Game:

Space Channel 5 (1999)

Duration: 13:20

4,650 views

42

Loading times and the story cinematic were removed for your consideration and enjoyment. Born on the Dreamcast and later ported to the PS2 this is one of my favorite games of all time. When I sold off my Dreamcast this was the only games that I really missed out of the small collection of games that I had. I was tickled pink when I found that it had been ported to the PS2 and that it included sequel that I had never played before. Space Channel 5 was developed by UGA (United Game Artists) who were the same people who brought you Rez on the Dreamcast and again later the PS2.

I first got hooked up with Space Channel 5 when a friend brought it over because someone had given him a whole mess of Dreamcast games for free. Out of all the games he brought over he accidentally left Space Channel 5 at my place and I decided to just pick it up and play it. At first I was like "Guys, is this cool or not? I can't tell." Then that turned into "Hey is it wrong for me to be turned on by watching this cartoony looking chick dance?" Still to this day I don't know the answers to these questions but one thing I do know is that I love Space Channel 5. Don't judge me!

I did not include the opening story cinematic in this capture because it is kinda boring and Ulala at the very beginning tells you exactly what happened anyway. Aliens have invaded and are shooting people with a ray gun that causes them to dance against their will. Yeah, like I said it's ridiculous but incredibly fun. You must copy the moves exactly on the correct beat. Unlike Parappa the Rapper or Bust A Groove which have visual aids to assist you with timing, with Space Channel 5 you must totally rely on your own memory and sense of rhythm. All it takes is a brain fart or a a split second of not paying attention to screw up the entire set of moves and there are no points for anything you got correct. If you start sucking too much your TV ratings will go down and you will be canceled. In this capture I flub up a few times and I can't understand why. I don't consider myself to be a person with poor rhythm but sometimes despite being right on the beat it sometimes doesn't seem to register correctly. Perhaps it's the fact that Ulala's actions visually are delayed heavily that throws off my timing without even realizing it. It was a common complaint which was addressed in the sequel where I never encounter these issues other than it totally being my fault. The game is still very fun nonetheless. Note that this issue was also in the DC version as well.

So most people would probably want to know which version is better. The Dreamcast version or the PS2 version. Well as usual the Dreamcast version is the best version since PS2 is a port and many times ports are not 100% of the original. Since I used to own this game on a Dreamcast I noticed right away the jaggies on the polygon rendered characters and the full motion video background is not as clean as it is on the DC. However the game still looks good on it's own merit. You won't see it in this video, but the screen judders ever so slightly a few times which seems to only happen in the first level. However most will not even notice it. Other than that the PS2 port is a very faithful port of the original and just as much fun. Despite the jaggies, the graphics are still very sharp and colorful. I guess what I'm trying to say is if you have a Dreamcast, get it for the Dreamcast. If you're like me and currently don't own a Dreamcast you will not be missing out on anything. Plus the PS2 version comes with the sequel which is very hard to find on the DC. If you like rhythm\music games this game is an absolute no brainer. GO OUT AND GET IT!