"It got me, but it soon lost me"

Despite what many people first thought, rhythm games do work on the DS. Take a look at Daigasso! Band Brothers, Elite Beat Agents and the two Ouendan games to see what I mean. And now, here's another one to add to the slowly growing list, complete with catchy songs, an interesting gimmick and a nonsensical name. Ontamarama is as goofy as it sounds and is equally good fun, but for several reasons, it's just not as addictive and charming as most rhythm games are.

Ontamarama is all about tapping, or holding down an indicated directional button when moving circles reach a target marked on the upper left hand side. Each beat corresponds to the rhythm of a given song and you're given ample time to pre-empt as the circle travels on a linear path approaching from the upper right. Sounds pretty standard so far, but the catch is the circles can only be activated if they are filled, and they're not.

This is where the Ontamas come in: tiny little creatures that burst out into your touch screen. By tapping different coloured Ontamas, they will fill corresponding circles on the rhythm bar which can now be activated by your pad hand. This dual play concept is interesting (similar to that seen in the yet-to-be-localised It's a Wonderful World), and with various Ontamas of all sizes and colours (some which are detrimental to your percentage bar if you accidentally touch them), you've got your work cut out for you if you're not the multi-tasking type.

Things become more complex as you go along with Ontamas filling up the screen in the masses (you can circle these groups for quicker fills, or completely obliterate the field with a puff into the mic); some of the evil black ones even move about the place to cover the good ones. The songs are always cheerful, though, and completely original, if a little uninspiring. The story is downright silly, but then who really cares, right?

What matters most for any rhythm game is the ability to hook you in with ease of play and never let go once attached. I found Ontamarama to be an interesting concept that kept me going for some time, but it soon got boring once my stylus hand could act on its own accord. I didn't really take to the music, too, and that's what really brings you back to these kinds of games. To each his own: if you're looking for some bright and bubbly rhythmic fun, the Ontamas are all that and a little bit more.

VERDICT - 5.5/10 I took the bait, but it wasn't very tasty.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 12/03/07

Game Release: Ontamarama (US, 11/06/07)