Lips (with 2 Microphones)

Microsoft have put a lot of effort into making a really good karaoke game to rival Sony's Singstar and if you judge them purely on the basis of how the games interpret, track and score a player's singing, it's clear that Lips is really a step on from Singstar.

Sony have stood still with Singstar and the technology behind it hasn't changed much at all over the years and that's caused it to carry it's single biggest flaw from version to version to version: really good singers are penalised by Singstar, which only scores notes that are held flat. Anyone with vibrato is at a distinct disadvantage.

True to form, Microsoft have picked up on Singstar's flaws and made sure that they are absent from their clone. Singstar will not only accurately score vibrato, but gives bonuses for it and other vocal trills and improvisation that are in key. In technological terms, score a big fat one for Lips.

The technology is only half the story of course, as a karaoke game lives and dies… more »

Microsoft have put a lot of effort into making a really good karaoke game to rival Sony's Singstar and if you judge them purely on the basis of how the games interpret, track and score a player's singing, it's clear that Lips is really a step on from Singstar.

Sony have stood still with Singstar and the technology behind it hasn't changed much at all over the years and that's caused it to carry it's single biggest flaw from version to version to version: really good singers are penalised by Singstar, which only scores notes that are held flat. Anyone with vibrato is at a distinct disadvantage.

True to form, Microsoft have picked up on Singstar's flaws and made sure that they are absent from their clone. Singstar will not only accurately score vibrato, but gives bonuses for it and other vocal trills and improvisation that are in key. In technological terms, score a big fat one for Lips.

The technology is only half the story of course, as a karaoke game lives and dies by the strength of its catalogue. The 40 songs on the disc are a pretty good mix - there's something for everyone, but at the same time most people will struggle to find more than four or five songs that they want to sing. MS are clearly pinning a lot on Xbox Live Marketplace, but so far, a week or so after launch, there's only about eight new songs available, although A Ha's Take on Me is available free to anyone who thinks they can hit those high notes. At 200 Microsoft Space Bucks (or £1.70) they're pretty good value and comparable to the Singstar download prices, although the clunkiness of buying MS points and then buying the songs will be as irritating as ever.

Right now though, Lips is a fine product in dire need of more downloadable content. If Microsoft can get 30 songs up on XBL before Christmas, then I think they'll have a hit on their hands. If they don't, then Lips will be in Singstar's shadow for a long time.

This game is definately fun but as a few people have mentioned before, it clearly does not score points correctly & just gives them out as it feels. I was singing vs my girlfriend to Umbrella (Rihanna) & i simply muttered random words during the whole song & i actually beat her. How does that work out? (Possibly because she can't sing)
I was at my mate's the other day, he has singstar for the PS3 & i found it to be a lot better than Lips in terms of picking up the correct pitch & correct words. Don't get me wrong though, Lips is still fun especially for having a laugh with friends or family.
If you're online then you can also download extra songs from the market place. Only downside is you have to pay for most of them (Normally around 160 points) So far i've only downloaded:

1 - Ben E King - Stand by me
2 - Bing Cosby - White Christmas
3 - Kylie Minogue - Santa Baby

Thats it so far but there a loads others you can download.

If you like singing &… more »

This game is definately fun but as a few people have mentioned before, it clearly does not score points correctly & just gives them out as it feels. I was singing vs my girlfriend to Umbrella (Rihanna) & i simply muttered random words during the whole song & i actually beat her. How does that work out? (Possibly because she can't sing)
I was at my mate's the other day, he has singstar for the PS3 & i found it to be a lot better than Lips in terms of picking up the correct pitch & correct words. Don't get me wrong though, Lips is still fun especially for having a laugh with friends or family.
If you're online then you can also download extra songs from the market place. Only downside is you have to pay for most of them (Normally around 160 points) So far i've only downloaded:

1 - Ben E King - Stand by me
2 - Bing Cosby - White Christmas
3 - Kylie Minogue - Santa Baby

Thats it so far but there a loads others you can download.

If you like singing & having a laugh then get this game. If you already own a PS3 or PS2 & you happen to have Sing Star then i personally don't see the point. 1 advantage though, the mics for Lips are completely wireless.