Customer Reviews

Space Channel 5

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Japanese sure have it lucky- they've had this game for over 5 months over there! Being the owner of a Dreamcast with a mod chip, I was able to purchase an import copy of this game and play it. One word sums up this game- awesome. It was worth the $... I paid to get it, the graphics amaze, the control is flawless, and the soundtrack simply rocks! For those who don't know what this game is all about, it is kind of like Parappa the Rapper on the Sony PlayStation, where you try to synch your dance moves to the music and on-screen commands. This game goes one step further and actually has a quasi-storyline, along with a cute female lead, Ulala. My recommendation- buy it, you'll be glad!

Sega's first jaunt into the quirky realm of dancing games, Space Channel 5, is quite enjoyable, showcasing many of the best features of the Dreamcast. However, the actual playing experience is not all that deep, making the game feel like it was rushed to market. This does not detract from the game too much, however, because for what it is, Space Channel 5 is quite fun.

Graphically the combination of pre-rendered backgrounds and live-rendered characters works quite well, producing often dazzling visual effects reminiscent of the space station scenes in _2001_ as seen by someone on an acid trip. The music definitely has its hook, and while Apollo Smile's voice-acting is a bit wooden at times, overall she lends a nice dimension to main character Ulala. The control scheme is simple enough (perhaps too simple), and the difficulty increases at a good pace throughout the game's length.

However, that observation brings up the main flaw of the game: at only four levels, Space Channel 5 is entirely too short. People with instinctive rhythmic skills will probably be able to finish the game in less than an hour, and while trying to unlock all 78 characters does add some longevity to the game, the main quest should have been much longer. Also glaringly absent is a two-player mode, which in dancing games seems to be a mandatory feature. Combined, these two problems really detract from the game's replay value.

But overall Space Channel 5 is still very pleasing to the eyes and ears, and is unique enough in a game genre known for its uniqueness that it merits strong consideration from potential buyers. Players with no sense of rhythm or exceptionally poor short-term memory may find the game too frustrating, but everyone else should find something to like about it.

Okay, I admit when my girlfriend was nice enough to buy me Space Channel 5, I was fairly sure it was never even get close to my Dreamcast. I mean, she knows that I only play games where you either kill or drive cars (or even better, both). A dancing game, please? One morning I put it in to play it (while she was there) just to 'prove' that I didn't totally hate it. Please don't tell my friends but this is probably the prettiest and most addictive game that I own. It's not only the first thing that I grab for when I get home everyday, it's the one game that I have that leaves me in a good mood when I'm done playing. Now if I could just get that song out of my head...not to mention that cutie-bug, Ulala! Note: No Morolians were harmed in the writing of this review.

The only problems with this game are: The voice that commands you to press the buttons (up,up,down,down) is kind of annoying. If I wasn't watching the video game, I'd think it was a workout video! My friend was disgusted, It's kind of fruity. Second: The game is WAY to short. For an average gamer, I'll give you 2 good hours of gameplay and that's it. I ended the game in 45 minutes and the replay value is low unless you want to see the visuals. ON THE OTHER HAND, the concept is so cool, the graphics are amazing, the soundtrack sounds like it's from the 70's and Ulala is pretty hot! I recommend you rent this first, I'm sure you will get through this game in one weekend and I don't see why it got a teen rating, this game has family written all over it.

This game is reaaaally addictive! I play it just because I can't get the soundtrack out of my head...

True, the game is pretty easy to beat (maybe 4-5 hours of playing depending in how quick you can get your groove on), but it's still lots of fun, and if you do well, the second time around you get to experience different parts of each level.

Highly recommended for those into music, dancing, and good clean campy fun. The soundtrack is incredible, Ulala's moves are astonishing, and the graphics in general are terrific!

I am a female doctoral student in Aerospace Engineering. This game rocks because it requires only simple use of the controls. Plus, at the end of a long work day, the plot is not too taxing. The 1st level requires you to "dance" on the beat. As you move up, you are challenged to repeat long, syncopated rythms. If you have a music background, you'll recognize it; otherwise, you'll play intuitively. The graphics are smooth, and my boyfriend was pretty stunned at the sex pot, Ulala, who has some excellent moves to learn for the night clubs. She is better drawn than Jessica Wabbit, and I had no idea that they made sexy video games without violence, for girls. I hope the trend continues. The sound track is Fab-u-lous, and the dress code is Dee-lish!

This game is pretty hard, but you get the satifaction after you have done really well on it. In the game you have to time each move in your head, you dont have a time meter or anything like that, so when you mess up it could effect your TV rating, which you have to keep up. But if you do it correctly
you save the people and you feel satisfied.

