NOSTALGIA Glossary

Glossary of all the terms seen in the ノスタルジア series:

AMAZING!: A term that awards the player with a clear rank of A or A+, requiring a score between 850,000 to 949,999 points. This level is a minimum requirement for unlocking difficult charts.

BASIC Mode: The default game mode in the series, mostly focused on basic gameplay. Prior to Op.2, BASIC was named as Normal mode.

BRILLANT: A term that awards the player with a clear rank of B or B+, requiring a score between 750,000 to 849,999 points.

C’UTE…: A term that awards the player with a clear rank of C, requiring a score between 700,000 to 749,999 points. This level is a minimum requirement for clearing a song.

DON’T GIVE UP…: A term for a failed stage, with a score below 700,000, similar to the clearing condition in the jubeat series. Unlike most rhythm games whereas a stage failure may result in a premature game over, the player is guaranteed three stages, unless the player plays on EXAM mode. The splash screen at the end of the song will display "Finish", and there is no clear rank.

ENSEMBLE COMBO: A different combo count that counts the total combo for all players playing during LOCAL MATCHING, which also award players with additional bonuses to Steps or Stardusts.

EXAM Mode: A course-mode equivalent in many rhythm games, where players play a set of three predetermined songs with a set condition to accomplish to clear the course. EXAM Mode are categorized as either Grade (Class mode-esque courses) or Event (courses which unlock hidden songs). Much like jubeat series, a course can be failed early if the set condition becomes impossible to achieve, and none of the stages are guaranteed, unlike Basic or Recital mode.

EXPERT: The third difficulty tier and is the highest difficulty for most of the songs. EXPERT charts are not available by instant and it requires clearing the HARD chart with an A grade or better. Charts are typically rated between 9 to 12 with the lowest Level going down to 5.

FORTE: A start mode where Expert/Real charts are unlocked by default and in-game items are obtainable more easily. Either PASELI or more coins (for machines lacked PASELI support) must be paid to select this mode.

FULL COMBO!: The splash screen at the end of the song that indicate the song is cleared with a Full Combo, without any MISSes.

GLISSANDO: Glissando is a note that requires sliding across keys. Most REAL charts do not have this notes.

GOOD: A judgement indicate that a note is hit slightly off-beat. This score awards no more than half of a flashing JUST for different kind of notes (50% normal notes, 25% for a Tenuto, and 20% for a Trill). Prior to the September 6th, 2017 update, GOOD judgements break combo.

GRADE: Also abbreviated as Grd., the grade is a skill level that dictates the player’s overall skill level based on the best scores. Higher Grades can access higher EXAM courses more easily, and Grades for BASIC and RECITAL modes are separate.

HAND: A hand used to hit the notes, usually colored between Blue/Red (or white, can be changed in options) to indicate a recommended hand to hit it. It is also an AUTO-modifier where the hand that did not select will be played automatically, but doing so will disqualify the player from a FULL COMBO and unlocking charts.

HARD: The second difficulty tier based on intermediate players. Charts are usually rated between Levels 7 to 10 with the lowest Level being 3 and the highest peaking at 10.

IT’S FANTASTIC!: The splash screen at the end of the song that indicate the stage is cleared.

JUST: A judgement indicating perfect accuracy of hitting notes. JUST have two kinds of judgements, a flashing JUST and a regular JUST (70% of a flashing JUST)

MISS: A judgement indicating that the note is missed entirely. No points are awarded for a MISS judgement and breaks any combo. If NEAR judgement is disabled, getting a NEAR judgement is now considered as a MISS.

MISSION BINGO: An unlock event in which players are given a bingo card and stamps can be obtained for clearing specific conditions. A song is unlocked once the player completed a specific number of bingo lines.

NEAR: Introduced in FORTE, A judgement indicate that a note is nearly missed, hit either too early or later. No points are awarded for a NEAR judgement, but combo can still be incremented. NEAR judgement can be disabled in the option menu.

NORMAL: The first difficulty tier targeted for beginners. Charts are usually rated between Levels 1 to 4 with the highest Level being 6.

nos: Introduced in Op.2, nos is the in-game currency that can be used to spend them for Recital mode and playing or unlocking Real charts. In the location tests, it was called GOLD.

PIANIST: A perfect full combo-equivalent clear in most rhythm games, having a maximum score of 1,000,000. The alternate name for this clear is Pianistic!. The splash screen at the end of the song will display "Perfect Performance".

REAL: Introduced in Op.2, REAL is a fourth difficulty level which are usually difficult or sometimes easy depending on its difficulty and has more complex charts than EXPERT. Unlike the first three difficulties, not all songs have a REAL chart, and charts instead rated in diamonds (1 to 3), and similar to EXPERT, REAL charts requires a clear of A on EXPERT and have enough nos to purchase it. Unlike EXPERT, the unlock can be either temporary for 1 play, or permanently, which usually cost around 20 to 30 times of a temporary play to purchase, though some REAL charts are made available for free for a limited period.

RECITAL Mode: Introduced in Op.2, RECITAL mode is an advanced game mode which focused on the skills of an actual pianist. In addition to the regular play, the player is assessed on its parameters such as the keystroke strength and extra notes, and higher scores award more nos. Selected halls and grades are also factored to the total nos obtained in a session. Beginning in Op.3, RECITAL mode can now be freely switched.

STANDARD: A start option with basic features, which can be spent on either credits or PASELI.

SUPERB!: A term that awards the player with a clear rank of S, requiring a score between 950,000 to 999,999 points. This level is usually a minimum requirement for clearing Exam courses.

TENUTO: Tenuto is a long note, an equivalent of a hold note in many rhythm games.

TRILL: Trill is a note whereas requiring hitting two adjacent keys on a quick succession.

WIDTH: Width is a note measurement that shows how many keys are spread across, between 2 to 5 keys. Higher difficulties have notes with lower widths, though it can be slightly adjusted in the option menu in the option menu.