Karaoke games have always had a particular charm. Whether players are genuinely talented singers or simply enjoy making a fool of themselves in front of friends and family, there is something inherently entertaining about grabbing a microphone and attempting to recreate some of the biggest hits in music. The Let’s Sing franchise has been capitalizing on that appeal for years, and with Let’s Sing 2027, developer Voxler and publisher THQ Nordic are once again inviting players to take center stage. The latest installment introduces a refreshed presentation, a new selection of songs and an entirely new Party mode, while retaining the familiar karaoke mechanics that have kept the series going. It is an approachable and enjoyable package, although the limited amount of included content raises familiar questions about the franchise’s annual release strategy.
The most important ingredient in any karaoke game is, naturally, its music library. Let’s Sing 2027 launches with 35 tracks, combining contemporary chart hits with a handful of older favorites. There are some appealing choices here, including Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ Die With A Smile, Ariana Grande’s We can’t be friends (wait for your love), and Chappell Roan’s The Subway. Meanwhile, tracks such as Lorde’s Royals, Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris and Shawn Mendes’ There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back provide some welcome nostalgia for players whose musical tastes extend beyond the latest chart releases. The selection also ventures into different styles, with electronic music, hip-hop and alternative pop represented. Nevertheless, the overall variety could be better. Rock and country music, for instance, are particularly underrepresented, while some of the choices feel less exciting than others. Thirty-five songs provide a reasonable starting point for an occasional karaoke evening, but regular players are likely to exhaust the selection relatively quickly.
That limitation becomes particularly noticeable when looking at the VIP Pass. This optional subscription provides access to an additional library of more than 150 songs, considerably expanding the available repertoire with music from different decades and genres. It is arguably where the real variety lies, but it also highlights how much of the experience sits behind an additional payment. The temporary subscription model means players need to consider its ongoing cost rather than simply purchasing additional songs permanently. There is certainly an argument for offering a larger selection through a subscription, particularly when the library continues to receive updates, but it is disappointing that the standard edition feels relatively restrained in comparison. It would also be welcome if previously purchased songs from earlier Let’s Sing installments could carry over into a shared personal library – especially since there’s overlap with the songs in the VIP Pass. Releasing a new game every year without preserving access to older purchases makes building a substantial collection unnecessarily expensive.
Fortunately, the actual singing experience remains as accessible and entertaining as ever. Classic is the straightforward option, allowing players to select a song and compete for the highest score, either individually or with up to three other participants. Those who prefer cooperation can instead turn to Feat, which divides songs into different vocal sections and encourages participants to work together. Depending on the track, players might alternate between singing sections or attempt to maintain different harmonies. It provides a nice alternative to straightforward score chasing and can be surprisingly challenging when everyone needs to find their part. Both modes retain the uncomplicated appeal that makes karaoke games suitable for experienced players and complete newcomers alike.
The biggest addition this year is Party mode, which takes players to Soundtown, a musical city that has fallen silent under the influence of DJ Hush. The objective is to restore its rhythm by completing a series of singing challenges, with different minigames introducing variations on the familiar gameplay. Some challenges require players to rely more heavily on their knowledge of a song, for example, by singing sections without the usual visual or audio assistance. It is a welcome attempt to give the experience a little more structure than simply selecting one song after another, and the lighter presentation makes it an entertaining option for those looking for something different. However, the adventure is fairly modest in scope. The experience revolves around a limited selection of songs, with six performances needed to complete the journey, and there is little reason to revisit it once the challenges have been finished. It is also restricted to one or two players, meaning larger groups will have to take turns rather than participate together. Party is a worthwhile addition, but hardly a substantial new campaign.
