Official Website
Platform: PlayStation 2
Genre: Karaoke
Number of Players: 1 - 8
Peripherals: USB Headset / microphone, Eye Toy

Now I know that I’ve written this a time or two in the past, but American Idol is nothing more than a karaoke popularity contest. So, I guess that it was only natural that Konami’s popular Karaoke Revolution and American Idol join forces. It was also foreseeable as the previous version of American Idol that was released as a video game really didn’t do much to impress fans or critics, while Karaoke Revolution on the other hand has done nothing but sell, sell, sell.

Karaoke Revolution has already done a previous release that focused entirely on country music, something that we managed to slip under the radar and avoid (we’re not big on country, save for the Man in Black, Johnny Cash) and it seems that now the trend for the series is going to take things in a much different direction. In may ways, Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol is the same style of game that you have played previously, but there are also new features and additions that haven’t been seen in the past.

The gameplay is identical to the prior versions found in the series. You have a phrase and pitch meter that will show you just how well you are singing the song itself. If you do well, you will increase the crowd meter, but start missing notes and hitting pitches that aren’t even close to what the song requires, your meter will begin drop until the crowd has finally enough of you and you get booed off the stage. It’s also important to try and get combos, something done by keeping the song going and hitting everything as perfect as you can. Each phrase will give you combo points if done right, the ultimate being the perfect combo. This will definitely keep the crowd interested. As always, you have the option of using either the USB headset or the USB microphones that are on the market, though between the two, I have a preference for the mic simply because it seems to sound a little better and is easier to utilize.

At the end of the round, not only will you score points, but you also will get a chance to hear what the judges think of your performance. If you’re not the best singer though, there’s no need to worry about Simon making you cry. You can simply lower the level of the judging option, making the game a little more forgiving in most circumstances. Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson will give you their honest opinion . . . . or at least what passes as it. Remember, this is a video game, not real life, and there’s only so much dialog that can be recorded, but who knows, maybe you’ll deal with Simon on a good day.

In the past, KR has let you create a character to represent, of course, you while you play the game. This still is included with the game, but there is another option that you can take on as well. If you own an EyeToy, and there are a few of you out there that do, you can hook it up and get a scan of your face to use for the game. This same technology has been used in other games such as the latest World Series Poker, and American Idol does a good job at being about to put you into the game more than ever before.

American Idol will allow you to play either solo or with up to eight other players. If you don’t have enough players and don’t feel up to playing by yourself however, you can simply fill in the open spots with virtual contestants. There is even a Quickplay mode that will put you right into the game without having to play through everything. The Arcade portion of the game lets you chose the number of players, rounds, and length of songs (full or short) or simply chose random. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner. There is a Medley version that will let you choose between three to five different songs to sing through. There is also the KR Challenge that will bring a number of different options to players including an advanced mode which features no lyrics, no meters, and no other form of assistance. This is the perfect option to prove who the best karaoke contestant of all is.

If playing the game with one microphone isn’t enough for you, Karaoke Revolution will allow you to use to mics and also participate in some different modes. Duet mode is back, and you and another player can see who can sing the best, and there are times when you will sing together. You can play this mode as a team, as a duet, or even knock out mode. In this mode, at the end of each phrase the Knock Out meter will adjust itself based on how the players are doing, and should one score a knockout, the other player is out. This can also be done as a medley. There is the sing off mode which will have players alternating phrases and seeing again who is the best. There is also the KR Challenge which once again will crown the karaoke champion. No, you can’t call in and vote for your friends by phone.

Karaoke Revolution Presents America Idol features forty songs to choose from. Think you can do a better job at singing She Bangs? Go right ahead and try, but honestly, why would you want to? Maybe you’re feeling like having your hair up high and tackling Every Rose Has It’s Thorn or even Photograph. It could be that you’re feeling like breaking out with a bit of Straight Up or The Real Thing. It really doesn’t matter, but you will have a variety of songs to chose from that will show that you’re the next American Idol, at least in your living room. Just because you do good at the game doesn’t mean that you should be thinking of going to the next round of auditions.

American Idol isn’t really all about graphics as much as it is about just having fun, but the game does look very good. You’ll find different venues that you may have seen on the American Idol television show that look very similar to the real thing, though I have to confess that I’m going off vague memory of seeing highlight clips since I don’t (and won’t) watch the show. The characters, both in the game and for Simon and Randy, look very human, though there’s still a bit of a comical look about them. But, they certainly don’t look like anime characters or anything else of the sort.

The lasting appeal here isn’t the look though, it’s the music and the challenge, and Karaoke Revolution keeps trying to improve with each and every release. I do prefer the last title a bit more (not the country one) but this game ahs it’s merit as well. Karaoke Revolution always manages to exceed expectations and outsell competing games of the same genre, and with the added name of American Idol, this will probably be the best seller to date, and you don’t need to be a fan of the show to enjoy the game. While waiting for the votes to come in on your favorite idol this season, you may as pick up a microphone or two of your own and show your friends and family that you can do better.

(Now that country music and American Idol have been covered . . . . Konami . . . . where’s that Karaoke Revolution: Death Metal Revolution that I’ve been asking about?)
 

- mike -