Play Karaoke Studio (Japan) Online

Pick a Japanese pop song, follow the scrolling kana lyrics, and try to match the pitch while your friends laugh at your terrible 8-bit serenade. The NES chiptune versions somehow make it even more ridiculous.

File size: 128 bytes

Game Overview

Karaoke Studio was the first time anyone tried to cram a singalong game into a tiny NES cartridge—and somehow, it kind of worked. You pick from a handful of Japanese pop songs (yes, you’ll need to read a bit of kana), and the game scrolls the lyrics while a chiptune version plays. No microphone, obviously—just you, the TV, and whoever’s judging your pitch from the couch.

The graphics are about what you’d expect from 1985: a static background, scrolling text, and maybe a pixelated disco ball if you’re lucky. But there’s something weirdly charming about belting out tunes while the 8-bit soundtrack chugs along. Just don’t expect modern karaoke polish—this is pure, janky nostalgia.