Once you play Rhythm Paradise Wii you won't be able to get the songs out of your head. Even now, more than a week after playing the game, upon sitting down to write this I immediately got one of the songs in my head. But that's what a music game is all about really and I am by no means complaining.

Rhythm Paradise Wii is in many ways like its DS predecessor Rhythm Heaven. However, rather than tapping, swiping or flicking on the screen you now just press the 'A' button or 'A' and 'B' buttons together to the beat of the rhythm. It is a rather simple gameplay mechanic but it becomes rather difficult as the levels progress.

The full title will feature numerous levels but the demo version we played contained only three, however even across just these three levels it is clear what to expect from this rather unique game.

The first level we played served as an introductory one. Holding a fork in your hand someone flicks peas toward you, with wonderful accuracy, and you must jab down by pressing the 'A' button to stab the pea and eat it. After you get the hang on things the rhythm changes and more come toward you. This level really helped to establish what you'd be facing - something deceptively simple that soon challenges you.

The next level featured a samurai who must attack, as best as I could figure it out, demons. Unlike the last one this combined slashing your sword to the rhythm (by tapping the 'A' button) and also charging up by holding the 'A' and 'B' buttons so that it would unleash at the right time to attack a whole swarm. The beat would inform you of when to go but it takes some getting used to as is often the case with this game.

Just when you think you've got it the game then begins to really push you. Distractions come up that cover most, if not all, of the screen and it makes you concentrate on the music rather than the visuals. Unfortunately the crowded and noisy environment I tested this in made concentrating on the audio problematic but at home this would be a lot easier.

Finally there was the third level. Some form of aerial tennis in which you are served shots from a competitor (or a mean spirited friend) and you must bat them back. It starts off with a simple to and fro, then builds to combine long and short shots. Just when you think you've got it the clouds cover the screen and you no longer have any visual clue.

With all the levels the difficulty increased as you completed the particular beat a few times. For example more peas were fired at you after you had successfully picked up one of them at a time three different times. So while the difficulty definitely increases it waits until you're at that level before rushing ahead.

Rhythm Paraise Wii is a unique game and I'm still surprised its getting a Western release. I know the DS version got one but it still feels like one of those 'too-Japanese' games to be considered for over here but I for one am grateful it is being released. It is a fun, unique and challenging game that will really stand out against others when it is released. The inclusion of a competitive multiplayer mode is bound to go down well in my house and I really can't wait!