The ESRB has passed Rhythm Heaven - the western version of Nintendo’s hugely successful DS music game Rhythm Tengoku Gold - for certification. It’s rated E for Everyone, and will contain ‘comic mischief’. The ratings board has recently added descriptions to its certifications, so here are the details on Rhythm Heaven:

“This is a rhythm game in which players can engage in a series of mini-games that test musical ability, rhythm and dexterity. Players earn points for how well they are able to match the on-screen actions with the beat of background music. Some mini-games involve slapping a man’s arm, flicking animals out of a garden, and zapping spaceships.”

Unless I’m sorely mistaken, I don’t remember a game in Tengoku where you flicked animals out of a garden. Evidence of new, more western-friendly minigames to replace the Japanese originals? Perhaps. It’ll almost certainly feature a few new tunes, so this could be more of an Elite Beat Agents-style localisation, where a very Japanese game is not just translated but entirely repurposed for a western audience.

Talking of which, an EBA 2 announcement next year would be most welcome. How about it, Nintendo?

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 at 12:08 pm by Chris Schilling
DS, Forthcoming titles, Music, Surprises.