Lips sings Party Classics March 2

Microsoft's big push into the casual market will come later this year with the launch of its camera-based motion-sensing add-on currently known as Project Natal. However, that isn't the only motion-sensing product the publisher has aimed at the casual market. Today, Microsoft announced that its motion-sensing mic-equipped karaoke franchise Lips will expand in North America on March 2 with the launch of Party Classics. The game will land in Europe beginning February 26.

As with previous installments in the franchise, Party Classics integrates with a wireless, motion-sensing microphone that syncs up with the various songs in the game to create unique light displays. Notably, Party Classics introduces the ability to use third-party USB microphones, such as those that come with Activision's and Electronic Arts' respective Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises.

Party Classics features 40 on-disc songs. Artists slated to appear in the game include the Spice Girls, KISS, Village People, Tiffany, Gloria Gaynor, The B-52s, and Chumbawumba. The game also supports Avatars and Avatar rewards, as well as the customary set of achievements and other features.

Microsoft also today announced the lineup of Lips' weekly downloadable content for January. Included in the lineup are tunes from Death Cab for Cutie, The Miracles, Fleetwood Mac, The Cardigans, and more. Tracks run for MSP 160 ($2) a piece, with The Miracles and The Cardigans song packs available for MSP 440 ($5.50) a piece. January's full lineup of DLC can be found below.

January 1:
Club Nouveau - "Lean on Me"
David Guetta feat. Cozi - "Baby When the Light"
Kanye West feat. Chris Martin - "Homecoming"

January 8:
The Miracles - "Love Machine (Part 1)"
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - "I Second That Emotion"
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - "The Tracks of My Tears"
The Miracles Song Pack - Includes "I Second That Emotion," "Love Machine (Part 1)," "The Tracks of My Tears"

January 15:
Anita Ward - "Ring My Bell"
Death Cab for Cutie - "Soul Meets Body"
Wilson Pickett - "Mustang Sally"

January 22:
Fleetwood Mac - "Little Lies"
Robbie Williams - "Tripping"
Vanessa Carlton - "Ordinary Day"

January 29:
The Cardigans - "Carnival"
The Cardigans - "My Favorite Game"
The Cardigans Song Pack - Includes "Carnival," "Erase/Rewind," "My Favorite Game"
Crystal Waters - "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)"