Review Review - Rhythm Tengoku (GBA)

[TheGreat2nd]

Rhythm Tengoku

From the makers of Wario Ware comes the rhythm game of the quirky minigame blitz. The game has no premise besides hitting the right button at the right time. It may sound simple, but matched with the unique artistic style and catchy music, this game is an instant classic for any fan of rhythm games. This game surpasses all rhythm games in any handheld platform.

Gameplay
First off, the game is currently only released in Japanese. However, the game is a rhythm game, so it is not text heavy at all. When you start the game for the first time, there is a rhythm test, where you can see how much rhythm you have in you, based on a virtual graph. Afterwards, it brings you to the main menu. There are 5 choices. Top to bottom, it is a minigame option, the rhythm test, a virtual text reader (lyrics?), a song menu, and options for stereo/mono and deleting the data. The virtual text reader is all in Japanese, but nothing is really important to the gameplay in there. The song menu gives you the option to actually play drums along with the songs in the minigames, and lets you jam out. The minigames is where the bulk of the game is. Throughout the game, you can unlock new songs and games, along with toys, such as a drum machine, a cat soundboard, and even a dollface assembly line. The game takes the rhythm genre to a whole new level, bringing odd Wario Ware types of games, such as a trio of clapping afro cats, plucking the hairs out of an onion, and feeding penguins with rubber balls. The whole premise is to let the user play along with the music, and the game does it’s job very well.

Graphics
Graphically, this game is in the same field as Wario Ware. The graphics, right off from the start, are almost identical to Wario Ware. The visual style is very appealing to the cartoony like game, and gives the game a lighter feel rather than a more serious rhythm game. Subtle touches to the graphics, such as backgrounds and varying storylines, drive each minigame to have a special uniqueness and touch.

Sound
This is where the game stands out the most. This rhythm game is definitely the best for the GBA, and probably for any handheld. It has more than 30 songs, one for each minigame, and each game has it’s own sound set. There are also drum kits, soundboards, and even an option to perform live with a band. There are trumpets, guitars, baseball bats, hand clapping, and even fireworks. Sound comes from everything, and it trumps every aspect of this game.

Lasting Replay
There is no “beating” this game. The game will never end because you can always go back and 100% each song. There is also a live concert option, along with drum lessons given by the official Rhythm Tengoku mascot. There are also several high score arcade like games, involving rhythm, which lets you test your skills against your friends by comparing scores.

Any rhythm fan must own this game. This is the best rhythm game for any handheld currently created. It’s quirky, fun, and full of humor. The rhythm is perfect, and the sound is perfect, and the graphics are perfect; it’s just a perfect game.

Gameplay - 9/10
Graphics - 8/10
Sound - 10/10
Lasting Replay - 9/10
Overall - 9/10 (Not an average)