Wii

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore

For less-critical gamers who just want to imagine they're auditioning and then going on to Hollywood and a dubious claim to fame, then this should be all you wanted and more.

Each of the prominent singing games on the market has a hook - SingStar has authenticity (via original songs/videos) and Rock Band has the multi-instrumental appeal - but the Idol license alone doesn't set this genre originator apart from the pack. Encore is a solid sequel and an enjoyable experience, but in 2008, Karaoke Revolution is starting to feel a bit outdated compared to the emerging competition.

There's no doubt that singing My Heart Will Go On and Knockin' On Heaven's Door is fun, but Encore's limited customization, barebones modes and ho-hum visuals are stacking the deck against you putting the time into the more than 20 unlockables. In its first foray onto the Wii, Karaoke Revolution has turned in a performance that isn't Ashlee Simpson bad but is far from the headliner we've cheered for in years past.

American Idol Encore remains fun for roughly the length of time it takes to sing through all of the included songs that you like. A wide selection of downloadable content adds value, but not enough when you consider that each song is an additional investment on top of your $70 'game + microphone' bundle. Unfair though it may be to draw comparisons, Rock Band has raised the bar for games of this sort. If you're the sort who loves pop music and who can happily do without master recordings or guitar/drums, American Idol Encore is a decent enough alternative for achieving your goal of virtual superstardom.