Gaming Target - Dreamcast: Space Channel 5

Written by AJ LaSaracina on June 26, 2000

Review: The first "out-there" title for the Dreamcast is a hit a DIRECT hit

What a genre huh? Dancing games? Who though of that, what a stupid idea, games can't inspire rhythm and movement, or can they? Space Channel 5 is the story of a reported Ulala, who reports on the invasion of the Morolians, who have trapped earth people and are forcing them to dance. To save them, Ulala must copy the dance moves or the aliens to save the people of the space station, and the people of earth.

The visuals in Space Channel 5 will blow your mind. They are easily the best graphics YET on the Dreamcast, even surpassing that bar that was set by Code Veronica. The shadows suffer from "blob" syndrome (where no matter what character casts a shadow it is a circle). Also the lips don't match the character's words, but other then that the graphics are just simply stunning. This proves that games can evolve from their first generation titles, even ones like Soul Calibur.

Of course, the audio is GREAT! The beats are catchy and edgy. In fact, the first time I heard the songs, I headed over to Napster and found the best song of the game (Mori remix in my opinion) and downloaded it. One major problem in the audio department is the voices of the Aliens, are very hard to hear. When you are in the heat of the game it is quite difficult to distinguish, an "up" and an "right", but again a minor problem that is overlooked by the game's excellence.

As for the gameplay, it's pretty much the same as other dance games with standard control. Up, Down, Left, Right, A, and B. Pretty simple, and pretty easy to get into which makes this a great game that ANYONE can get into and love. One complaint in this department is that there are only 4 levels made up of about 3 sub levels. It does boasts 3 "secret levels" which are just quick bonus levels, pretty weak.

Space Channel 5's features are like I said, standard for a dance game. There is a story mode and that's about it. One thing that I DID NOT LIKE AT ALL that ties into the audio problem, is that in the options menu there is no option for volume of voices and music. There is an option for audio to be STERO or MONO, that's it, and that's pretty weak for a game's option menu. It does boast a cool little character profile thing that which can be unlocked. After playing SC5, you go away and say "wow" to yourself.

However, replay is almost non-existent, especially in the field of extras. The game claims to have "secret levels" but in reality, they are about ╝ the size of regular levels. You will probably find yourself playing the first level over and over to amuse you and your friends, but the developers didn't add anything spectacular here.