Space Channel 5

If someone asked me what this game is like, I would have to say fun. They should rename the Dreamcast the Funstation. Okay, maybe that name is dumb, but I am having a blast with my Dreamcast. Space Channel 5 is just another reminder that I made a very good decision when I purchased my Dreamcast. This game has the graphics, the music, and the innovative gameplay that is hard to find these days. Despite the low replay value with the game, I don’t have any problem with owning it. I know that I will probably not be playing it six months from now, but just owning a truly innovative and fun game is self-satisfying. I say skip the rental, buy the game, call your friends over, and watch each person make a fool of themself. It will be one great night.

Building on the character, music, and style, the game manages to bring us some of the most memorable moments ever in a game. We all have our share of moments we cling to from our favorite games. Fighting Seven Force in Gunstar Heroes, the moment where Azel and Edge are falling in Panzer Dragoon Saga, the billion times you managed to find a new dungeon or open a door in Zelda - you know what I'm talking about. Space Channel 5 is full of those, and it all builds up to easily the most inspiring ending sequence ever. I think back on all the incredible games I've played on all the various systems out there, and I can't imagine myself having smiled and laughed more than with Space Channel 5.

Gameplay resembles Simon Says: On-screen opponents perform a set of moves, then players must mimic them. Unfortunately, with only four levels, the game's a tad on the short side, and a two-player option would be welcome. Still, gamers of all ages undoubtedly will want to help Ulala get her groove back — if not get their hands on a pair of those boots.

For $40 you do get your money's worth in Space Channel 5. The developers have created a unique experience for any gamer. If you are into dance games, this is a must have, and if you aren't into dancing games, like I wasn't, this is ALSO a must have.

Completing the game will allow access to alternate paths in each report, and like with Pokemon, where it might be a challenge to acquire info on all 78 characters, it still ends quickly. Then again, I'll always go back to it so I can watch that amazing final sequence. Space Channel 5 comes out swinging right from the strong performance it gave at E3, and it succeeds! I only wish the game lasted longer, but what it presents is a fresh, stunning, impressive piece of ear and eye candy. It earns 4 1/2 GiN Gems to this masterpiece, and I look forward to an inevitable return for Ulala!

At the end of the original Space Channel 5, the "evil" mastermind Mr. Blank poses a question to the mob assembled around him: "Ratings were my obsession isn't that what television is for? Then what's wrong with using TV to brainwash the masses?" It's a chill-inducing sentiment, but after playing both Space Channel 5 games, I could see it coming from Ulala just as easily as from the cackling Mr. Blank.

Even if you've played the first Space Channel 5, Special Edition is worth the nickel. The Dreamcast version?s periodically unresponsive controls have been tightened, and besides a new story, the progressive sequel offers a wider array of musical styles, more intricate control mechanics, wilder camerawork, an a two-player mode.

Did I mentioned that Ulala is hot? See... there you go. Now grab your car keys... head over to EB Games... there. See it on the shelf of used games? Great. Now buy it.

It's great. And it reminds me why I loved the Dreamcast so much. And hats off to Sega and UGA. They could have made some abomination of the original game and threw it out on shelves. Instead, they made an effort to bring as much of it as they could over to the GBA, and they did one heck of a good job. If you've played Space Channel 5, then you know what to expect with this. If you haven't, or never got a Dreamcast, this is your chance to see why I loved it so much. Great job guys.

Most of today's games have become purveyors of the kind of obvious one-dimensional manufactured sex appeal that makes for eye-grabbing magazine covers and double-page print ads (i.e. Tomb Raider, Dead or Alive 2) but contributes very little in terms of drama or tension to the game itself. At least in Sega's latest music/rhythm genre release, Space Channel 5, 'sexiness' isn't just gratuitous, it is something that is integral to the very fabric of the gameplay.

