EA has dismissed as 'speculation' product listings for spied at retailers and Amazon. The retailers priced complete Rock Band peripheral sets with a copy of the game at 199.99 USD, though the publisher are adamant that nothing is official.

Individually, the retailers price the game at 59.99 USD, drums at 80 USD, the microphone at 30 USD, and the wireless guitar at 80 USD - but the same peripheral on the is 60 USD. These pre-order prices could simply be placeholders as the retailers battle for said pre-orders, but concern has been voiced in the past that to get the most out of Rock Band gamers will need to fork-out for an extensive range of expensive bespoke controllers.

Unlike Guitar Hero, Harmonix's last creation, Rock Band takes in all areas of a 'band' as part of the rhythm-music gameplay. Whole albums will be downloadable post-launch, and a range of modes will move between gaming and musical experiences depending on the abilities of your band.

EA tell us that whole sets won't be required to play the game, which is just as well if these sums turn out to be in any way indicative. More soon.

By Luke Guttridge