SingStar

File:SingStar screenshot.JPG, featuring the song "Dakota" by Stereophonics. Player 1 is shown in blue, while Player 2 is shown in red.]]

SingStar games require players to sing along with music in order to score points. Players interface with their console via SingStar microphones while a music video plays in the background. The pitch players are required to sing is displayed as horizontal grey bars, which function similar to a musical stave, with corresponding lyrics displayed at the bottom of the screen. The game analyses a player's pitch and timing which is compared to the original track, with players scoring points based on how accurate their singing is. Different modes of SingStar may vary this basic pattern, but the principle is similar throughout.

SingStar includes a variety of game modes. The standard singing mode allows one or two people to sing simultaneously, either competitively or in a duet. The game also offers a "Pass the Mic" mode, which allows up to eight people to play a series of rounds in two teams. The original SingStar for PlayStation 2 also featured "Star Maker", a single player career mode, but this was dropped in subsequent releases due to the popularity of the multiplayer and party modes.{{cite web| url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/ps3/previews/singstar--working-title-eea283.html | title=Q&A: SingStar senior producer Paulina Bozek | publisher=Yahoo! | access-date=10 December 2007}}

{{see also|List of songs in SingStar games (PlayStation 2)|List of songs in SingStar games (PlayStation 3)}}

Most SingStar games for PlayStation 2 differ only in the track list contained on the game disc. SingStar games typically ship with 30 songs.{{cite web| url=http://www.gamepro.com.au/index.php?id=1378482113 | title=Interview with SingStar Producer Paulina Bozek | publisher=GamePro Australia | date=5 July 2004 | access-date=10 December 2007}} Individual SingStar games are loosely based upon genres, such as rock or pop music (SingStar Rocks! and SingStar Pop respectively). SingStar games were sometimes localised for release in different regions, with customised track lists to suit foreign markets and territories. In addition, a number of non-English language SingStar games have been released exclusively in some European countries.

All SingStar games (except the original SingStar and Singalong with Disney for PlayStation 2) allow players to swap out the current disc (called the master disc) for another SingStar disc. This allows access to the songs on other versions without the need to reset the console; it also allows PS2 SingStar discs to be played on a PS3, regardless of its PS2 backwards compatibility status, by starting with a PS3 master disc.{{cite web| url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/12/16/exciting-news-on-singstar-backwards-compatibility/ | title=Exciting News on SingStar Backwards Compatibility! | publisher=PlayStation Blog (U.S.) | date=16 December 2008 | access-date=16 December 2011}}{{cite web | url=http://www.neowin.net/news/gamers/08/12/04/ps3-singstar-to-get-ps2-disc-swapping-new-downloads | title=PS3 SingStar to get PS2 disc swapping, new downloads | publisher=Neowin.net | date=8 December 2008 | access-date=16 December 2011 | archive-date=11 February 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211033237/http://www.neowin.net/news/gamers/08/12/04/ps3-singstar-to-get-ps2-disc-swapping-new-downloads | url-status=dead }} When a new disc is swapped in, the game retains the functionality and appearance of the master disc. By starting with a new version, players can swap in their old SingStar disc and experience them with the functionality and cosmetics of the master disc.

The PlayStation 3 version of SingStar introduced a number of online features, accessed through the PlayStation Network. Users were able to purchase songs online from the SingStore, allowing them to expand their current music selection. The SingStore launched with 41 songs,{{cite web |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=9732 |website=PALGN |last=Van Leuveren |first=Luke |title=Australian Singstar Store launches |date=6 December 2007 |access-date=10 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118140520/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=9732 |archive-date=18 January 2008 |url-status=dead }} with further 1044 songs for download.{{cite web | url=http://www.singstargame.com/en-gb/Browse-Songs-Home/SingStore/ | title=Singstore | date=1 January 2009 | access-date=1 January 2009 | archive-date=30 December 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230173334/http://www.singstargame.com/en-gb/Browse-Songs-Home/SingStore/ | url-status=dead }} All music videos are in standard definition, although videos were offered in high definition if possible.{{cite web| url=http://games.kikizo.com/news/200705/061_p4.asp | title=Why SingStar PS3 is the Future | publisher=Kikizo | date=22 May 2007 | access-date=10 December 2007}}

My SingStar Online was the online community component of SingStar for the PlayStation 3. The idea for My SingStar Online was inspired by people uploading photos and videos of SingStar parties to websites such as Flickr and YouTube.{{cite web | last = Mason | first = Kevin | title = My SingStar Online | website = IGN | date = 16 April 2007 | url = http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/04/16/52351/ | access-date = 17 June 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070606014536/http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/04/16/52351/ | archive-date = 6 June 2007 | df = dmy-all }} The game could record photos and videos of players singing with the PlayStation Eye (or other compatible USB camera), then be saved to the PlayStation's HDD or uploaded to the My SingStar Online network. Users could rate each other's performances and leave comments on other people's profiles.