Space Channel 5 is well...Grooooooooovy. Hahah.
The game is pretty much well..Dancing. But the game is solid. You play the game as Ulala, A space reporter, but a very groovy space reporteri a galaxy. Shes got some pretty cool dances and has a grooooovy attitude. You must use your groovy dances and moves to save the planet from an invasion from some sort of aliens called the Morolians. The game is fun. As the other reviewer mention the game does get pretty hard even near the beginning of the game. The game has some really good graphics and some cool colorful retro type enviroment.

Lets get to it...

The graphics in the game are up to par with other hot Dreamcast titles. The graphics were pretty stunning at one point but are still good and not Outdated. But not AMAZING graphics, duhh. I would Have to give the graphics a star for that..

The sound is great. It has a pretty cool soundtrack with cool funky, groovy(yeah thats getting annoying) dance songs and really awesome beats to get to you in the game.

Gameplay is really fun with nothing but DANCE DANCE DANCE. But cool dancing of course..Like I said before this game is funky. And.....groovy.eheh. The gameplay shows off some really cool realistic dance moves that will have you dancing on your mind. HELL MAYBE ON YOUR FEET! Theres alot of cool levels to dance too and some cool hidden levels when you replay the whole game again.

The creators did a great job with this DC title. From great graphics to groovy dance beats to funky levels....and lots of hard repetitive gameplay I give Space Channel five for Dreamcast..

4.0 out 5 stars..

Lates

I have two friends that have this game, and, when I saw it, I was a bit... <ahem> ...intimidated. The game itself is a very funny game, to start off with, and the genre is un-categorizable. But, eventually, I finally decided to try the game. I was probably the worst person to've ever graced the game, believe you me, when I first started. But, nonetheless, it was still fun and had me coming back for more! Let's get down to the bare facts, if you don't mind...

Controls - 4.5/5.0 (difficult at first, very good later)
-At first, the time slot is very slim, one would think when they first try the game. I know I thought so. But, I found out how to do it. By keeping the hand OFF of the D-Pad, I seemed to have more control in the game. You have to match the moves with the rhythm in order to get good ratings, and, having beaten the game so many times, I have concluded that the controls are very precise. There are no complaints in this department, and there shouldn't be. Just stay with the funk!!

Graphics - 4.7/5.0 (backgrounds detract at times, realistic moves)
-Space Channel 5 puts in CGI graphics in the backgrounds of normal play. This means that whenever the game cuts from one scene to another, either the background will be too quick or too slow with the real-time parts. However, controlling the sultry Ulala is certainly not bad-looking - quite the contrary, actually. The moves are realistic, as is evidenced by a certain legend's appearance in the game (both through graphics and audio). I won't say who it is, but everyone else already has. The graphics are definitely soothing to the eyes.

Audio - 4.9/5.0 (some repeated noises, good music and entertaining sound effects)
-This game is all about music. Naturally, that would be a key point during the game's design, and there are not downsides to this aspect except one. This game missed perfection by .05, all because of the 'narrator's' constant lines. Now, I would have taken more away had it not been so entertaining. When you are doing good (and, by the way, I am very good at this game now), he will say some things in there or really 'get into the music'. But, it is still very fun and no real lows.

Fun - 5.1/5.0 (No bad things, very addictive)
-This game cannot be summed up with simple words. I could go on and on about how addictive it is, the utter humor involved, and the plain out fun there is here. Though this game is very short (I beat the game 7 times in one day), taking about one hour each time. But, being that I spent 7 hours right in front of Space Channel 5 should tell you something. Something good.

Story - 4.9/5.0 (quirky, but still entertaining to extraordinary levels)
-You control Ulala, a sultry reporter investigating the exploits of an alien race. It would seem that their intent is to force the humans to dance. To be able to conquer these villanous abominations, you must copy their dance techniques. You have a viewer rating that you must achieve for each level (I beat the game with 99% as my highest). The story unfolds throughout the story, and I won't giveaway any of the thought-provoking aspects of this marvelous game, but I will say that, after you beat the game, there is a special bonus in going through the game again.

Well, that sums up SEGA's great game in Space Channel 5. The only logical thing to leave you with is a quote from William Shatner (some commercial). "You know what to do, dawg!! Bust a move!!" And, might I say so vigorously, go and bust a move. Thank you.

I HAVE PLAYED ALOT OF GAMES, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THIS ONE IS IN MY TOP 20 DEFINATELY OR MAYBE, JUST MAYBE MY TOP 10! I love Ulala, the girl on the front of the box. She has everything from awesome dance moves to cute clothing! I do not want to tell you much, but one thing she comes up to dance with is a girl named Evila. She looks just like Ulala except she is a robot and she is is wearing blue clothes in the same style as Ulala's.( I think Evila has better dance moves!) Hope you buy it and enjoy it, because if you don't, I'm sorry!