SingStar Set to take Europe by Storm

Sony UK announces details on on its forthcoming karaoke-em-up. You're a star, so act like one with SingStar! It says here.

This week, Sony announced SingStar, an innovative new title that invites players to step into the spotlight and exercise their vocal chords. Developed by Sony London, the studio responsible for EyeToy, SingStar offers an engaging, social experience that encourages even the most reticent singer to unleash their inner rock star.

The game hasn't been announced for the United States yet, but considering EyeToy has successfully launched both in the States and Japan, it stands a very good chance. And, since local European territories get their own modified music tracks in the game, the US is likely to get an additional round of its own more nationally recognised talent.

SingStar's technology analyses the player's vocal skills, based on their pitch, tone and timing as they sing into the USB microphone, and provides feedback based on how well or how badly they have sung.

SingStar's expansive track list features a wide variety of well-known songs from world-class artists. Each track is the artist's original recording and SingStar also includes the original music video for many of the songs.

SingStar International Track List:

• Liberty X - Just a Little
• Mis-Teeq - Scandalous
• The Darkness - I Believe in a Thing Called Love
• A-Ha - Take on Me
• Pink - Get the Party Started
• Jamelia - Superstar
• Motorhead - Ace of Spades
• George Michael - Careless Whisper
• Avril Lavigne - Complicated
• Petula Clark - Downtown
• Sophie Ellis Bexter - Murder on the Dancefloor
• Daniel Bedingfield - If You're Not the One
• Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting
• Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
• Westlife - World of Our Own
• Ricky Martin - Livin La Vida Loca
• Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
• Madonna - Like a Virgin
• Roy Orbison Pretty Woman
• S Club - Don't Stop Movin'
• Deee-Lite - Groove is in the Heart
• Sugababes - Round Round
• Elvis - Suspicious Minds
• Busted - Crashed the Wedding
• Village People - YMCA
• Good Charlotte - Girls and Boys
• Blondie - Heart of Glass
• Dido - Thank You
• Atomic Kitten - Eternal Flame
• Blue - One Love

SingStar features three gameplay modes that allow for between one and eight players to join in together. Sing Mode encourages players to simply pick up the mic and start singing, either alone or battling against a mate. Pass the Mic is the ultimate party game, encouraging duets and team competitions; and Star Maker allows budding stars to follow their dream from singing in the bedroom to performing in a sell-out concert for their adoring fans.

SingStar comes with two microphones that plug into PlayStation 2 via a USB adapter, offering an instant multi-play experience. In addition, the game is EyeToy compatible, allowing players to actually see themselves singing within the game. SingStar will be available this summer, exclusively on PlayStation 2. .

Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com