As of 31 January 2020, 23.59GMT, the SingStore servers were shut down. All online functionality, network features, and digital music downloads were immediately disabled.{{cite web| url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-11-04-sony-shutting-down-singstars-servers-at-the-start-of-next-year | title=Sony shutting down SingStar servers at the start of next year | publisher=Eurogamer | date=4 November 2019 | access-date=26 May 2020}}

Over 70 SingStar SKUs have been released worldwide, including 16 titles in the United Kingdom and Australia, and 10 titles in North America. In addition, a number of non-English titles have been released exclusively in some European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Finland and The Netherlands. While the majority of SingStar titles are for PlayStation 2 platform, a number were released for the PlayStation 3. A game titled SingStar Ultimate Party was also released for both PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. The latest title, SingStar Celebration was released for PlayStation 4 on 24 October 2017.

Sony expanded SingStar brand with the release of SingStar Dance and SingStar Guitar. In addition to singing, the first game adds a dancing element using the PlayStation Move controller, while the second allows players to play guitar using any compatible guitar controller.{{cite web|url=http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/singstar-dance-ps3.html |title=SingStar Dance | Games | Games & Media - PlayStation.com |publisher=Us.playstation.com |access-date=10 November 2010}} Guitar was released in October 2010, while Dance was released the following month. No further titles have been released in either series. However, SingStar Dance did have a spin-off series of dancing games called DanceStar Party.

In autumn 2012, SingStar was made as free-to-play, via a then-free SingStar application included in the PlayStation 3 software update.{{cite web|url=http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2012/10/23/get-ready-for-singstar-on-the-xmb/|title=Get ready for SingStar on the XMB!|publisher=Sony Entertainment Europe|date=23 October 2012|access-date=18 January 2013}} New features included the ability to use the PlayStation Eye as a microphone, and new Trophies. Songs can be played from PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 retail discs (but cannot be copied onto the Hard Drive), as well as songs bought from the SingStore.

PlayStation 3 firmware 4.30 was released on 24 October. This release caused some complaints, as the application icon was made mandatory for all European PlayStation 3 users, and cannot be removed from the XMB menu.{{cite web|url=http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/10/29/remove-singstar-icon-from-xmb-say-ps3-users/|title=Remove SingStar icon from XMB say PS3 users|publisher=product-reviews.net|last=Chubb|first=Daniel|date=29 October 2012|access-date=19 January 2013|archive-date=6 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806171804/http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/10/29/remove-singstar-icon-from-xmb-say-ps3-users/|url-status=dead}} Various petitions have been started in response to the new icon, but no changes had been made, except on 28 October 2014, when the XMB icon was updated. The icon still appears as of today, but can now be deleted by the user.

The technology behind SingStar began as a research project into sound input by London Studio's prototyping department.{{cite web| url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/puzzle/singstar/news.html?sid=6154657 | title=Q&A: SingStar senior producer Paulina Bozek | website=GameSpot | last=Cocker | first=Guy | date=25 July 2006 | access-date=11 December 2007}} The project was initially focused on developing a pitch detection system and game concepts aimed at a children's audience. Two main game concepts were developed: Songlines, a third-person adventure game in which the player would sing to unlock new environments, and SingAlong Safari, where players would complete missions by singing along with animals.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050902/carless_01.shtml | title=Postcard from GDC Europe 2005: SingStar - That's Entertainment | last=Carless | first=Simon | website=Gamasutra | date=2 September 2005 | access-date=11 December 2007}}

In 2003, the game underwent a direction change. The new concept featured contemporary music videos, and would use two microphones to allow for multiplayer scenarios.{{cite web| url=http://www.skillset.org/games/overview/people/article_4356_1.asp | title=Paulina Bozek - Senior Producer | publisher=Skillset | access-date=10 December 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071203011929/http://www.skillset.org/games/overview/people/article_4356_1.asp |archive-date = 3 December 2007}} A prototype game was developed, which included pitch detection technology, a basic interface display, a scoring system and samples of (then unlicensed) music. The first game demonstration took place at a Team SCEE conference in Paris, featuring the songs "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "Independent Women" by Destiny's Child.