There are only 6 moves: up, down, left, right, "shoot alien", and "save human". That's not a lot, but the moves need to be executed in real time. Any humans you save will follow you through the remainder of the stage. Ulala has plenty of style, sex appeal, and a new outfit for each level. Space Channel 5 is a very stylish game with addicting gameplay.

Overall, Space Channel 5 amplifies the caliber of how dance rhythm action games should be modeled after. I've been captivated with the game since the very first day I've played it, and I have yet to come away with a sudden lack of interest. Space Channel 5 in essence is the type of game that can be easily appreciated and appreciated by those who enjoy dancing, music, and of course - video games. Replay droughts aside, there's little to find complaint with (unless you're not fond of cute girls in skimpy space skirts). While I certainly would imagine that this will not be the last time Ulala makes an appearance on the Dreamcast platform, Space Channel 5 is clearly among one of the most recommended games to own.

Trotz leichter grafischer Abstriche im direkten Vergleich zur Dreamcast kann Ulalas erstes PS2-Abenteuer voll und ganz überzeugen. Der kultige Charakter wurde nahtlos übernommen, das Spielprinzip könnte nicht einfacher und dennoch fordernd sein und die Sounduntermalung ist nicht von dieser Welt. Einzig die kurze Spieldauer und der fehlende Multiplayer-Modus sprechen gegen Space Channel 5. Wer überhaupt nichts mit Rhythmus am Hut hat, sollte die Finger von den Kurven Ulalas lassen; Abwechslung Suchende sollten einen gefälligen Blick auf die futuristische Tanzmaus werfen und Spieler, denen Musik im Blut liegt, werden schon nach wenigen Sekunden dem Charme der Hüften wiegenden Reporterin verfallen - zumindest bis Teil 2 erscheint.

Overall, Space Channel 5 is a unique, groovy way to spend a weekend. It's a bit short, a tad repetitious, and not quite in that same "musical masterpiece" league as PaRappa and Guitar Hero. What it is, however, is a fun and accessible little dance adventure that might convince your mom that not all video-games revolve around killing monsters/law enforcement. I'm Frank Blazejewski reporting for Defunct Games, back to you Chopper Dave and the Home Team.

This game is commonly available for $20 or less on both the net and brick and mortar stores. If you're not buying it you simply don't think it sounds good, and if you don't think it sounds good there's a good chance you're a bit too self-conscious about your gaming habits. Space Channel 5: Special Edition may be simple and may be brief, but it's also a perfect antidote to the me-too messes with 10-40 hours of unoriginal gameplay and trite plots that are clogging the shelves in this overblown holiday season.

Though the character-based rhythm action genre is all but dead, replaced by less story-driven fare such as DDR and Karaoke Revolution, this collection is pretty much the best possible sendoff it could receive. Buy it, play it, play it again, and try to tell me I'm wrong.

Hat man es mal gespielt, wird man süchtig! Das Spiel hat bereits auf dem Dreamcast sehr viele Fans gewinnen können. Allerdings kann man Space Channel 5 nicht blind empfehlen, denn das Senso-Artige Spielprinzip nicht umbedingt jedermanns Sache. Vorher antesten ist bei diesem Spiel pflicht!

Si le principe de Space Channel 5 a déjà été utilisé de nombreuses fois, c'est évidemment tout le travail dans l'ambiance et l'univers d'Ulala qui fera la différence. Sur fond de musique dance, Ulala se trémousse et effectue toute une flopée de postures, mouvements et autres mimiques, la rendant aussi palpable que possible. Comme en plus sa petite frimousse se marie très bien avec sa jupe orange aussi courte que possible, nous dirons que le spectacle n'est pas désagréable... Sur le plan technique, on peut dire aussi que Sega a mis ce qu'il fallait. Les animations sont toujours fluides alors que le nombre de personnages peut augmenter considérablement. Les couleurs utilisées, toujours dans les tons pastels, donnent aussi ce côté enfantin si particulier au titre alors que les extra-terrestres sont aussi monstrueux qu'un pokemon.

