I think I've discovered my latest form of digital crack.  Here's an action-rhythm game in its purest form; the execution is simple, never surmounting to much more than pressing a directional arrow or the A or B button, but the music and scenarios are incredibly varied, offering lots of playability.  On top of which, the game isn't very forgiving when it comes to judging your rhythmic timing, so it greatly encourages practice to pass and earn higher ranks.

The music and sound quality is almost unreal for a GBA game, boasting crisp instrumentation, and a good handful of vocal pieces.  Make no mistake, though -- like Ouendan, the game NEEDS to be played on a sound output stronger than a GBA speaker to be fully appreciated.  The Micro's direct headphone output is good, while the DS's is even better.  Better still is the Game Boy Player, hooked up to a good sound system.  I know I've downplayed the GBP before, but I'd make an exception here, because the game benefits so much more from the Player's beefy bass output.

Is the game import friendly?  With the exception of a bit of trial and error for some of the mini-games, as far as understanding how its rhythm mojo is played out, yes, very much so.  Most of the games have a helpful tutorial that shows how it's to be done, and even puts you through a quick training exercise to make sure you have it down pat before heading into the real thing.  The menus are also very easy to get around, and the mini-game selections are all picture oriented.

All in all, another first class effort from the Wario Ware folks.  A wonderful pick up and play title that offers good wholesome fun; it can, however, keep you hooked for play sessions longer than you anticipate.

It looks fairly cool from what I've seen.  What did it cost you?

I think that's the understatement of the year. The game is downright cruel to people with no sense of rhythm (such as myself)! At some points I thought the proper name for the game should have been "Rhythm Hell" ^_~

Seriously, if you're not that great at music games in general, don't get this game with the assumption that you'll be able to unlock everything. The game literally requires perfect timing to unlock all of its secrets, and trying to complete those "Perfect Campaigns" will drive you mad. If you're playing the game just for fun, however, it's definitely a more enjoyable experience.

Whoops, I think the hundred-degree heat in the subway really did fry my brain (did I mention my initial brain age was 79?). I misread the kana; t's actually "Za*Bon Odori," or "The*Bon Odori." The remix stage is known simply as "Bon Dansu" or "Bon Dance." The title and the lyrics both have to do with a lantern festival.

The cheapest I've seen it for is $33.99 at YesAsia.com  Most other places have it for $39.

That, I think, is what makes the game such an enjoyable experience.  It's accessible enough for anyone to just pick up and get into, but for the perfectionists, there's that challenge offered as well. Although I haven't even skimmed the surface of the unlockables, attaining them all should be a worthwhile goal.

Shucks, and here I am, spreading those file names all over the place.  o_O   Speaking of Bon Dance, though, its timing was INSANELY tough for me.  No way at that point was I going to record it with my own clapping. >_<

NCSX and Play Asia both have it for the $39, yep.  I went with NCSX ($49.52 after shipping and NYC sales tax), while Play Asia has it for $42.20 after regular airmail shipping.

Yes Asia
Play Asia
NCSX

Whew, the Perfect Campaigns really are kicking me down hard.  But boy, what a satisfying rush whenever you get through one. :)

Easily one of my most favorite games of the year so far, and certainly one of the best portable titles to have come around in a while.

How would you rate it against Ouendan?  Music quality, overall fun factor, difficulty, etc.... how do they compare?

Aww, see?  Now why did you have to go and do that for??  Asking me to pit anything against my messiah of gaming that way..... *_* 

But seriously, they're two fairly different classes of games, despite them being of the same genre. Presentation and gameplay wise, Tengoku's quite a bit more rudimentary than Ouendan.  It's essentially Wario Ware, revolved around the concept of music and rhythm.  At times, it feels like what others have said of the game before: it feels like a Brain Age title with a rhythmic twist. 

The fun factor.... it's a whole lot of fun.  It's a fantastic pick up and play title, and as said, once you 'get' how any one of the mini-games work, it all becomes very accessible.  Difficulty-wise, passing the games is one thing, but perfecting them takes it to a whole other level; shdwrlm describes it as 'rhythm hell,' and he may not be too far off.  Like Ouendan, though, it's all readily achievable with enough practice, and with the bevy of bonuses to unlock, the game demands constant replay.

