Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol

"Simon, get the beer!"

I have to preface this review by saying I am a karaoke addict. I will gladly frequent the karaoke bar, and after a few drinks, pretend I'm the next Ruben Studdard. I have always been a fan of Konami's well-crafted, Karaoke Revolution (KR) games, Konami just knows how to make a damn good music game. Konami then made the next logical (though seemingly well overdue) step for the franchise and combined it with the hit reality show, American Idol. Not since Tiger Woods graced his likeness on EA's golf game has a better one-two licensing punch existed. Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol takes all the things we loved about KR, and makes great use out of the American Idol license on top of it.

If you missed out on the previous KR installments, the gameplay is very accessible. Besides just matching your voice along with the lyrics, there are pitch bars that match up with the lyrics, just match the tone of your voice to those bars to get the best score. It can be quite a challenge mastering some songs, but if all that sounds a bit too much then they can be disabled so you can only view the traditional karaoke lyrics.

The main thing the American Idol license adds to KR is the American Idol career mode. It plays out almost exactly like how you watch it on television. You start off auditioning, and then make your way to Hollywood and into the top 12. All the sets do good justice to the television show, and it almost feels like you're watching the actual program. The career mode can be completed within an hour by yourself, or play it through with friends to see if you can last longer than them. Since this is American Idol, the show's judges have to critique your performance. Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson both are here, but suspiciously enough Paula Abdul is absent, in her place we get some generic gal named Laura who looks a little bit like Paula. The judge's voice acting quality is serviceable, but they tend to repeat themselves after several performances, and can sound disjointed at times, but they add so much to the atmosphere and make the career mode feel special and worthy of the American Idol name.

The song list matches the contemporary mix that is popular off of American Idol. Past Idol winners' songs are on here like “Breakaway” and “Do I Make You Proud.” Also, many memorable (good and bad) performance and audition songs are part of the soundtrack too like “Alone” and “She Bangs.” There are also many karaoke classics on here like “Stand by Me,” “Buttercup” and “Every Rose has its Thorn.” Almost all these songs are covers, but it is hard to tell the difference, and this is the one game that can get away with it since it places you as the lead vocalist.

This version of KR doesn't do a whole lot of revamping its graphics other than adding in the American Idol sets and cutting away to the judges during American Idol rounds. However, since the KR series has been around for several years now, it has grown to include a robust amount of ways to sing your heart out. Besides basic and the standard scoring style of karaoke, KR allows you to hook up two microphones and perform duets and rapid fire medleys. KR also allows up to eight karaoke pros to compete in tournaments. Another interesting option in this version is Eye Toy support to enhance your created character, and to show yourself off on background video screens on some of the stages. There are also plenty of extras to unlock such as extra karaoke songs, videos of memorable American Idol performances and auditions, and costumes for created singers.

Other than missing out on the presence of Paula Abdul, Konami made great use of the American Idol license by implementing a well executed career mode. Konami can chalk up another good music/rhythm game under their belt. There is no other game better to embarrass yourself to. If you want to be a karaoke pro, or more preferably the next American Idol, you cannot go wrong by picking up Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/12/07