Creator of PaRappa, Vib-Ribbon releases iPod game

While NanaOn-Sha and its president Masaya Matsuura have most recently been tied to the DS Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop series, they haven't forgotten their rhythm-based roots. The creators of original PlayStation games PaRappa the Rapper and Vib-Ribbon today released another music game, musika, for Apple's iPod.

Released in conjunction with Sony BMG Music Entertainment and created by Masaya, NanaOn-Sha's musika is a combination music visualizer and game. Players choose a song from their library, and as the song plays, musika presents a series of characters using a variety of different effects. If the character on the screen is included in the title of the track, players have to push the iPod's center button. If it isn't, they can allow the letter to pass, or push the fast-forward or rewind buttons to skip to the next letter.

Consecutive correct inputs build the multiplier, while too many errant guesses will end the song early. There are also a handful of emoticon characters to provide bonuses along the way. The game includes three difficulty levels, high score lists, a visualizer, and a tutorial mode. It is now available to download for $4.99 through iTunes.