Both games are short and easy to breeze through (though, believe it or not some sections are a little tricky), but it must be said UGA performed an excellent job of making the sequel far better in every regard.

Det känns som att utvecklingsteamet United Game Artists har fokuserat på att skapa en karismatisk huvudkaraktär och en massa originella fiender och bifigurer. Klientelet man stöter på under spelets gång är både fantasifulla och många. Men man borde ha lagt ned lika mycket energi på att utveckla spelkonceptet som karaktärerna. Då hade Space Channel 5 hållit längre.

While it may be easy to dismiss the game due to its overly basic nature, Space Channel 5 is worth playing from beginning to end, just to see the far-out graphical style used throughout the game. But beyond a few unlockable character profiles, there isn't much replay value - in fact, you'll probably find yourself tiring of mimicking the aliens' moves long before you finish the game.

Space Channel 5 is better than it has any right to be, but cooler than it should have been isn't quite enough to recommend a purchase especially given that the game is also really short and super-easy. Mini-Ulala works mostly as a neato novelty act.

The needlessly difficult gameplay requirements imposed on the Game Boy Advance port of Space Channel 5, coupled with its somewhat underwhelming presentation make this a game for hardcore fans only.

What made the Dreamcast version such a winner was its rampant and wacky presentation of an inherently silly game concept, a presentation that does not translate well to Nintendo’s handheld platform. Gameplay, music and, to a lesser extent, graphics get respectable approximations here, but it’s not enough. The end product is a decent but hollow port of a game that completely relied on style and pizzazz. Alas, the GBA simply isn’t capable of doing something like Space Channel 5 justice. If any other music/rhythm games show up on the system, they’ll undoubtedly suffer from the same problems.

The good news is, it doesn't take great graphics to do a rhythm game. I had tons of fun playing Dance Dance Revolution in practice mode and there wasn't much on screen other than great music and flashing arrows. Somehow, the sheer difficulty level has made the basic concept of Space Channel 5 frustrating. It's a pity that the other deficiencies then rear their heads because the core game is not solid enough. They ultimately make Space Channel 5 one of those stations you cruise by with your remote.

Décalé, kitsch, amusant, Space Channel 5 est plus un jeu de coordination et de mémoire qu'un véritable jeu de danse. Bien réalisé, divertissant, mais hélas court et répétitif, le jeu aurait mérité d'être plus étoffé, avec notamment des variations de mouvements d'une partie à l'autre et un mode multijoueurs dont la convivialité aurait été bienvenue, Space Channel 5 étant dédié à tous les publics, jeunes, moins jeunes, joueurs occasionnels ou non.

While it's great to see a company take a chance with a game like this, certain things are better off staying in Japan. There's a large library of games sitting over-seas that many gamers are dying to play that would be much better suited to the American consumer. It's a great idea with some nifty presentation, but the fun factor is zilch.

Space Channel 5 poses a challenge, sure, but it just doesn't seem worth it on the Game Boy Advance. The original Dreamcast game was good (but admittedly not "AWESOME!!!" like our Dreamcast editors rated it back in the day), and this GBA port just feels thrown together; the gameplay's there, sure, but Space Channel 5 was also about style and presentation...something that just didn't come through in the portable rendition.

It's rare that a GBA game breaks from a familiar and friendly genre. It's a world of licensed racers, platformers, and collection games governed by the likes of Mary-Kate and Ashley, Mickey, Goofy, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack could have broken away and stood out. A minimal amount of tweaking and balancing would have made this a must-have game.

Ultimately, the frustrating controls ruin what could have otherwise been a standout conversion of one of the Dreamcast's more unique games. Any chance to enjoy the action occurring onscreen is swept away by the inability to get a fair shake from the computer.

In the end, there's something perverse about such beautiful images wrapped around gameplay so devoid of life and innovation. Have we really come this far only to play "Simon" wrapped in a pretty package?