Singing its praises

The popular video-game karaoke title SingStar is back, and this time it’s making its first appearance on Sony’s Playstation 3 (PS3) console.
Not much has changed as the game makes a leap from the Playstation 2 (PS2) to its more powerful brethren but there are enough new features to warrant a purchase if you are hankering for some more sleepless nights singing and keeping the neighbours awake.
First and foremost, the PS3’s high-definition graphics and crisp digital audio serve the SingStar series well.
Secondly, the SingStore – an online music shop that people can purchase new songs to sing along to – is an excellent addition that will help you build an impressive catalogue of songs, with each song reasonably priced at $2.45.
The title is compatible with microphones used in previous SingStar games, so there’s no reason to buy the total package unless you’re new to the series.
You cannot use your old SingStar disks with this title, so in many ways the new SingStar is a fresh beginning for all PS3 owners.
The disk comes loaded with 36 songs, some which are new, and others which are highlights from the PS2 disks.
I love the SingStore because in the past, SingStar disks have cost about $50 to purchase and at times contain only about 10 decent songs out of about 30.
But I was able to spend half of that sum, $25, to purchase 10 of my favourite songs from the SingStore.
At the moment there is a limited selection of songs for download but Sony says more will be added in the future. The gameplay remains relatively unchanged with easy, medium and hard modes all intact, and the party games such as battle and duet making their return.
Those with a Playstation Eye camera can hook it up and record themselves and friends singing, which makes for some hilarious memories.
Sony has also mentioned that it is working on wireless microphones for SingStar PS3.
If you have a PS3 and like the idea of purchasing new songs to add to your SingStar collection, then by all means purchase the new SingStar.
If you own all of the PS2 discs, then it might be worth investigating whether or not you like the new songs, and those that are coming to SingStore, before making your purchase.