Sony continues the long line of SingStar expansions with Legends, a look into some of the biggest musical hits you’d want to sing in your living room. Whether you want to drop down low as Barry White or kick it old school with Biz Markie, there’s some gems here for you.
If you’ve never played SingStar on the PS2, it’s a karaoke rhythm game where you get points for singing the proper notes to your favorite songs. The previous editions have been enormous hits throughout the world. To add to the great series, Sony recently released an expansion for Country music.
SingStar games feature the original videos of each song where available. Things here are pretty much standard for the series; there’s not much needed in terms of graphics for a karaoke game. Sound-wise, this is the area that SingStar is designed to shine, and it works very well. Each song has terrific original sound for you to rock out with.
Sony is bringing a much needed feature to the PS3 editions of SingStar later this year. The PS2 versions have all supposed a disc swapping feature, which allows you to switch discs to load new songs without quitting the game by pressing the Select button during song selection. This didn’t exist in the PS3 version because, well, there was only one version.
In an effort to allow PS3 owners to keep playing their previous SingStar songs from the PS2, Sony is bringing that disc swapping to SingStar for the PS3. You’ll be able to hit Select and fire up one of your PS2 copies of SingStar to rock out to those tracks as well. Bear in mind, you need to have a PS3 that has backwards compatibility, which is getting increasingly difficult to find.
To go along with the Disc Swapping, SingStar Volume 2 is coming for the PS3 in North America with Trophy support. Volume 2 has been out in Europe for a while, but North American gamers will finally get to rock out to the 30 new tracks in the game. Why we can’t just grab these from the SingStore, I don’t know. I’m assuming the original PS3 SingStar will be patched for Trophy support as well, but only time will tell. Rock on.
In a show of continued dedication to the PS2, Sony announced a new Lego Batman PS2 Bundle. The bundle will be priced at $149 and include a copy of Lego Batman and the DVD of Justice League. Not a bad bundle when you consider that the regular PS2 is priced at $129, that means you get a DVD and a game for $10 each. For those of you that are looking to stay a bit budget this is perfect for you, you can grab Rock Band, Singstar and a lot of titles for the PS2.
Remember that game with the codename Lips that Microsoft was supposed to reveal at it’s Media Day a few months back? It seems a survey company, Intellisponse, has leaked a ton of information, including details on Microsoft’s new SingStar clone.
Lips is a music and singing game that includes 30 songs, 2 wireless interactive microphones, the ability to use and sing your own music or downloaded songs from an online service. Designed to have fun with friends, Lips scores you on your singing (pitch, rhythm, and tune) and overall performance.
Wireless mics are interactive, with lights on the shaft of the microphone that pulse to the rhythm of your voice, and motion sensors that allow you to dance, move or swing to score points.
Take songs from a CD or your ipod, and upload them into the game. The game will reduce the vocals so you can sing along and be heard, and score on whether you’re in tune. Lyrics can also be added directly into the song to sing along.
Interesting. I guess seeing the worldwide success of Sony’s karaoke games has made them want to copy the formula. I guess we’ll find out at E3.
If you’ve never played SingStar on the PS2, you’ve missed out. It’s a karaoke rhythm game where you get points for singing the proper notes to your favorite songs. The five editions on the PlayStation 2, Pop, Rock, Amped, 80s and 90s, have been enormous hits throughout the world. The PS3 version takes it up a step with online features and downloadable songs. Having been released in Europe for a while now, SingStar for PS3 has finally landed in the US. Here is a breakdown of some of the facets of SingStar for the PS3:
SingStar games feature the original videos of each song where available. For the first time in the series, you get pretty HD graphics for all the videos, whether native or upscaled. The menu systems are done very well and you can tell the recent PlayStation Store redesign took a few nods from SingStar. The sound is the area that SingStar is designed to shine, and it works very well. Each song has terrific original sound for you to rock out with and everything supports 5.1 channel surround sound.
I, for one, am excited about this. I know SingStar has never picked up as much popularity here in the States as it has garnered in Europe, but I’m a huge fan of the games. Get a bunch of friends together, have a few drinks, and see who can rack up the highest scores on some of the coolest karaoke songs out there.
Until now, gamers in the US have been playing on the PS2. The PS3 version has been available in Europe for a while now, with the huge SingStore for downloadable content. The wait in the US will be over on May 20th when the game is finally released State-side.
At the time of release, there will be roughly 200 songs available in the SingStore for $1.49 each. Not a bad price. Sony says they’ll be adding 25-50 songs each month, which should really keep the game fresh. I love that I’ll be able to pick and choose which songs I want. And who knows, maybe I’ll hook up my PS Eye when friends are over and we’ll upload some drunk SingStar videos.
One of the coolest features is Remote Play with the PSP where you can browse the SingStore and queue up some song downloads while you’re away. I’m sure I’ll make use of that a few times while I’m traveling this summer. Anyway, look out for SingStar to hit a retail store near you on May 20th.
[via PlayStation.Blog]
This is a trailer from the new Singstar game for PS3. While the game looks updated for next gen, they have chosen an Outkast song to promote it. I remember when these guys were hardcore. Now we have kids in sideways hats and 8 yr olds crooning out their tunes. Throw in a few soccer moms and we have a perfect storm.
In case you were wondering if Sony was the shy, quiet type or the ones to get things rolling at the party, here’s your answer. I got a big box from them today labeled “Party Pack”, which quickly raised an eyebrow. To celebrate the launch of SingStar 90’s and Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz for the PS2, Sony is helping out with how to truly throw a rockin’ party.
I was amused to open the pack and find a SingStar 90’s and Buzz! labeled pizza box. Inside was a Buzz! t-shirt, movie candy, and popcorn, a Papa John’s gift card, and SingStar 90’s light-up shot glasses. Sitting next to the pizza box was an Instant-SingStar-In-A-Can. What exactly was inside? A feather boa and sunglasses. Just what I need to show how rockin’ I am.
Hit the jump for more pictures from this hilariously cool pack. I know this shot glasses will be put to good use with SingStar 90’s… already have had a few drunken nights with friends belting out Hold On by Wilson Phillips 
If you’ve never played SingStar on the PS2, it’s a karaoke rhythm game where you get points for singing the proper notes to your favorite songs. The first four editions, Pop, Rock, Amped and 80s, have been enormous hits throughout the world. To add to the great series, Sony recently released an expansion for the 90s, one of the greatest and cheesiest eras in music. Here is a breakdown of some of the facets of SingStar 90s for the PS2:
Presentation and Graphics: SingStar games feature the original videos of each song where available. This proves hilarious for the 90s edition. You get the parachute pants and grunge flannel. Otherwise, it’s standard fare for a SingStar game. There’s not much needed in terms of graphics for a karaoke game. The upcoming PS3 version will pretty it up, but the PS2 versions only have white backgrounds with the video playing in the middle of the screen. 6 of 10
