Disney Sing It Review

November 24, 2008 - The SingStar formula of karaoke games has generally -- and surprisingly -- gone uncloned for a while now. Most developers seem to use the Karaoke Revolution style of gameplay (as seen in Rock Band, Boogie, and Guitar Hero: World Tour). This holiday season there are two games coming out that use the SingStar format. The Xbox 360 has its console specific game Lips, while Disney Interactive has released Disney Sing It across all platforms. So if you've always wanted that SingStar experience on your Wii, but wanted less features and a catalog consisting mostly of Miley Cyrus in various wigs, your prayers have been answered.

Disney Sing It plays nearly identically to SingStar. It's a karaoke simulator. Players pick a song and sing along with the lyrics, trying to match their pitch with the bars on the screen while the music video plays in the background. The SingStar franchise is enormously popular worldwide, so if you're going to copy something, that's a good choice. The game is so similar to SingStar, in fact, that the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 versions even let you use the SingStar microphones.

The game plays just fine, maybe even a little better than SingStar because it has a small ball that shows your pitch in real time, making it easier to know where you're at and prepare for upcoming notes.

The interface for Sing It is simple and clean. It didn't go all zany and hot pink (though you can turn the menu pink if you want).


Sing It features a solid amount of gameplay options. There are single-player and multiplayer modes, both of which allow players to select up to five songs and sing them without stopping between. Really though the single-player mode is kind of useless as singing by yourself is just not fun, nor is it the point of these games. Multiplayer is by far the better option and features a vs. mode and a duet mode. There's also a team mode so you can have up to eight people alternating and playing together. The PS3 and 360 versions of the game support their respective USB cameras so supertars-in-training can watch themselves while they sing. However the game doesn't record anything, so you can't watch your performance or look at pictures. It also doesn't save your vocal performance. So overall the game has less features than a PS2 version of SingStar.

The biggest problem with Disney Sing It also happens to be its biggest selling point: It's all Disney Channel stuff. In that respect it should have been Disney Channel Sing It! Let's not trick people into thinking there might be some of the Oscar and Emmy winning songs from the many Disney theatrical releases.

It's not a problem in itself that the songs are based around the Disney Channel theme. Hannah Montana and High School Musical are immensely popular, so I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that would love to sing along to them. Granted it is a bit specific and inaccessible to some people since most of these songs haven't made it to the mainstream, but I consider it about the same as something like SingStar Country. Not everyone is a fan, but for those that are, great.

The real problem is that these aren't even the best songs from these artists. I'm not the biggest fan of any of these properties but I'm familiar with them. Yet none of the songs I know and like were included in this compilation (yeah I like some of the Disney songs, wanna fight about it?). I only know the biggest, most popular songs from these artists, so it's amazing to me that their most popular songs are not included. The Cheetah Girls don't have their theme song in here. Miley Cyrus doesn't have "7 Things" which is by far her most rocking track. Oh, and the High School Musical pool is not only lacking all the songs from the third film, but also doesn't have most of the good ones. "Fabulous" is a terrible song, yet that's in here? If you wanted a Sharpay song then "Stick to the Status Quo" would have worked. Plus "We're All in This Together" is pretty much a prerequisite for HSM fans and is noticeably absent.

There are two modes to Sing It that are actually unique to the karaoke series: You're on Your Own and Sing It Pro. Both are too vaguely named so let me explain. You're on Your Own is a pretty simple. It removes the scores and pitch bar from the game and just plays the video, letting you sing along without help. You're still graded on how well you did at the end. It's a neat feature, but one that would have been made way cooler with more camera support. Without the crap on the screen I could ham it up and make a cooler video to show off to people, but alas, no such option exists.

The other feature, Sing it Pro, is like a singing class hosted by the girl that plays Kelsi in High School Musical. It's a great ideas, especially for a game aimed at the younger crowd, but unfortunately it doesn't actually help much. Kelsi explains things you need to do, like learn when to take breaths to make sure you have enough air, and then the game has you practice, but it never actually instructs you. It should show you where to take breaths so that you know what kind of areas in a song to look for. It doesn't end up being particularly useful.

Closing Comments
Disney Sing It is a fun game for kids that are super into the Disney Channel. However it really is lacking in the song department, even for the subject matter. There are far more songs that could have been in here, and some of the biggest songs from these artists are missing. The game features fewer options than a PS2 version of SingStar. Honestly if you have a PS3 or PS2 and think your kid might have just as much fun singing songs by non-Disney artists, then get a copy of any SingStar game for them instead. For 360 and Wii exclusive owners, Disney SingIt is currently the closest thing to SingStar you've got.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/933/933466p1.html

 

Interactive Games - for your Christmas List

Disney Interactive Studios revealed today its lineup of 2008 holiday season video games. Some have been recently release, while others will be out before Christmas.


Ultimate Band - Use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk as you perform to more than 30 indie and mainstream hits. This storyline-driven game also lets players create and customize characters. The Nintendo DS version features exclusive songs and lets players create and perform their own tracks.

PURE - An action sports game that features massive aerial jumps and airborne tricks in photo-realistic real-world locations. Players take on opponents in races and freestyle events to compete in the PURE world tour. PURE has been selected for numerous industry awards, including the Game Critics Award for Best Racing Game of E3. Available on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Windows PC and mobile.

