http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/07/14 … lled-mics/

Who wants a karaoke game?

It's amazing what all MS was copying in this E3 conference.

I want pics of Keiichi Yano in that pimp suit.  Stat!

More screenshots of Lips:
http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/07/scr … ox-ro.html

Crud, "Mercy" is locked inside my head now.  "Why won't you release me," indeed.

In addition to his killer attire, did you notice how he was way more comfortable on stage than any of the wooden MS execs (damn do I miss Peter Moore)?  I also had no idea his English was so good.  Plus, he got the talentless blond girl to leave the stage on his arm.

Develop Mag has a new three-part interview with Yano up.  As always, it's a great read.  That Gundam arcade machine in particular sounded pretty cool.

http://www.developmag.com/interviews/29 … -it-Part-1
http://www.developmag.com/interviews/29 … -it-Part-2
http://www.developmag.com/interviews/29 … -it-Part-3

Lips is set for a November 18th release at a retail price of $69.99.  Details about the game has been awfully sparse since E3 otherwise, but I've already got it preordered.  I'd be lying if I didn't say that a new title by iNiS wasn't one of the driving forces with my buying a 360.

Neogaf has posted the final tracklistings for both U.S. and Scandinavian versions of the game:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339712

Is this the creepiest game commercial ever?

http://kotaku.com/5091431/microsoft-cre … s-tv-spots

IGN deems Lips a 6.8

"However, that doesn't mean it's a very good game. In fact, it's not really much of a game at all. It's far too easy to offer much enjoyment for hardcore gamers, the single-player mode is fairly dull, there's no real sense of progression, no online play and none of the now-standard music game features. Games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero are well-suited for casual gatherings where friends can bang away at fake instruments while sipping adult beverages. But those games also stand strong on their own for solo players, offering varying difficulty levels, career modes, opportunities for improvement and vast replayability. Lips has none of those things."

Hm, doesn't seem to be breaking any new ground in the karaoke genre.  And the "use your own music" bit looks to be half-baked.  The game's strength looks to cater most to a party or multi-gathering atmosphere - things I don't throw nearly enough to justify plunking down $70+ for.

Sorry, iNiS - you know I love you, but I'll have to pass.  I've said it before, I'll say it again: bring us EBA2!

The Lips microphone isn't compatible with Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour either.  If Lips sells enough to make a sequel, I'm sure they will try to match the featureset of Singstar more closely.