Those unfamiliar with the series, you pick an avatar, dress ‘em up, pick a locale to sing at, and you do the singing while your avatar mimics your efforts on screen. While this is all going on in the background, you have the lyrics and singing range that you must hit, not only in tune, but by rhythm as well. How well you do in the points category all depends on how accurate you are to the song. Thankfully, the renditions are as close as you can get, so those who are familiar with the songs should be able to re-sing the song as it is intended.

While not visually stunning, the series has given gamers enough pizzazz to keep the eyes glued to the screen. For obvious reasons the singer will be focusing mainly on the lyrics and timing, while onlookers can enjoy the fictional polygonal character singing and dancing like a tool.

The renditions are faithful to the originals, and while they are not too-close-to-call covers like Guitar Hero, the intention is the have the music as close as possible and you become the lead vocalists. Impressively the microphone to music mix not only can be adjusted, but also sounds really great when your settings are right. The end result is a party like no other.

The options in Karaoke Country are much like Volume 3; you can use the EyeToy, but no dance pad this time around. I guess doing the Boot Scootin’ Boogie is too much for some to sing and dance along with. Customize your avatar’s appearance from their head down to their feet with a wide variety of hats, clothes, hairstyles and colors. You have over 15 locations to choose from and 35 country songs in all. The song list has old favorites like 9 to 5, Good Ol’ Boys, The Gambler, Stand by Your Man, and the classic Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys. Newer songs like Independence Day, Goodbye Earl, She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy, and Suds in a Bucket are here for fans of the new sound of country. All in all ii should appeal to all fans of the Mullet and Mickey Gilley’s. It is a shame that some stars were left out of this version, and when they say it is 35 of the Greatest Country Songs, I have a hard time agreeing when George Jones, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Ronnie Millsap, Hank Williams and Charlie Daniels Band are excluded from the list. I guess for the most part the selection will satisfy fans of the genre. That is also where the game fails at; It is appealing to ONLY the fans of this style of music.

In the end, if you love to sing, if you love country music, and there is a tear in your beer, then by all means, mosey on down to your local gaming shop and pick up your copy of Karaoke Country. It is the best thing to happen to country music since Hee-Haw!