Fans of the popular ‘Rock Band’ series can start to get excited as the second version of the music video game will be released later this year in September. ‘Rock Band 2′ will be compatible with the previous release and is destined to be a mega-seller.

This “Rock Band” sequel is a departure from recent music game sequels and spin-offs, including entries in the competing “Guitar Hero” franchise, which do not always sync up to the originals. For example, the new “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith” coming out this week does not work with downloadable content marked for “Guitar Hero III,” according to a report on gaming blog Joystiq.

“Rock Band 2,” goes the other way, as it appears to be set to work smoothly with its predecessor. In fact, it has been announced to be so compatible with the first game’s music and instruments that an IGN reporter who was interviewing the sequel’s lead designer Dan Teasdale was compelled to ask why owners of the first game would feel the need to buy the second game.

” ‘Rock Band 2′ takes all the lessons we’ve learned from making a multi-instrument music game, addresses them, then adds some amazing new ways for you to experience your music library that have never been seen in a music game before,” Teasdale told IGN.

This game is an addiction that keeps me up way too deep into the night. I received the game for Father’s Day and my sleep has suffered since I started playing RB. The game makes even the most untalented person (see me) feel like they are jamming and thrashing to some of the best metal/rock songs of all-time.

I am already awaiting for RB2.  I still have plenty of songs to unlock and levels to reach before September.  The game comes with a microphone, guitar, drum set and the actual video game.  I bought an additional guitar that can double as a bass so four people can play at the same time.

Have you played?  If so drop a comment with your thoughts about ‘Rock Band’.