Datel challenges Konami for the Karaoke crown

Karaoke is going to be one of the most popular things to do with your console this Christmas - or at least that's the hope of UK-based firm Datel, which is gearing up to launch Karaoke Party for the PS2 later this month.

Datel will be going head to head with Japanese giant Konami - whose competing product, Karaoke Revolution, is expected later in the year. Unlike Karaoke Party, however, Konami's product is actually more like a game - offering an interactive assessment and scoring of singers talents. Or lack of same.

"Karaoke is the next big craze on PlayStation2," states Datel managing director Michael Connors, "in fact industry experts estimate it will become even bigger than the dance mat phenomenon."

Last Christmas, dance mats were certainly huge business - some estimates we've heard put sales of Konami's Dancing Stage titles, many of which didn't register with Chart-Track as they were through unconventional retail outlets, at over 800,000 units.

This Autumn Konami will be releasing new Dancing Stage titles, but again there's a local challenger - with Bigben Interactive showcasing Dance: UK at the ECTS trade show last week.

Datel's Karaoke Party is set to be launched at an RRP of £39.99, and comes with two microphone headsets. The game comes with over 20 tracks, and Datel plans to release additional volumes with new songs and video tracks in future.