Karaoke Revolution

Karaoke Revolution, thy name is sloppy seconds. Coming out almost a year later than the first Revolution, the Xbox version lacks many of the improvements Harmonix made for PlayStation 2��s Karaoke Revolution Volumes 2 and 3.

The concept and gameplay here are undeniably great, and this is still arguably the best all-around party game for Xbox. Using a headset or microphone, players sing along to a variety of songs and are rated on how well they hit the notes. Unlike in regular karaoke or Xbox Music Mixer, you can see how high or low pitched to sing and how long to hold the note, and since vocal quality can��t be rated, you can still win the game without talent. Easy mode is very forgiving, while Expert is for the truly gifted.

As fun as it is, multiplayer gameplay could use a few improvements. For one thing, the game doesn��t identify players by name when it��s their turn, so it��s hard to remember, for example, who was ��Player 5�� in the midst of gameplay. There��s also no medley or short song mode, which would vastly improve pacing��and which are included in the later PlayStation 2 versions of Revolution.

To make this version of its game unique, though, Harmonix included 10 popular Motown tunes (which, unlike the rest of the songs, are recorded by the original artists) on top of a mix of 40 mainstream hits. Plus, there��s the promise of downloadable songs, which should really boost this game��s value.

PUBLISHER: Konami // DEVELOPER: Harmonix // PLAYERS: 1-8 // LIVE: No // MSRP: $39.99 // ESRB: E

08 OUT OF TEN

Expand Your Repertoire

Once you��re bored of Karaoke Revolution��s included songs, you can download more through Xbox Live. As of press time, specifics haven��t been worked out, but you will be able to download packs of songs for a small fee, like you can with DDR Ultramix. You can��t actually play Revolution online, though.

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Xbox Nation.