Rhythm Heaven: Difference between revisions

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[[File:rhythm-heaven-01_9050.jpg|frame]]

''Rhythm Heaven'', known in Japan as ''Rhythm Tengoku'' and as ''Rhythm Paradise'' in Europe, can best be described as ''[[Wario Ware]]'' [[X Meets Y|meets]] ''[[Elite Beat Agents]].'' The first game in the series was released on the GBA in late 2006, making it the last game that [[Nintendo]] developed for the system. Naturally this meant that [[No Export for You|it would be released only in Japan]], not unlike the case with ''[[Mother 3]]''. Despite this, the DS sequel (known as ''Rhythm Tengoku Gold'' in Japan) [[Sequel First|would receive an overseas release]] to a positive reception.

''Rhythm Heaven'', known in Japan as ''Rhythm Tengoku'' and as ''Rhythm Paradise'' in Europe, can best be described as ''[[Wario Ware]]'' [[X Meets Y|meets]] ''[[Elite Beat Agents]]''. The first game in the series was released on the GBA in late 2006, making it the last game that [[Nintendo]] developed for the system. Naturally, this meant that [[No Export for You|it would be released only in Japan]], not unlike the case with ''[[Mother 3]]''. Despite this, the DS sequel (known as ''Rhythm Tengoku Gold'' in Japan) [[Sequel First|would receive an overseas release]] to a positive reception.

The gameplay is fairly simple. The game is divided into sets of four or five music-based mini-games, which are completed by pressing buttons (or flicking and tapping the touch screen) in time with the rhythm. Upon completion of each mini-game, the player's performance is evaluated and given a ranking: Try Again, OK, or Superb. If a player gets a Try Again rating, they can't progress to the next mini-game until they can get one of the higher ratings. A Superb rating awards the player with a medal; collecting these allows bonus features such as endless mini-games to be unlocked. Sometimes the game challenges the player to complete a mini-game flawlessly. Doing so nets a Perfect rating, which unlocks bonus information on the mini-game or adds another song to the sound test. After completing a set of games, the player is challenged to a Remix game that includes each game of the set. Completing the Remix unlocks the next set.

The gameplay is fairly simple. The game is divided into sets of four or five music-based mini-games, which are completed by pressing buttons (or flicking and tapping the touch screen) in time with the rhythm. Upon completion of each mini-game, the player's performance is evaluated and given a ranking: Try Again, OK or Superb. If a player gets a Try Again rating, they can't progress to the next mini-game until they can get one of the higher ratings. A Superb rating awards the player with a medal; collecting these allows bonus features such as endless mini-games to be unlocked. Sometimes the game challenges the player to complete a mini-game flawlessly. Doing so nets a Perfect rating, which unlocks bonus information on the mini-game or adds another song to the sound test. After completing a set of games, the player is challenged to a Remix game that includes each game of the set. Completing the Remix unlocks the next set.

The mini-games themselves are exactly what one would expect from the team responsible for ''[[Wario Ware]]'': ~~Quirky~~, bizarre, and generally addictive. Examples include:

The mini-games themselves are exactly what one would expect from the team responsible for ''[[Wario Ware]]'': quirky, bizarre and generally addictive. Examples include:

* Hitting baseballs expelled by a flowerpot while floating in space

* Helping a rabbit jump across whales and turtles to reach the moon

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* Piloting a rocket powered by anthropomorphic tuning forks across a surreal landscape of flowers and pink clouds

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Half [[Rhythm Game]], ~~Half~~ [[Widget Series]], ''Rhythm Heaven'' is a definite qualifier for one of the best mini-game collections available for the DS.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Half [[Rhythm Game]], half [[Widget Series]], ''Rhythm Heaven'' is a definite qualifier for one of the best mini-game collections available for the DS.

On an interesting note, it is one of the few rhythm games to actually be about "rhythm" and not just rapid timing. That is most prominently featured in Lockstep in ''Heaven'', where you'll cruise after you get how to switch from the beat to off-beat but will be completely impossible if you just try to "muscle" your way through.

On an interesting note, it is one of the few rhythm games to actually be about "rhythm" and not just rapid timing. That is most prominently featured in Lockstep in ''Heaven'', where you'll cruise after you get how to switch from the beat to off-beat, but will be completely impossible if you just try to "muscle" your way through.

