[DS] Best DS Game I Suck At Ever: Rhythm Tengoku GOLD

I expect (or hope) that most of you have played or at least know about Rhythm Tengoku, in my opinion the best GBA game ever. The game is designed by the same team that does that Wario Ware series, and they certainly don't hide this fact. The game is basically a bunch of mini-games that are extremely simple to play (a lot of them just require you to press A--that's all). So what makes this the best game on the GBA? It's quite simple really--all the games are based on music. The way in which this is done differs per game, but the sheer amount of fun you have when playing this game is unbelievable.

So when they announced a sequel to it for the DS, Rhythm Tengoku Gold, I was obviously very excited about it. As you can see from the graphic at the top, it came out recently. In my opinion it's every bit as good as the GBA game, and perhaps even better. The music is really suited and made by one of my favorite pop music composers, Tsunku. This game shows a bit of a different side of him, and I think it's really good stuff.

Since the game is hard to explain (as I'm finding out while typing this ), and screenshots really don't do it justice either, here is the best way to understand what the game is all about: a few Japanese people playing the game. I think they might be celebrities, but I don't know:

YouTube Video

More gameplay footage here.

Although the game is simple, it's actually also really harsh and unforgiving, so you will spend a lot of time swearing at how unfair it is. At least I do. But the satisfaction and joy of just getting into the groove is really amazing, and it's just one of the most outright FUN games I've ever played.

The game is also coming to the rest of the world as Rhythm Heaven, although it remains to be seen if the localization will suck (there are some songs in Japanese, for example). But no date has been set so for now, your only recourse if you want to get this game is the shady world of imports. I recommend Play-Asia or eBay, although neither are cheap. Trust me though, it's well worth it (I'm not saying this will happen, but the GBA game it's now almost impossible to find, with only Amazon.jp seeming to have it at all, and for almost double the original price with shipping).

So has anyone else tried this game? What do you think? Does it measure up to the original?

Also, if anyone wants the music, I have a rip of it which I went and tagged/renamed properly, so just ask.

How ya doing, buddy?

Oh man, that looks terribly amusing. I'm definitely gonna have to give this one a go.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Good god. That game is MEAN. I've unlocked most of the games so far, but getting gold medals in some of them is a BITCH.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I've been playing it since it came out. As it stands now I have 48 gold medals and 42 Perfect medals. I'm wondering if getting all Perfect medals will unlock a new mode, since when I was digging around the ROM every minigame has a "ver2" subfolder (or "ver3" if it already has a second version).

All-in-all it's a fantastic game. It's everything the original was and more. Simple, yet amazingly addictive.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I just "got" it today. Took me some time to figure out how to start the game, and made me late for work.

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Mine should be arriving today or tomorrow. I can't wait! Rhythm Tengoku is up there with the original WarioWare as my favorite GBA games of all time. The first time I played it I couldn't stop smiling and laughing, as it was something totally different and totally awesome.

I'm hoping this one is harder, as getting perfects was a bit too easy in the original.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Very much wish to get this at some stage. However, since this is getting a US release I'm thinking I'll wait for that. I've got just a few DS games (not to mention other platforms) to be getting on with at the moment. That said, if the localisation messes with the music I'll just pick up the original at some stage. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

To be honest, it's taking all the effort I have to resist picking up FFIV, it'd be so easy to order the two of these together. Must resist urge to spend money.

FELIPE NO

I don't know Japanese, but for those that do, here's Tsunku saying something about the game. Also, more footage of people playing the game!

Hurray?

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I was wondering if a topic for this game would pop up. I never played the original Rhythm Tengoku, but I'm loving the hell out of this one. Currently have 48 golds and 14 or so perfects, I'm driving myself nuts trying to get those last ones (Remix 6, and the second Mu head one).

I'll probably play it again when it comes out as Rhythm Heaven, but I'm worried about the localization too. Just gotta wait and see on that one.

How ya doing, buddy?

I don't think we should worry much when Nintendo localized the game. IMO they done a great job when localizing the WarioWare series (a song "translation" and a few change here and there didn't ruin the game) and I hope to expect they will do the same for Rhythm Tengoku Gold.

Speaking of the game, I play the GBA to death and I'll do the same for DS. I'm playing the Japanese version right now but not so much since Nintendo announce a US release. I'll finish it soon just to see what has change in during localization.

There's nowhere I can't reach.