Both Rock Band and Guitar Hero have, over the past few years, taken the music/rhythm videogame genre to new height, fusing their interactive peripherals with well-known music and downloadable features. Not one to miss a trick, Konami is wanting in on some of the action with Rock Revolution for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS, announced today.

[Screenshot Source (Xbox 360): WorthPlaying]

Designed by musicians, Konami is hoping to provide the definitive music/rhythm experience, by allowing players to rock out with guitars and drums. While the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 versions of the game will include an actual drum kit and, we assume, guitar, Konami explains that the Wii build will substitute the add-on with a Wii Remote and Nunchuck ‘air drum’ and ‘air guitar’ experience. The Nintendo DS version, meanwhile, utilises stylus input.

Tracks known so far:

• Chop Suey (System of a Down)
• All My Life (Foo Fighters)
• Falling Away From You (Korn)
• Last Resort (Papa Roach)
• Somebody Told Me (The Killers)
• Dance, Dance (Fall Out Boy)
• Dr. Feelgood (Motley Crue)
• Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
• We Won’t Be Fooled Again (The Who)
  “Rock Revolution will be the most innovative and realistic rock game to hit the market, that will provide a quality drum peripheral and music that players will appreciate,” said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “As the originator of music-based games, we are dedicated to bringing fans a truly preeminent music experience. With Rock Revolution, we put the emphasis on the drum kit, delivering an experience unlike any other.”

  There’s definitely a sniff of desperation about this move, especially in a genre where Konami used to be king (DanceDanceRevolution, Beatmania et al.), but we’re willing to reserve judgement on it just for now… even though the Wii version is the only of the home console builds not to feature downloadable content. Sigh.