User Rating: 6.4 | SingStar (w/Microphone) PS2
FIRST there was karaoke, then Pop Idol, it seems that everyone wants to sing – whether they’re capable or not. Recognising this growing trend Sony Computer Entertainment Europe decided to make karaoke-style singing available at home, but with an added twist. For the first time in a console game, singers can compete against other singers in a race to discover who has the best voice. SingStar out now on the PS2 allows gamers to have a singing showdown by warbling into the supplied USB microphones while trying to not watch the video that’s playing on screen and making sure you’re singing the right words. This game is real party-fodder, following in the footsteps of Sony’s EyeToy. And by some stroke of genius, you can even use your EyeToy to put yourself on screen while you’re singing. I must admit I was a little sceptical about how a PS2 would know how good and how in tune someone was singing, but after giving it a thorough testing, I was quite impressed...well it said I was pop star material and in the words of Dodgy, that’s ‘good enough’ for me. The amazing technology analyses your voice according the waveform pattern stored in the game and it’s amazingly accurate. Singing really off tune, gave a really bad score, while singing like Robbie (I wish) gave me a really high score. You can really see the potential for this game at Christmas and birthday parties and with songs from artists like Liberty X, Mis-Teeq, The Darkness, Motorhead, George Michael, Elvis, Westlife and Busted, there really is something for everyone. And if the developers decide to bring out extra song discs then the longevity of this game would increase tenfold. I really enjoyed SingStar and would easily recommend it. It’s a great family game, which really will get everyone involved – if only to fight over the mike and decide who’s going to wail next.
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