new Astro Boy movie will be accompanied by it's fellow brother the Video Game. I'm fine with the release of this game on the Wii, don't get me wrong. But, I feel that is ironic that a developer like High Voltage Software, the same people behind The Conduit and that have promised to bring great content to the Wii, develop games like this. Why doesn't High Voltage focus more in what they promised for us Wii gamers instead of keep developing games like this? I have nothing against High Voltage, I can't wait for The Conduit to come out, I think it's a fair question to ask. Don't you think?

 It's about time! While nowhere near the level of access that is currently available for the PSP or Wii, the ChickHEN project is well on its way. In this youtube video the code can be seen to remain after a reboot of the system, and it allows the changing of the MAC adress and the system software. This is but the beginning of what will most likely be a long line of PSP 300 homebrew attempts and successes.

The sequel to the survival horror game ObsCure will be ported over to the PSP handheld, the game was released on the Wii, PS2 and PC early last year.

 PS3 and PSP users are soon going to be able to enjoy video courtesy of VidZone. The PS3 will have streaming video available from a free application to appear on the XMB of your PS3 once downloaded and will feature streaming video including behind the scenes, the-making-of videos, and even full length concerts. VidZone promises both major and independent music labels, so there will be something for everyone. Videos can be individually streamed off the internet or saved on your PS3 for offline viewing. Saving the video to your PS3 will allow you to fast forward, rewind, and pause the video without having to reload the whole thing (take that Netflix Live!).

Even PSP users can get in on the action, as the videos are easily transferable to your PSP, allowing you to enjoy your favorite concert anywhere. Though the PSP has no streaming option, you may still fast forward, rewind, and do all those other things that allow you to pretend you're some sort of time-controlling god.

The catch? Of course there's a catch. VidZone is only available to those in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Australia. So sorry to those of you who happen to live in the US or Asia (note: half the current PS3/PSP users) but for now, you're just out of luck... 

Recently we've seen a slump in homebrew for the PSP, once acclaimed for its many hacking possibilities. With rumors that Sony is attempting to place anti-hack software in its new PSP 3000, it's a daunting task to attempt any type of homebrew these days. But there are those that persevere. Many people still work with the original PSP to bring us new and exciting features (shower radio FTW!) and others are hard at work breaking into the new PSP 3000.

All I can say is that with the advancing technology, and our gamers' tenacity, we'll never be short on illegal handheld hacks.