Though it's been a few months, Microsoft today re-affirmed that the Xbox 360 release of Rock Band 2 will indeed be someday compatible with the flashy wireless microphones that came with the Microsoft-published, iNis-developed karaoke game Lips (X360).

Not only that, but Neversoft's recent Xbox 360 release of Guitar Hero Metallica will be joining Harmonix's multi-instrument game in its support of the wireless microphones.

In fact, Guitar Hero Metallica is already compatible with the wireless mic, with support coming to Rock Band 2 this "summer" via a downloadable update. No word as to exactly when the update hits, but it's still good news for those tangled up in blue wires.

Microsoft added that other games due out this year will also support the Lips mics. Those other games weren't specified, but upcoming Rock Band and Guitar Hero titles are a safe bet, especially if the support's already there in a previous edition.

Harmonix today issued a release stating that the wireless microphone issued with Microsoft's Lips will soon be compatible with Rock Band titles.

Harmonix and MTV had this to say on the matter:

Microsoft and MTV Games are working together to ensure that consumers will be able to use the wireless mics from 'Lips' with 'Rock Band 2' after launch. More details on timing to come. Harmonix and MTV Games strive for all third-party controllers to work with the 'Rock Band' games, fitting with Harmonix' open-platform philosophy for controllers.

Wireless karaoke action comes to Xbox 360 on November 18 care of Elite Beat Agent developer iNiS and publisher Microsoft Game Studios, and in preparation, Microsoft has unveiled the 40 tunes included with the $70 game and its two wireless mics.

In addition to the below tracks, Lips will allow vocalists to sing along with their own DRM-free music by plugging in a compatible MP3 player. However, lyrics will not be displayed for those tunes. For more on the game, check out our hands-on preview.

Microsoft also announced that, as with most music games, Lups will have "a regular flow of downloadable content," beginning with Love Estelle's "No Substitute Love."

Furthermore, those that pre-order Lips from Amazon.com or GameStop will receive one downloadable free song per week for two months, with the tracks selected out of the Zune Marketplace by Zune staff.

• a-ha - "Take on Me"
• Nirvana - "In Bloom"
• Alicia Keys - "No One"
• Peter Bjorn and John - "Young Folks"... Read more

Keiichi Yano, head of Elite Beat Agents and Gitaroo Man developer iNis, describes the studio's upcoming Xbox 360 karaoke title Lips as "the ultimate party singing game." After belting out a few songs, I'm inclined to agree that it certainly has the potential.

The big draw of Lips isn't its tracklist, of which only three songs have been confirmed--Duffy's "Mercy," "Bust a Move" by Young MC, and "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn and John.

And while the motion-sensitive wireless microphones certainly have the potential to add an entirely new element to the karaoke genre, Yano wasn't talking specifics.

No, what sets Lips apart from everything else--from Sony's SingStar to Harmonix's Rock Band--is the fact that you can stream songs off your iPod or Zune. The game then applies a vocal reduction filter to those tracks, the very same one used ... Read more

In accordance with today's outpouring of announcements, demonstrations and big reveals at Microsoft's E3 press conference, the company has released several new screenshots of the titles included in today's presentation.

Gears of War 2

New Xbox 360 3D Dashboard

Fable 2

More new images from titles including Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2, Lips, and several others are viewable below... Read more

Microsoft today announced Lips, the karaoke/dancing game from Elite Beat Agents (DS) developer iNiS and Microsoft Game Studios.

"A brand new party game experience," claimed VP Shane Kim. The game lets players import their own songs, for example, from their Zune or iPods.

The title will be bundled with a pair of light-equipped, motion-sensitive wireless microphones when it ships this fall.

Both classic rock and hip-hop tracks were demonstrated in the trailer. Recording artist Duffy is currently on-stage demonstrating the title to one of her own tracks, while the music video plays in the background.

"I don't know who Duffy is, but she's not that annoying," remarked Shacknews founder and president Steve Gibson. "Maybe it's Hilary Duff's grandma?"

Said Microsoft's Shane Kim: "It will be the 'gotta have it' game of this holiday season."

Microsoft's previously-rumored Xbox 360 title Lips is a karaoke title that lets users bring their own songs into the game, going by internal documents from Intellisponse.

Packing two wireless and motion-sensitive microphones that sport flashing lights, the game will apparently include 30 songs, with the ability to download more songs in addition to importing. The motion sensors are said to allow point-gaining dance moves.

According to NeoGAF's exhaustive coverage of the leak, Lips will somehow reduce the vocals of imported songs, permitting folks to hear themselves as they sing along.

As noted in our many earlier stories, Intellisponse left its backend unprotected over the weekend, allowing many to access its internal marketing research documents. However, as the firm specializes in marketing research, it is possible that this information could represent concepts and market surveys instead of actual facts.