PS3 Fanboy

A patch went out for SingStar a few hours ago which allows users of the popular music game to swap discs to access the content from other SingStar titles. However, this patch will only enable PS3 game discs to be swapped -- not PS2 games. (We're assuming that PS2 functionality will come at a later point.) For Americans that doesn't mean much, as SingStar Volume 2 won't be available until next month.

We tested the new functionality with an early preview version of SingStar Vol. 2 and it works just as you'd expect. When you're in the song carousel, hit SELECT and you'll be able to insert a new disc. Placing SingStar in the drive brings back ye old song list. Placing a PS2 disc in the drive will simply result in an error message.

We're eagerly awaiting the eventual patch will allow PS2 games to be used in the PS3 SingStar games. That's exactly how we'd like to enjoy games like the PS2-exclusive SingStar Country.

[Thanks, Joe B.!]

Sony has confirmed to us today that SingStar Vol 2 will be released in Europe on June 20th. Those lucky Australians will get it on June 19th -- technically almost two days earlier, thanks to the time difference. Vol 2 will feature a new pack of thirty songs, none of which are currently available on the SingStore. Sony is careful to tell us that licensing songs for a disc and licensing for the SingStore are two very different things, so don't expect to see these tunes available for download day and date with Vol 2's release. There's no reason why they won't be up eventually, however.

If you fancy seeing the really rather excellent tracklist for Vol 2 then take a peek after the jump. Sure, changing discs mid-party is a bit of a pain, but Sony has made is as painless as possible. We're particularly excited about the Killers, Kaiser Chiefs and Nirvana tracks. Good stuff, indeed.

As previously rumored Sony will be releasing a second volume of casual sing-em-up SingStar for the PS3. While SingStar Vol. 2 will be little more than a 30-song expansion (much like the many, many PS2 SingStars available) there will be an additional gameplay mode available. There's no indication as to whether the songs on the disc are already available on the SingStore or, if not, whether they'll be made available soon after release.

We're wondering exactly why Sony are releasing a second volume. Wasn't the SingStore meant to prevent this sort of thing? Considering the market it's designed for (casual gamers) we can sort of understand if the extra volumes are released for people who have no intention of signing up to the PlayStation Network. But more gameplay modes? We hope to see this new "Harmony mode" released as a free download for SingStar Vol 1 users who do use the SingStore. If not, expect users of the original game to be quite angry. The release of Volume 2 brings with it more questions than answers, such as a price or release date. Also, how will this affect the still-pending US release? Stay tuned.