File:Singstar usb microphones.png

The SingStar games require SingStar-branded microphones{{spaced ndash}}one red and one blue{{spaced ndash}}which connect to the PlayStation console via a single USB converter. The USB converter was required so that both microphones would use a single USB port; the PlayStation 2 and later versions of the PlayStation 3 only have two USB ports, and the second port needed to remain free for camera functionality.{{cite web| url=http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/02/19/47165/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311234659/http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/02/19/47165/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 March 2007 | title=Pass the Mic | work=Sony_SingStar's Blog | publisher=IGN | last=Bates | first=Richard | date=19 February 2007 | access-date=11 December 2007}} The PlayStation 2 Headset was originally considered as an alternative to microphones, however the headset was not technically sufficient, and London Studio felt that handheld microphones were important to the authentic experience.

Wireless microphones, with a 2.4 GHz receiver attached to the PS2 or PS3 by USB, became available in Europe in March 2009.[http://uk.playstation.com/ps3/hardware/accessories/detail/item154578/Wireless-SingStar%C2%AE-Microphones/ Description of wireless mics on PlayStation UK site] Bluetooth microphones were originally planned to launch with the PS3 version of SingStar, but running two Bluetooth microphones together was found to be difficult, so the PS3 game launched with the same USB microphones as the PS2 game.{{cite web | url=http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/07/16/60444/ | title=Your SingStar Questions Answered! | work=Sony_SingStar's Blog | publisher=IGN | last=Mason | first=Kevin | date=16 July 2007 | access-date=11 December 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809194608/http://blogs.ign.com/Sony_SingStar/2007/07/16/60444/ | archive-date=9 August 2007 | df=dmy-all }}

From 21 May 2014, users of the PlayStation 4 could use their smartphones as a microphone.{{cite web| url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/games/singstar/Sony/PLaystation/PS4/ps4-version-of-singstar-uses-the-players-smartphone-for-the-microphone/15134| title=PS4 Version of 'SingStar' Uses the Player's Smartphone for the Microphone | High-Def Digest}} This feature was also available for the PlayStation 3 version.

The microphones detect pitch using digital signal processing, which analyses the frequency of the incoming signal via Fast Fourier transform. The frequency is then compared to stored information to evaluate if the note is correct. Regular singing segments do not feature speech recognition, and so humming into the microphones at the correct pitch will also score points. Rap sections use a combination of speech recognition and rhythm detection.{{cite web | url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/04_03_07_09_27AM.htm | title=Striking a Chord with SingStar Pop's Tamsin Lucas | last=Bedigian | first=Louis | publisher=GameZone | access-date=11 December 2007 | archive-date=8 April 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408075151/http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/04_03_07_09_27AM.htm | url-status=dead }}

Tracks on the original SingStar for PlayStation 2 were mixed from master records, which allowed the artist's voice to be completely removed from the song. This feature was dropped in subsequent games because the requirement for master tracks would have restricted the studio's choice of songs. SingStar for PlayStation 3 introduced the ability to digitally suppress vocals, using ADRess (Azimuth Discrimination and Resynthesis) technology developed by Dan Barry at the Audio Research Group, based in the Dublin Institute of Technology. The ADRess settings vary for each track, and the technology is able to successfully remove the vocal tracks from 80% of songs.

The PlayStation 3 version also includes various VST plugins developed by Sound Forge, adapted to run natively on the console. The input signal undergoes a vocal signal chain which includes high-pass filter, wave hammer compressor and a reverb with a 1.2 second decay. Users are able to control the audio processing during playback, adding features such as pitch shifting.{{cite web| url=http://www.developmag.com/tutorials/67/Heard-About-SingStar-PS3 | title=Heard About: SingStar PS3 | publisher=Develop Magazine | last=Broomhall | first=John | date=3 April 2008 | access-date=19 April 2008}}

In September 2009, London Studio launched a themed space in the PlayStation 3's online community-based service, PlayStation Home. The space is called "The SingStar Rooms" and featured a dance floor, a jukebox, and different rewards for the users.{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/09/playstation-home-singstar-rooms-launch-on-september-24th-buzz-game-launching-support-announced/|title=PlayStation Home SingStar Rooms Launch on September 24th, Buzz! Game Launching Support Announced|publisher=SCE|access-date=10 September 2009|archive-date=12 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912082301/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/09/playstation-home-singstar-rooms-launch-on-september-24th-buzz-game-launching-support-announced/|url-status=dead}} It was available to the European and North American versions of PlayStation Home.

