Guitar duels against cosmic enemies riding an inventive rock-pop score that lingers long after the credits; Gitaroo Man Lives is an adorable rhythm UFO. The timing is exacting, but stringing it together is pure bliss.
Your verdict
Category
Rhythm1 player7+
Description
Musical guitar duels pitting young U-1 and his dog Puma against cosmic enemies, driven by an inventive rock-pop soundtrack. Published by Koei, released in Japan in November 2006. Rhythmic guitar duel phases requiring precise timing, ten levels with unique art direction, two-player versus mode, enriched version of the original PS2 game. Japanese version.
Gitaroo Man Lives! review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Snappy cartoon line, pop colours and frenzied musical staging: every track unfolds like an animated clip overflowing with energy. The singular character design and the visual rhythm fit the music perfectly. This graphic whimsy, lively and original, makes the game an unclassifiable cult gem.
Unclassifiable and endearing, the game unfurls an eclectic soundtrack ranging from Latin rock to heartbreaking ballad, including the unforgettable "The Legendary Theme". Each musical duel tells an emotion, fusing story and rhythm with rare sincerity. This sonic singularity, cult among connoisseurs, has no equivalent.
Gitaroo Man Lives!, a port of Koei's cult rhythm game born on PlayStation 2, praised for its singular graphic style, soundtrack and humor, become a much-loved niche object. The Korean version remains markedly rarer than the common Western editions. Its desirability rests on this cult aura and a loyal audience's attachment rather than a general scarcity, the Korean provenance adding a regional appeal.
An underrated gem
Ported from the cult PS2 game, this guitar rhythm game pits a shy hero against cosmic enemies over an irresistible rock-pop soundtrack and an endearing story. Its quiet port let this extraordinary gem go unnoticed. Demanding but euphoric, it will enchant fans of music games bursting with personality.
Is Gitaroo Man Lives! still worth playing in 2026?
Gitaroo Man Lives! is the PSP port of iNiS's cult PS2 rhythm game, where you chain guitar duels against cosmic enemies on an inventive rock-pop soundtrack that lingers long after. The title is a lovable rhythmic UFO, with memorable cartoon staging and colourful characters. Timing is demanding, but joy when it clicks. A cult classic to bring out today.
