Space Channel 5
Encyclopedia
Space Channel 5 is a music video game
developed by United Game Artists under the direction of Tetsuya Mizuguchi
and published by Sega
. The gameplay features a system where the player must copy sequences of dance steps performed by the computer. It was first released in Japan in 1999 and North America and Europe in 2000 for the Dreamcast and was later released for the PlayStation 2
in Japan and Europe in 2002 and ported by THQ
to the Game Boy Advance
in 2003. A sequel, Space Channel 5: Part 2
, was released for Dreamcast (Japan only),PlayStation 2 (Japan and Europe) in 2002
and on Steam in March 4 2011.
while making mistakes will lower ratings and cause the player to lose hearts, possibly causing them to lose hostages. If the player loses all their hearts during certain battles, or if the ratings drop too low, the player will have to restart the level. Clearing the game unlocks an alternate story mode with some differences.
for the Dreamcast on December 16, 1999. It was later released in the United States
on June 6, 2000 and in Europe on October 8, 2000. The game was given a budget DriKore release in Japan on December 21, 2000 in simpler packaging. In 2002, Space Channel 5 was ported to the PlayStation 2
. It was released in Europe on March 15, 2002 and in Japan on December 12, 2002. It was released in North America on November 18, 2003 as part of a sole package called Space Channel 5 Special Edition that contained both Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5: Part 2. A port of the game for the Game Boy Advance
, titled Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack, was developed by ART.co and released by THQ
in June 2003 as part of a deal to make GBA games based on Sega properties.
and PlayStation Network and included in Sega Dreamcast Collection, released on Xbox 360 in February 2011.
Ulala has also made a cameo in the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats
, where she is popular in the merchandising in a store that Wyatt visits to try out a demo CD.
Mizuguchi has also stated that Space Channel 5 was inspired by the dance troupe Stomp
. He highly enjoyed the performance, and began thinking why musicals were so much fun, but more importantly "How can we get this feeling into an interactive process?". It was then that Space Channel 5 was born.
Michael Jackson
makes a cameo appearance as Space Michael in Space Channel 5, near the end of the game.
The May 2007 issue of EGM
contains a quote from series creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi concerning what it was like to work with Michael:
He had a more prominent role in Space Channel 5: Part 2
where he became the new head of Space Channel 5. While Ulala is distracted by a fake scoop, the headquarters are attacked and Space Michael is kidnapped by Purge and the Rhythm Rogues and has to be rescued by Ulala in a level featuring several of Michael's trademark dance moves. He then joins Ulala in facing up against Purge.
In both versions of the game, Michael speaks in English, which is subtitled into Japanese in the Japanese version.
, formerly of the band Deee-Lite
, initiated a lawsuit
against Sega
corporation for allegedly stealing her former persona and using it as the basis of a video game character. The lawsuit was based on accusations of copying her look of knee-high boots
, short skirt
s and a pink ponytail
, for Sega's Ulala character design.
Lady Miss Kier (real name is Kierin Kirby) claimed that Sega offered to pay her $16,000 to license her name, image and songs for the game, though she rejected their offer. Kirby later learned that the videogame maker went ahead and used her resemblance anyway, and she decided to initiate the lawsuit. She ultimately lost the suit and a later appeal and was liable to pay Sega's legal fees of $608,000 (reduced from $763,000 requested). In 2008, her single "Groove Is in the Heart" was licensed for use in the Sega video game Samba de Amigo for the Wii
, ironically appearing in a stage featuring Ulala.
Music video game
A music video game, also commonly known as a music game, is a video game where the gameplay is meaningfully and often almost entirely oriented around the player's interactions with a musical score or individual songs...
developed by United Game Artists under the direction of Tetsuya Mizuguchi
Tetsuya Mizuguchi
is a video game designer and founder of the video game development firm Q Entertainment. He formerly worked for Sega were he eventually became the head of their United Game Artists division...
and published by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
. The gameplay features a system where the player must copy sequences of dance steps performed by the computer. It was first released in Japan in 1999 and North America and Europe in 2000 for the Dreamcast and was later released for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
in Japan and Europe in 2002 and ported by THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
to the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
in 2003. A sequel, Space Channel 5: Part 2
Space Channel 5: Part 2
Space Channel 5: Part 2 is the sequel to the rhythm action game Space Channel 5, developed by United Game Artists and published by Sega. It was released on the Dreamcast and the PlayStation 2...
