Upon the machine first booting up, the title screen is displayed. When left alone, the game loops between the title screen, a demo of a Rhythm Game (each cycle alternating between each 1P and 2P game sequentially), followed by the High Score Ranking (ハイスコア ランキング?, Hai Sukoa Rankingu) screen, and then either the opening scene (in which Samurai Drummer welcomes the player to the game, which was also present when waiting on the title screen in the GBA version), Neko Machine (which automatically starts playing its demo, but can also be interacted with for a limited time) or Kokuhaku Machine (which can also be interacted with for a limited time). When advancing from the title screen, the player is given the choice between the 1 Player mode or the 2 Player mode. After this, they choose which Stage to play, with all Stages being available to play.
If the player enters the game's Service Mode, they can change several settings, including the number of hearts they start off with, how many coins need to be inserted for a credit (Freeplay is also available) and if the Remix is open from the start or not. The following information follows the default settings of two hearts, 1 coin per credit and closed Remix.
Players start the game with two Rest Games (のこりゲーム?, Nokori Gēmu), represented by hearts. Each heart is lost when starting a Rhythm Game. Getting a Superb or Perfect gives an extra heart, as well as close the game for the rest of the Stage, while getting an OK will mark the game as cleared, but the player can play it again to try getting a better Rank. If the player runs out of hearts, they will need to spend a credit to continue, otherwise the game is lost and goes back to the title screen. The player needs to clear all five games in the Stage with at least an OK to move on to the Remix. If the Remix setting is set to Open, the player can select it at any time, and does not automatically advance to it after the other games are cleared. The player still needs to clear all six games to clear the Stage.
After the final game is cleared, the player is treated to a "Congratulations!" screen, featuring some Space-Rabbits, the Bon Dance Musume and Samurai Drummer. This happens even if the player got a Try Again and has no more extra lives, in which case Samurai Drummer thanks them for playing anyway[1]. If the player got a high enough flow score at the end, they are prompted to enter their score, first by selecting their gender and then inputting their name. If the player tries to proceed through this screen without inputting a name, the game assigns one at random. In 2 Player mode, a compatibility test is also performed in the secret Aishō Shindan Corner (相性診断コーナー?, Compatibility Diagnosis Corner).
Finally is a Oshimai (おしまい?, The End) screen featuring the Girl and some Monkeys, with the player's flow displayed in the corner. The Girl asks the player to challenge the next stage[2], or otherwise congratulates them and asks to come play again[3]. If the player lost all their hearts and chose not to continue, the game goes to the end screen with the Girl wishing the player luck next time[4]. The game then goes back to the title screen.
All of the Rhythm Games from Rhythm Tengoku are available in the 1 Player (1人で遊ぶ?, 1-Ri de Asobu) mode. The arcade version has an Extra stage as well. A selection of games are also present in the 2 Player (2人で遊ぶ?, 2-Ri de Asobu) mode.
1 Player
1人で遊ぶ ひとリで遊ぶモードだよ (1 Player It's a mode for one player)
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STAGE 1
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リズム天国へようこそ♪ まずは このステージで ゲームに慣れてみよう!
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STAGE 1
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Welcome to Rhythm Tengoku♪ First, let's use this stage to get used to the game!
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STAGE 2
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ゲームには慣れたかな? ココは、ちょっとだけ難しいかも…。 でも、気茶しんでね♪
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STAGE 2
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Did you get used to the game? This one, may be a little for difficult... But don't be afraid♪
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STAGE 3
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このステージは ノリがかんじん! リズムにノッて ノリノリでいこう!
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STAGE 3
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The Flow is crazy on this stage! Let's ride the rhythm and the Flow!
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STAGE 4
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このステージは ちょっとカクリモノの ゲームが集まってるヨ!
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STAGE 4
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This stage is a collection of weird games!
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STAGE 5
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リズミカルなゲームがもりだくさん! テンションあげて ガンガンいこう!
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STAGE 5
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Lots of rhythmic games! Let's raise the tension and go crazy!
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When scrolling past STAGE 5, the player receives a notice.
ご注意! ここから先は、ゲームの説明ナシです。 STAGE5まで「バッチリ遊んだ人」が挑戦してネ!
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Notice! From here on, games are not explained. Perfect players up to Stage 5 should challenge this!
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リバイバル
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リバイバルステージ! あのゲームバワーアップして帰ってきた! ステージ5までプレイしていない難しいかも…。
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REVIVAL
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Revival Stage! These games have powered-up and returned! It's difficult if you haven't played up to Stage 5...
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テクニツャン
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テクニツャンステージ! より難しいテクニックが要求される! ステージ5までプレイしていない難しいかも…。
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TECHNICIAN
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Technician Stage! More difficult techniques are required! It's difficult if you haven't played up to Stage 5...
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ラスト テクニツャン
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テクニシャンステージがさらにハードになった、 きゅうきょくのステージ! ステージ5までプレイしていない難しいかも…。
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LAST TECHNICIAN
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The Technician Stage is now even harder, this is the last stage! It's difficult if you haven't played up to Stage 5...
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エクストラ
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ついにファイナルステージ! このスピードについてこれるかな? ステージ5までプレイしていない難しいかも…。
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EXTRA
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Finally the Final Stage! Can you keep up with this speed? It's difficult if you haven't played up to Stage 5...
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2 Player
2人で遊ぶ ふたリでー緒に 遊ぶモードだよ (2 Player It's a mode for two players)
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STAGE 1
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リズム天国へようこそ♪ まずは このステージで ゲームに慣れてみよう!
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STAGE 1
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Welcome to Rhythm Tengoku♪ First, let's use this stage to get used to the game!
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STAGE 2
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ゲームには慣れたかな? ココは、ちょっとだけ難しいかも…。 でも、気茶しんでね♪
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STAGE 2
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Did you get used to the game? This one, may be a little for difficult... But don't be afraid♪
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STAGE 3
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このステージは ノリがかんじん! リズムにノッて ノリノリでいこう!
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STAGE 3
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The Flow is crazy on this stage! Let's ride the rhythm and the Flow!
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STAGE 4
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どこがで見たステージが帰ってきた!? でも中身は大幅パワーァップ!
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STAGE 4
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Returning from previous stages?! But they have been significantly powered-up!
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STAGE 5
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なんとあのテージまでバワーアップ!? 2人で仲良くクリア目指してガンバって!
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STAGE 5
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A powered up stage!? Good luck to both players to clear this!
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When scrolling past STAGE 5, the players receives a notice.
ご注意! このステージは、ゲーム説明ナシで超速くて難しいです。 「バッチリ遊んだ人」が挑戦してネ!
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Notice! From here on, the games are fast and not explained. Perfect players should challenge this!
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エクストラ
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ファイナルステージ! 2人で仲良くクリア目指して頑張って!
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EXTRA
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Final Stage! Good luck to both players to clear this!
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