I'm young enough to love trying new things, but old enough to know that those new things are not al...
I'm young enough to love trying new things, but old enough to know that those new things are not always great.
Member since:30.10.2005
Reviews:26
Members who trust:2
GENERAL OVERVIEW
When Playstation and Sony realised, probably somewhere beteween the two previous instalments of Singstar, that they had a completely new audience of 30-somethings on their hands, they must have felt relief.
Relief that there's now an infinite back catalogue of pop hits they could tap into and release in the Singstar series. And they started with this one.
Singstar is basically home karaoke. You need two USB microphones which plug into the USB out of the playstation. The other USB port can be used for an Eye Toy so you can take pictures of yourself and your poor friends to put on your 'artiste' profiles.
Watching the original music video, which since this is from the very early childhood of MTV and before is very amusing in itself, you sing along and are judged by timing, pitch and endurance.
Like before, you can play alone or with up to a total of
eight people.
As is probably obvious from the title, this is all about 80s hits. As someone who only very vaguely remembers when they happened the first time around, I am more eagerly awaiting a 90s edition. However, cheesy music is always good. The 80s hits are very easy to sing and have an incredibly high singalong factor. It's a must for pre-Christmas parties and will probably also help you save money by staying in to beat the blues come January.
DRAWBACKS
One drawback is that all the songs are from the 80s. If this is your first Singstar buy and you aren't between 29 and 33 years of age, this might not appeal to you and you'd be better off with one of the more varied earlier editions.
Because the tracks are picked to appleal to as broad an audience as possible, there is no hard rock. I miss Guns'n'Roses! They did some stuff as the 80s were drawing their last breaths. More inexplicably however there's no Michael Jackson. How you can have an 80s compilation without, I do not know. Blame rights or whatever, but someone should have been busting their butt more to get him.
The main drawback however is that you still can't change or turn off the volume of the original vocals. I want to hear me, and only me. Not that I don't like the Culture Club, but still.
NEW FEATURES
The only new feature is a strange version of arcade tennis classic Pong called Sing-Song. Instead of using your hands to move the paddles up and down, you use your voice. A bit thin I think; they might very well have slapped on some new singing modes. Or an 80s career version like in the original Singstar.
SINGLE OR MULTIPLAYER FUN?
Like I said about Popworld, this is the dream of the PS2 owner who also has friends. I can expand on that and say it's the dream of the owner with friends over 30. They might take to the console for the first time ever. New converts are always a good thing.
The multiplayer mode is as before. Although the twoplayer function is now integrated in the multiplayer menu, it is essentially the same as before. The game allows a team battle including duets, medleys and battles. I am testing it out at a 30something birthday party on Monday and am expecting success.
Not properly a new feature but an improvement is that the game allows a team battle with only two players. Could be fun if you only have one friend.
Playing alone might be fun if you like to try to remember the times when you seriously thought you would be a pop star one day. Otherwise, bring friends for maximum game enjoyment.
EASY TO USE?
Yes. It's all plug and play. Even if you're unfamiliar with PS2, you should manage. Trust me, I've tested it on a technophobe boyfriend.
REPLAY POTENTIAL
Considering that all these tracks have lingered in our mind for the best part of 20 (!) years now, the music obviously has staying power.
However, I found that singing most of these is easier on average than on earlier edition. My scores at the start were higher than when I first got Singstar, and I don't think it's due to an improvement in my voice! 80s music is simply less demanding to sing along to. Whether this is a plus or a minus is up to you to decide.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I love this game, but I think these songs are acutally harder than those on the earlier versions. Great review.
h_o_y_f_d 15.02.2006 16:32
Great review! Sounds fun :)
AnitaM 01.01.2006 23:50
At the age of 30, this is the version of Singstar I've been waiting for. And since getting it for Christmas, I have scored over 9000 on all but about 5 of the tracks. It's all good fun though.
The Soundtrack Of Your YouthPlaying SingStar '80s is simple:- Get your friends round.- ... more
Choose your track.- Pick up the mic- Sing the hits that'll give your party that true '80s feeling!Challenge your friends in Party Mode - anyone can play - just split...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: Out of stock
Nov 11th, 2005
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