Boogie

Boogie - (Wii)
Developer: EA
Format: Wii
Genre: Party

Will this singing and dancing titles impress our panel of judges?

EA got caught a little flat footed with the popularity of Wii. As news has just been announced that Nintendo's next-gen platform has become the fastest selling console in UK history (shifting a whopping million consoles in just 38 weeks), EA has a flurry of titles set for release to capitalise on the 'fun' angle of the phenomenally successful console. Why the publisher didn't have these available when the Wii launched is anyone's guess (perhaps it was because none of the big guns had any faith). But now we have Boogie - an all singing and dancing party game from the world's biggest videogames publisher.

Using the Wii controls and a peripheral microphone, Boogie showcases your best singing and dancing moves in front of all your mates or family who will no doubt either laugh or cry - which is the whole point to these types of games. But with this being a next-gen title the features don't stop there. Use Boogie's editing toy to create your very own music video, complete with multiple camera angles and cool, bordering on cheesy, special effects to save for posterity.

There's also all the obligatory tunes too - we're talking more middle of the road than the white stripes (the lines not the band). Four decades are catered for including The Jackson 5, Kool and The Gang, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cyndi Lauper, Black Eyed Peas and Britney Spears - if anybody wants to shave their head and go mental.

But here's where the notes starts to sound a little flat. EA forgot to focus on that magic ingredient of gameplay! If you're in any way fussy of what party games you play you may well have experienced better times on other titles. The controls feel clunky and the responsiveness of the microphone seems to be particularly lacking - meaning you really could be a songbird or a blocked drain and there isn't much difference recognised in the game.

For an after-pub distraction then sure, get your freak on with Boogie. But for any serious disco kings look elsewhere to bust some moves.