The third iteration, ''Rhythm Heaven Fever'', also known in Japan as ''Minna no Rhythm Tengoku'' (Everyone's Rhythm Heaven), was released in the States in February 2012.

The third iteration ''Rhythm Heaven Fever'', also known in Japan as ''Minna no Rhythm Tengoku'' (Everyone's Rhythm Heaven), was released in the States in February 2012.

Note: For shorthand, we'll be calling the GBA version ''Tengoku'', the DS version ''Heaven'', and the Wii version ''Fever''.

* [[100% Completion]]: Good luck getting a Perfect on every game!

* [[Alliteration]]: Rhythm Rally, Blue Birds, Love Lizards, Freeze Frame, Munchy Monk, Drummer Duel, Love Lab, Space Soccer, Beat Bag, Double Date, Figure Fighter, Samurai Slice, Tap Troupe, and Shrimp Shuffle.

* [[Alliteration]]: Rhythm Rally, Blue Birds, Love Lizards, Freeze Frame, Munchy Monk, Drummer Duel, Love Lab, Space Soccer, Beat Bag, Double Date, Figure Fighter, Samurai Slice, Tap Troupe and Shrimp Shuffle.

* [[All There in the Manual]]: Winning the gifts will give you background on the various characters.

* [[Amazing Technicolor Wildlife]]: Pretty much every animal in the game. Most notably, the Huebirds of Happiness in Flock Step.

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* [[Big Eater]]: Munchy Monk. Marshal during Munchy Monk's endless game in ''Fever''.

* [[Bilingual Bonus]]: The counting in "Munchy Monk" is in Chinese in the Japanese version.

* [[Blah Blah Blah]]: Ring Side in ''Fever''. The girl asks questions of the wrestler and all we hear is "Wubbadubbadubba is that true?" The wrestler is most likely not paying attention to the questions and is yes-ing her to death.

* [[Blah Blah Blah]]: Ring Side in ''Fever''. The girl asks questions of the wrestler and all we hear is "Wubbadubbadubba is that true?". The wrestler is most likely not paying attention to the questions and is yes-ing her to death.

** Lampshaded in the game's reading material, where this time the reporter is asking him actual questions. He still responds to everything with "Eh". It opens up the possibility that [[Fridge Brilliance|we're hearing what the wrestler hears]].

* [[Blank White Eyes]]: The Chorus Kids when they sing.

* [[Book Ends]]: Each game in the series has one remix that [[Final Exam Boss|includes every stage in the game]]. The stages that come first in the remix always appear once more for the finale (Space Dance for ''Tengoku'', Karate Man for ''Heaven'', and Packing Pests for ''Fever'').

* [[Boss Rush]]: Remix 7 in ''Tengoku'' is a medley of Remixes 1, 2 and 4.

* [[Brutal Bonus Level]]: After getting a Perfect in all of the games in ''Fever'' {{spoiler|you'll unlock the [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Endless Remix]]. The game itself isn't all that hard (in fact, it's arguably the most fun Endless Game in ''Fever'' and quite possibly the whole series); what makes it [[Fake Difficulty|needlessly difficult]] at first is that, of the five Endless Games used, three of them aren't seen anywhere else, and they don't bother to tell you how they work. This basically forces you to [[Trial and Error Gameplay|figure it out on your own]] (or [[Guide Dang It|consult a guide]]) and keep losing until you get it right.}}

* [[Brutal Bonus Level]]: After getting a Perfect in all of the games in ''Fever'', {{spoiler|you'll unlock the [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Endless Remix]]. The game itself isn't all that hard (in fact, it's arguably the most fun Endless Game in ''Fever'' and quite possibly the whole series); what makes it [[Fake Difficulty|needlessly difficult]] at first is that, of the five Endless Games used, three of them aren't seen anywhere else, and they don't bother to tell you how they work. This basically forces you to [[Trial and Error Gameplay|figure it out on your own]] (or [[Guide Dang It|consult a guide]]) and keep losing until you get it right}}.

* [[Bullet Time]]: Sneaky Spirits in the first game.

** There's also a couple parts in Iai Slash where the song slows down and you cut down one of the bigger monsters.

* [[Camera Abuse]]: At one point in "Exhibition Match", the camera zooms out dramatically. If you manage to hit the pitch properly, the ball goes flying and cracks the "glass".

