Lips: Party Classics Review for Xbox 360

System: X360	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Inis	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Microsoft	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 2, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

So what does Lips: Party Classics offer for seasoned players? Well, if you are a Lips aficionado, you will be able to unlock some new Achievements (totaling 250 points for your Gamerscore) as well as some new unlockable avatar trophies. However, the interface is exactly the same, even down to the background animations in freestyle mode and the menu music. The game is exactly the same as previous iterations, and if you are okay with that, then you'll enjoy it.

Lips: Party Classics screenshot

I think my biggest disappointment with Lips: Party Classics comes from the continued omission of an online battle mode. Online functionality is something fans of the Lips series (as well as rival franchise SingStar) have been clamoring for since the beginning of this console generation that either has yet to receive. Lips made a good first effort by introducing the challenge mode on the first game (where you can send online challenges to your Friends who also have Lips), but we have yet to see that functionality fully fleshed out in either of the two subsequent releases. I don't understand why it is taking so long to get karaoke battle mode up and running, considering both Guitar Hero and Rock Band give vocalists the power to duel online. I guess we'll just have to wait (and hope) for this mode on the next "full" Lips release.

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If you are looking for a new track pack for Lips, Party Classics certainly fits the bill. Paying $40 for 40 new songs certainly isn't a bad deal. However, the fact that you could also purchase 40 songs of your own choosing for the original Lips and get the exact same experience (without the disc swapping) makes this package seem a little less appealing. The only real reason to invest in Party Classics is if you care about the Achievements/Avatar awards, want the USB microphone functionality, or if you like all 40 songs on the disc. If not, then you are better off purchasing songs you want from the Lips store and keeping your old Lips disc. Hopefully we will be treated to a proper Lips sequel sometime soon.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.5

Graphics
Background music videos look great, and Avatar animations are nice and smooth.

3.9

Control
Microphone motion controls work as they always have if you use the Lips microphone, but they aren't exactly missed if you use the USB microphone option.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
There's a nice selection of 20 tracks that includes everything from Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" to the Spice Girl's "Wannabe". Party Classics definitely has something for everyone.

2.9

Play Value
If you've played another Lips game, then you know exactly what you are getting here: a regular singing mode, the freestyle mode, and the MyLips social tool. There's nothing new in this title, which is disheartening considering this is the third iteration of the franchise.

3.0

Overall Rating - Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Works with USB microphones.

40 delightfully appealing songs on-disc from artists like the Spice Girls, KISS, Village People, Tiffany, Gloria Gaynor, The B-52's, Chumbawumba, and more.

Avatar integration.

Unlockable Avatar awards.

Gameplay Challenges.