Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
2005
- music
- action
- single player
The story
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, or simply Ouendan, is a rhythm video game developed by iNiS and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld game console in 2005, for release only in Japan. Ouendan stars a cheer squad rhythmically cheering for various troubled people, presented in game in the style of a manga comic. In each stage, players use the DS touchscreen to tap specifically marked spots that appear in rhythm to various Japanese pop songs, scoring points for accurate timing and avoiding a poor performance which can cause the stage to end prematurely. Though never released in Western markets, it was a popular import to these regions, leading to the development of the Westernized spiritual sequel Elite Beat Agents, as well as a direct Japanese sequel Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2.
What it’s like
Bold, saturated manga panels in hot pink, yellow and electric blue, with speed lines and sudden comic-book impact frames that pop off the small screen, and a stylised cast of cheering figures in black gakuran uniforms. The music carries it: a bouncy, unabashedly earnest run of Japanese pop and rock tracks, with the rhythm taps landing as crisp clicks and sharp sound effects that flatter every accurate hit. Played with the stylus on the DS touchscreen, it feels physical and immediate, a quick tapping rhythm across the lower screen while the top screen cuts between cheering and dramatic close-ups. The vibe is loud, exuberant and warmly sincere, the kind of upbeat energy that suits a commute, a sunny afternoon, or a short burst of play before bed. Stages are short and tightly paced, with stakes that are emotional rather than dark: a struggling person is buoyed by the squad's enthusiasm, so the register stays hopeful and mildly silly. The intensity is very low: no violence, gore or cruelty, only the tension of a missed beat. It suits players who love rhythm games, anime and manga energy, and light, feel-good pick-up-and-play sessions.
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