, was released for Dreamcast (Japan only),PlayStation 2 (Japan and Europe) in 2002
and on Steam in March 4 2011.
Gameplay
The games revolve around players controlling the funky space reporter, Ulala, as she grooves to rescue hostages and stop the enemy. Each level is split up into several parts, revolving around dance-offs or shoot-outs, during which the player must repeat commands spoken by the opponent (Up, Down, Left, Right and Chu) in time to the rhythm. Dance-offs involve dancing against an opponent, with some routines differing depending on the player's performance, while shoot-outs require players to shoot attacking enemies and rescue hostages. Successful moves increase ratingsAudience measurement
Audience measurement measures how many people are in an audience, usually in relation to radio listenership and television viewership, but also in relation to newspaper and magazine readership and, increasingly, web traffic on websites...
while making mistakes will lower ratings and cause the player to lose hearts, possibly causing them to lose hostages. If the player loses all their hearts during certain battles, or if the ratings drop too low, the player will have to restart the level. Clearing the game unlocks an alternate story mode with some differences.
Plot and characters
In 2499 AD, an alien race known as the Morolians shows up and starts forcing people to dance. Ulala from Space Channel 5 gets sent to bring in the news, save the hostages and beat the Morolians, while simultaneously fighting off rival reporters Pudding and Jaguar. In the end, it turns out the Morolians were being brainwashed by Space Channel 5's boss, Blank, who desires ratings over the truth. After failing to defeat Ulala with a robot replica named Evila, he pilots a large version to hurt her, but she is rescued by Jaguar, just like he did when she was young. With the aid of her supporters and Fuse's antenna, Ulala uses groove energy to defeat Blank and send him to the other side of the universe.Characters
- Space Channel 5's top reporter. When she was young, a reporter from Space Channel 5 saved her life, and she wanted to become a reporter for Space Channel 5. She carries with her trusty microphone and two guns. The Chu Beam is used for shooting aliens, robots and other attackers while the Rescue Beam is used to rescue hostages being forced to dance. When ratings are high, she emits a pink aura, signifying she is full of groove energy.
- The broadcaster of Space Channel 5. He remains in the broadcasting ship all the time, and his face is never seen. He relays instructions to Ulala to help her through her missions, although he often gets fascinated by Ulala's moves.
- A former teen idol that has become the reporter for Channel 42. She dislikes Ulala stealing her remaining popularity, and usually shows up early on in the games. With her bodyguards, groupies and her catchphrase "It's me, Pudding!" ("Pudding desu!" in the Japanese version), she challenges Ulala but usually finds herself beaten. In Part 2, she challenges Ulala to a guitar battle. In both games, she teams up with Ulala on later levels.
- A reporter from a Pirate broadcasting station dedicated to giving viewers the truth. In the first game, he tends to act snubby against Ulala's affiliation with Space Channel 5. He was a former member of Space Channel 5, and was indeed the reporter who saved Ulala's life 10 years ago, but he sensed corruption from the station's head chief, Blank. He does, however, rescue Ulala once again from Blank, and uses his back up group to get Ulala back in the groove. In Part 2, he mysteriously disappears while investigating something. Later, it was revealed that he was brainwashed by Purge, becoming . He is saved by Ulala near the end of Part 2.
- A member of Space Channel 5, based on and voiced by Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. First appearing as a cameo in Part 1, he has a more involved role in Part 2. After being rescued by Ulala from the Rhythm Rogues, Michael uses his singing skills against a singing robot and joins her to fight against Purge.
- Ulala's partner who provides transportation for Ulala using a platform ship powered by dance energy and jiggy power. In Space Channel 5: Part 2Space Channel 5: Part 2Space Channel 5: Part 2 is the sequel to the rhythm action game Space Channel 5, developed by United Game Artists and published by Sega. It was released on the Dreamcast and the PlayStation 2...
