DS Daily: EBA or Ouendan?

by Candace Savino { Feb 17th 2008 at 10:30AM }

We know this is a loaded question, and has been debated many times by many gamers. We want to know where our readers stand on the issue, though. So, what do you think is better -- Elite Beat Agents or the Ouendan games? And why? Normally, it just comes down to the music (American pop/classics vs. J-pop). But, is there another reason? Perhaps you enjoy the stories more when you can read them? Or maybe you like a set of characters better?

If you haven't played both titles, which do you think you'd like better? And if you haven't played either, why not? Do these rhythm games just not interest you, or have you not gotten around to it yet for some other reason?

Tags: eba, elite-beat-agents, ouendan, ouendan-2, rhythm, vs

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Josh @ Feb 17th 2008 10:56AM

EBA all the way!

Nrvnqsr @ Feb 17th 2008 11:04AM

Definitely EBA. Having played both, I greatly enjoyed EBA for it's music, the speed of the beats, and the agents themselves, dancing, appearance, everything. The characters were amusing, along with the stories. And any game that puts YMCA and Highway Star in the same boat is great in my eyes. XD

Ouendan however, I found myself irritated by the music (and I like some J-Pop, too.) The main character had great hair, but they all seemed a bit serious. Then there was the cheer-stuff they were doing in the background, which got on my nerves. And the songs were pretty darn slow (In my opinion). (The 3 or 4 I sat through anyway.)
Oh yes, and the whistle blowing every time I hit a beat got annoying. XP

So yeah, I definitely prefer EBA. Just so much more fun in my eyes.

Jhongerkong @ Feb 17th 2008 11:05AM

Ouendan seemed alot easier than EBA...

Puddles @ Feb 17th 2008 11:09AM

I haven's played EBA because I find the music incredibly annoying. Almost every song in there is a song that I've heard enough times in my life that I never want to hear it again.

I think I would like the music of Ouendan better, but I don't read Japanese, and I'm not interested in playing a game if I can't follow the story.

ArmorForVictor @ Feb 18th 2008 3:10PM

this is the same problem for me too. unless the sequel has better music i won't be buying it.

JBGUY2K @ Feb 17th 2008 11:19AM

I would say that they're about even. I like the agents as characters better, for one thing, but the final song on it wasn't epic enough. Ouendan definitely beats EBA on that department, in the epic department.

Dante Diablo @ Feb 17th 2008 1:40PM

Jumpin' Jack Flash wasn't epic enough? Are you serious? Beating that might have been the proudest moment of my life.

By the way, the lack of an EBA stage in Brawl is a cryin' shame. It could have been INSANE.

Badaro @ Feb 17th 2008 8:35PM

JJF is IMO the best song in the three games, but the final stage itself doesn't feel as epic as the last stage in Ouendan 2.

angelbabe531 @ Feb 17th 2008 9:15PM

Jumping Jack Flash in EBA is IMO the better ending. Especially after being hyped up by Without a Fight. There was a real energy to it and the song sequence is insane. In Ouendan 2, that song was...boring by comparison :-P And I didn't find Ouendan 2's last story epic, more like mushy...

mahmud @ Feb 17th 2008 11:23AM

ouendan was definitely a lot easier. eba is great except for some really horrid teeney bopper pop songs. but i guess it redeems itself with earth wind and fire and the jackson 5.

gevenstaines @ Feb 17th 2008 11:25AM

i haven't played ouendan, but EBA is amazing. it's hilarious! the only problem is that some of the songs make my ears bleed, skaterboy in particular. though, some of the songs i hated before i played the game, but eventually i started singing along.

if EBA2 has an original soundtrack, i'll be one happy camper. i don't see why EBA had to be all lyrical pop. it seems instrumentals, jazz, electronica, and classical music would have been better...

James @ Feb 17th 2008 11:28AM

"Canned Heat" wins the battle single-handedly. "September" is just a bonus.

Seriously, though, I've enjoyed what little I've played of both Ouendans, but a) the crap-to-treasure ratio has been much higher, IMHO, and b) I didn't invest enough time to get the more interesting difficulty levels unlocked.

P.S.: Both games would benefit from the option to turn the "beat" overlay (the sound effects generated when you tap a spot) down. When I do a replay, especially, I don't need to be punched in the face with the loud whistles alluded to above.

Candace Savino @ Feb 17th 2008 1:59PM

Even though I'm an Ouendan girl (by a slight margin), "Canned Heat" is my favorite song/stage of all three games. So much fun.

KamenRiderTakoyaki @ Feb 17th 2008 11:33AM

EBA > Cheer Squad, but not by much.
Darn J-Pop songs!

NetOperator Wibby @ Feb 17th 2008 11:48AM

I haven't gotten around to playing either of this games but I was recommended by a friend NOT to play EBA because it's too addictive and you won't get work done, lol.