There was also a VIP Room used for events. The first event was for the UK rapper Dizzee Rascal, a Mercury Award Winner, and occurred from 24 September to 9 October.{{cite web|url=http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2009/09/17/home-dizzee-rascal-vip-room/|title=Home Dizzee Rascal VIP Room|date=17 September 2009 |publisher=SCE}} Dizzee performed for the PS Home/SingStar community and answered questions for an hour after the performance. There were also limited time items at this space like a Dizzee Mask. This was available to the European and North American versions of PlayStation Home, however, Dizzee only appeared in the European version to answer questions.{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/09/singstar-rooms-dizzee-rascal-event-far-cry-2-updates-and-katamari-forever-in-playstation-home/|title=SingStar Rooms, Dizzee Rascal Event, Far Cry 2 Updates and Katamari Forever in Home|publisher=SCE|access-date=23 September 2009|archive-date=23 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123114449/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/09/singstar-rooms-dizzee-rascal-event-far-cry-2-updates-and-katamari-forever-in-playstation-home/|url-status=dead}}

The VIP Room reopened on 17 December 2009 until 14 January 2010 for Christmas with a new mini-game and a reward.{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/12/this-week-in-playstation-home-star-trek-monty-python-lbp-singstar-xmas-vip-room-uncharted-2-contest/|title=This Week in PlayStation Home: Star Trek, Monty Python, LBP, SingStar Xmas VIP Room & UNCHARTED 2 Contest|date=16 December 2009|author=Locust_Star|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment|access-date=16 December 2009|archive-date=19 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091219060240/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/12/this-week-in-playstation-home-star-trek-monty-python-lbp-singstar-xmas-vip-room-uncharted-2-contest/|url-status=dead}}

The SingStar series has been promoted through a number of advertising platforms, including television and cinema, print and digital advertising. SingStar advertisements are designed to convey the social aspects of the game. The advertisement for the PAL release SingStar Rocks! features two men singing Song 2 by Blur on a public rooftop, while onlookers watch in surprise.{{cite web | url=http://tbwa.alextorrance.co.uk/talk/2006/04/tbwalondon_launches_sony_playstations_singstar_rocks_through_international_tv_campaign_ | title=TBWA\LONDON launches Sony PlayStation's 'SingStar Rocks' through international TV Campaign | last=Canavan | first=Avril | publisher=TBWA\LONDON | date=7 April 2007 | access-date=12 December 2007}} Tony McTear, creative director of the advert, said that "the commercial really captures the spirit of the game".{{cite web| url=http://www.mad.co.uk/Main/News/Disciplines/Creative/AdvertisingCampaigns/Articles/0af68fe6353c48ecb23b6ad7e128b4c1/SingStar-Rocks-commercial.html | publisher=mad.co.uk | title=SingStar Rocks commercial | date=21 April 2006 | access-date=12 December 2007}} Similar style advertisements were created for the American launch of SingStar Rocks!, which feature public performances in a mall,{{cite web| url=http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4595525 | title=mall 30 | publisher=MySpaceTV Videos | date=19 December 2006 | access-date=12 December 2007}} a subway,{{cite web| url=http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4595510 | title=subway 30 | publisher=MySpaceTV Videos | date=19 December 2006 | access-date=12 December 2007}} and a fire escape.{{cite web| url=http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4595498 | title=fire escape 15 | publisher=MySpace TV Videos | date=19 December 2006 | access-date=12 December 2007}}

In September 2006, SingStar took part in a television sponsorship deal with MTV in the United Kingdom. SingStar sponsored MTV's Throwdown program, which consisted of a 3-minute clip of viewers lip syncing to a song. Viewers were requested to upload a video of themselves singing to the SingStar-branded MTV Flux website, with a compilation of the most viewed videos being shown on Throwdown.{{cite press release| url=http://www.mtvnetworks.co.uk/node/37 | title=invENTS at Manning Gottlieb OMD develops groundbreaking TV sponsorship campaign for SingStar on PlayStation 2 | publisher=MTV Networks |date=August 2007 | access-date=12 December 2007}} The campaign ran until February 2007, and resulted in a 15% boost in SingStar sales.{{cite web| url=http://utalkmarketing.com/Pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1939&Title=Introducing_PlayStation_to_the_female_market___ | title=Introducing PlayStation to the female market | publisher=UTalkMarketing | access-date=12 December 2007}}

In 2009 during the airing of Australian Idol in Australia Singstar was advertised every time the show aired.

