It's satisfying in a way where, if you end up brushing up on your skills often enough, you'll find your fingers positively flying on higher difficulties. And that's the hallmark of a true rhythm master. Until we get another game like PaRappa the Rapper, this is about as good as we're going to get for now, folks. Luckily, it's pretty awesome.

With a huge catalog of beats, over 150, and multiple modes and difficulties to keep DJMAX fans and hardcore rhythm gamers occupied for hours, DJMAX RESPECT V will undoubtedly appeal to a special niche. Gamers looking for a relaxed inventory of well known songs may want to look elsewhere, as this unforgiving melody mangler refuses to pull punches on its freestyle mode, and may not have high profile tunes that other titles in this genre do.