Mr. Xtrordinary @ Feb 17th 2008 11:54AM

I have never played the game nor would I as a serious gamer want to play a Touch Generations game. That being said I would have to say that game that is in English is likely the better one. I have always been skeptical of any game that is not good enough to be released in multiple regions.

Zachary Hinchliffe @ Feb 17th 2008 2:33PM

Want some cheese with that whine?

Mike @ Feb 17th 2008 4:20PM

Ouendan isn't the most imported NDS game that created it's own localized spinoff for no reason. Chances are it hasn't been translated since people thought it wouldn't appeal to the American audience, which doesn't say anything about quality.

The Theory @ Feb 17th 2008 11:59PM

because, you know, the market is all about "quality" and not what the publishers think will sell. All that gets released in America is released for the quality...

...and you call yourself a serious gamer.

Crimson @ Feb 17th 2008 12:15PM

Ouendan for sure.

I prefer the music MUCH more, I like the characters much more. The stories are decent, even with my meager Japanese knowledge.

I just, really didn't like EBA, I only liked a small handful of songs, and I just couldn't get into it as much as Ouendan.

Ethan @ Feb 18th 2008 10:04AM

I don't think I can put what I think about this better than that.

JBGUY2K @ Feb 17th 2008 12:15PM

Oh, and the "Survivor" mission is freakishly hilarious, great jokes against FPS games... OK, my vote would have to go for EBA after all! I wish they'd make a second one, though. Maybe have the cast from the Ouendan games make an appearance as well. Also, no pop, please for the love of my still functional ears. Needs more rock.

jay @ Feb 17th 2008 12:32PM

Oueden was the first I played in the series and like jukies say of heroine "The first hit is always the best"

Although, as an english speaker, I absolutely love EBA. It was great understanding the stories and being familier with the music.

I long for EBA 2

Jonic @ Feb 17th 2008 12:35PM

Ouendan all the way... EBA was great, but Ouendan had that uniquely Japanese feel about it that set it apart for me.

Maybe it's because I played Ouendan first, I don't know, but I can go without playing EBA whereas Ouendan has been a daily thing for about the month I've had it...

DonWii @ Feb 17th 2008 12:39PM

I found Ouendan more enjoyable, as far as the music. Not that the selections was better, but that the songs seemed better integrated with the gameplay.

I played EBA, and got mostly C's. It was more like I was tapping than going with the rythm of the music, with a few songs actually working well with the tapping/rythm- YMCA.

When I later bought Ouendan, I found the 'synchronization' to me much much better with all but two songs, in both games.

Some people said it is because Ouendan is easier, but I absolutely found the game more enjoyable.

DonWii @ Feb 17th 2008 12:42PM

Edit: To be much much better.

Also, the song selection for all 3 games is great. Only 1 or 2 duds in each game for me.

DonWii @ Feb 17th 2008 12:40PM

I hope we get EBA 2 and Ouendan 3, but I doubt it.

I think we would have heard about them by now(2005,2006,2007 releases previously), and iNiS is now working on the 360.

claris @ Feb 17th 2008 12:48PM

I'm waiting to try either one, but MAN. I wish Japanese game companies would just get this through their heads: A lot of people outside of Asia enjoy Japanese pop music and would buy the Japanese-music editions of various games.

But they have a huge blind spot, and thus we get stuck with no choice. Someone, please writ them a memo, OK?

Ivan Hu @ Feb 17th 2008 12:58PM

I like Elite Beat Agents better...and for several reasons.

First, dancing is better than cheering. The EBA pull off the sweetest moves ever to be seen by the likes of anyone.

Second, I'm more familiar with the music of EBA. I usually can't like a song until I can sing it to myself and since I can't understand Japanese, once I'm done with a song, I immediately forget it.

Lastly, I like the character designs for EBA. Every agent is dressed like a Blues Brother and has crazy hair or mustaches. And let's not forget the Elite Beat Divas...

thesandworm @ Feb 17th 2008 1:29PM

I tried both and I can't stand either of them. I love rhythm games but the tracklists just rub me fifty kinds of the wrong way. I'll stick with my Rhythm Tengoku, as far as imports go... which everyone else should try, if they haven't already.

usagi704 @ Feb 17th 2008 1:39PM

Ouendan is much better main because the music is better. I completely dislike most of the songs in EBA.

MidnightScott @ Feb 17th 2008 1:54PM

EBA was easy compared to Ouendan. I finished every mode on EBA but can't finish Very Hard mode on the Ouendan games. If all else I do wish for an EBA2 to happen as well as an Ouendan 3!

~Scott

MrTyzik @ Feb 17th 2008 2:15PM

I really liked EBA! I have not played Ouendan. I think I would like it but probably not as much because, as you say, it would be harder to follow without speaking enough of the language (I know a little but I'm sure it's not enough).

Probably not much of a spoiler by now...

