Singstar '90s Review for PlayStation 2 (PS2)

System: PS2	Review Rating Legend
Dev: SCEE	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: SCEA	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 18, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-8	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

So now that you've had your Singstar introduction (or refresher course) you may be asking yourself what is new in Singstar '90s. Well, the truth is that other than the songs, there's not much else new. Whether you think it's great news or terrible news, the fact is that Singstar games will always have the same type of gameplay, and I don't really expect any variations to come down the pipe anytime soon. That being said, let's talk about the music.

Singstar '90s screenshot

While the track list in Singstar '90s definitely includes some iconic songs from the 90s like "I Only Wanna Be With You" by Hootie and The Blowfish, "I Want You" by Savage Garden, and "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia, it also includes some clunkers that seem to be on every karaoke game. Songs like "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice, "You Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer and "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot may have been fun karaoke songs six or seven years ago, but nowadays it seems they are included on almost every karaoke game, and they're just too cliché at this point. I also feel that some of the iconic music was left out of this game. The late nineties saw the onslaught of the boy band craze, and yet I was dismayed that there was no N*Sync or Backstreet Boys. The mid-nineties saw the birth of alternative rock with groups like Everclear and Green Day, but the alternative scene seems to have been left out as well, in favor of grunge in the form of Nirvana's "Lithium" and pop rock with Spin Doctor's "Two Princes." But I suppose no track list will ever make everyone happy, and despite my few objections, it is fairly good.

Overall, Singstar '90s is yet another solid entry in a series that has been helping people embarrass themselves completely for quite some time now. It is great for Singstar veterans and newbies alike, and once you pick the mic up, who knows when you'll put it down!

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.5

Graphics
Visuals consist of music bars in the foreground and vintage music videos in the background. Oh, and some green and white menu screens.

4.0

Control
Singing into the mic is as easy as it ever was.

3.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Tracklist is okay, but there was so much better music in the 90s. Why not swap the tired MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice Tracks for some N*SYNC or Green Day? I hear they were pretty popular in the 90s…

4.0

Play Value
If you love karaoke, friends, and 90s music, then this is right up your alley. If not, steer clear.

3.7

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Gameplay options include duets, head-to-head faceoffs, and team singing modes .

For 1 to 8 players.

Compatible with EyeToy USB camera (not included).

Words to each song appear on the screen so you can follow along.