 Melissa Phillip: CHRONICLE |
"Disney Sing It: Pop Hits"
Developed by Zoë Mode
Published by Disney
Available on PS3, Wii and PS2
Rated "E" for Everyone
"Lips: Number One Hits"
Developed by Inis
Published by Microsoft Game Studios
Available on Xbox 360
Rated "T" for Teen
Welcome to the first head-to-head bout between Disney's "Sing It: Pop Hits" and Inis's "Lips: Number One Hits." Only one game can be the victor in this no-holds-barred match.
Step this way and please keep your hands and fight to yourself.
Let the bout begin!
Here are the ground rules for this head-to-head bout:
1. Each game will be judged on the following criteria:
* Ease of use
* Song selection
* Controllers
* Graphics (videos, etc)
* Audio
* Multiplayer modes
and last, and certainly not least, Gameplay.
2. A full track list for each game will be listed.
Lastly, 3. Each game will get an individual score.
The skinny: "Disney Sing It: Pop Hits" (from this point on, I'll call this game DSIPH) is the latest in the "Sing It" video game series. It features 33 songs from current artists including The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift, and features a mode that teaches singing. I was not able to test if you can import songs from other "Sing It" games.
 The menu in "Lips: Number One Hits" can be confusing at times. |
"Lips: Number One Hits" (from this point on, I'll call this game LNOH) is the sequel to the hit "Lips," also developed by Inis and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It features 40 songs on the disc - all of the songs are number one hits on music charts. Gamers who own the first "Lips" can also use songs from that game in this version, though it requires that gamers swap discs.
Round One: Ease of use
"Disney Sing It: Pop Hits" lands a body blow with a no-messy setup category. The USB microphone is painless to hook up and not as confusing as the wireless microphones that come with "Lips" and "LNOH." Those microphones require users to sync the controller, then sync the 360.
The menus on both games can be confusing to noncasual players (in case you set these games up over the holidays for loved ones to play). Both games lose points for not having a friendlier interface for players.
The song selection is very easy for "LNOH." You can play the songs from "Lips" and "LNOH," which are both shown in the main library view. You can also buy additional songs via Xbox LIVE (Songs cost $2, packs cost $5.50). Any song in the game will feature an official video. You can sing songs off of a portable device (flash drive, iPod, Zune) and the Zune HD interface is much easier to navigate. You can also access songs on your PCs, if they are networked to your 360. While you can sing the songs, you won't get an official video (the only way to get the video is to buy the song - even if you have the song on your portable devices) but users are free to pick their own video to sing-a-long with. With user songs, you won't have the scrolling lyrics either.
In "DSIPH," you are locked into singing the pop hits - unless you play the "Sing It Pro" mode. That feature is a very nice touch to the game. You receive voice training in this mode - and have several training sessions to choose from.
However, without being able to access your own music really puts "DSIPH" against the ropes. As much as I had fun singing with The Jonas Brothers, even I would get tired of singing the same 30+ songs. That lack of variety really hurts "DSIPH." There's no online store to buy more tracks, and no way to import songs from other Disney "Sing It" games.
"DSIPH" hits the floor - first knockdown.
 Here's the interface for "Disney Sing It: Pop Hits." |
The controllers for the games are microphones. You can use a standard Logitech or SingStar USB microphone with "DSIPH" but not with "LNOH." Here's the kicker - the wireless mics from "LNOH" will work with other video games, but only the wireless mics that come with "Lips" and "LNOH" will work with the games.
A clean hit to the jaw of "LNOH." Score, "DSIPH."
As stated earlier, players have to sync the wireless mics to their 360. After the mics are synced, you can belt out number one hits. The wireless mics are much sturdier and feel like real microphones vs. the light USB mics. Score this to "Lips."
The graphics are good on both games. The videos are colorful and sharper on "DSIPH," but that's to be expected since it's on a Blu Ray disc, so no points awarded. The "Lips" videos look ok - though you will notice pixelation from time to time. As stated earlier, there are no videos with user content.
I'll have to call this a draw because gamers can use their avatars in the game menus, a big plus.
 Stop, Hammer time! This is the "Lips: Number One Hits" interface for gamers to sing with. |
Audio is on par. You'll get a kick out of hearing M.C. Hammer scream "Stop, hammer time!" Both games have songs and sounds that will keep you captivated. In "DSIPH," in the pro mode, your instructor's voice is clean and sounds like she's actually in the room.
