As Beuks mentioned a few days ago, a small group of us went over to Tokyo to have some fun and sample the video games, because that’s just the proper thing to do. Well, I’ve come back to report that you need to talk to your local video game importer, or check out a site like playasia.com, or buy yourself a ticket to Tokyo and get yourself a game. In fact, one game in particular…

Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan!, which translates to “Go! Fight! Cheer Squad!” or possibly “Hey! Fight! Cheer Squad!” or maybe even “Pushing Patience! Fighting Obtaining! Cheer Group!” is the DS’s answer to the PSP’s Lumines and the game that you’ll find yourself playing for hours and not getting tired of it. If you haven’t read about it yet, the premise is simple:
Someone is in trouble. They need to get through a tough time. They need a cheer squad.

This is, in essence, a rhythm-based game. Each level features a different JPop song and a story. For instance, in the top screen you’ll see the tale of a horse that has to chase down the person that robbed the horse track, while in the bottom screen there are numbered circles that you must tap in rhythm. Mess up and you’ll see the horse falter on the top screen. Do well, and watch the horse gain on the robber. Actually, the game is so intense that you won’t have time to watch the story unfold on the top screen, and that’s perfectly OK in my book. Beat that level? Then cheer on a boy study that is studying for exams. Or cheer a restaurant owner on to success. Enticing!

The game features a fantastic mix of catchy tunes and clever presentation (everything is done in a comic book style), and the hardcore look of the cheer squad make Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! the finest game available for the DS right now. Yes. It’s better than Nintendogs.