The music is entirely original, and all together excellent.  There's again that Wario Ware vibe in the tunes; quirky, but always catchy and incredibly varied.  It's also more fleshed out and better self-contained in its own world -- the intertwining of stage level themes later on makes for a closely-knit sound.

As excellent as it is, I can't quite put Tengoku on the same level as Ouendan - but then, I've placed Ouendan on an insanely high pedestal to begin with.  The game still can't come recommended enough, though, so if you went away with any sort of thought that my recommendation for Ouendan was met with fruitful results, then you surely owe it to yourself to check out Tengoku.

To offer another perspective, I'm generally not too good with music/rhythm games (I had a ridiculously hard time getting through the final level of Space Channel 5), but this game has done wonders for my sense of rhythm. The way this game works, making too wrong moves won't immediately end the current minigame. There's no meter to fill, either. Instead, you can tell how good your timing is by paying attention to certain sound effects and graphics. At the end of each minigame, you just get ranked on your performance. Passing the stages generally isn't too tough, but if you do fail, you'll have to retry the stage until you pass to move on.

That said, the game is absolutely brutal when it comes to Perfect Campaigns, during which you can't make a single mistake. Unfortunately, the only way to unlock the awesome songs in the sound test is by getting a Perfect on them, and some games have extremely evil timing. "Super Tap Dance" in particular is owning me at the moment. I thought losing to Space Michael in Space Channel 5 was bad enough, but here I'm getting my butt handed to me by tap-dancing monkeys >_<

So, for $33.99 I think it's an incredible bargain that will go great along with the other Wario Ware titles in a library of pick-up-and-play games. Just don't expect to unlock everything without a lot of practice and a dash of frustration (damn monkeys!).

As for Ouendan comparisons, I haven't tried it out yet, but a friend of mine actually dislikes it (please don't kill him, Angela!), yet loves Rhythm Tengoku.

I do wonder if this will ever come to the States, however. Without the Wario characters, NoA may not think it has enough appea herel. Then again, I also thought that the orignal Wario Ware was too quirky to ever make its way out of Japan.

There were a couple stages which I couldn't finish at first, and going to that coffee thingy in the bottom left corner of the grid unlocked the next stage. As I didn't read the text I don't know exactly when one can do so, but as perfecting each stage later is necessary to unlock everything anyway the feature is a good way of the game not to kill the player's moral too early. =P

How could I not go and do that? :-)

I would love to check it out.  I just have to decide if I'm ready to plunk down the cash.  Thanks for all the info.

I guess I'm ready, so I ordered it.  I'll post my impressions after my copy arrives and I spend some time with it.

I've heard raves about Ouendan from an acquaintance, and now Tengoku? Please tell me it has a 2-player battle mode. I'd love to attempt to screw someone up in a rhythm game. ^_~

Ouendan has some sort of multiplayer mode, but I don't know anything about it.  I'm not sure if RT has one or not, but I don't think it does.

Ok, I've cleared the first three worlds of Rhythm Tengoku so far.  It's a fun, clever game and I like it, but it's no Ouendan.  The difficulty is exacting, but since the stages are a lot shorter than those in most rhythm games, you don't get as frustrated, which is kinda nice (cough RSG cough cough).

Well, I managed to pass all the Perfect Campaigns.   In so doing, I've had to resist the urge to hurl my GB Micro against the wall many times.  It's still intact, to say the least.  :p

Guess I'll give those drum lessons a go next!

Congrats on the pefect campaigns.  I think I've done about two or three of them so far.  The last time I played, I cleared the fourth world, but I haven't had time to play recently since I'm determined to finish Phoenix Wright before I start XS3.

Well, this was certainly unexpected: Rhythm Tengoku Taunts Us Even More.

I think the original game sold moderately well in Japan, but I never would have imagined that it would be reincarnated as an arcade game--especially not one made by Sega. Do they really want people cursing in frustration in arcades?