In 2012 Julian Hill became A Guinness World record holder for his 24 hours 23 minutes continuous play of SingStar games. This charity Event, Known as 'SingStar The Endurance Challenge' raised over £3,000 for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital,{{cite web|title=Online Charity Collection|url=http://www.justgiving.com/julianhillGOSH|publisher=Just Giving|access-date=13 August 2012}} and made Julian Hill an Internet Celebrity.{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Tom|title=Staff Writer|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-18-grateful-dad-completes-24-hour-solo-singstar-record|work=EuroGamer|date=18 April 2012 |access-date=13 August 2012}}

SingStar's advertising campaigns have targeted a variety of demographics typically ignored by the gaming industry. The games have received coverage in women's and girls' magazines, including Heat and Harpers and Queen in the United Kingdom.{{cite web| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Livewire/Boys-zone/2005/03/30/1111862402778.html | title=Boys' zone | last=Hill | first=Jason | publisher=Fairfax Digital | work=The Age | date=31 March 2005 | access-date=12 December 2007}} In 2004, Sony PlayStation launched its first online advertising campaign targeted towards teenage girls,{{cite news| title=PlayStation taps into girls' market for SingStar game | date=27 May 2004 | publisher=New Media Age}} and in 2006 ran an advertisement in Attitude targeted towards gay males.{{cite web| url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/british-gay-gamers-get-pitched/2 | title=British gay gamers get pitched | work=Joystiq | last=Sliwinski | first=Alexander | date=19 October 2006 | access-date=12 December 2007}}

The SingStar series has been largely successful in Europe and Australia, and has collectively sold over 16 million units in the PAL region,{{cite web | url=http://www.el33tonline.com/past/2009/3/16/singstar_fans_have_downloaded_4/ | title=SingStar reaches 4 million downloaded tracks | publisher=el33tonline | date=16 March 2009 | access-date=16 March 2009 | archive-date=16 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616081834/http://www.el33tonline.com/past/2009/3/16/singstar_fans_have_downloaded_4/ | url-status=dead }} and an additional 1.5 million units in the United States.{{cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/previews/singstar | title=SingStar (Preview; PS3) | last=Kennedy | first=Sam | date=28 April 2008 | website=1UP.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311065206/http://www.1up.com/previews/singstar | archive-date=11 March 2016 | url-status=dead | access-date=18 January 2018}} Over 4 million songs have been downloaded from the online SingStore. In 2005, SingStar and SingStar Party jointly received the award for originality at the BAFTA Games Awards.{{cite web | url=http://www.gameinfowire.com/news.asp?nid=5909 | title=2nd Annual BAFTA Games Awards Winners Announced | date=3 March 2005 | publisher=Gameinfowire.com | access-date=25 April 2008 | archive-date=9 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309134552/http://gameinfowire.com/news.asp?nid=5909 | url-status=dead }} The 2017 game SingStar Celebration was nominated for "Best Family/Social Game" at the 2017 Titanium Awards,{{cite web | url=https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/the-list-of-finalists-for-the-fun-serious-titanium-awards-has-been-revealed-2017/ | title=The list of finalists for the Fun & Serious Titanium Awards has been revealed | website=Fun & Serious Game Festival | year=2017 | access-date=8 November 2019 | archive-date=12 November 2019 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20191112055301/https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/the-list-of-finalists-for-the-fun-serious-titanium-awards-has-been-revealed-2017/ | url-status=dead }} and for "Family Game of the Year" at the 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-of-the-year-nominees-announced-for-dice-award/1100-6456107/ | title=Game Of The Year Nominees Announced For DICE Awards | website=GameSpot | last=Makuch | first=Eddie | date=14 January 2018 | access-date=18 January 2018}}

The first SingStar game was well received by gaming critics. Eurogamer described it as the "definitive social game", and commented that the game was "buffed, polished and arranged to generate the maximum degree of entertainment". They did however criticise the scoring system for occasionally getting out of sync with the song.{{cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_singstar_ps2 | title=SingStar (PS2) | website=Eurogamer | last=Bramwell | first=Tom | date=1 June 2004 | access-date=18 January 2018}} Australian website PALGN described the single-player as "a little lacklustre", but praised the multiplayer component as "the best asset of SingStar" and described the game as "addictive".{{cite web| url=http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/1282/singstar-review/ | title=SingStar Review - PlayStation 2 Video Game Review | website=PALGN | last=Van Leuveran | first=Luke | date=28 June 2004 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526133204/http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/1282/singstar-review/ | archive-date=26 May 2011 | url-status=dead | access-date=18 January 2018}}