* [[Camera Abuse]]: At one point, in "Exhibition Match", the camera zooms out dramatically. If you manage to hit the pitch properly, the ball goes flying and cracks the "glass".

* [[Captain Obvious]]: Monkey in Hole in One "It's my friend, Mandrill! (He's a mandrill)".

* [[Captain Obvious]]: Monkey in Hole in One: "It's my friend, Mandrill! (He's a mandrill)."

** In ''Cheer Readers'', the covers of the books they use simply read "[[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|BOOK]]".

** In "Cheer Readers", the covers of the books they use simply read "[[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|BOOK]]".

* [[Catch Phrase]]: "And no practice for you!"

* [[Cloudcuckooland]]: Everywhere. It's even weirder when you realize that all of the games and characters are set in the same universe.

* [[Co-Op Multiplayer]]: ''Fever''.

* [[Continuity Nod]] / [[Shout-Out]]: All over the place. For example, pay attention to the "Freeze Frame" game in ''Heaven'', and see how many stages/characters from the first game show up<ref>For the record: the white and black ninjas from "Ninja", the white mouse from "Stealth Mice", and the ghosts from "Sneaky Spirits" sometimes show up in photographs, and at one point you can see the Rap Men, the Clappy Trio, the Space Dancers, and the monkeys from Tap Trial watching the race</ref>. There's more in ''Heaven'' than in just that stage, but said stage is practically dripping with them.

* [[Continuity Nod]]/[[Shout-Out]]: All over the place. For example, pay attention to the "Freeze Frame" game in ''Heaven'', and see how many stages/characters from the first game show up.<ref>For the record: the white and black ninjas from "Ninja", the white mouse from "Stealth Mice", and the ghosts from "Sneaky Spirits" sometimes show up in photographs, and at one point, you can see the Rap Men, the Clappy Trio, the Space Dancers, and the monkeys from "Tap Trial" watching the race.</ref> There's more in ''Heaven'' than in just that stage, but said stage is practically dripping with them.

** Continued in ''Fever'', there's a lot of them throughout the game, more so to ''Heaven'' but there are a few to ''Tengoku''. Most noticeably, the Cheer Readers will make pictures of characters from previous games, including the leader of the Space Dancers from ''Tengoku'' and DJ Yellow from ''Heaven's'' "DJ School".

** Continued in ''Fever'', there's a lot of them throughout the game, more so to ''Heaven'', but there are a few to ''Tengoku''. Most noticeably, the Cheer Readers will make pictures of characters from previous games, including the leader of the Space Dancers from ''Tengoku'', and DJ Yellow from ''Heaven's'' "DJ School".

*** Also, if you play Munchy Monk in ''Fever'' and [[Freeze-Frame Bonus|look carefully on the window while playing]], you'll notice a bunch of characters from ''Heaven'' pass by the train such as the scientists from Love Lab and the Blue Birds.

** During their break time, Space Dancers tend to play a good game of table tennis. The Cosmo Dancers became space cowboy soccer players!

*** And the [[All There in the Manual|unlockable document you earn from perfecting Tap Troupe]] implies that the leader of the Space Dancers is now the leader of the Tap Troupe.

** The captain who orders the red and yellow helmeted soldiers in the Marcher game from ''Tengoku'' makes a return in ''Fever'' to command an expedition team of [[Ridiculously Cute Critter|seals]].

* [[Cool Shades]]: Karate Man and the Cheer Readers get these in ~~remix~~ 7 of ''Fever''.

* [[Cool Shades]]: Karate Man and the Cheer Readers get these in Remix 7 of ''Fever''.

* [[Cool Toy]]: Muscle Doll in "Figure Fighter".

* [[Creative Closing Credits]]: In ''Heaven'' a minigame named "Airboarder" plays as the credits scroll. It becomes playable later.

* [[Creative Closing Credits]]: In ''Heaven'', a minigame named "Airboarder" plays as the credits scroll. It becomes playable later.

** Same with ''Fever'', but this one is a remake of Night Walk from ''Tengoku'', featuring Marshal as the playable character.

** Notable in that both appear in their respective game's [[Final Exam Boss]], so you'd better have tried them at least once.

* [[Creator Cameo]]: Just text "STAFF" on the Police Call toy in ''Fever''.

* [[Cute Little Fangs]]: The Chorus Kids and Marshal all sport some.

