SingStar

THE BAD:
No wireless microphones!!
Slow/Glitchy online store

SUMMARY:
I've had the new game for a few days now.. and I've had time to play.
Online store has 41 songs at present. I've purchased 14 of the new tracks (normally around 80 megs a shot). The new menu system is smooth and far easier (IMHO) to get around. Input of multiple identities is also handled so if you have friends around it no big deal changing them in mid flow.

Themes have been introduced and you can download new ones online. A Theme in singstar terms is a colour/image scheme and a loop of music. Pretty much all of the non default looped music starts to grate after 10/15 mins but hopefully thats not a major problem as you should be singing tracks not listening to the menu music.

I have my old Eyetoy plugged in an it takes periodic stills and videos of you during your performance. Quite fun and although the stills can be saved the short video's can't. Personally I find it painful enough to listen to audio playback so I've not used the full video playback to much. Still assuming you've either got a decent voice or have had enough to drink you'll love this feature.

Genre of tracks is quite modern but at least there are a few oldie tracks for us middle aged types. Much the same with the online store track selection. I was glad to see 99 Balloons but very disappointed not to see any Police or Maddess. Still from what the media has been saying we can expect hundreds of tracks being released so I'm sure we'll all be appeased with music we like.

Price was 99p per track is pretty good as far as I'm concerned.. I will have to look at how to backup the data on my hardrive quite soon as I understand that the tracks are only useable on one box.

Having to swap discs in mid flow is now a distant memory thanks to the PS3 hard drive.

Only gripes so far are the lack of wireless microphones and the fact that the online store (singstore) is so glitchy (down, slow etc.). I assume somebody will fix it!!. If not I'll simply download new tracks overnight and forgo the long waits.

So in conclusion a cracking game. once I have some wireless microphones and the online store is a) well populated and b) doesn't break or fall over I'll be a very happy bunny indeed..

See you on Singstar online soon..