SingStar debuted in the US with the release of SingStar Rocks!, where it was compared against the Karaoke Revolution series. IGN criticised the lack of ability to remove the artists vocals, and said that the use of original music videos "hurt the ability to really get lost in the song". They also described SingStar's interface as a "crude hacked together system" compared to the scrolling timeline interface of Karaoke Revolution.{{cite web| url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/745/745870p1.html | title=SingStar Rocks! Review | last=Lewis | first=Ed | website=IGN | date=14 November 2006 | access-date=25 April 2008}} 1UP criticised the lack of character generation, rewards and unlockable features, and said SingStar "[lacks] the 'game' feel of Karaoke Revolution".{{cite web| url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3155508 | title=Reviews: SingStar Rocks | publisher=1UP | last=Chu | first=Karen | date=27 November 2006 | access-date=25 April 2008}}

A number of PlayStation 2 titles have offered additional gameplay features. The duet mode added in SingStar Party was described as "hit and miss [with some songs split] into 'fun bits' and 'boring bits' seemingly on purpose".{{cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=57129 | title=SingStar Party review | website=Eurogamer | last=Bramwell | first=Tom | date=9 November 2004 | access-date=25 April 2008}} The rapping segments introduced in SingStar Pop were described as "the hardest parts of the entire game", and were a feature which added variety to the series.{{cite web | url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=2562 | title=SingStar Pop review | last=Van Leuveran | first=Luke | website=PALGN | date=3 June 2005 | access-date=25 April 2008 | archive-date=31 January 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060131052631/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=2562 | url-status=dead }} SingStar Pop also introduced Medleys, which consist of a random combination of song choruses. The new medleys were described as "funny to watch, and intense to play", although potentially frustrating.{{cite web | title=SingStar Popworld review | url=http://ps2.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=8306 | publisher=Boomtown | last=Hamer-Morton | first=James | date=25 May 2005 | access-date=25 April 2008}}

The main difference between PlayStation 2 SingStar titles is the track list contained on the game disc. Some SingStar track lists have been better received than others. Eurogamer described the UK track list for SingStar Legends as "simultaneously eclectic and fantastic",{{cite web| title=SingStar Legends Review | website=Eurogamer | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69383 | last=Fahey | first=Rob | date=1 November 2006 | access-date=25 April 2008}} whereas SingStar Pop Hits felt like "a loosely thrown together collection of what the charts say is cool, with little regard for what will make for a fun karaoke party".{{cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=75094 | title= SingStar Pop Hits review | date=11 April 2007 | access-date=25 April 2008 | website=Eurogamer | last=Fahey | first=Rob}} The localisation of some SingStar games also has played a part in their reception; PALGN praised the localised Australian content in SingStar Rocks!,{{cite web | url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4364 | title=SingStar Rocks! review | website=PALGN | first=Luke | last=Van Leuveran | date=6 May 2006 | access-date=25 April 2008 | archive-date=30 August 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830165106/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4364 | url-status=dead }} whereas it panned SingStar Pop Hits (which featured an almost identical track list to the UK release), saying that it had songs few Australians had ever heard of.{{cite web | url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4364 | title=SingStar Pop Hits review | date=2 July 2007 | first=Luke | last=Van Leuveran | website=PALGN | access-date=24 April 2008 | archive-date=30 August 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830165106/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4364 | url-status=dead }}

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated SingStar Rocks! for "Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack" at the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2007&idGameAwardType=99 |title=2007 Awards Category Details Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=8 November 2023}}

• Karaoke
• Karaoke Revolution
• Lips
• UltraStar - An open source clone of the SingStar engine

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.singstargame.com Official SingStar website]
• [http://www.myspace.com/singstarvip SingStar VIP Lounge]

{{Playlink games}}

{{SingStar}}

{{Sony franchises}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singstar}}

Category:EyeToy games

Category:Karaoke video games

Category:Music video games

Category:PlayStation 2 games

Category:PlayStation 2-only games

Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment franchises

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2004

Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom

Category:Video game franchises