* [[Deconstructed Trope]]: [[Instant Awesome, Just Add Ninja]] ~~- The~~ reason that Dog Ninja is cutting vegetables and metal is that he took up the art of the ninja without realizing that ninjitsu isn't a viable career option anymore.

* [[Deconstructed Trope]]: [[Instant Awesome, Just Add Ninja]]: the reason that Dog Ninja is cutting vegetables and metal is that he took up the art of the ninja without realizing that ninjitsu isn't a viable career option anymore.

* [[Deliberately Monochrome]]: Remix 8 in ''Fever'', since all the games are being played in old photographs.

* [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything]]: Hitting the buttons more than 99 times in Quiz [[Made of Explodium|makes your podium explode]]. Hit it even more and eventually the host's panel and then ''the Quiz sign'' will [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1YowD2qAIQ explode].

* [[Distaff Counterpart]]: Rap Women to Rap Men in the first game.

** Hole in One 2 to Hole in One in the third game.

* [[Does This Remind You of Anything?]]: Bossa Nova's vocals in both JP and EN versions is... [[The Immodest Orgasm|certainly something.]] It's made worse in the English version, [[Getting Crap Past the Radar|somehow.]]

* [[Does This Remind You of Anything?]]: Bossa Nova's vocals in both JP and EN versions is... [[The Immodest Orgasm|certainly something.]] It's made worse in the English version, [[Getting Crap Past the Radar|somehow]].

* [[A Dog Named "Dog"]]: Most of the characters in the Rhythm Heaven series (particularly in ''Fever'') are known for having generic names, such as Dog, Monkey, Reporter... etc.

* [[A Dog Named "Dog"]]: Most of the characters in the ''Rhythm Heaven'' series (particularly in ''Fever'') are known for having generic names, such as Dog, Monkey, Reporter... etc.

* [[Dual-Wielding]]: '''Fever'' has "2-player mode", in which each person holds their own Wii remote and plays. In order to unlock some of the game's content, you have to get a superb ranking on eight 2-player versions of regular single-player games. If you [[Loners Are Freaks|have no one else to play the game with you]], you yourself will most likely end up holding a Wii remote in each hand.

** In a more literal sense, [[Instant Awesome, Just Add Ninja|Dog Ninja]] uses two katana.

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* [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]]: Several of the games have titles that tell you exactly what they're going to be, in both versions. Examples include ''Shiro Obake'' (lit. "White Ghost"), ''Rap Men'', and in the second game, ''Shoot-em Up'' and ''Dog Ninja''.

** This is more apparent when comparing the English and Japanese version of the second game. ''Built to Scale'' is simply called ''Assembly'' in the Japanese version and ''Rhythm Rally'' was ''Ping Pong''.

* [[Fake-Out Fade-Out]]: At the end of Remix 10 in ''Fever''. {{spoiler|Twice.}}

* [[Fake-Out Fade-Out]]: At the end of Remix 10 in ''Fever''. {{spoiler|Twice}}.

* [[Fake Longevity]]: This trope comes into play when trying to unlock the bonuses. As the game is played, the player is randomly given a chance to get a perfect on a randomly selected game. If the player fails three times, they must wait for another random chance. Once the player gets gold medals on all 50 games, they have unlimited "perfect" opportunities, however, it still goes to another one after three attempts. Made more annoying by the fact that some games will require you to perform perfectly just to get a Superb, making the Perfect system feel arbitrary at times.

* [[Fake Longevity]]: This trope comes into play when trying to unlock the bonuses. As the game is played, the player is randomly given a chance to get a perfect on a randomly selected game. If the player fails three times, they must wait for another random chance. Once the player gets gold medals on all 50 games, they have unlimited "perfect" opportunities; however, it still goes to another one after three attempts. Made more annoying by the fact that some games will require you to perform perfectly just to get a Superb, making the Perfect system feel arbitrary at times.

** Presumably done to avert a different form of fake longetivity, which would consist of the player playing the same game hundreds of times in a row, attempting to perfect it. This at least ''makes'' the player try different games.

* [[Fan Boy]]: The Monkeys in "Fan Club".

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* [[Foreshadowing]]: Big Rock Finish in ''Heaven'' foreshadows three things: the main riff is one of the duets in Rockers, their first song is a preview of Remix 7, and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BA6zNh53hR8#t=71s their last song] is a salsa mix of [[Early-Bird Cameo|the credits music for ''Fever'']].

