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Drum Samurai (Rhythm Heaven/Tengoku)

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Boo_Destroyer

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I've reconsidered my stance on a Rhythm Heaven character lately. And here it is:


Drum Samurai
Okay, who?
He's the main guide character of the original GBA release of the Rhythm Heaven series, called Rhythm Tengoku. He shows up quite often in that game to guide you, and also appears in the drum lessons.​

So...What's his catch, exactly?
His play style would be just like that of Mr. Game & Watch. All of his attacks being references to other characters and levels in all the Rhythm Heaven series. (I may write this up later)

His special moves, not regular moves, would have the rhythm/beat gimmick to them. Timing your button presses to a small "beat" will inflict more damage.​

But he was in one game and/or not important enough!
Same can be said for other characters who are already there. Smash Bros. often goes with more contemporary choices, depending on the franchise. And, like Sakurai said recently, some choices are made based on if they can bring new things to the series. A rhythm fighting style alone seem like enough to get his spot, if possible.​

The original GBA game was Japan-only!
It may have been, but you can say the same about Marth's inclusion in Melee back when Fire Emblem itself was Japan-only. Remember how Marth was apparently the original lord character in the first game of that series? Drum Samurai here is the original "star" character of the original Rhythm Heaven title.

But the DS Rhythm Heaven is the most popular title and the Chorus Kids are highlighted in it!
Subjective and, ultimately, completely moot. Showing up on the boxart doesn't exactly mean anything.

If anybody has actually played that game, you'll know that the Glee Club level is REALLY BORING, and not upbeat enough to have them play the rhythm card in a possible moveset. Drum Samurai also a lot more distinct of a design than the Chorus Kids, who look too bland and only had a really small role.

The Chorus Kids were on equal with all the other characters you see in the DS game, plain and simple. They had no "starring role" in it at all. At the end of the day, Drum Samurai screams "rhythm" more than they and even others like Karate Joe (He's not the "star" of the series either, and looks like just too regular of a fighter to pull of any "rhythm" attacks). Drum Samurai is an all-encompassing kind of guy for the whole series, and music is clearly his shtick.​
 
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Boo_Destroyer

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This board goes by fast. And I'm still not convinced that many people have played any games in this series.
 

Hippopotasauce

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Hippopotasauce
I'd put him on the same pedestal as Marshall, especially since they serve nearly the exact same purpose. Drum Samurai maybe being even more important since he has an entire bonus mode based around him to Marshall's single minigame. I guess you could say the Frog Hopper served a similar purpose in Heaven too. His game being Japan-only is definitely a hindrance, but if they really wanted to they could localize it and put it on Wii U VC

But a Rhythm Heaven character really is a blind shot. If there is a character, no one knows who it is, and nearly every character in the series can be considered on equal footing.

One thing I will say though is that this guy probably has the most connections to the Sneaky Spirit.
 

Boo_Destroyer

Smash Journeyman
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Apr 16, 2014
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But a Rhythm Heaven character really is a blind shot. If there is a character, no one knows who it is, and nearly every character in the series can be considered on equal footing.
That's the problem with this series.

"Rhythm Heaven character" is one thing, but who exactly is the mystery.


And that Sneaky Spirit has got to mean that more from the series should be in there. That can't be the only thing.
 
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