 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Karaoke Revolution
- PlayStation 2
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Music
Common Sense Media says
Improve your singing, and feel like a rock star!
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that some of the outfits show a bit of flesh, and some songs reference adult themes (such as drinking and one-night stands), but for the most part KARAOKE REVOLUTION is good, clean fun. Group play allows players to anonymously judge each other, which may be a bit too mean-spirited for younger kids. Also, even when your kid is playing alone, the audience will turn down the house lights if the performance isn't up to par -- sensitive kids could easily feel hurt. You may want to adjust the judging levels.
What's it about?
Featuring songs ranging from Avril Lavigne's "Complicated" to Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools," Konami's KARAOKE REVOLUTION lets players (virtually) rise from house party hobbyist to arena-playing rock star. Donning a headset, you choose a character, an outfit, and a song that shows off your pipes. While your avatar struts to "Billie Jean" or "Like a Virgin," lyrics and symbols representing the pitch and duration of notes scroll across the screen's bottom.
Stay on pitch and earn cheers from the crowd -- and a gold or platinum record. But if you don't do the song justice the audience will let you know, even turning down house lights on a disastrous performance. Up to eight players battle in arcade mode, scoring points for stellar performances and unlocking hidden songs and outfits along the way. In Karaoke mode, players anonymously rate each other's ability, with one player ascending "American Idol"-style to the top of the heap.
Is it any good?
Outfits can be revealing, and some songs reference adult themes, like drinking and one-night stands, but for the most part this is good, clean fun. The excited crowd and other touches (in one level, your name flashes in the background while you perform) make you feel like a real rock star -- and, best of all, you will learn something about singing along the way. The game encourages you to practice your rhythm, stay on key, and hold those notes.
Singing some of your favorite songs in privacy is a definite treat, but the game's real fun is the multi-player mode. Note: Make sure you get the version with the headset -- it (or a microphone) is required for play.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about giving and receiving criticism. If your kids are playing in groups, parents may want to remind them that it's never funny to put someone down and that everyone has different talents. How does the game offer constructive criticism? Does it hurt your feelings when the audience turns down the house lights?
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AGE
Makes even boys sing!
I am an elementary general music teacher, teaching grades 1-5. I brought in my PS2 to try out KR with my 4th and 5th graders, since I was having trouble getting them to sing for me. When they got a chance to don the headset or grab the handheld mic (which now comes with the latest version of KR), all inhibitions were gone. I could get a general idea of where that kid's voice really was. Of course, my whole curriculum isn't based around KR, but it is definitely supplemented by the help of this "way cool" video game. Even my boys run to music to see if it's KR Day. That alone is good enough for me.
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AGE
Fun for parties
It's a lot of fun when you have a group of people to play with. Not so much by yourself. It's too easy to score points, though, because you don't have to be on key, you just have to have the right pitch.
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| Platforms: | PlayStation 2 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Music |
| Developer: | Konami |
| Release date: | December 1, 2003 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E |
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