• ID = PS0026
• STYLE = Dancing Sim
• DEV. = Hothouse Creations
• PUB. = Codemasters USA
• R-DATE = Nov-11-2003
• ESRB = E / For Everyone
• PLAYERS = 1-2 players
• LIST PRICE = $19.99
  

AMERICAN IDOL, the music-based rhythm-action game, allows players to create, style, train a character and compete as a singer. Each virtual contestant will then choose from more than 40 "top-ten" music tracks to perform for the judges. To ensure the AMERICAN IDOL game experience is truly authentic, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul are featured as computer generated characters, complete with their colorful commentary.

The official American Idol video game is the hottest rhythm action game to hit the PlayStation 2. Following faithfully in the footsteps of the smash hit reality TV show--you can now bring the American Idol experience home.

Match the beats with your fingers on the game-pad to make sure your Idol contestant sings in tune.

Hit the notes in time and Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell will shower you with praise as you move onto the next round.

Howl and squeal out of tune and you'll be shown the door with Simon's words of "encouragement" ringing in your ears.

Can you make it through the grand finale? Why not challenge your friends to see who will go home with the American Idol crown?

Based on the smash hit reality TV show, sing your heart out in front of virtual Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson complete with over 10,000 putdowns and words of "advice" recorded exclusively for the game.

Over forty tracks to choose from including: "Baby One More Time," Genie in a Bottle," "Bye Bye Bye," and "A Moment Like This.'

Dress your Idol contestant to impress with a full wardrobe jam-packed with clothes, shoes, hairstyles and make-up.

Compete with up to three of your friends in the Party Competition game mode in a special sing-off showdown. Take turns to perform a song as best you can by matching button presses in rhythm-action game style.

At the end of your performance, as well as a verdict from the judges, you give each performance a hit or miss result through secret joypad-button presses.

From J&R Music and Computer World!
American Idol brings the challenge and trademark insults of the hit show to your PS2!

• This music-based game combines elements of karaoke with the gameplay of "Dance Dance Revolution" for a new kind of gaming
• Players will have to develop their singing skills and refine their dance moves As they improve their entertaining skills, they'll compete against other contestants for the fame and glory they seek
• Get full feedback from the judges, just like on the show -- over 4,000 comments from Simon, Randy and Paula, ranging from bad to nice

Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the television phenomenon of the same name, Pop Idol marries many of the key features of the show. And while there are times when you can't help feeling that this isn't the most substantial game you've ever played, there is some fun to be had.

The idea is simple. You create a singer and take them through the heats and qualifying rounds to the final. If all goes to plan, you get crowned the Pop Idol. If it doesn't, you get to suffer the acid tongues of the three judges, including the infamous Simon Cowell.

Clearly, a video game is going to have troubling assessing your vocal talents and that is a downfall. Instead, Pop Idol substitutes a simple rhythm-style game, not a million miles from classics such as Parappa the Rappa . Basically, symbols correlating to your control pad head towards the middle of the screen and you need to have the relevant button pressed at exactly the right moment. The more you get it right, the better you do. You're also assessed on your outfit, which you choose along with your song before every round.

It's ultimately quite a simple, straightforward title and one that could have been better, could have been worse. It's going to find favour more easily with the casual, less demanding gamer, though, and dedicated fans of the show. -- Simon Brew

How bad are you expecting an American Idol game to be? Well, strangely enough, it's not nearly that heinous. Basically, Codemasters' first game using its Fox TV license is nothing more than an unpolished, but promising, rhythm title. The judge commentary is repetitive, the clothing options aren't as varied as I'd like, and it only takes a few hours to become America's Idol. In addition, the rewards aren't that great; but the game is solid and the song list isn't as unspeakably painful as one would guess. It's not awesome, but it's also not without merit.

Rated: 6.25 out of 10
Editor: Lisa Mason
Issue: February 2004

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