Rhythm Tengoku Arcade, which was introduced to Japanese arcades a couple of years ago, appears to include the same roster of musical mini-games as the original GBA edition. I had played through that GBA version a couple of years ago, so I was able to easily get through several sections of the arcade game on just 100 yen.

After I plunked in a coin, the game allowed me to choose one of several groups of mini-games and then try to clear each of the mini-games in my chosen group. I believe that clearing all mini-games in the group would let me play a mix that combines all of them — that's what capped off each group of mini-games on the GBA. But I didn't have time to play through all of the mini-games.

The controls in the arcade edition involve banging on giant versions of the GBA's d-pad and action buttons. Nothing special there. The arcade machine supports two-player, which the GBA one did not. We weren't able to try that mode.

The mini-games in Rhythm Tengoku, like those of the 2009 DS game Rhythm Heaven, are not complex. They are barely more involved than the micro-games in the WarioWare series, a series whose developers also made Tengoku. The Rhythm Tengoku games may even be simpler than the stylus-driven ones of the DS Rhythm Heaven. Most of the Tengoku ones require the player to simply tap a single button to the rhythm of both the game's music and the animations of actions on the screen.

On the video you'll see me try the onion beard-plucking rhythm game and a disco hand-clapping one. After we finished shooting the video, I also played a baseball mini-game, which involves hitting home runs into outer space. As I walked away, our Brian Ashcraft took over, testing the karate-man-punches-rocks one.

The machine was fun, but my experience was no different than it was on the GBA. The controller and graphics were simply bigger, not necessarily better. Maybe the game couldn't be improved by this arcade port, because the GBA release was top-flight, succeeding not with fancy graphics but with simple, stylish looks and a catchy conneciton of player to action via the rhythm of the soundtrack.

The GBA Tengoku is still worth checking out, if you can find it in Japan or through an importer. For the arcade game, come to the Sega arcade in Tokyo's Shibuya district.

A location test for the arcade version of Rhythm Tengoku recently wrapped up at Ikebukuro arcade GIGO in Tokyo. Both Nintendo and Sega created the arcade port, which features two player modes and doesn't differ that greatly from the original GBA version. One play contains two credits, and extra credits can be received when scoring "Perfect" on mini-games. As noisy as arcades can get, I can't help but thinking this music rhythm game will be an exercise in frustration. Love that yellow cabinet, though! Brian Ashcraft

Rhythm Tengoku Location Test [Inside-Games Thanks, Nick!]

Nintendo previously partnered with Sega on F-Zero AX which was released on the joint venture Triforce arcade board that featured beefed-up GameCube hardware.

I've already got a copy of the GBA version, but would, without a doubt, rebuy it for other platforms. Could a Wii version be far off?

Full scan of the magazine article, posted by creamsugar, is available at NeoGAF. Michael McWhertor

Rhythm Tengoku Arcade Version [NeoGAF]

• 5. Wii Sports
• 4. Okami
• 3. Blue Dragon
• 2. Dead Rising
• 1. Rhythm Tengoku

What's yours? Brian Ashcraft

Best Games Out In Japan [Next-Gen]

My desire for Wario Ware Smooth Moves is like flame with the intensity of a million suns burning deep within my heart. This particular mini-game, which smacks wonderfully of both Space Channel 5 and Rhythm Tengoku, just adds more fuel to that raging video game lust. Yes, you must not only smack your ass in time with the beat, but you must also perform the intermediary dance moves or face scorn from your dance squad. I truly feel great pity for anyone who does not have the balls to play this game. Michael McWhertor

Gameplay looks very similar to Wario Ware, with simple, one-button timing presses and tons of mini-games. Hit a baseball, punch out a light bulb, pluck the chin hairs from a root vegetable - it's all here.

As a Wario Ware fanboy, I'm excited enough to import, as August 3rd really isn't that far off. No word from Nintendo yet whether this will make it stateside, but with this pedegree and a dry future GBA release list, I wouldn't rule it out. Michael McWhertor

Rhythm Tengoku Official Site [in Japanese]

Rhythm Tengoku (Rhythm Heaven) The Japan-only GBA title is chock-full of 2~3 minute rhythm games played by simple button-pushing. There are level bosses to be beaten, after which players bag metals and prizes. Word is that the game is very strict about timing. Perfect because I have none at all. Games include a karate fly smasher and vegetable de-hairing game with tweezers! Rhythm Tengoku descends from heaven August 3rd. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [4CR]