TGS 2006: Kira Kira Music Hour Preview

September 24th, 2006, 02:17 Posted By: wraggster

Via IGN

Little gems are constantly popping up on the Nintendo DS, especially on import from Japan. One of the nice surprises here at TGS was a title called Pinky Street Kira Kira Music Hour by SEGA and developer Dimple, an accessible little rhythm-action game. It's got little to no chance of being released outside of Japan, but if you like your music gaming on the go, this could be something to pick up from an import dealer.

Kira Kira Music Hour's gameplay is based on a series of three touch panels for you to interact with as the beat rolls by. You hold the Nintendo DS sideways (or bookwise), with the touch panel on one side for gameplay and the other side showing a full-body view of your dancer and her competition. Three panels is a bit awkward for a music game (unless you're listening to umpahpah Polka music, of course), but it works for this game in that it's less exact in the timing over something like Dance Dance Revolution, instead stressing specific movements with your stylus. Up top is a meter showing the song's beat (a bouncing music note shows you where you are) and one of three color blips for an upcoming beat. That color will light up one of the three touch panels when it reaches the beat, and you must take action in that panel to hit the note. Sometimes the note will be just a single tap, other times it will light up with arrows that you must stroke for the music hit. Once you get going, it becomes less a game of reflexes and more of a real music game, as you tap and shuffle left and right to the music, almost as if you're really dancing. Build your "Rainbow" combos and beat your opponent on the dance floor either in single player or multiplayer mode.
As if that weren't enough, there's also a full story mode to play through. Included in this is a large mall town to explore, with several points of interest for your smiley-faced female dancing idol. You can go shopping for outfits for her or visit clubs to play games. There's even a cute photo booth for fashion-crazy girls (and pervy boys) where your 3D character will strike a number of poses as you take pictures of her.

Music is obviously one of the biggest keys to success in a music game, and the synth J-Pop in the demo we played wasn't compelling enough to carry the tune home with us, but it's plenty possible that the music will grow on you if you choose to give it time because of the game's unique gameplay. Pinky Street Kira Kira Music Hour releases in Japan on October 26th.

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