Outside the three main modes, Let’s Sing 2027 introduces a more elaborate progression and customization system. Players earn experience by singing and can unlock additional cosmetic options for their avatars, including outfits, poses, emotes, titles and banners. The previous presentation has also received a visual overhaul, replacing the rather awkward floating-head-and-hands character designs with more conventional, colorful avatars. There are four distinct character personalities to choose from, and the additional customization options make it easier to give individual profiles some personality. The interface and overall presentation are brighter and more inviting than before, although these improvements are largely cosmetic. Unlocking additional items provides a modest incentive to keep playing, but it does not fundamentally change the experience.
One of the franchise’s greatest strengths remains its accessibility, particularly when it comes to the required equipment. Players can connect compatible USB microphones or use the free Let’s Sing Companion application to turn their smartphones into microphones. The latter is especially convenient for spontaneous gatherings, as everyone can simply use a device they already own instead of purchasing additional peripherals. The microphone detection generally works well, although there can be some inconsistencies with lower vocal registers. In particular, very deep notes may occasionally go unrecognized, potentially forcing some singers to adjust their pitch to receive the expected feedback. It is also worth spending some time calibrating the audio delay before starting, as incorrect settings can negatively affect scoring. These are relatively minor inconveniences, but they can make a difference when trying to achieve a high score.
The actual singing mechanics are deliberately uncomplicated. Players follow the lyrics and corresponding pitch indicators on screen, attempting to match the notes as accurately as possible. Interestingly, precise pronunciation is not essential, which makes the game considerably more forgiving when dealing with unfamiliar languages or particularly fast vocal passages. Holding longer notes can still be demanding, however, and certain tracks offer a considerably greater challenge than others. The inclusion of original music videos also helps create a more authentic karaoke atmosphere, giving spectators something to enjoy while others are singing. Another particularly useful addition is the ability to adjust the original vocals. Players can retain the artist’s full performance, lower its volume or remove it entirely to sing along with the instrumental. This flexibility accommodates different skill levels and preferences, whether someone needs a little melodic guidance or wants to experience a more traditional karaoke performance.
There is, however, one notable omission compared to previous installments: online multiplayer is no longer available. The focus is now firmly on local entertainment, with up to four participants sharing the same console in Classic and Feat. That is perfectly understandable for a game primarily designed around social gatherings, but it does reduce the available options for players who previously enjoyed competing remotely. The absence of a more substantial selection of game modes also makes the package feel somewhat smaller than it could have been. Nevertheless, the straightforward interface, adjustable vocal settings and smartphone microphone support ensure that getting a group together and starting a performance remains remarkably easy.
It is also worth mentioning that Let’s Sing 2027 arrives alongside the rerelease of Let’s Sing ABBA, which originally received our attention back in 2022. This dedicated ABBA edition is now also making its way to Switch 2, giving fans of the Swedish group another opportunity to enjoy its extensive collection of hits on Nintendo’s newer hardware. The simultaneous release reinforces the idea of Let’s Sing as an ongoing karaoke ecosystem, with different editions catering to particular musical tastes rather than every player necessarily needing to rely on the annual mainline release. The ABBA edition also shows the potential of themed releases, and we’d love more Let’s Sing releases based around a certain decade or genre.
Let’s Sing 2027 is a perfectly enjoyable karaoke game that understands what makes the genre appealing. The new Party mode adds some welcome variety, the improved avatars and customization options make progression more rewarding, and the adjustable vocal settings provide useful flexibility for singers of different abilities. Its straightforward controls and smartphone microphone support also make it easy to recommend for gatherings with friends and family. Unfortunately, the relatively small base tracklist, limited scope of Party mode and reliance on a paid VIP subscription prevent the package from feeling as generous as it should. The removal of online multiplayer is a step backward, even if local karaoke remains the main attraction. Voxler has made some worthwhile improvements, but the annual release model is starting to feel increasingly difficult to justify when the underlying experience changes so little, especially for players who own multiple Let’s Sing releases. Let’s Sing 2027 will certainly provide some entertaining evenings, but a more substantial song library and a better approach to preserving previously purchased content would make the series considerably more appealing.
Score: 7.5/10