Song lists make or break karaoke games and SingStar '80s has arguably got the best, most balanced list of songs to date.
Released alongside SingStar Amped, SingStar '80s compiles 30 hit songs performed by their original artists, complete with their accompanying music videos.
As with all of the SingStar games, there are several ways to play. There is of course a standard single-player mode, however what sets the SingStar series apart from other karaoke games is the robust multi-player options.
Pass the Mic mode let's up to eight people play in teams. This is a versus mode and by far the loudest, craziest and party-oriented of the bunch. Within this mode you'll find further options to add variety to your sessions like Micro-Medley, First to the Post and Keep it Up.
The two-player options are also good, allowing you to either play against each other in Battle mode, or co-operatively in the ever-popular Duet mode. These two modes are also playable with up to eight players in teams.
There are three difficulty levels in the game however when playing any of the multi-player modes, players are all forced to sing at the same level. It would be nice to adjust each player or teams difficulty level individually.
The game play screen is simple yet effective. The "notes" are represented by the SingStar series' trademark rounded rectangles. There isn't a whole lot of visual flair besides some glittery effects when you really nail a vocal line. Of course, one of the big draws to the SingStar series is that where available, the original music video plays in the background as you sing. In the case of the '80s version this is a real, real treat for those of us old enough to remember them.
SingStar '80s does not do anything to change the core look or feel of the series, nor should it really. The series' interface is clean and modern with only minor colour scheme and theme music alterations in each installment.
SingStar '80s does however feature the series' best opening video yet. The producers tracked down the now 50-something Dee Snider, lead singer of Twisted Sister to sing along with a player to his group's legendary "We're Not Going to Take It". Ironically, this song seems better suited to the SingStar Amped edition, released at the same time.
Aside from that anomaly, SingStar '80s set list is quite possibly the most cohesive ever put together in a Karaoke game. Highlights include "You Spin Me Round" by Dead or Alive, the iconic "I Ran" by Flock of Seagulls, Madonna's "Material Girl" and "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell.
There are also tracks by Duran Duran, Men at Work and Simple Minds to name a few. In short, if you were born before 1984 there will be quite a few songs you'll know.
As with all of the SingStar games, '80s can be purchased as stand-alone software or in a bundle with the required, and surprisingly high quality pair of microphones. The fact that it comes with two microphones, offers so many multi-player options and has an excellent set list makes SingStar '80s an winning choice for anyone fond of karaoke parties. Beverages not included.
--Brian J. Papineau - 09/21/2007