POSTED 9/12/09


LIPS: NUMBER ONE HITS

Microsoft
Xbox 360

Karaoke – it can turn everybody from mild-mannered secretaries to muscle-bound tradies into howling banshees. Just add alcohol.

Whilst Sony has cleaned up with their insane array of SingStar games, Microsoft is fairly new to home karaoke. The original Lips hit last year, wisely armed with a localised song list (including Farnesy AND Barnesy) and very funky microphones.  New downloadable songs have dribbled out since; however they’re a piddle compared to Sony’s torrent of around 1,000.

Number One Hits redresses that balance a tad, while adding some tweaks to the mix. The menu’s been revamped, theoretically to make it easier to find songs. We could be cynical and suggest that listing all downloadable songs in the main list is a cash-grab, but we won’t. Oh stuff it, we will – beware any pointed-up boxans who let this one loose at a party, ‘cos you’ll find your account flatlined when you sober up.

Otherwise, Lips does a decent job of the party thang. Rather than featuring levels like SingStar there’s just one, with bonus enticements to encourage those who dare wield the mic. With 40 (apparent) number one hits there’s heaps on offer, from ’80s faves to recent chart stuff with many cheesy stops between, but little for those of an even slightly alternative bent save perhaps for Beck’s ‘Loser’.

While we give Microsoft kisses for including the complete Pet Shop Boys ‘Always on My Mind’ clip (unlike SingStar – GRR!), Lips remains behind its competitor in slickness, features (no online competition? Come on!) and song availability. ChapStick – stat!

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