Disney Sing It - The only karaoke video game that challenges players to out-sing friends with songs and videos from favorite Hollywood Records artists, such as Miley Cyrus, Jesse McCartney, Aly & AJ and more; and Disney Channel Original Series and Disney Channel Original Movies such as Hannah Montana, Camp Rock and High School Musical. Available on Wii, Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems, and Windows-based PC.

Bolt - Inspired by the computer animated film from Walt Disney Pictures, but the video game follows a unique storyline, taking place within the television series featured in the film. In the game, players must take on the personalities of super-dog Bolt and his companion Penny to utilize their talents and superpowers to save the world and Penny’s father from the evil Calico. Available now on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems, Wii, Windows-based PC and Nintendo DS. Mobile available soon.

Toy Story Mania - Based on the new Disney Parks attraction, mobile users can join Woody, Buzz and the gang for fun carnival games on their phone to earn points redeemable for unique unlockable prizes. Toy Story Mania features one button quick-play for beginners and hidden targets and combo rewards for advanced players. The Academy Award nominated song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from the original “Toy Story” movie is also featured in the game. Available now on mobile.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE! - Features songs from all three “High School Musical” films and allows kids to dance along to the music while playing as their favorite Wildcats. Bundled versions with “High School Musical” branded dance pads are also available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 as an added bonus for players. Available on Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 and Windows-based PC.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year - Fans can now take their favorite “High School Musical” stars on the go with two portable games. An all-new Nintendo DS title is a rhythm-based game with brand new music from the theatrical release of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” Players take “High School Musical” themed quizzes to find out which Wildcat they have the most in common with. Fans use captured dance photos to create memorable layouts for the East High yearbook – the “High School Musical” way. Mobile gamers choose from two unique storylines based on Troy or Gabriella and improve personal attributes by balancing academics and performance skills while interacting with the other Wildcats to become the most popular Wildcat at East High. Mini-games include a brain challenge and a dancing rhythm-based game. Available on mobile and Nintendo DS.

Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals - This sequel to Spectrobes, the top-selling sci-fi action/role playing game exclusively for the Nintendo DS, Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals continues the story of Rallen and Jeena, two planetary patrol officers who discover, excavate, awaken and train mysterious fossilized creatures known as Spectrobes and then use them to battle enemies. Among the new features are more than twice the number of creatures, an online community that tracks results, new collectible code input cards and the debut of an online battle system utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Available on Nintendo DS.

Disney TH!NK Fast - This new Disney quiz game that offers more than 5,000 questions ranging from classic Disney trivia to general knowledge. Genie from Disney’s “Aladdin” serves as the host in popular game show style. Variable difficulty settings allow players of all abilities to compete at different levels. Available on Nintendo Wii and Playstation 2.

Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force - This game invites kids to play all new and familiar mini-games in the snow-covered Club Penguin world, giving players a chance to complete secret agent missions, solve mysteries and connect with friends and the Web site in new ways. Players take on the role of a covert agent in the Elite Penguin Force and utilize new gadgets, accessories and vehicles as they investigate mysteries and embark on missions. Available on Nintendo DS.

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell - Experience Pixie Hollow and interact with Tinker Bell and other Fairies on the Nintendo DS through time-based activities and mini-quests to bring on the seasons. Because Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell utilizes the DS real-time clock, Pixie Hollow changes with the time of day and season. Players will witness their birthdays being celebrated, fireflies glowing at night and their Fairy friends in costume at Halloween. Special items hidden throughout Pixie Hollow contain secret codes which can be used to unlock items in the virtual world on PixieHollow.com. Due out soon for the iPhone, gamers can play as Tinker Bell and five Fairy friends to complete tasks such as placing dew drops on petals or tilting the iPhone to collect trinkets and solve puzzles. Each Fairy plays differently based on their unique Fairy abilities in speed of flight, agility, endurance gathering pixie dust. Similar to the DS game, players earn codes for unlocking bonus material in PixieHollow.com. Available soon for the iPhone and now on Nintendo DS.

Cars Radiator Springs 500 - Based on the Pixar film, this new “Cars” racing game was created by Disney’s Living Mobile studio and features fast frame rates with great control and graphics. Players race as Lightning McQueen and can unlock six other racers, each with special abilities. The game includes 15 tracks loaded with power-ups and hazards, and build-a-track mode lets players create a custom race. Rascal Flatts’ hit song “Life is a Highway” is featured in the game. Available now on mobile.

ESPN Bowling - While holding the iPhone, players will swing their arm in the motion of bowling in order to throw the ball down the lane. The speed and angle of the arm motion determines the result. ESPN Bowling includes three game modes: Standard, Target and Precision. Standard mode enables bowling a 10-pin game while Target and Precision modes require completing specific objectives. ESPN Bowling also allows competitors to bowl against others nearby in a four-person game. Available soon for $4.99.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/gamin ... ay_lineup_

 

My husband is getting a Wii for Christmas, and my DD's birthday is in Feb. If anyone gets any of the Disney games (such as Sing It or HSM3) for Christmas, let me know how they are. I only want games that are "physical" interactive so I don't think those will do it for me.