So, for starters, if you haven’t already read the import review of this game, I’d urge you to do so as it summarizes what the gameplay is like. Considering we brought you the original review, Dale and I thought it would be ideal to return for an encore and help you to decide whether to buy Rhythm Heaven … or whether you’re better off importing the game and sticking with the original. With localization comes change though, and if you’ve been following the title you already know that some Destructoid editors are less than pleased with the way some of the songs have been translated. The only acceptable excuse for not having bought it, I suppose, is that we have known since E3 2008 that an English language version was on the way, and I can imagine some of you wanted to wait for a copy you could read if you’re not so sharp when it comes to Nihongo. Add the endless games, the rhythm toys and other minigames, and this game can easily take 10 hours to fully go through and enjoy every game.Dale North and I tried our best to try to convince you that you needed to import a copy of Rhythm Tengoku Gold for the Nintendo DS back in September of last year, and you know, if you didn’t buy it, goddammit, you should have. "Rhythm Heaven's" main parts will net you around six to eight hours of play, with each song generally lasting around a minute to a minute and a half. It's annoying enough that you're never given a second chance, but perfecting it on the first try and receiving a "Perfect" would have been nicer instead of expecting it to show up. The problem with the "Perfects" is that if you fail three times in a row, you can never try it again. When you're going for a "Perfect," you must finish the song without missing a single beat. "Perfects" are awarded only when the song has been "Superb"-ed.
You can also achieve "Perfects," which see to come randomly throughout the game. It's not the biggest problem, but it can make you do some minigames over. The grades range from "Superb" to "Just OK" to "OK," and then there is "Try Again." The grading system for the minigames is inconsistent sometimes you miss three on one game and rank "Superb" but miss two on another game and score "Just OK." One thing that can be frustrating is the grading system. If a minigame is becoming too hard and you can't seem to pass it, "Rhythm Heaven" has a feature that if you fail a song three times, you're allowed to skip it and continue on with the game. If you feel like having mindless fun, there are rhythm toys ranging from a slot machine that gives you coins for hitting the beat to a telephone that you use to create tunes with the tones (you know you've done it before). Games like flipping a coin and catching it on time, and hitting a cowbell in tune will provide decent fun when you feel like playing the game just to play. These are simple games that, well, never end, and you keep playing them until you mess up. In addition to the minigames, there are endless games. Whether you're playing pingpong or synchronized swimming, "Rhythm Heaven" has this sense of creativity and style that makes the minigames fresh and exciting, even though most of the time you're just tapping and flicking. The simplicity of the game can actually be complex enough to challenge you. Though many DS games based solely on minigames happen to be complete bombs (cough, "Red Bull BC One"), I was drawn to "Rhythm Heaven" and realized one important aspect of the game: It is friggin' awesome. "Rhythm Heaven" is a collection of more than 50 minigames all playable with the stylus, so no button-presses needed. I'm a sucker for "Guitar Hero," "Rock Band" and the like, so when my friend got "Rhythm Heaven" on the Nintendo DS, I immediately wanted to try this game. Let's be frank - I love rhythm-based games. Want to get involved? Start blogging on your profile today! Student reporters from across the country cover sports and athletes from their schools. Editor's note: ESPNHS is 's high school journalism program.