"They are demos for the store that are getting accidentally sold," wrote a Harmonix employee. "These demo builds are kind of hobbled--for one the drums don't have [a] kick pedal. Some of the demos don't have mics. And the build isn't a full-real retail version of the game. It is hobbled a bit and, obviously, the bass drum autoplays since there is no pedal that comes with the demo."

Contradicting Harmonix's word on the matter, forum members of Cheap Ass Gamer claim that full retail Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 bundles have indeed been sold at Wal-Mart stores and that retailers are stocking multiple copies. Others maintain the demo units are simply packed in the game's final box and aren't labeled as demos until you open them, leading to retailer confusion.

Regardless, it's obvious that some stores have something Rock Band-branded on their shelves, and readers looking to acquire early copies of Rock Band are advised to ask for assistance with items on the top shelf.

Both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions of Rock Band and their 58 tracks will launch November 20. The game will sell by itself for $59.99 and will also be available in a $169.99 special edition bundle that comes with a microphone, guitar, and drum kit. The PlayStation 2 version launches December 10 at $159.99.

Due to supply constraints, separate instruments are not expected in stores until 2008, though the Xbox 360 version is known to be compatible with the Xbox 360's USB X-Plorer guitar, with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions said to work with the console's respective wireless Guitar Hero III guitars as well.