Funny thing is I have no rhythm in real life. I mean none. I can't even manage the "white guy dance". But in the gamer world, I've got more moves than K-Fed - MC HAMMER - you know what I'm trying to say...

So obviously when Elite Beat Agents came out, I was intrigued. The song list pushed it down from a "must-buy" to a "I'll pick it up at some point." Madonna, Ashlee Simpson, Avril Lavinge, Cher, Jamiriqui and Good Charlotte don't exactly want to make one rush out and buy a game. "There's no damn way I can play it in public!" I cried. And now that I have the game I can say, "I was right, I can't play it in public." But it's still a damn fun game once you get past the song selection.

Each song has a little storyline that plays out, as the Elite Beat Agents sing and dance their way to helping people out of the little jams they've gotten themselves into. All the set-ups are silly (Baseball star fights a Golem, car-dealing ninja steals company secrets) and serve no purpose at all. Not that it matters.

You don't have any time to glance away from the task at hand of tapping, sliding, and spinning the stylus in time with the music. I don't care if the socialite twins find their way off the deserted island with the help of the local wildlife, I just want to finish the f'ing song.

I'd say 80% of the time the motions make sense for the beat of the tune. But the other 20% I'm convinced they screw with you just for the sake of screwing with you. Especially at the later levels. As far as rhythm games go, this one is solid and interesting. But when you play it, make sure you have some headphones with you. The game's music WILL get you razzed by anyone within earshot, at the absolute minimum you'll get some strange looks. If it was all j-pop you could pass it off, but there's not much you can say when "You're My Inspiration" comes pumping out of the DS.

8 out of 10 but loses a point for the song selection. Only a few good songs here. 7 out of 10 Very much worth the purchase.

Comments (7)

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written by jimmycanuck, January 10, 2007

I LOVE Ouendan.. I'm still amazed I haven't picked up EBA. I'll probably be swinging it tomorrow (Future Shop up here in the Great White North has it for $5 off this week.)

If you like the gameplay but hate the music, import Ouendan. Hands down, best licensed soundtrack ever.

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written by danzuke, January 10, 2007

it's all j-pop stuff right? If so I'm gonna have to look into it

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written by jimmycanuck, January 10, 2007

All j-pop, all the time! And it's GOOD.

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written by rdaneel72, January 11, 2007

Man, get over yourself. I am a 34 year old, long haired metalhead that makes little children cry just by looking at them, and I love EBA. No song selection is going to satisfy everyone. INIS did a great job offering a decent selection of classic rock, pop, disco, etc. You're a goddam geek for playing videogames. It doesn't matter if it's GTA or Pokemon. If you can't let it go and rock out to Madonna or Cher within the context of a brilliantly original game, then you have my pity.

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written by Fruble, January 11, 2007

Jeez rdaneel, angry much? Seems to me like he dug the game, just wanted some better songs. I actually have the same problem with it. It's fun but the song selection could have been a bit better. But to each his own.

and what does being a geek have to do with enjoying cher?

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written by Harpua Scorpio, January 11, 2007

I think it takes more of a man to admit that they like J-Pop, but that's just me.

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written by B, January 11, 2007

I think I might have to pick up a DS again for EBA. I played it at EB on my break for about a half hour. Needless to say, I wasn't able to get anything to eat, due to using my entire break, but it was worth it.

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