, he helps Ulala in a drum battle against Pine. When Fuse is supposedly dead, risking himself to save Ulala, Noize takes over as Ulala's guide until Fuse Returns.
- A member of the Eastern Venus Space Police. In Part 2, when dozens of reporters are heading for a scoop, Pine lays down the law to clear the area, opening fire on Ulala who refuses to leave. She then challenges Ulala and Noize to a drum battle. Later on, she calls on Ulala's help to stop Purge. She also has a younger twin sister named Texas in Extra Mode.
- Alien creatures from the planet Morodia. They invaded Earth, forcing people to dance in the first game. They have very high voices. It was later revealed that Space Channel 5 Chief, Mr. Blank, was brainwashing them so Space Channel 5 would get higher ratings. In Part 2, the leader of the Morolians, Hoorg, is a news reporter on Morolian News, which airs in between reports but constantly gets hijacked by Purge. In Report 5, he joins Ulala in stopping Purge.
- As the galactic president, Peace loves nothing more than to sing, but unfortunately whenever he gets the chance, he gets kidnapped by the Rhythm Rogues. His amazing voice provides a massive source of groove energy that Purge uses for evil.
- The head Chief of Space Channel 5 in the first game, Blank became corrupt and brainwashed the Morolians to stage an alien invasion, so that Space Channel 5 would get higher ratings. He despises reporters who he calls "peons" and that 'spread truth like disease'. He even goes as far as to create a robot clone of Ulala called Evila, "The Perfect Reporter" to replace her. He is soon defeated using the dance energy of the crowd and sent flying into space.
- The robotic doppleganger (also referred to as "the puppet") of Ulala. Evila was created by Chief Blank, who, of course, is the head of Space Channel 5. Evila was designed to show Chief Blank's vision. Evila looks just like Ulala, only at the ends of her pigtails are antennas and Evila wears black and green dress. In the first game, she was designed to be "the Ultimate Reporter", but easily gets defeated by Ulala. In Part 2, Evila was upgraded and recolored by Noize to be on Ulala's side, helping to defeat Purge. An Evila (Ally) Costume can be worn in Part 2
- The main antagonist of Part 2, Purge is a sly dancer and leader of the Rhythm Rogues. Using his henchman Shadow who is actually Jaguar and his army of robots, Purge kidnaps President Peace and steals satellites from several TV stations in order to complete his Ballistic Groove Gun in order to make the galaxy dance for him.
Space Channel 5
Space Channel 5 was first released in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
for the Dreamcast on December 16, 1999. It was later released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on June 6, 2000 and in Europe on October 8, 2000. The game was given a budget DriKore release in Japan on December 21, 2000 in simpler packaging. In 2002, Space Channel 5 was ported to the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. It was released in Europe on March 15, 2002 and in Japan on December 12, 2002. It was released in North America on November 18, 2003 as part of a sole package called Space Channel 5 Special Edition that contained both Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5: Part 2. A port of the game for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
, titled Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack, was developed by ART.co and released by THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
in June 2003 as part of a deal to make GBA games based on Sega properties.
Space Channel 5: Part 2
Space Channel 5: Part 2 was released in Japan on February 14, 2002 both for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. The PlayStation 2 version was released in Europe (except for the UK) on February 12, 2003, and in North America as part of special edition package with the first game on November 18, 2003. Space Channel 5 Part 2 (Limited Edition) was released in Japan featuring a carrying case and a set of large headphones. Improvements include real-time backgrounds as opposed to Part 1's rendered videos and stills. An HD version will be released in 2011 for Xbox Live ArcadeXbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
and PlayStation Network and included in Sega Dreamcast Collection, released on Xbox 360 in February 2011.
Appearances in other games
Ulala, along with other Space Channel 5 elements, have appeared in several other video games:- Sonic RidersSonic Ridersis a video game spin-off produced by Sega and developed by Sonic Team in cooperation with NowPro, for the Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC. It is the fourth racing game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, preceded by Sonic Drift, Sonic Drift 2 and Sonic R.The game was released to start...