ETA: Impress Game Watch Article: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/doc … rhythm.htm

Official Site: http://rhythm-tengoku.sega.jp/

That is one funky cool cabinet.  I can just imagine those Tap Dance monkeys' squeaks and squeals resonating throughout the arcade. o_O

I really want Rhythm Tengoku!  But unfortunetely shortage of money creates hard choices.  For just a few more dollars I could get both Orbital and Coloris, or Gradius Gaiden and Nocturne in Moonlight for PSX!  Or maybe I should pass on them all and save up for ESPgaluda before it gets sold!  Decisions, decisions!

New Rhythm Tengoku title announced for the DS!  YES! 

http://i25.tinypic.com/fu28vb.jpg
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/brij/topi … l#topics04

Other than a targeted release date of 7/31/2008 for ¥3,800, though, we don't know a whole lot about it just yet.  An all-new game?  A port of sorts?

Part of me is concerned about DS interface.

Ya know, my touch screen survived all of the Ouendan/EBA games, but I know for sure that Rhythm Tengoku Gold will destroy it. I pray that they at least make the requirements for Perfect Attacks more lenient. I think I only ever got through 3 or 4 on the GBA version.

I'm really surprised by how soon it's coming out, though.

I loved the GBA version of this and would love to see it expanded. Is it a remake or a sequel? There seems to be some confusion. I did see some mention of a 'classic' control mode somewhere so that probably means the DS interface isn't compulsary. That could be seen as a good or bad thing. Good that it gives us the option. Bad in that it may show a lack of confidence in the actual control of the DS bits.

The World Ends With You convinced me once and for all that touch screen control where it's not absolutely essential is the work of the devil and should be banned.

I know!  It's like Ouendan 2 all over again. :)

All game companies should announce their projects this close to release.

It's funny how Nintendo will announce a new Zelda or Mario then delay it for years, yet their lesser-known games get quick stealth releases. It's probably for the best, I guess; anticipation kills me.

Some posters at NeoGAF found some screenshots.
Looks like a completely new game, and touch controls do look compulsory. I'm not sure about the side configuration. It works well with some games, but I'll have to try it myself to see if it works with a game like RT.

I am extremely happy to see that Tsunku is still producing. I have got to get that "Koi no Honey Sweet Angel" single some time.

For touch only games/apps I find holding the DS sideward most comfortable, so I welcome this. The only issue I see with this is that it turns the two speakers practically monaural.

I'm definitely getting it.

I'm intrigued, but somewhat hesitant since the greuling precision required by the original may make the game impossible to handle with a touch screen.  I may wait for Angela's review before taking the plunge.

Gave the original "Rhythm Tengoku" a spin this weekend after viewing several of the remixes up on youtube.  Of course I like it, being a fan of the Taiko no Tatsujin series and pretty much any cute/quirky rhythm game.  The pure sense of style and humor make the game that much more fun to play.  I can't believe it took me until now to find out about the game.

Box art and cleaner shots for Gold:

http://www.dsfanboy.com/2008/07/01/rhyt … -are-gold/

That lil' bald alien-like dude's sure making a presence, isn't he?

1up's got a few more news tidbits on Gold.  Over 50 minigames, remix stages are back (yes!), and guitar lessons appear to replace the drum lessons from the first game:

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168646

If there's one exciting bit to come out of Nintendo's press conference, it's that Rhythm Tengoku Gold is coming over here, renamed to simply Rhythm Heaven.  Release date to be announced, so I'm still on target for the import release at month's end.  I wonder, though, just how much localization the game is going to go through.  Remember Wario Ware Twisted? 

Even more importantly are the first bits of gameplay footage:

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/user … t=featured

I'm most likely getting both versions, just because I've done so with most of the previous Wario Wares. Besides, Rhythm Tengoku Gold is shockingly cheap at only $35.99 at YesAsia.

I don't remember anything objectionable in the original Rhythm Tengoku (certainly not as many instances of "baba" as Wario Ware had), so I imagine they'll just translate and re-record the vocal songs.

A U.S. release is good news, and I think I'll definitely wait for it rather than import now.

The official site just went live, though there's not much info yet: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ylzj/index.html

I just hope that all of the minigames are unique this time. The last game was advertised as having 40 minigames, but the last 15 of those were just rehashes of other minigames.

Commercials featuring gameplay videos are up:

http://touch-ds.jp/mediagallery/st95_b.html

CM3's space shooting, in particular, looks awesome. :)