In Japan, gamers have got it made. They get all the big games, like the newest Final Fantasy releases, months before they reach America. In addition, their arcades are full of unique games, such as “Inu no Osanpo,” a dog-walking simulator, or “Guitar Freaks 11th Mix,” a game testing your skills playing a guitar.

A few of these have made their way over the Pacific. Games like “Dance Dance Revolution” have paved the path for Japanese games that redefine how games are played in America.

Now Nintendo is taking a gamble on their own dynamic game, “Donkey Konga.” For this game, players don’t use their standard GameCube controller. Instead, they plug a pair of electric konga drums into their GameCubes and play along to the beat of 30-plus songs.

Like many other unique Nintendo products, “Donkey Konga” is a fun and addictive game that has broad appeal, reaching far beyond even the casual gamers. At the same time, the game has enough depth and challenges to pique the interest of hardcore gamers.

When you play “Donkey Konga,” all you have is four different moves — hit the left konga drum, hit the right konga drum, hit both or clap your hands. A small microphone placed between the drums picks up the clapping.

As songs play, icons scroll by representing one of the four moves. Perform the corresponding action as the icon passes a small target bracket, following the beat of the song.

The game’s easy interface keeps the game open not only for gamers and music lovers, but also allows your video game-impaired mother to try it.

It’s also a great party game, allowing up to four players, each with their own drum, to compete against or play with one another.

The songs are a mix of pop songs, from the ’80s classic “Whip It” to Blink-182’s “All the Small Things.” There are also a number of Nintendo theme songs, ranging from a jazzed-up version of “The Legend of Zelda” to the mind-numbing “Pokemon” theme. Whether you love or hate these songs, players will find themselves bouncing their head to the beat to keep banging their kongas accordingly.

Some of the biggest challenges come from updated classical songs, such as “Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor.” As players get into the groove of the beat, the rhythm may suddenly speed up or slow down, forcing the players to change quickly.

For those wanting a serious challenge, higher levels of difficulty make players play along at a strenuous pace, sometimes hitting more than 300 different beats in only a few minutes.

The ultimate challenge comes in the form of jam mode, where players are not shown the beats to the song — they must have memorized each konga hit or clap beforehand. This mode is completely unforgiving and tests the patience of even the most dedicated konga player.

“Donkey Konga” also gives players the ability to play a number of mini-games they can buy in the music store with coins earned from stellar performances. Though often repetitive, these games show Nintendo is looking outside music games to use the new konga controllers.

Although the konga drums have a limited appeal, they stand out as the coolest peripheral for a home console since Xbox’s massive cockpit panel/controller for “Steel Batallion.” Despite its investment cost, “Donkey Konga” is still a great way to entertain yourself and others for hours on end.

Rating: 4 out of 5