The first time I saw "baby = football" I could not stop laughing.

raging_hamsterx @ Feb 17th 2008 3:26PM

EBA was much more fun imo. The agents were suave, and ill admit as an American I didn't "get" the whole cheer leading thing with Quendan. The idea didn't appeal to me

Macha88 @ Feb 17th 2008 3:39PM

Alert me when they come out with a version that takes stepmania files or the like. or has customizable music and stuff.

jesminya @ Feb 17th 2008 4:37PM

Strangely enough, I enjoyed Ouendan because I couldn't read the entire story. I found it more entertaining to make my own dialogue and such. Also, since I'm taking Japanese in college it's interesting to pick out the various easy words, which is mostly the onomatopoeia and short phrases.

Ouendan 2 had the best set of features, great rhythms, great difficulty level. Most of the songs in EBA were annoying, with a couple of them being great. Ouendan for me is overall good, nothing being great or terrible. So it's almost a toss-up, with Ouendan being better for me.

samfish @ Feb 17th 2008 5:01PM

I like Ouendan a lot more, but on the other hand, I don't actually own EBA, so I might not be able to make a fair comparison.

Pound for pound, though, I like the music in Ouendan more. Too much crappy pop songs in EBA for my tastes, although there are some good tunes there.

Fululian @ Feb 17th 2008 5:04PM

Come on. EBA chars are ugly and not very cool. Also, I'm not letting any Sk8terbwoi-trash into my house no not seriously. Ouendan is the only game I play. RIAA will get no money from this party...

vgxtremist @ Feb 17th 2008 5:12PM

I have never played Quendan, but while I know I would love it because I love EBA, I got to go with EBA.

Tacoman @ Feb 17th 2008 5:19PM

Having played both, I liked Ouendan a lot more. It's a more stylish game overall, I enjoyed the scenarios more, and the music was a lot better (or at least I was more familiar with the Ouendan tracks). The only thing I felt EBA really had going for it was the unlockable bonus stages and higher-quality models; I only got it recently, but just didn't dig it like I did Ouendan.

nil @ Feb 17th 2008 5:23PM

Ouendan. The J-punk cheerleader team + Asian Kung-Fu Generation = epicness.

BlackDS @ Feb 17th 2008 6:24PM

Ouendan 2 has hidden markers, EBA does NOT. So Ouendan 2 is obviously the winner. I own Ouendan 2 and Elite Beat Agents, but I never played the first Ouendan.

I have played Elite Beat Agents (someone else's copy, since mine is sealed), and it sucks (because of one mangled song). Canned Heat was created by someone with a hearing disorder. Someone on the now defunct Nintendo forums posted that they beat Canned Heat with the SOUND TURNED OFF. LOL. BTW, I now hate that song.

Ouendan 2 is a better product, the songs are NOT cheap and they are fair (even the spinners). And if you really want to talk about difficulty, you NEED to play the hidden marker mode in Ouendan 2.

J-pop music on Ouendan 2 is okay, better than the music on Elite Beat Agents (but I LOVE J-Pop, so I'm biased. Plus I speak/understand some Japanese).

Elite Beat Agent = Fair (except Canned Heat, which brings the grade for EBA down from Good). Ouendan 2 = great.

Peace.

Dio @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:50PM

lol, I had to turn off the sound for BAMBINA.

Wilerson @ Feb 17th 2008 6:53PM

Ouendan. I like the character designs more, and I don't have to put up with Material Girl, YMCA and Survivor (the stage is great, but the music is horrible).

Besides, in EBA they removed the best part of Highway Star. Which, being a Deep Purple fan, made me hate that stage.

Archaic @ Feb 17th 2008 8:25PM

Ouendan by far. There's a few decent songs in EBA, but having a number of original artists do their songs in each of the Ouendan's, and having them be *good* JPop songs, makes all the difference.

Still can't beat Sekai wa sore o ai to yobun daze on the highest difficulty however. The game gave me RSI. ;_;

Badaro @ Feb 17th 2008 8:45PM

Tough. IMO:

EBA has the best songs (Jumping Jack Flash) in the series, but also has the worst songs (Skater Boy).

Ouendan has a more even song selection, and no songs I really dislike. Also has the best storylines.

Ouendan 2 has some annoying songs, but the most epic final stage and it's by far the hardest of the three.

Overall, I'd say:

Ouendan > EBA > Ouendan 2

But all 3 are still the best games in the DS IMO. :)

shaoron @ Feb 17th 2008 8:46PM

ouendan...
the men are manlier
and the girls are cuter

bfishadow @ Feb 17th 2008 9:04PM

Both English and Japanese are foreign languages to me. Yet I understand more English than Japanese. Therefore I play EBA and I don't play Ouendan.

You guys should be more likely native English speakers. I have no idea why debate on this topic. Is J-pop better than E-pop?