SingStar
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PS3
Rating: T � Teen
Game type: Music
****1/2 (out of 5)
What�s the premise?
Pick up a mic or two and belt out your favourite songs. Essentially it�s karaoke in the safe confines of your home. The game comes with 30 songs from a wide range of genres, with many more available for purchase online. If you have the Playstation Eye you can even make a video of your performance and post it online for the world to see.
This game is most similar to�
American Idol, Karaoke Revolution, Guitar Hero, Rock Band.
Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
Definitely. While some songs may have lyrics with mild language, most are fine for all ages. Kids will likely love this game, and will probably be better at it than their parents.
One player or more?
Singstar offers many different modes to show off your vocal chops. You can sing by yourself or in a duet. You can battle a friend, where you and a friend sing at the same time and the game decides who did a better job. Perhaps the most fun mode is �Pass the Mic� where up to 8 players can compete in two teams in a variety of formats.
What�s missing?
While 30 songs is a good start, you will likely find yourself wanting more and at $1.50 a song the cost will add up quickly. There seemed to be a lack of good duets in the base package.
The (not-so) secret to success is�
It�s all about timing. You need to sing the song as you�ve heard it on the radio but also pay attention to the words and bars on the screen so you can adjust on the fly. Also make sure you hold longer notes for the full duration even if it feels unnatural to earn extra points.
And in the end?
A great game for parties with friends that's less intimidating to a newcomer than Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Just remember that not everyone can sing like Tina Turner, but that doesn�t mean you shouldn�t have fun trying.
See Also
