Natsukashii Fun! This game is such a delight. Those of us who are part of the 'Kayou Generation' will be delighted to see the many classics that the game includes, such as '17sai', 'Romantic ga Tomaranai', 'Dakishimete TONIGHT', 'Linda Linda', 'My Revolution', the immortal 'Diamonds', and so many more. Although the versions in the game are cover versions, they're so authentically done that at times you would swear they are the originals.
Gameplay is simple but engaging, and deceptively challenging at times! But at its heart, it is a game that is easy to pick up and play for brief periods, on a break or in transit, then put down again. It's remarkably refreshing, and although it can be challenging, it is never unfair or too hard. Even when you mess up, the singing messes up with you -- which makes it really hard to keep a straight face! It's so comical you can't help but laugh. The game is so charming that, whether you do very well or not so well on a song, you're smiling by the end.
You can dress up singers both male and female, customise their looks quite nicely, and unlock different options for hair, clothing, and accessories by doing well on songs. You also unlock items of note for the '80s collection', which contains nostalgic memories from that period. You'll need to be conversent in Japanese to appreciate the 80s collection, but pretty much everything else in the game is easy to do even if you don't understand Japanese very well, I would imagine.
As a bonus, several significant 70s tracks are also included, such as selections from the amazing Linda Yamamoto and others. Those of us a little older than others might remember when these songs were new and the hottest thing...which is really what The * Kayou Generation is about: nostalgia. It doesn't rely on nostalgia to sell itself, though. Behind all of the memories and the glamour is a genuinely fun and truly wonderful music game that is accessible by game players of all skill levels and interests.
This is one of the most consistently entertaining, engaging, and lovable games I have played in a very long time. You would surely enjoy it if you love Japanese popular music.
