North American Nintendo Wii owners already know that they’ll be able to get their hands on Electronic Arts’ Rock Band on June 22, and now its creators have confirmed that Europeans will see the firm’s answer to Guitar Hero this summer - after a timed Microsoft Xbox 360 exclusive release (May 23) and and at the somewhat shocking price of £180 GBP/240 EUR for the game and its three accessories.

The United States has received a Special Edition of the game, which includes a Fender Strat guitar, the drum kit, microphone and the game itself, all for $169 USD. Europeans, meanwhile, will first have to fork out for an Instrument Edition of the rhythm-based software (£129.99 GBP/169 EUR), which includes every peripheral but not the game; then it’s case of shelling out a further £49.99 GBP / 69.99 EUR for the disc itself. IGN, who has the scoop, we assume is referring to the Xbox 360 and PS3 RRPs, so the Wii copy of the title may cost a little less. Separate guitars and drum kits will hit store shelves at £59.99/79.99 EUR and £69.99 GBP/79.99 EUR respectively.

In addition to the 58 tracks featured in the North American release of Rock Band, the European version will arrive with eight bonus songs:

• Beetlebum (Blur)
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Star (Oasis)
• Hysteria (Muse)
• Manu Chao (Les Wamaps)
• New Wave (Playmo)
• Hier Kommt Alex (Die Toten Hosen)
• Perfekte Welle (Juli)
• Countdown to Insanity (H-Block X)

Every downloadable track released thus far will also be available for Xbox 360 and PS3 owners, although as we know EA is holding back on implementing both online play downloadable content on the Nintendo Wii for now.

There’s no denying that it’s hardly sounding like being a bargain deal all things considered, particularly when you consider the lack of online capabilities in the Wii version and the price in comparison to North America. Just thinking about the price of multiplayer Rock Band in Europe is enough to make us weep.