Space Channel 5 VR: Arakata Dancing Show is coming to Vive

Hello Space Cats! Space Channel 5 VR: Arakata Dancing Show is headed to Vive in 2018, first via a demo in Spring and then a full release later this year. Left, Left, Right, Right, Chu, Chu, Chu indeed! That said, before we all break out into song and dance, at this point the release is Japan only and the chances of it making it to the western world is remote to say the least. Although a PSVR release is not out of the question completely, it has certainly not been announced and there is no indication one is in the works.

Space Channel 5 VR: Arakata Dancing Show has existed in various forms since its debut in 2016. There have been a couple of demos at trade shows but really not much is known about the game. Initial rumours suggested as per its title that the interaction would be limited, certainly a disappointment for fans of the game that wanted to Chu! Chu! Chu! around the house or an arcade. Further details remain to be announced, however with a demo download looming and a release window in place, it won’t be long before we will know for sure.

The announcement of a Space Channel 5 VR game of course is an exciting prospect. The original Space Channel 5 came out on Sega Dreamcast all the way back in 2001 and spawned a sequel, imaginatively titled Space Channel 5: Part 2 which featured non other than Michael Jackson himself as a character in 2003. The games were well received and spawned a strong cult following. Since then fans of the series have been denied a new Space Channel game. Like many successful Sega IPs it had its time then went back on the shelf, never to be seen or heard from again.

In the series you play as Ulala a reporter for Space Channel 5. She is armed with a microphone and two guns. The Chu beam shoots robots, aliens and attackers. The rescue beam is used to rescue hostages who are being forced to dance. The general story is that an alien race the Morolians have invaded a space station and has forced everybody to dance. So Ulala is sent in to free them with her funky moves. Dance Battle! In Space Channel 5 VR: Arakata Dancing Show you play a newbie reporter who will assist Ulala in her battles with the dancing aliens. If done right, this certainly has the potential to be a very unique title.

With any luck they will create an immersive fun VR rhythm game and bring the series back to life. If the title is successful maybe we will even see a western release and even a PSVR release.  Currently there is very little footage available form the game and details are scarce. But there is a release window announced and a demo on the way, so we won’t be waiting very long. I know I am very interested to see how this turns out.