By now everyone should know what to expect from a SingStar title, as evidenced by the lack of a flashy intro video taking up precious disc space. This bare bones approach continued as we scratched beneath the surface. After firing up our trusty PS2 we launched straight to the title screen. Following the standard procedure of setting up an optional profile, selecting a mode, difficulty level and track, we got down to the business of thrashing the mics in an extended session of vocal gymnastics... the prospect of which is guaranteed to clear a room quicker than the after-effects of a good curry.

The tried and tested modes and features remain, while others which made fleeting appearances in earlier titles have been stripped away. In single player mode you can challenge yourself to score as many points as possible, or sing freestlye, without the pressure of scoring. In multiplayer (party) mode you can sing a duet or battle it out with your friends – either one on one or by playing Pass the Mic with a group. As with earlier titles the game can accommodate up to eight players. Medleys still abound and of course the game is compatible with the EyeToy camera and with previous SingStar discs; just swap ‘em out at the carousel screen for an expanded library of songs.

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