* [[Funny Afro]]: A lot of characters end up having afros, most notably the Clappy Trio in ''Tengoku''.

* [[Funny Animal]]: As mentioned elsewhere on the page, you not only have ''Dog Ninja'' and the strange chipmunk-man in ''Love Lab'', but there's also ''Tram and Poline'' in the first game, where two acrobatic trampolinists [[Animorphism|turn back and forth into foxes]] as they perform. At least, [[Biological Mashup|if you get]] [[Phlebotinum Breakdown|the timing]] [[Mix-and-Match Critters|right.]]

* [[Funny Animal]]: As mentioned elsewhere on the page, you not only have ''Dog Ninja'' and the strange chipmunk-man in ''Love Lab'', but there's also ''Tram and Poline'' in the first game, where two acrobatic trampolinists [[Animorphism|turn back and forth into foxes]] as they perform. At least, [[Biological Mashup|if you get]] [[Phlebotinum Breakdown|the timing]] [[Mix-and-Match Critters|right]].

* [[Funny Background Event]]: Odds are you won't notice them due to focusing on what you're hearing, but quite a few minigames in ''Fever'' have things going on in the background, and some of them can be amusing. In "Double Date", every time a football is kicked up on-time, you can see it fall in the background and get caught. This continues into "Double Date 2", where barnyard animals will catch the football in the air.

* [[Gainax Ending]]: "Seesaw" ends with See and Saw doing an [[Air Guitar]] and then exploding without explanation.

* [[Game Show]]: Quiz, which isn't a [[Pop Quiz]] despite the name.

* [[Getting Crap Past the Radar]]: After helping two lizards sing their mating call, the game comments that they ''came together in the end.''

* [[Getting Crap Past the Radar]]: After helping two lizards sing their mating call, the game comments that they ''came together in the end''.

** In Love Lab, the two scientists are [[Stealth Pun|literally "making love".]]

** In Love Lab, the two scientists are [[Stealth Pun|literally "making love"]].

** Meanwhile, ''Fever'' has "Bossa Nova", and its sounds that sound like [[The Immodest Orgasm|noises that would be made in bed.]]

** Meanwhile, ''Fever'' has "Bossa Nova", and its sounds that sound like [[The Immodest Orgasm|noises that would be made in bed]].

*** Listen to the lyrics of "Tonight", the song from Remix 3 in ''Fever''. It's pretty clear it's about a woman about to have sex for the first time.

* [[Gratuitous English]]: The Japanese version of "Cheer Readers" from ''Fever''. "Let's everybody go!"

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* [[Instant Awesome, Just Add Ninja]]: Though the awesome is a little dampened by the games having painfully obvious names, with ''Tengoku'' 's Ninja and ''Heaven'' 's Dog Ninja.

* [[Interface Screw]]: Some of the harder games love [[Blackout Basement|darkening everything]] or putting things in your way, forcing you to rely only on your rhythm and your ability to detect audio cues. One of the most notorious examples comes in Samurai Slice in ''Fever'', which blocks the ''entire freaking screen''.

** ''Heaven'' is also notorious for blocking out 95% of the screen at one point in Built to Scale. And this is the ''very first stage'' mind you.

** ''Heaven'' is also notorious for blocking out 95% of the screen at one point in Built to Scale. And this is the ''very first stage'', mind you.

* [[Keet]]: DJ Yellow. [[Catch Phrase|Scratch-o, hey!]]

** The Tall Tappers in ''Fever''.

** Who can forget the Space Dancers in ''Tengoku'', as well as the farmer in Crop Stomp in ''Heaven''?

* [[Makes Just as Much Sense in Context]]: The ''Donk-Donk'' game in ''Fever'' is so weird the English writers don't even ''try'' to give it an explanation.

* [[Makes Just as Much Sense in Context]]: The ''Donk-Donk'' game in ''Fever'' is so weird, the English writers don't even ''try'' to give it an explanation.

* [[Martial Arts and Crafts]]: The samurai from the first game returns in an [[Endless Game]] in ''Heaven'' to... slice watermelons.