(PS2, Gamecube, PC)- Ulala as a playable character - Sega SuperstarsSega SuperStarsSega Superstars is a game developed by Sonic Team in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 EyeToy. It features a series of games based on previous Sega titles. It also contains Chao, the virtual pets from the Sonic series....
(PS2)- Minigame based on Space Channel 5 - Sega Superstars TennisSega Superstars TennisSega Superstars Tennis is a tennis video game developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. The game was released on March 17, 2008 in Europe, on March 18, 2008 in North America, and on March 27, 2008 in Australia. The game includes 16 playable characters and 10 courts from Sega franchises...
(PS2, PS3, Wii, DS, Xbox 360)- Ulala and Pudding as playable characters - Feel the Magic: XY/XXFeel the Magic: XY/XXFeel the Magic: XY/XX, known in Japan as and in Europe and Australia as Project Rub, is a minigame video game compilation developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Nintendo DS handheld game console...
(DS)- Minigame based on Space Channel 5 - Sega Splash Golf (PC)- Ulala as a caddy
- Beach Spikers (Gamecube)- Ulala as a playable character
- Samba de AmigoSamba de AmigoSamba de Amigo is a rhythm game originally developed by Sonic Team and released in 1999 by Sega in arcades, 2000 for the Dreamcast video game console, and developed by Gearbox Software and Escalation Studios in 2008 for the Wii. The player uses controllers shaped like maracas with the goal of...
(Wii) - Ulala makes guest appearance, Mexican Flyer featured as song - RezRezRez, developed under the codename K-Project, Project Eden, and Vibes, is a rail shooter video game released by Sega in Japan in 2001 for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2, with a European Dreamcast release and United States PlayStation 2 release in 2002...
(Dreamcast, PS2, XBLA)- Unlockable Morolian evolution - Hatsune Miku: Project DIVAHatsune Miku: Project DIVAis a rhythm game created by Sega and Crypton Future Media for the PlayStation Portable featuring the virtual-diva vocaloid Hatsune Miku.-Gameplay:...
(PSP)- Unlockable Ulala outfit, Mexican Flyer featured as song - Puyo Puyo! 15th AnniversaryPuyo Puyo! 15th Anniversaryis a sub-story of the Puyo Puyo series, developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii. As with many other games in the series, it has not been released outside of Japan for any consoles. This is the first Puyo Puyo game to be...
(DS, PSP, PS2, Wii)- Morolians feature as an alternate set of blocks, along with Space Channel 5 themed garbage indicators - Sonic & Sega All-Stars RacingSonic & Sega All-Stars RacingSonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a racing game in the Sega Superstars series produced for Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS and Microsoft Windows, featuring characters from many Sega franchises. It is being published by Sega and developed by Sumo Digital...
(DS, Wii, PC, PS3, 360)- Ulala as a playable character. She rides a space pod and her All-Star move is dancing on her pod while zapping her foes with her space laser. - Virtua Fighter 5Virtua Fighter 5is the latest game in Sega's Virtua Fighter series and direct sequel to Virtua Fighter 4: Final Tuned. The original version was released on July 12, 2006 into Japanese arcades and in February 2007 in European arcades...
(Arcade) - The 'R Revision B' update version of the game features several customize items from SEGA characters, among them is Ulala's full wardrobe, even including her guns.
Ulala has also made a cameo in the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats
Josie and the Pussycats
Josie and the Pussycats are a fictional rock band created by Dan DeCarlo.They have been featured in a number of different media since the 1960s:...
, where she is popular in the merchandising in a store that Wyatt visits to try out a demo CD.
Development
In discussing the study of target demographics, Mizuguchi related the story of designing Space Channel 5, which was at first a vague assignment from Sega that asked only that Mizuguchi design a game with a broad enough appeal to draw in even casual female gamers. "This was the first I'd heard of casual female gamers", he said, "so I didn't really know what to do. I personally interviewed a lot of young girls, trying to find out what they like." Women, he says, tend to enjoy puzzle games, while male gamers "want to be on top, they want to accomplish something and be the champion." It's difficult, he insists, to create a game that appeals to both males and females on an equal level.Mizuguchi has also stated that Space Channel 5 was inspired by the dance troupe Stomp
Stomp
Stomp may refer to:*Stomp , a downwards kick using the heel*Stomp , a percussive physical theatre troupe*Stomp Records, a record label now part of Union Label Group*Stomp Entertainment, an Australian entertainment group...
