Singstar Review (PS3)

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The Japanese culture has provided us with many wonderful things. One of them is Karaoke. A japanese tradition for singing in clubs along to a soundtrack reading lyrics off a tv screen. These days all around the world it is now a must for lots of people on a Friday night after too much beer, and obviously too many X Factor hopefuls. In case you have been living under a rock, or in a cave, Singstar is Sony’s attempt at mixing Karaoke and rhythm action games, and has been very popular for the PS2. People get to sing into a couple of pleasingly chunky microphones while music videos play on the screen, along with the lyrics. Hit the right notes and sing words when they are highlighted, and you get points. A simple concept, which has worked well. It has also provided Sony with lots of sequels, each spotlighting a certain musical genre.

The general production values are a major step up from its PS2 counterparts

2007 finally saw the European release of the PS3, and it was only a matter of time before the latest Sony console had its own version of Singstar. I am happy to inform you guys that it is worth the wait as this version rocks. The music videos look crystal clear and the sound is excellent. The general production values are a major step up from its PS2 counterparts, with options to customise the wallpaper and post high scores online.

You have 30 songs on the blu ray disc with everybody’s tastes catered for, from Britney Spears ?Toxic? (very apt title considering her current problems-lol), to Twisted Sister- ?We’re not gonna take it?(my personal fave as I have my highest score on it-Rowk!). Don’t fancy either of them, how about U2- ?Beautiful day? or even Ne-Yo ? ?So sick?. Want a duet, using the 2 mics you had with the PS2 version of Singstar (all hail the USB!), then how about Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman- ?Something Stupid?.

If you find none of the included tracks float your vocal boat, then you can go online to the Singstore and purchase loads more songs & wallpapers for a paltry fee (99 English pence to you). I cannot recommend this enough. It made my Christmas fun, much the same way the Wii did last year. It’s not just Nintendo that can do party games well, the bods at Sony know their stuff as well. I would put money on a PS3 version of Buzz! in the near future.