** Let us not forget Dog Ninja, who uses his insane awesome ninja skills to... [[Mundane Utility|slice vegetables/other assorted objects]]. To be fair, he's just [[Money, Dear Boy|doing it for the money]].

* [[Masked Luchador]]: Gives an interview in the "Ring Side" game.

* [[Meaningful Name]]: Baxter and Forthington.

* [[Meganekko]]: One of The Dazzles

* [[Meganekko]]: One of The Dazzles.

** ''All'' of the girls in the "Cheer Readers" game.

** The player character in the "Bon*Odori" game.

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* [[Mission Control]]: The girl on the "Shoot-em Up" Stages.

* [[Moon Rabbit]]: "Rabbit Jump" again.

* [[Mundane Made Awesome]]: The guiding principle of the game - ''especially'' the first game. Whoever thought that writing calligraphy and chopping vegetables could be so ''cool''?

* [[Mundane Made Awesome]]: The guiding principle of the game, ''especially'' the first game. Whoever thought that writing calligraphy and chopping vegetables could be so ''cool''?

** The samurai's purpose in life in the ''Fever'' version of "Samurai Slice" is battling demons... to ''retrieve stolen children's toys''. {{spoiler|The last demon in the portal is always the one carrying it.}}

** The samurai's purpose in life in the ''Fever'' version of "Samurai Slice" is battling demons... to ''retrieve stolen children's toys''. {{spoiler|The last demon in the portal is always the one carrying it}}.

* [[Nintendo Hard]]: ''Rhythm Heaven'' is known for being rhythmically strict. There's no "Marvelous", "Great" or "Good" for each beat, you must play it perfectly or you'll just screw it up. It becomes even more suffocating when you have to go for a "Perfect".

* [[Non-Standard Character Design]]: While all of the characters have that "~~japanese~~ feeling", most of them are different in artstyle. Compare Munchy Monk with the Wandering Samurai, for example.

* [[Non-Standard Character Design]]: While all of the characters have that "Japanese feeling", most of them are different in artstyle. Compare Munchy Monk with the Wandering Samurai, for example.

* [[Nostalgia Level]]: Karate Man, the first mini-game of ''Tengoku'', makes a reappearance near the end of ''Heaven'' and ''Fever''.

** The "Built to Scale" game from ''Heaven'' has a factory setting much like "Polyrhythm" from the first game. The "Built to Scale" game in ''Fever'' manages to cram two Nostalgia Levels into one by combining the elements from ''both'' aforementioned games.

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* [[Off-Model]]: ''Heaven'' has a serious problem with proportioning, typically with arm length. For a specific example, in [http://youtu.be/5ohY0lwV5W8 DJ School], watch DJ Yellow's left hand. It goes through at least three different sizes.

** The baseball player from the ''Fever'' game "Exhibition Match" has a bit of trouble keeping his arms the same thickness. When in his "neutral stance", his arms look fairly normal, but while swinging, they become twigs.

* [[Once an Episode]]: Karate Man, the Samurai, and Widget Factory have playable appearances in each game.

* [[Once an Episode]]: Karate Man, the Samurai and Widget Factory have playable appearances in each game.

** Each game also features a mini-game based on the concept of lockstep, though each game deals with it differently.

* [[Palette Swap]]: In each remix, the characters wear different clothes and color palettes just to fit with the theme.

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* [[Punny Name]]: Ann Glerr, the fisher from ''Fever'''s "Catch of the Day".

* [[Recycled in Space]]!: The series loves placing things in space that have no reason to be in space. You get to hit baseballs in space, dance in space, and play soccer in space, among others.

** One game, Rhythm Rally, does wind up playing this trope completely straight, as Rhythm Rally 2 is set in space whereas the first is not.

** One game Rhythm Rally does wind up playing this trope completely straight, as Rhythm Rally 2 is set in space whereas the first is not.

** Remix 7 in ''Fever'' is completely space-themed, as is Remix 6 in ''Heaven'' before it.

* [[Regional Bonus]]: The EU version has both the Japanese and English soundtracks.

* [[Retraux]]: Lady Cupid in ''Fever''.

** Furthermore, when doing practice in ''Fever'', your background practice music tends to be a chiptune stripped down version of the game's actual music.

