Rock Revolution’s publisher Konami invented the modern rhythm action game. This is unquestionable. Even if you can somehow forget about Dance Dance Revolution, one look at Guitar Freaks 🅷and DrumMania/Percussion Freaks, both of which blasted into Japanese arcades clear back in 1999, is proof enough for even the most dim-witted. Unfortunately, that was a long time ago. Rock Revolution isn’t merely not very good; it’s so bad it might actually make you angry. It’s actually strange that something so intent on copying the latest Rock Band and Guitar Hero formula - enabling players to “play” drums, guitar and bass like real rock stars - could be so much worse.

Above: The GuitarFreaks and DrumMania series have been kicking in Japan for almost a decade. Remind you of anything?

Rock Revolution’s biggest sin is its proprietary drum controller. Apparently, it’s not enough that cash and storage space-starved gamers already have to contend with (or worse: choose between) Rock Band and Guitar Hero World Tour drum kits. No, now you really need a third option. Although, to be fair, this strange mess of s🌊hapes and colors seems more like an art-deco sculpture than it does even a pretend drum kit. The pads are too small, too cramped, oddly arranged, and they rest inside big, hard plastic collars that you’ll often clang instead of or along with the actual pad. It’s awful. Rock Revoution works with the guitars from other games – why on Earth doesn’t ꦰit support those games’ vastly superior drum kits?

Above: The offending device