American Idol: Now It's Your Turn

Do you have what it takes to be an American Idol? See for yourself with Karaoke Revolution. (Konami/ign.com)

If you think the 12 finalists named last week for "American Idol" don't measure up, you can prove it with the latest Karaoke Revolution video game.

You can also find out what the show would be like without the ramblings of Paula Abdul. Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson signed on to provide likenesses and voice work for this new edition of the best-selling karaoke game franchise, but Abdul abstained. In her place is Laura, a pushover judge with a bit of a resemblance.

American Idol is essentially a new career mode for the already robust Karaoke Revolution game. This means there are plenty of single and multiplayer options (for as many as eight people) outside the American Idol mode, satisfying both fans of the game and of the TV show.

The game has 40 songs to choose from, including such favorites as "Build Me Up, Buttercup," "She Bangs," "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and "Alone," and winning contestants' songs such as "Do I Make You Proud." It also has plenty of karaoke classics, including "Piano Man," "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" and "Stand by Me."

The game mode follows the format of the show, allowing your virtual idol (those with an EyeToy camera can import their face into the game) to rock the stage -- the sets from the TV show have been replicated -- and get critiques from the judges. Though they aren't always spot-on with their assessments, the game does manage to give players accurate feedback on each performance. Cowell's there for his snide, often negative, remarks, and Jackson is always whooping it up for his "dog pound."

This is the type of game that never grows old, and like Activision's Guitar Hero franchise, it will entice new people to give video games a try. (One note: Anyone who bought Sony's competing karaoke game, SingStar, will have to shell out for Konami's microphone, because Sony's doesn't work with this game.)

-- John Gaudiosi

Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol Everyone 10+; PlayStation 2 ($40) Konami Digital Entertainment/Blitz Games