. He highly enjoyed the performance, and began thinking why musicals were so much fun, but more importantly "How can we get this feeling into an interactive process?". It was then that Space Channel 5 was born.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
makes a cameo appearance as Space Michael in Space Channel 5, near the end of the game.
The May 2007 issue of EGM
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
contains a quote from series creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi concerning what it was like to work with Michael:
- "We were in the middle of production of Space Channel 5, in 1998 or 1999. I got a call from the U.S. from my partner - the executive producer of Space Channel 5 - and he said, 'Oh, Michael wants to act in Space Channel 5.' I said, 'Who's Michael?' 'Who is Michael Jackson?' he said, The Michael Jackson - the real Michael Jackson'
- My partner had shown him the 60-to-70 percent complete version, when it was almost at the end of the game. We had one month to finalize. But Michael wanted to do something, so we suggested that if he was OK with it, we could program the people in the game to do the Michael Jackson dance when taken over by aliens. he said 'yeah.' We initially had five aliens who danced. One of them became Michael Jackson."
He had a more prominent role in Space Channel 5: Part 2
Space Channel 5: Part 2
Space Channel 5: Part 2 is the sequel to the rhythm action game Space Channel 5, developed by United Game Artists and published by Sega. It was released on the Dreamcast and the PlayStation 2...
where he became the new head of Space Channel 5. While Ulala is distracted by a fake scoop, the headquarters are attacked and Space Michael is kidnapped by Purge and the Rhythm Rogues and has to be rescued by Ulala in a level featuring several of Michael's trademark dance moves. He then joins Ulala in facing up against Purge.
In both versions of the game, Michael speaks in English, which is subtitled into Japanese in the Japanese version.
Lawsuit
In early 2003, Lady Miss KierLady Miss Kier
Kierin Magenta Kirby , better known by her professional name Lady Miss Kier, is an American singer and DJ.-Personal life:Kirby was born in Youngstown, Ohio and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, formerly of the band Deee-Lite
Deee-Lite
Deee-Lite was an American house and club/dance group, formed in New York City, United States. The group's best-known single was "Groove Is in the Heart", from their 1990 debut album, World Clique. However, Deee-Lite achieved longer lasting success on the U.S...
, initiated a lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
against Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
corporation for allegedly stealing her former persona and using it as the basis of a video game character. The lawsuit was based on accusations of copying her look of knee-high boots
Knee-high boots
Knee-high boots are boots that rise to the knee, or slightly thereunder. They are generally tighter around the leg shaft and ankle than at the top. Mostly made of a synthetic rubber , they are used by fishermen, dairy workers, stable hands, duck hunters, clammers, etc. to protect the feet from...
, short skirt
Skirt
A skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped garment that hangs from the waist and covers all or part of the legs.In the western world, skirts are usually considered women's clothing. However, there are exceptions...
s and a pink ponytail
Ponytail
A ponytail is a hairstyle in which most or all of the hair on the head is pulled away from the face, gathered and secured at the back of the head with a hair tie, clip or similar device, and allowed to hang freely from that point. It gets its name from its resemblance to the undocked tail of a...
, for Sega's Ulala character design.
Lady Miss Kier (real name is Kierin Kirby) claimed that Sega offered to pay her $16,000 to license her name, image and songs for the game, though she rejected their offer. Kirby later learned that the videogame maker went ahead and used her resemblance anyway, and she decided to initiate the lawsuit. She ultimately lost the suit and a later appeal and was liable to pay Sega's legal fees of $608,000 (reduced from $763,000 requested). In 2008, her single "Groove Is in the Heart" was licensed for use in the Sega video game Samba de Amigo for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
, ironically appearing in a stage featuring Ulala.