Space Channel 5
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Space Channel 5 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | United Game Artists |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Release date(s) | Dreamcast December 16, 1999 June 4, 2000 October 6, 2000PlayStation 2 March 15, 2002 December 12, 2002 November 18, 2003 (SC5 Special Edition) |
| Genre(s) | Music |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | Dreamcast, PlayStation 2 |
Space Channel 5 is a console game, which was first released in Japan for the Dreamcast on December 16, 1999. It was later released in the United States on June 6, 2000 and in Europe on October 8, 2000. The producer of this game is Tetsuya Mizuguchi, the man who is also behind Sega Rally Championship. It features the character Ulala (a reference to the phrase "ooh la la"). The game is similar to PaRappa the Rapper and earlier memorization games like Simon where the computer shows a sequence of moves - dance steps in this case - and the player must copy them successfully to advance.
In 2002, Space Channel 5 was ported to the PlayStation 2 and released in Europe on March 15, 2002 and in Japan on December 12, 2002.
The sequel, Space Channel 5: Part 2 was released in Japan on February 14, 2002 both for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. In Europe, it was released only for the PlayStation 2 (an European Dreamcast version was planned, but it was eventually canned) on February 12, 2003.
Finally, both PlayStation 2 versions of Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5 Part 2 were released in North America in November 18, 2003 as part of a sole package called Space Channel 5 Special Edition.
Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack for the Game Boy Advance in 2003 was released by THQ as part of an agreement that gave THQ the exclusive rights to make GBA games based on Sega franchises.
In early 2003, Lady Miss Kier, formerly of the band Deee-Lite, initiated a lawsuit against SEGA corporation for allegedly stealing her former persona and using it as the basis of a video game character. The lawsuit was based on accusations of copying her look of knee-high boots, short skirts and a pink ponytail, for SEGA's Ulala character design [1]. Lady Miss Kier (whose real name is Kier Kirby) claims that SEGA offered to pay her $16,000 to license her name, image and songs for the game, though she rejected their offer. Kirby later learned that the videogame maker went ahead and used her resemblance anyway, and she decided to initiate the lawsuit. She ultimately lost the suit and a later appeal and was liable to pay Sega's legal fees of $608,000 (reduced from $763,000 requested). [2]
Michael Jackson makes a cameo appearance in Space Channel 5, near the end of the game.
Rez, also developed by UGA, featured a Morolian alien as an additional, unlockable evolution for the main character.
A minigame called Dance was included in the 2004 Nintendo DS handheld game Feel the Magic: XY/XX which has a near-identical format to Space Channel 5, and even starts off with a sound clip from it. If the game is played with a Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack Game Boy Advance cartridge in the system at the same time, Ulala's hairstyle could be unlocked for the female lead.
Space Channel 5 also appeared as a minigame in Sega's PlayStation 2 EyeToy-based game, Sega Superstars.
Ulala also appeared as a hidden playable character in the game Sonic Riders.
According to an Article on Eurogamer.net, Several "Higher Ups" At Sega are pushing for a new SC5 game to be made for a next-generation console. However, producer Takashi Yuda says that "nothing has been decided."[3]
Contents |
[edit] Commands and gameplay
Special Edition (PS2)
The dance commands merely use the existing movement buttons. The "up" button corresponds to the aliens raising both paws or Ulala raising both hands. For the "down" Ulala lowers only her right hand. Her left hand contains a microphone, and when "left" or "right" are pressed, she only moves that hand in the direction. Their legs move, and their torsos bend, automatically.
Depending on which mode your on, the "A" button is used for shooting at the Morolians or simply another dance move. The "B" button is used for rescuing the hostages (In report 2, though, the "B" button in the first phase of the boss, your not directly shooting at the hostages). There also appears to be mispronunciation of "shoot" when you press "A" or "B" (whether it is intentional or not). In the manual, it says "shoot", but the Morolians say what sounds like "kiss", "chin" and others. Ulala, Pudding, Jaguar and Evila say "chu', and Fuse says "shoot" or "chu".
In between these scenes, Ulala is shown dancing for what appears to be taunting the other challenger (if the player gets all the moves correct) or have messed up the dance (if you missed at least three moves or get incorrect moves). Ulala is given a certain number of hearts in case she misses a move or get an incorrect move. If she does so, she will lose a heart. If she loses all the hearts she will then bend her body and get upset, which means the game is over. (even before the dance ends)
[edit] Voice Cast
- Apollo Smile as Ulala
- David Nowlin as Fuse
- Sumalee Montano as Pudding
- Jeff Kramer as Jaguar
- Michael Jackson as Space Michael
- Gary Martinez as Chief Blank
[edit] References
- ^ Lady Kier VS Sega. ladykier.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ "Lady Miss Kier" Hammered With Opponent's Attorney's Fees. legalreader.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ Space Channel 5 to return?. eurogamer.net. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
