"Intense! Bold! Fierce!"

Osu! Takase! Ouendan is a game developed by Inis. It is intended to be played on the Nintendo DS hand held portable. The title translates to Go! Fight! Cheer Squad.

This game is a rhythm game, which explains why you're playing the role of a Cheer Squad. In a certain place of Japan, there will be people with problems. When one person's problem reaches it's climax, he or she will shout for help. The Cheer Squad comes to their aid and cheers on them to help him or her accomplish his or her objective.

There are 3 kinds of objects you will touch on the bottom screen in which go according to the rhythm and melody of the song. One of these objects consist in a circle with it's outline scaling down to the circle. Once it is overlapped, it must be touched in order to score points. You will gain a different amount of points depending on your timing. Aside from the basic circles you must tap that go with the rhythm of the song, there are also some in which you must slide your stylus around the thick line it produces. The third kind of obstacle consists in spinning a wheel as fast as you can.

As you play, there will be a SPIRIT meter on top of the screen. If you miss an obstacle, this bar will gradually progress down. If you miss enough times, then the game is over.

The game's music consists in compressed Japanese music from bands such as Asian Kung Fu Generation and Orange Range. For compressed music, it plays great on the Nintendo DS. The graphics themselves are presented in such a crazy but splendid manner as well. Everything is explained well with just the pictures presented. In some cases, there is a small amount of color bleed and some oddly colored sprites. Nonetheless, they're nothing too big to worry about.

This game features 15 songs to play and 4 difficulties (2 available from the start. The other 2 need to be unlocked as you finish the modes). Whether 15 is a high or low number for you, the fact that the songs are quite catching and addicting will make you want to play it again and again, compensating whatever doubt you had if it 15 was such a low number.

With a charming crazy Japanese sense and catchy music, Osu! Takase! Ouendan is a game that rhythm lovers and people that appreciate the Japanese culture will enjoy to it's fullest.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/27/06