Though naming confusion can be responsible for Bust-A-Groove's obscurity (its title was changed from the Japanese version because Bust-A-Move was already the name of the North American release of Puzzle Bobble), any ambiguity is unearned. Expanding upon the leaps and bounds taken by PaRappa the Rapper, Bust-A-Groove combines rhythmic elements and battling, as you attempt to out-dance competitors by executing moves along with the music. What makes Bust-A-Groove particularly interesting is that unlike other rhythm games, even now, there is a certain element of freedom allowing you not only to time many of your button-presses at will, but also to choose between several paths along the way. The combination of appealing visuals, accentuated by unique dance styles, interesting rhythm gameplay, and a catchy soundtrack, make Bust-A-Groove truly one of the 10 greatest rhythm games released.

It's like DDR without that pesky pad.

The story is minimal in Bust-A-Groove, but even in its light implementation, you get a good idea of each of the different character's personality. This is furthered by their unique dance styles, which include different forms of hip-hop, voguing, and raving. The goal of the game is to beat your one other opponent--you'll be able to tell how well you're doing by the camera's focus, which will all but completely cut out the other character if she/he is losing badly enough.

In order to dance, you have the length of four beats to input directional buttons before pressing one of the two buttons to execute the move. The directions can be tapped out with any timing whatsoever, but the final button must coincide perfectly with the fourth beat. In this way, the game mimics a simple drumming mechanic by requiring a set rhythm to keep the time with one hand, while allowing some variation in the other. As you play, successful hits will earn you the chance to perform increasingly difficult maneuvers, and you'll get the opportunity to choose between two patterns, depending on how comfortable you are with their respective difficulty levels. At any time, you're also able to hit an alternate button on the fourth beat, which will either send an attack over toward your opponent or block an attack coming your way. These nuances, although slight, give an added dynamic to the game--you're looking to not only properly maintain a rhythm sequence, but also keep a leg up on your opponent.

This is the video game equivalent to Soul Train.

A great rhythm game is only as good as its soundtrack, and this is where Bust-A-Groove particularly shines. The different characters' dance styles and environments are matched by a variety of music themes--from the J-pop sounds of Kitty-N to the house beats of Gas-O. Few rhythm games have so effortlessly infused so many different types of music and dance genres together without destroying the cohesiveness of the game. With a stellar multiplayer mode, some great unlockable characters (like the capoeira aliens), and simplistically entertaining gameplay, Bust-A-Groove delivers all the basic needs of a great rhythm game, and then some.

--Carrie Gouskos, Features Editor

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