Codies planning Pop Idol for GBA
Goes the weasel.
Codemasters is not only making Pop Idol games for the PS2 and PC, but will be releasing a third game based on the TV show on the Game Boy Advance. Due out in November alongside the other two, the GBA version is "bang on the TV show's and the format's demographics," according to a Codies' marketing person. Look! Shots!
The handheld game will be a similar rhythm-action game to the other versions, with players matching lyrics and beats to button presses. Failure to press the right things will result in plenty of abuse from the judges, including Simon Cowell, the TV show's main redeeming feature.
Unlike other rhythm-action titles, it'll be head-splittingly obvious when things go awry in Codies' Pop Idol games, with the contestant's voice wobbling all over the place if you can't keep up with the game's 20 songs (including "Baby One More Time", "Suspicious Minds", "Like a Virgin" and "Let Me Entertain You"), although the effect will presumably be less impressive thanks to the GBA's limited audio hardware.
With the Pop Idol titles out in November, Ubi Soft has moved its competing Fame Academy games (individually tailored to the PC and PS2) up to October 31st. Codies will doubtless try to catch up, but hopefully not at the expense of some, er, tuning [3/10 -Ed].