* [[The Reveal]]: Played for laughs in the baseball exhibition in ''Fever''. The reason it takes so long for the pitcher's ball to reach the batter from behind the curtain? {{spoiler|A monkey catches the ball mid-flight, waits, then tosses it out to the batter.}}

* [[The Reveal]]: Played for laughs in the baseball exhibition in ''Fever''. The reason it takes so long for the pitcher's ball to reach the batter from behind the curtain? {{spoiler|A monkey catches the ball mid-flight, waits, then tosses it out to the batter}}.

** At a certain point in the game Packing Pests, the camera moves, revealing that the employee is Munchy Monk.

** At the end of ''Fever'', the Barista is revealed to be {{spoiler|Dog, who appeared to be just a background character during the first two games.}}

** At the end of ''Fever'', the Barista is revealed to be {{spoiler|Dog, who appeared to be just a background character during the first two games}}.

*** {{spoiler|Actually, the barista casually mentions the fact that he's a dog at one point in ''Tengoku'', and stamps every game with a dog-wearing-headphones stamp throughout.}}

*** {{spoiler|Actually, the barista casually mentions the fact that he's a dog at one point in ''Tengoku'', and stamps every game with a dog-wearing-headphones stamp throughout}}.

** Tap Troupe has the troupe's faces at the bottom and their feet at the top. The end reveals that they're actually extremely tall, thus the reason for the frames.

* [[Rhymes on a Dime]]: Micro-Row.

* [[Ridiculously Cute Critter]]: The rolling seals in Flipper-Flop.

* [[Sequel Difficulty Drop]]: The series has gotten easier over time, ''Tengoku'' being the most difficult installment and ''Megamix'' being the easiest. This is due to the timing windows gradually getting wider and the grading scale becoming more lenient; what would be an "OK" or even a "Try Again" in ''Tengoku'' can be ranked as a "Superb" in ''Megamix''. Also, if you get a "Try Again" score that's close to OK, earlier games would give you words of encouragement but still fail you, while in ''Megamix'', these words of encouragement will actually boost your score to a passing amount. However, the challenge courses and Ace timing window make ''Megamix'' very difficult when it comes to [[100% Completion]].

* [[Sequel Difficulty Drop]]: The series has gotten easier over time, ''Tengoku'' being the most difficult installment and ''Megamix'' being the easiest. This is due to the timing windows gradually getting wider and the grading scale becoming more lenient; what would be an "OK" or even a "Try Again" in ''Tengoku'' can be ranked as a "Superb" in ''Megamix''. Also, if you get a "Try Again" score that's close to OK, earlier games would give you words of encouragement, but still fail you, while in ''Megamix'', these words of encouragement will actually boost your score to a passing amount. However, the challenge courses and Ace timing window make ''Megamix'' very difficult when it comes to [[100% Completion]].

* [[Shaped Like Itself]]: See [[Captain Obvious]].

* [[Shaped Like Itself]]: See [[Captain Obvious]] above.

* [[Shout-Out]]: ''Heaven'' makes plenty of references back to ''Tengoku'', ''[[Wario Ware]]'', Nintendo's GBA-slot based [[MP3]] player; [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pDnNRuWM0U&playnext_from=TL&videos=s6U81xcKvws and even the rarely heard of Play-Yan (the guy from the Night Walk stage is the character from the menu navigation for the Play-Yan's interface)].

** ''Fever'' has a Mr. [[Game and Watch]] cameo in "Working Dough", and one of the baseball players in "Exhibition Match" looks remarkably like something [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] had drawn in the '80s.

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** The ''Fever'' endless game "Lady Cupid" it all of its 8-bit glory is likely to be a shout out to [[Kid Icarus|Pit]].

* [[Stealth Pun]]: In ''Tengoku'', Remix 7 is Remixes 1 + 2 + 4.

* [[Theme Naming]]: Ao-kun, Aka-chan, and Kii-yan of Toss Boys in ''Tengoku'' are all named after their respective colors (Blue, Red, and Yellow).

* [[Theme Naming]]: Ao-kun, Aka-chan and Kii-yan of Toss Boys in ''Tengoku'' are all named after their respective colors (Blue, Red and Yellow).

* [[There Is No Kill Like Overkill]]: One would think that a couple of hops would be enough to test the safety of any seesaw, yet See and Saw feel the need to repeatedly launch each other several feet into the air to accomplish this task, making one wonder exactly what these seesaws are being used for.

** The reading material related to that game implies that they might have a motivation besides simple testing.