The video game that made singing off key cool again is back. Rock Band II will hit the Xbox 360 in September. Harmonix (the developer), MTV Games (the publisher) and EA (the distributor) all eagerly await your hard-earned money.

So what’s different? What’s the same? What gives?

Well, first know that it’s not only for the Xbox 360. Harmonix says it’ll be available for other systems (the PS3 and Wii, though last time the Wii version lagged behind the other two by several months) before the end of the year. So everyone’s a winner. There will be new instruments, but your old ones from Rock Band 1 will work just fine. This is the new guitar, in case you’re curious.

We also know that all those extra songs you downloaded will work on Rock Band II, so it’s not like you’ve wasted your money.

And that’s about it so far. We’re not too far away from the game’s launch date, so don’t be surprised to see more and more coverage as its launch draws near.

What songs will be included? What new and exciting features to expect? These are all question marks right now.

Just know that it’s coming. And that you’ll probably get drunk and play it with your friends, all over again.

Rock Band 2: The Opening Act [IGN]