Rhythm Tengoku

Infobox VG| title = Rhythm Tengoku


caption = Front cover of "Rhythm Tengoku" package.
developer = Nintendo R&D1
publisher = Nintendo
designer = Tsunku, Yoshio Sakamoto
engine =
released =^JPN August 3, 2006 GBA
^JPN September 20, 2007 AC
genre = Music video game, Minigames
modes = Single player, Multiplayer (arcade version only)
ratings = CERO: A (all ages)
platforms = Game Boy Advance, arcade
media = 128-megabit cartridge
requirements =
input =

nihongo|"Rhythm Tengoku"|リズム天国|Rizumu Tengoku|lit. "Rhythm Heaven" or "Rhythm Paradise" is a music video game (rhythm action game) developed by Nintendo R&D1. It was released in Japan on August 3, 2006, and was the last game developed by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The game received an Excellence Prize for Entertainment at the 10th annual Japan Media Arts Festival in 2006. [cite web|url=http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/english/festival/2006/entertainment/000493/index.php|title=Japan Media Arts Plaza|accessdate=2008-02-08] A sequel entitled "Rhythm Tengoku Gold" was released for the Nintendo DS on July 31st, 2008. Although this game was never released outside of Japan, its sequel is slated for an international release as "Rhythm Heaven".

Gameplay

"Rhythm Tengoku"'s quirky visual style and gameplay bears similarities to the "WarioWare" series. Each level is a minigame which requires the player to perform certain actions in sync with the rhythm to create a beat to go along with the background music. For instance, in one level, a beat is created by hitting numerous baseballs as they pass across the screen. If the player is unable to match the correct timing, they receive a "half hit" or "miss" rating. These misses are counted and used to determine a pass-or-fail score. Many of the other minigames involve similar activities that require the player to rely on the rhythm of the background music for timing. The highest total score attainable in the game is 140 points. In order to receive this score, the player must complete every single minigame in one try without missing the timing by 1/60th of a second.

The game is divided into separate stages, each consisting of six levels. Only the first level in the first stage is available at the start of the game. The player can achieve three basic rankings (Redo, Mediocre, or High Level) upon completing a game. A new level will be unlocked if the player gets the Mediocre or High Level rating on a level. There are six levels in each stage; the sixth being a mix of the other five levels. There are eight stages in the game, and 48 levels in total.

The "Perfect Campaign" mode appears if a High Level rating is achieved on any minigame. Getting a "miss" at any point in this mode will end the minigame, but the player may continue on to other levels without penalty. If the entire minigame is completed without a single miss, a certificate particular to that minigame is displayed on screen. However, this mode disappears after it is played three times. Completing the Perfect Campaign for all 48 levels will unlock one more special certificate.

Development

Japanese music producer Tsunku (best known for his work with Hello! Project's Morning Musume) designed the concept for the game with Nintendo's Yoshio Sakamoto, and contributed over 30 different soundtracks for the game as well. Tsunku's involvement was not disclosed until the day of the release, and he makes a cameo appearance in the game as the "Drum Samurai" character who gives music lessons to the player during the game. The game was developed by the same team that created the "WarioWare" series, leading to similarities in graphic illustrations, sound, font, and gameplay between the two games.

Arcade version

An arcade version of the game was released on September 20, 2007. This version was developed by Nintendo and Sega, and marked the first collaboration between the two companies since F-Zero AX. Unlike the original version, the arcade game contains a two-player mode, where the closeness between the two players is rated at the conclusion of the game based on their performance. The format of the game is identical to the GBA version, and the games themselves are exactly the same as in the GBA version of the game, with the exception of "tempo up" mode, where the games are played at twice the regular speed. However, only the first set of games are available to play in this mode. One credit allows the player to play two individual minigames, represented by two heart icons in the lower left corner of the screen. Achieving a High Level performance on any one game earns the player an additional "heart," allowing the player to continue playing without inserting more credits. It is possible to play an entire set of minigames and the associated remix game on one credit if enough high level rankings are earned. Earning a Mediocre or Redo score will remove a heart icon, and the player must insert more coins to continue playing when both hearts have been depleted.

References

Notes

*Translation/Ref|ja|リズム天国|oldid=17339770

External links

* [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/brij/index.html Official Website] ja icon
* [http://crackedrabbitgaming.com/guides/gba/rhythm-tengoku/ Graphical menu translation, screenshots, and tips for each minigame]
* [http://www.ntsc-uk.com/review.php?platform=gba&game=RhythmTengoku Review of Rhythm Tengoku on NTSC-uk]