When it comes to music/rhythm-based ambassadors, no one is as off the hook as Ulala. She’s chic, sweet, and drop-dead rendered out of psychedelic polygons. Timed to the music, she slinks and moves in a way that puts even the fanciest fighting games to shame.

Moving past the incredible visuals, Space Channel 5 is a turbo paced music game that requires quick fingers, a nimble mind, and an unerring sense of rhythm. We immediately knew we were in trouble.

SC5 is harder than the typical dance title. It has no on-screen prompts and everything must be memorized and synchronized inside your head. Each game level, of which there are only four, is overly long in what seems to be an attempt to artificially lengthen the game. The final level has over 5 bosses you must face in succession with no save point in sight.

The music of SC5 is instantly addictive and we found ourselves singing it for hours after playing. At some points in the game, the music and movements will somehow become slightly off, making watching the screen a hindrance. At the same time, you are required to watch the screen to be assured that you don’t zap a helpless human, dropping the player into a Catch 22 situation.

Even taking into account its lack of a 2-player mode and overall short “finish-time,” we kept finding ourselves drawn back to Space Channel 5. It is definitely one of the Dreamcast’s showcase titles.

**********
9/10

Buy This Game
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Reviewed By
Matt