SingStar '80s review

This collection is the first to focus solely on '80s music, and as such, it almost completely corrects the biggest flaw of previous games in the series: song lists so varied that no one could possibly really want to sing more than half of the tunes on a given disc. There are still only 30 or so tracks - not a lot compared to Karaoke Revolution's 40-50+ tunes (though they're both equally varied and re-recordings instead of originals), but the tighter emphasis on one particular era - the '80s - gives it a much more uniform personality. Aside from a few rockers from the likes of hair bands Twisted Sister and Europe, this is almost entirely focused upon pop and synth-pop. Overall, if you listened to Top 40 radio in the '80s, you'll know and love at least 80% of these.

That said, many readers will note that this newfound precision creates a new flaw: if you don't dig the '80s tunes, there is nothing - repeat: nothing - for you here. We can't dock the game's score for that, because it would be like complaining that a racing game lacks shooting sections, but potential buyers should be aware.

This is also the bit where we remind you that this will all be fixed in the PS3 version, which we're told will enable players to download songs one at a time, choosing exactly the tracks you want. All '80s? No problem. All rock, regardless of era? A little of everything? It can do that too.