Space Channel 5
- June 06, 2000 00:00 AM PST
In a gaming universe full of robots with giant guns and ultimate wresting fighters, is there any room for love and dancing� or the shiny, happy adventures of a purple-haired space reporter named Ulala?
- GamePro Score
- User Score
- Write your review!
Rhythm Nation
When PaRappa The Rapper first hit the PlayStation scene, it caused a minor stir among hardcore gamers. Its simple Simon Says-style gameplay and coloring-book-on-acid look turned most people off, but those who dared give it a second glance were inexplicably drawn into the cartoon dog's rhythm nation, and the game quickly became a cult hit. It also spawned a sub-genre of sorts, that of the groovy dancin' game, in which complex gameplay takes a back seat to artistic flair and infectious tunes.
Sega's Space Channel 5 is the latest incarnation of that bizarre gaming species. The game boils down to this: If someone says 'right', you press right. If someone says 'left', you press left. If someone says 'Chu', you press the 'A' button. It's basically an evolution of the old Dragon's Lair-type games of yore, where your goal was essentially to press buttons at the right time in order to see more scenes of a cool cartoon. So the question is this: Is the cartoon worth watching?
This Is My Happening and It Freaks Me Out!
Space Channel 5 follows the retro-future adventures of cosmic reporter Ulala through a series of five episodes as she strives to repress the outbreak of uncontrollable dancing caused by some frisky Morolian invaders. Ulala struts her way through each episode, engaging in dance-offs between Morolians and competitors, trying to simultaneously earn television ratings and save mankind from being locked in a perpetual dance craze.
Imagine, if you will, Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker's radio show host from The Fifth Element) leading the troupe of dancers from Austin Powers' opening musical number. Everything in Space Channel 5 - from Ulala's outfit to the pink alien marshmallows - is bulbous, colorful, and looks like it's made of shiny plastic. The background graphics are pre-generated movies, and Ulala and her ever-expanding dance vanguard are rendered in real time, but the blending of the two is beautiful and seamless, with only the occasional sync-up problem.
The music is completely infectious and unforgettable, even though it lacks the lyrical charm of other games like PaRappa and UmJammer Lammy. The timing may seem a little tight and unforgiving at first, but after you make it through the first level you'll find yourself locked into the groove, rarely missing a beat.
The only problem with Space Channel 5 is exactly the one you'd expect� there's really not a whole lot of replay value. Once you've made your way through the game once or twice, you'll have it pretty much down, and it will be a long time before you're compelled to pick it up and give Ulala another go. There's no two-player dance-off mode, and no really good hidden goodies to speak of.
I Think This Is A Space Rerun�
If you're looking for a nice distraction from all the Super Street Fighter Splendid Omegas and Ultimate Cage Driving Champs, give Ulala and the Space Channel Five dancers a chance. If nothing else, it's a piece of unforgettable video gaming art.
