#lanota

That I want to try: Parappa the Rapper!

I've never played, but I probably should play the game that potentially started the entire genre at some point, right?

That I miss playing: Groove Coaster

My dear departed baby. Yes I know there's a Nintendo Switch version but there's nothing really like the feeling of playing on an arcade cabinet. I played this for over 3 years, and it's where I really got my rhythm game chops. I remember when I first started I could barely play 4s and 5s.

This game is how I met my bf of over 7 years now! It's also where we first saw undertale songs on a rhythm game, and it was such a perfect fit. I will still forever be salty about grinding for 30+ hours on the first undertale event and then getting 51st place, 1 away from the highest tier.

Sadly, Groove Coaster is one of the games where I am held back from being as good as my other experienced peers due to the stamina requirements it has, so I never quite reached peak performance.

I still occasionally visit Round1 and play it, but Round1 is expensive and doesn't really offer a lot of the games I really like, but maybe if they get a MaiMai DX cabinet, that'll change.

That I first ever played: Stepmania

I guess technically I played DDR first, but I don't count random times playing at random arcades every couple of weeks. Stepmania is where I got my start, and I even used to design a few songs on there! I never got particularly good, but back before a lot of copyright bullshit happened, bemanistyle was such a cool place to play every type of song imaginable.

That I think is cool: Lanota

I just really love the vibe, music, and system of Lanota. It's got a really unique soundtrack with a heavier focus on orchestral tracks (though obviously it has its fair share of hardcore electronic too), the feeling of swishing across those blue notes is always satisfying, and the way the game plays with the area where you hit notes is always super fun and cool.

My all-time favorite: Groove Coaster

It might not be the best system ever, but I have too many good memories for this to not be my all time favorite. Maybe when MaiMai DX comes to the states it'll be un-seated, but for now, GC is my favorite rhythm game.

That I'm confident in skill-wise: MaiMai

When the location test of DX in Dallas came through, I ended with a solid 13.1k ranking! Not a god level skill by any means, but it's enough that I can play and pass almost all charts in the game, and make good scores on a fair number. My specialty tends to be trills and tap-intensive songs, mostly owing from my GC experience, and low-bpm and weird slide tech are my worst enemies.

But I mean, last week I got an S on Umiyuri Kaiten, so that's something.

That I wish I was good at: Sound Voltex

I honestly just don't play this enough to be that good, despite it being at all the arcade locations I visit. I definitely really like it, but I've never felt the urge to particularly deep dive it like I have with GC, Maimai, WACCA, and Chunithm. Still, it's a really cool system with a huge song library and an insanely high skill ceiling, so maybe someday I'll commit enough to gid gud.

That I think has the best concept/design: Chunithm

Speaking of Chunithm, this is a game I'd probably lifestyle if I could find an online cabinet. The thing I tend to value the most in rhythm games is how a rhythm game expresses the music via the mechanics (thus why I was really drawn to GC, since the track and changing visuals along with the actual notes all contributed to expressing the music) and to me Chunithm does music expression the best, with MaiMai a close 2nd and GC a very close 3rd. The air notes add so much dimension to the way it feels to play.

That I think has the best song selection: Chunithm

It also helps that Chunithm probably has one of my favorite song selections...ever. It really fits for a weeb like me, as it has an insane number of anime openings, along with a great selection of touhou and vocaloid tracks. 2nd is definitely GC, and honestly if you count Wai Wai party probably beats Chunithm. Groove Coaster has a lot of weird songs you won't see anywhere else - collabs with Dangan Ronpa, Puzzle & Dragons, Crypt of the Necrodancer, Deltarune, BlazBlue, Dondonpachi, etc. It also has an amazing selection of touhou tracks, including 3-4 whole CDs worth of commissioned tracks not available in any other game. I own 3 of them and I am forever sad that Dream Coaster by A-One, COSIO's remixes of Hecatia's Theme and Raiko's Theme, Joker Junko by COOL & CREATE, and BUTAOTOME's remix of Utsuho's theme will never be in another rhythm game.

That I've been playing a lot recently: MaiMai, WACCA, and Chunithm

There's a set of freeplay arcades in my area called Cidercade, and they have a great selection of rhythm games. I'm lucky enough to have a monthly pass, which they don't currently offer anymore, and it only costs $20 a month, which is an insane price for a freeplay arcade. Thus, I tend to go twice a week, with one day focusing on MaiMai, and the other focusing on WACCA and Chunithm. WACCA is my other dear departed baby who died too soon, and it is incredibly sad how the pandemic killed what was a lot of people's new favorite rhythm game.

That I think deserves more attention: Beatblock

I don't normally stick with PC rhythm games, but Beatblock might become the exception. It essentially plays kind of like Undyne's battle from Undertale, but with far more flexibility and freedom in the movement and mechanics. The custom song community for this game is BATSHIT INSANE. Please please please check out some of the songs here, here, here, and here. It's currently in the demo stage, so it's free, please try it!!

That I think looks the hardest: Beatmania