DS Daily: Rhythmblem

by JC Fletcher { Oct 4th 2008 at 10:30AM }

We have a pretty simple topic today. Two big first-party games are coming out for the DS in early 2009: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and Rhythm Heaven. Well, there's also Mario & Luigi 3, but we've barely seen anything about that yet.

Of the two that we know stuff about, which excites you more? Which, in your estimation, has better sales potential: a new entry in the beloved series, starring that one guy from Super Smash Bros., or a musical microgame set that's been explosively successful in Japan? Games aren't worth talking about unless they can be forced into unnecessary comparisons.

Gallery: Fire Emblem DS

Gallery: Rhythm Tengoku Gold

Tags: fire-emblem, music, rhythm-heaven, strategy

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ultima @ Oct 4th 2008 10:59AM

I haven't heard anything about Rhythm Heaven or had any sort of previous experience, so I think I'd hafta go with fire emblem. I played the first GBA one on my friend's GBA and got hooked, so I bought Sacred stones and loved it. I'm surprised it took them so long to crank out a DS fire emblem, cuz if you ask me that game was practically made for DS.

Hiddenemerald @ Oct 4th 2008 11:11AM

I am absolutely huge on SRPGs. I have all of the Disgaeas (except the DS which should be on its way) as well as all of the other Nippon Ichi SRPGs. I also have advance wars, Luminous Arc, FFTA (&FFTA2), and tactics ogre, among lots of others.

I have every Fire Emblem avaliable in the US and it is My favorite SRPG ever (closely followed by Disgaea)

chibi_wings @ Oct 4th 2008 12:11PM

Being horrible at rhythm games (because sadly I have no rhythm and hence no musical talent), I'm excited about Fire Emblem only. I must say through, Rhythm Heaven looks interesting, but I probably won't be trying it, I've got enough esteem scars from my memories of trying other rhythm games T___________T

Shoyz @ Oct 4th 2008 12:19PM

Rhythm one for me! Aside from horror (Which portables apparently hate to get), they're my favorite genre : )

Roto13 @ Oct 4th 2008 12:46PM

Rhythm Heaven by a mile for me. I love the first one.

Fire Emblem will probably sell better, though.

Mr Khan @ Oct 4th 2008 12:48PM

Fire Emblem, obviously. Rhythm titles are a big risk for me, but fire emblem bestows hours upon hours of love.

Peter @ Oct 4th 2008 1:38PM

Rhythm Heaven!

While I like what I've played of Fire Emblem, I already own Final Fantasy Tactics for the Playstation (and still haven't finished it). I tend to shy away from games as complex as SRPGs.

Plus, Rhythm Heaven includes that quirky Japanese humor we see in so few titles imported to the US.

Buntaro @ Oct 4th 2008 1:40PM

>>>Games aren't worth talking about unless they can be forced into unnecessary comparisons.

LOL, good one!

Lanceh @ Oct 4th 2008 1:43PM

Tough call. I love both Rhythm Tengoku and Fire Emblem. Uhh...well, I'll say FE will sell more. But I'm probably more eager for Rhythm Heaven.

Suichimo @ Oct 4th 2008 2:42PM

I don't like Rhythm games at all do to my sucking at them. I love FE. It'll be nice to play it in English after playing it in Japanese. It'll be annoying to listen to people bitch about how Marth isn't the god that he was in Smash though...

CaptainBoosh @ Oct 4th 2008 5:18PM

I've been playing Rhythm Tengoku Gold for a little bit now and am really starting to see why it's so great. Those videos shown off early didn't make much sense, but I had to try it out.

Now that I actually passed the first "Remix" it is abundantly clear this game is pure genius. An American version has the potential to be HUGE! As long as they don't go cheap like with Elite Beat Agents (Avril Levigne with Sk8ter boi? Really?). Keep it fresh and unique.

The fact that without any English in the game didn't deter me even when I was slightly confused as what to do, really proves the mechanics are all there. All about the music and rhythm. When you find yourself bobbing your head while playing, the designer have achieved their goals.

CaptainBoosh @ Oct 4th 2008 5:22PM

SephFinale @ Oct 4th 2008 6:36PM

It's not everyone's precious Guitar Hero, so Rhythm Heaven may not do so hot...

For the record, I hate Guitar Hero. 8o

aj @ Oct 4th 2008 7:41PM

Well, I know that I hate rhythm games, and am a recent convert to SRPG's (I'm 10 hours into Luminous Arc and I just can't get enough....but damn I hate the metal witch....), so of the two I will most likely pick up Fire Emblem.

But really, what do people on the whole like more? I'm seeing a crapton of SRPGs on the DS, but there are also rhythm games, which appeal to the "casual" gamer (read: people who usually just buy those 10$ video poker games from Wal Mart to play on the bus, or 'old people'). So they'll probably both do okay. Unless they advertise the rhythm game as being similar to Guitar Hero, in which case it will sell a billion trillion copies.

Zealot @ Oct 4th 2008 8:34PM

Being a non-importer and rhythm non-fan, I haven't even come close to touching a Rhythm Tengoku game, and, while this is great for people who like this sort of thing, it's just not something I'm interested in playing. Like EBA and all other localized rhythm games on the DS, I predict an enthusiastic but very niche following for Rhythm Heaven. Fire Emblem is, at least for me, another story. It's my favorite SRPG and second-favorite game series, so its release is pretty much going to be the best day yet I'll have had as a DS owner. As for sales, it'll be around 200,000 in the U.S., like every FE that's preceded it.

onizuka78 @ Oct 5th 2008 1:59PM

I love the Fire Emblem series, but Rhythm Heaven is the one I'm excited about. I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's the sequel to the totally awesome GBA game Rhythm Tengoku. Of course, that game never made it to the states which is a real shame because it's one of the most fun, bizzare and original games I've ever played. Easily the one GBA game I've spent the most time playing. So my vote is for RH. Although it's totally unfair to compare these two games. I'm sure the new Fire Emblem will be great as well.

Jarlino @ Oct 5th 2008 5:52PM

Already finished the Japanese version of Rythm (Tengoku) Heaven Gold, so I'm gonna have a go with Fire Emblem first, before testing out just how much the localized the English version.
Though I hope they didn't do to much, since some of the games really rely on the Japanese non-text stuff, like eating Riceballs or playing the Taiko ((huge drums)).