Tools for this page
Print

Lips

(2008, Video Games - Music, Rated T, Play it on: Xbox 360)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Middling karaoke game lets users import their own music.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    The game is designed for party play. It features several competitive and co-operative modes.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    One of the custom videos that plays during hard rock and heavy metal songs depicts cartoonish characters doing battle with swords and shields, but their movements are more graceful than vicious, and no blood is shown.
  • Sex:

    Some of the videos feature women in revealing outfits that show cleavage and plenty of skin, and these women are often moving and grinding in a sexually suggestive manner. The object of one of the party games is to make a virtual man and woman approach each other and kiss.
  • Language:

    There isn't much to worry about in the 40 included songs (we caught one instance of "god damn"), but players can load up and sing along to almost any song in their collection, including those with profanity.
  • Consumerism:

    The combination of popular music and authentic videos makes the game seem, at times, to be an advertisement for its featured artists. Plus, there is a cross-promotional campaign meant to lure players to join the PC-based Marketplace for Microsoft's Zune MP3 players.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some of the music videos show people smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Lips was written by Chad Sapieha

Parents need to know that this game is a sing-along party game featuring 40 well-known songs from popular artists. It isn't meant for kids; the packaging, music, and design make it clear the game was intended for an audience of teens or older players. Original and custom music videos -- some of which feature smoking and scantily clad women -- are shown during the game. Included songs are pretty clean, but users can also import their own music.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about profanity in modern music. It wasn't until the last couple of decades that many mainstream musicians began including excessive swearing in their songs. Do you think profanity can enhance the music? Does it have poetic purpose? Can it be taken too far? If you sing along with songs that feature dirty language in public, are you mindful of who may be listening and could be offended by the lyrics?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on Lips

What’s the Story?

LIPS, a new karaoke game from Microsoft, is meant to be pulled out when friends come over. Consequently, it doesn't really have any sort of story or campaign mode. Players simply pick individual songs or create a set list and start singing. They can also set up a jukebox mode in which the game plays a selection of tracks and allows players to jump into a song by picking up one of the two included wireless mics.

That said, there are a few video game-y elements. Performances are scored, which adds an element of competition if two players are singing at the same time. Plus, there is a variety of game modes, including one in which players have to sing well together to make an on-screen couple kiss, and another that sees players taking turns in a crooning duel.
Close

Is It Any Good?

As singing games go, Lips is average. Most of the tracks that come with the game are well known, but there are just 40 of them, which seems a paltry number relative to other music games that offer more than twice as many. You can access 250 more tracks through Marketplace, the online store associated with Microsoft's Zune media player, but it requires several steps and seems like a lame marketing gimmick meant to get players to sign up for a new music service. The much-hyped ability to use most of your own digital music files is a letdown, too; unlike official Lips tracks, lyrics aren't displayed, they lack original band videos, and scoring seems random.

The biggest problem, though, is the price. Its $70 tag makes Lips more expensive than many of this holiday's most popular games, which will be a turn off for the casual gamers which Microsoft is hoping to attract. A pair of quality wireless mics decorated with lights and equipped with motion sensors help sweeten the deal, but, unfortunately, they don't work with other music games like Rock Band, which means they're just two more mics to sit along side all the others in your game closet.
Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 11/18/2008, price $69.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Lyrics, Mild Cartoon Violence, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco)

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Lips?
  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name