If you’ve ever played SingStar, then you’ll know there’s nothing quite like it for getting the party started. SingStar got its start on the PS2 way back in 2004 and came bundled with microphones that connected to the PS2’s USB ports, allowing gamers to indulge in a little karaoke at parties. Since then, the SingStar name has yielded a huge amount of games covering diverse pop and rock genres.
Unfortunately, SingStar appears to now be dormant, as the popularity of peripheral-based party games wanes. However, if you want a SingStar-style experience on modern gaming devices, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best games like SingStar you can play right now. We might have to go off the beaten path a little for these recommendations, so bear with us!
Let’s Sing 2022
Perhaps the most similar experience you’re going to get to SingStar right now is Let’s Sing 2022. Created by Ravenscourt, this ongoing pop singing series features gameplay extremely similar to SingStar. You can sing alone or battle with your friends both online and offline, and the game features a list of some of the most popular songs around, including Ariana Grande’s “Positions”, Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open”, and more. There are also classics for the old-school music heads in your group to enjoy; “Seven Nation Army”, P!nk’s “What About Us”, and Crazy Town’s “Butterfly”, to name but a few.
Rock Band 4
Unfortunately, it can be a little difficult to find a copy of Rock Band 4 without resorting to auction sites or the pre-owned section. Harmonix’s revival of the rock star fantasy didn’t perform as well as the studio was hoping it would, but for our money, Rock Band 4 is still immensely good fun, and yes, it features vocals. The setlist is perhaps a little less pop-friendly than SingStar’s, but you’ll still find lots of hits amongst Rock Band 4’s songs, including Fall Out Boy’s “Centuries”, Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk”, and more. If you love SingStar but you’re ready to branch out a little musically, give this one a shot.
SingStar Celebration
What better way to enjoy a game like SingStar than to play SingStar itself? At time of writing, this was the last SingStar game to be created before the series went on hiatus, but the appropriately-named SingStar Celebration does indeed feel like a huge celebration of the franchise itself. Brilliantly, Celebration lets you use your smartphone as a microphone, and the excellent setlist features hitmakers like Kings of Leon, Shawn Mendes, and Zara Larsson, as well as old-school classics from U2 and Oasis.
Let’s Sing Queen
As you might imagine, the audience for Let’s Sing Queen is going to be niche by definition. If you don’t like the music of Queen…well, first off, you might want to reconsider that position. Secondly, you’re probably not going to enjoy Let’s Sing Queen very much. However, for those who do love Freddie Mercury and company’s boisterous anthems, this game will more than provide. It’s Let’s Sing gameplay but with a rockin’ Queen soundtrack – what’s not to love? Like SingStar, there’s also an app that lets you turn your phone into a mic.
Now That’s What I Call Sing 2
It turns out the PS4 generation actually has a pretty large proliferation of karaoke games. Now That’s What I Call Sing 2 has plenty of classic songs for you to enjoy, as well as solo and multiplayer modes for both the singer-songwriter and band member in you. There’s also a great “Duet” mode in which you can double up with a buddy and sing harmonies or separate parts together. While the online leaderboards may be a ghost town, singing Now That’s What I Call Sing 2’s songs never gets old thanks to an evergreen setlist.
We Sing
Originally launched for the Wii, We Sing got a re-release for PS4 and Xbox One back in 2016. You can still pick it up from the store right now, although we can’t vouch for the functionality of the online services. There are six modes across which to enjoy the game’s 40 songs, and if you can gather some friends together, you can enjoy the music alongside your buddies as well, of course. We Sing features the option to sing along with the original vocal track of your favourite song or to eliminate it entirely and sing a true karaoke version, so if you feel confident in your vocal abilities, this is the game for you.
Just Dance 2022
Alright, so Just Dance 2022 isn’t going to scratch the karaoke itch, but it should fulfil a similar remit if you and your friends are looking for something fun to do of an evening. Modern numbers like Camila Cabello’s “Don’t Go Yet” rub shoulders with classics like Anastacia’s “I’m Outta Love” and Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy”. There’s a smartphone app if you don’t have the motion controllers required, so you won’t need to worry about equipment. As with the previous instalments, Just Dance 2022 is an uncomplicated good time, and you should find plenty to love if you’ve enjoyed previous Just Dance games.
Guitar Hero Live
Like Rock Band 4, you’re going to struggle to find a pristine copy of Guitar Hero Live without paying eye-watering amounts for it. That’s a shame, because this slimmed-down revival of the Guitar Hero brand is worth playing. It takes things back to basics; you won’t find instruments besides the guitar here (which unfortunately includes vocals), but instead a revamped take on classic Guitar Hero gameplay and some of the most interesting tracks the series has ever featured. The song list is pretty meagre, but this is a great revival of Guitar Hero.
