no other game experiments with diegetic rhythm gameplay like space channel 5 part 2. eschewing the opaque freestyle gameplay of the similar parappa series, space channel 5 instead presents easy-to-grasp rhythms conveyed via creative visual cues. the call-and-response challenge paradigm is accented with twists that extend beyond pure memorization: long strings of inputs may be symbolized by the movements of a boss robot's appendage, or panels featuring dance poses lighting up in time with the backing beat. once basic concepts are established, the designers throw curveballs to screw with the player and add some much-needed challenge to the experience. you may have to single out an out-of-place opponent who sings the wrong input, or carefully count spores crashing down from a gargantuan mutated plant. as each stage goes on the music gets progressively faster and the commands begin demanding better reflexes all the way up until a climatic motif that ends each stage. even with its simplicity it's an absolute ball to play.

the game also oozes a retro sci-fi style that showcases go-go boots, smooth curved architecture, and rave-tinged big band tunes. I absolutely need to shout out director yumiko miyabe, who created the original design for protagonist ulala in the first game as well as having art/CG credits on other sega staples like panzer dragoon saga and NiGHTS. it's obvious that she was a primary influence on the game's unique vibrance and campy encounters. this game also boasts fully 3D environments that vastly outdo the crunchy FMV backdrops of the first game. there's a much heavier focus on environment interaction in this one given that elements can change on the fly much more quickly, and towards the end it segues into some truly abstract areas filled with gripping tessellations. these combined with the extensive choreography and the eclectic musical themes work fuse in a way that absolutely screams "Dreamcast."

the game is not long, but at the very least they added some neat extra content on to satiate those wanting to squeeze more out of the campaign. there's a pseudo hard-mode that's unlocked after finishing the main story; I wouldn't call it a true hard mode since not all sections have more challenging patterns, but at least they tried to stretch it as far as they could. there's also a special survival mode with a hand-selected set of rhythms that will truly test a player's mettle given that a single mistake will send you right back to the start. setting high scores on the main stages and getting far in survival mode will unlock extra costumes, which functionally serve as a proto-achievement system. to add an extra layer of complexity, there are also multiple hidden inputs in each stage that can be subtly noticed by additional accents present in the backing tracks even when left unsaid in actual gameplay. that commitment to unorthodox ways to extend the replayability of these short titles is exactly what I expect from a sega title, and part 2 absolutely leapfrogs the first in that respect.

it helps that this is the only one available on modern platforms, as the aforementioned FMV backdrops of the original have seemed to let it fade into obscurity. this is the superior game by any metric anyway, so stream it live with your friends. revel in the charmingly awkward localized singing and cheerful grooves present throughout. indulge in one of the best early console rhythm titles available!!

Love everything about this game. The gameplay does take a minute to get used to, but once you do you'll be rewarded with a quick, but incredibly charming, sweet, bubbly and unforgettable experience.

Even though the graphical fidelity of the game is dated, the art style and environments are just gorgeous in my opinion, pair this with an awesome soundtrack, charm oozing out of it and great replayability and you've got a perfect game in my eyes. It's a shame more people haven't checked this out, I'm not a massive rhythm game fan (love me some Guitar Hero) but wow, this game is awesome.

This game is the best remedy if you're feeling down especially, every character is so friendly and enthusiastic but in a wholesome and humorous way, not an annoying one.

Play this game!

A repeat-after-me rhythm game similar to classics in the genre like PaRappa the Rapper. But whereas PaRappa uses hip hop and absurdism as a lens to examine themes of self-worth and masculinity, Space Channel 5 evokes the energetic spirit of musicals and dance to embrace a bombastic femininity. This game makes no apologies. It's sexy. It's in your face. It's got a beat that you can't get out of your head no matter how many times you hum that three horn note ending motif in the shower while posing like Ulala. The music has such an infectious energy to it and the presentation has such a ridiculous style that you can't help but smile the whole way through. I replay this game every now and then just to hear those blasting horns, mimic those sassy poses, and remind myself that sometimes a game can just be fun.

"We've reached Fountain Squaaaaaaare!"

I can NEVER get tired of this game. It brings me so much joy. The quotes from this game are burned into my mind! ("Good evening everyone. We heard it through Pine's Broadcast.. ʰᵉᵉʰᵉᵉ..")

It's fun, challenging, and groovy-- and it even has MICHAEL JACKSON in it?

I wish this game was longer.

I love how the music sounds better based on your rating. Example: In the Fountain Square stage (Report 2), if you're not screwing up on any notes, dogs start barking along to the music. There's stuff like this scattered throughout the playthrough that makes you wanna re-replay it. The dialogue even changes based on how you're doing ("We beat them hands down!"

Each time you replay it, you get something slightly different going on to (IE: Pudding calling herself Padding).

Each level tries to spice things up. Are you tired of "Up, Down, Chu?" Well, now down is up and up is down! How about playing in a band where each button controls a character? How about a shootout with a Space Police Cowgirl?

This is the only rhythm game I feel like I don't have bad sync moments. If I say I did, I'm just making excuses.

Want more content? How about unlocking outfits for Ulala? And trust me, all the outfits she has are WORTH getting. Even better than her outfits that she wears in the main game.

The music and dancing are tightly integrated in the goofy story. Wanna shoot robots while flying in outer space? Yeah, I bet you do.

5 stars. Amazing game. No complaints.

I remember trying Space channel 5 Part 1 and thinking it was a good time, but nothig that mindblowing in my head..... the I tried the sequel out of curiosity.

Legit one of the best Rhythm experience you can have: SEGA at it strongest delivering a title that works perfectly as a great rhythm game, a musical, and a Michael Jackson coreography (Yes he is in the game)

It evolves on the first game in every single aspect: the premise is one of the most hilarious things in a videogame, that is able to keep you entertained and even going incredibly hard especially in the final act with an bombastic epic ending.
Music and presentation are so varied and have an energy so pompous and crazy that you can’t help but laugh for the whole experience.
While the first game I feel was kinda okay interms of the gameplay, Part 2 adds the option to HEY between the CHU CHU CHU and DOWN DOWN DOWN, something simple that adds a lot of spice to a gameplay that can otherwise feel a bit too repetitive.

Absolutely incredible rhythm game, one of the best: play it especially for Ulala and Space Michael (he has a bigger role here compared to the first game). I suggest this to literally everyone!

Such a charming game I am not sure why it took me this long to finally get around to it. I think I was smiling through the whole playthrough of the game and honestly I was simply not expecting someone who popped up in the game who I won't spoil because it was really a treat on its own.

The game itself is very simple consisting of a Simon says type of gameplay where you vibe and listen and repeat the actions. The game itself is very short but it offers some extra modes and a harder story mode once you finish the game. All in all most of you probably know this game already and probably love it just as much as I love it so I will leave it at this.

CHU CHU ........ HEY HEY !

The first game was a neat game with loads of style and personality, but it was plagued with very unresponsive controls which is extremely terrible when you're playing a rhythm-based game. Part 2 manages to fix this while also refining the formula as a whole, introducing more music variety, more commands, more enjoyable scenarios, and so much more. It's such a fun and admittedly exhilarating game that takes everything great about its predecessor and improves upon it. Of course, I do wish there was more content to this game, as while it may be replayable, they could've seriously added even more to this game. For what it is though, it's a very solid and entertaining experience full of style and of course, Space Michael Jackson.