Both games feature multiplayer modes. For solo modes in "DSIPH," you have Solo (you choose a song and Sing It) and You're On Your Own (you sing the sond without lyrics, score and pitch marks). In multiplayer mode, you can battle others in Single Mic or Dual Mic Duet, Showdown (the highest score wins), Run the Risk (you predict your score - I could see some point shaving going on), You're On Your Own and Team Play. Only two mics (but up to eight players) can be used for all modes. You will have to pass the mic often if you play with up to eight players.
In "LNOH," players can go Single (actually, you can sing against another user in this mode) or Duet (co-op) and harmonize. Up to four gamers can play, though not online, another big blow. You can download songs but can't play together? Wow.
 Singer Tiffany Thornton helps gamers learn how to sing in the Sing It Pro mode. |
Both games lack online battle modes like Rock Band and the Guitar Hero series offers. To your corners - PHAIL.
Gameplay is clear cut - you score points by hitting the right pitches in the songs. There's no way around it - if you want to defeat this game, you better have some pretty good vocals. Both games cancel each other out.
For song selections, "DSIPH" offers these tracks:
Colbie Caillat - Bubbly
Colbie Caillat - Realize
Coldplay - Violet Hill
Demi Lovato - Don't Forget
Demi Lovato - Get Back
Demi Lovato - La La Land
Duffy - Mercy
Duffy - Warwick Avenue
Hannah Montana - Let's Do This
Hannah Montana - Let's Get Crazy
Jem - It's Amazing
Jesse McCartney - How Do You Sleep?
Jesse McCartney - It's Over
Jonas Brothers - Burnin' Up
Jonas Brothers - Hold On
Jonas Brothers - Love Bug
Jonas Brothers - SOS
Jonas Brothers - When You Look Me In The Eyes
Miley Cyrus - 7 Things
Miley Cyrus - Fly On The Wall
Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown
Miley Cyrus - The Climb
Mitchell Musso - The In Crowd
One Republic - Apologize
Steve Rushton - Emergency
Taylor Swift - Change
Taylor Swift - I'm Only Me When I'm With You
Vanessa Hudgens - Sneakernight
Love and Theft - Dont Wake Me Up
Hatching Pete - Let It Go
For "LNOH," here's the official track list:
1. "California Love" by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman
2. "Don't Matter" by Akon
3. "Barbie Girl" by Aqua
4. "The Tide is High (Get the Feeling)" by Atomic Kitten
5. "Loser" by Beck
6. "Don't Phunk With My Heart" by Black Eyed Peas
7. "Heart of Glass" by Blondie
8. "Love Generation" by Bob Sinclar
9. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin
10. "Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat
11. "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay
12. "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club
13. "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" by Cutting Crew
14. "Hey Baby" by DJ Otzi
15. "More Than Words" by Extreme
16. "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie
17. "She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals
18. "Broken Strings" by James Morrison featuring Nelly Furtado
19. "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz
20. "Heartless" by Kanye West
21. "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis
22. "The Fear" by Lily Allen
23. "Around The Way Girl" by LL Cool J
24. "Touch My Body" by Mariah Carey
25. "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
26. "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
27. "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback
28. "Always on My Mind" by Pet Shop Boys
29. "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's
30. "Disturbia" by Rihanna
31. "Millennium" by Robbie Williams
32. "The Look" by Roxette
33. "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison
34. "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" by Scissor Sisters
35. "Push the Button" by Sugababes
36. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears
37. "I Get Around" by The Beach Boys
38. "Lovefool" by The Cardigans
39. "Apologize" by Timbaland featuring OneRepublic
40. "Ready, Set, Go!" by Tokio Hotel
Source: http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/08/01/full-lips-number-one-hits-song-list-revealed.htm
The verdict:
Lips: Number One Hits
Disney Sing It: Pop Hits
The winner: Lips: Number One Hits
In the end, though both games offer a lot of good songs, only "LNOH" offered a wide variety of songs that will appeal to a broad spectrum of gamers. From Marvin Gaye and Roy Orbison to Lady Gaga and Nickelback, "Lips" covers all age ranges. With "DSIPH," the game will likely appeal to young fans of Hannah Montana and The Jonas Brothers. Plus, without the ability to import or use your own songs - and no way to add additional songs, it really limits the replay value of the game.
In the future, both developers need to add online play to really deliver a knock-out punch.
Lips: Number One Hits: 3 (out of 4 stars)
Disney Sing It:Pop Hits: 2.5 (out of 4 stars)
-- M4dSki11z
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