
Osu! is a freeware rhythm game created and self-published by Australian developer Dean Herbert, also known as peppy or ppy. It was initially released for Microsoft Windows in 2007 and has since been ported to macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The game's objective is to click on circles that appear as notes over a song in time and in the correct order. Osu! has gained popularity since its release, with professional gamers using it to warm up and practice, and the community frequently organizing tournaments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Dean Herbert |
| Creator's online alias | peppy or ppy |
| Creator's nationality | Australian |
| Game type | Rhythm game |
| Gameplay | Clicking notes that appear as circles |
| Initial release | 16 September 2007 |
| Initial release platform | Microsoft Windows |
| Later platforms | macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS |
| Gameplay inspiration | Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and Elite Beat Agents |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Osu! was created by Australian developer Dean Herbert
- The game was self-published and released in 2007
- It was created as a computer version of Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and Elite Beat Agents
- Osu! is a rhythm game where hit circles appear as notes over a song
- The game has a significant connection to Japanese culture and anime music

Osu! was created by Australian developer Dean Herbert
Osu! is a freeware rhythm game created and self-published by Australian developer Dean Herbert, also known as "peppy" or "ppy". It was released for Microsoft Windows on 16 September 2007 and later made available on macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Osu! was inspired by the Nintendo DS rhythm game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and its sequel, Elite Beat Agents. The game involves clicking on circles that appear as notes, with the objective of doing so at the right time and in the correct order.
Herbert's goal was to create longevity by enabling users to generate their own beatmaps. He had experience creating video games prior to Osu!, having made some during high school and university. However, he never expected it to become his full-time job. Osu! has gained popularity since its release, with its community-generated beatmaps and high-quality community-made content being cited as significant factors in its success. The game has a strong connection to Japanese culture and anime music, and it has also had an impact on the esports industry, with professional gamers using it for practice and warm-up.
The gameplay of Osu! is simple yet challenging. It can be played with a computer mouse, but a graphics tablet with a pen is often recommended as it more closely resembles the gameplay of Ouendan. The accessibility of using a mouse and keyboard is another reason for the game's popularity. Osu! also offers in-game settings called "mods" that allow players to customise their gameplay experience, such as by speeding up songs or changing the size of circles.
The game features a single-player mode where players can compare their scores on beatmaps with others on an online leaderboard. It also includes a multiplayer mode that allows groups of people to play beatmaps together synchronously. Osu! has four game modes: the original and most popular mode, osu!standard, and three alternative modes—osu!mania, osu!taiko, and osu!catch—that draw inspiration from other rhythm games.
Australian Flora: Trees, Flowers, and Plants Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The game was self-published and released in 2007
Osu!, a rhythm game, was self-published and released in 2007. It was created by Australian developer Dean Herbert, also known as "peppy" or "ppy". The game was initially released for Microsoft Windows on 16 September 2007 and later ported to macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Osu! is a unique game in that it encourages the use of different input devices. While it can be played with a computer mouse, many players use a graphics tablet with a pen to emulate the gameplay of Ouendan, a Nintendo DS game that inspired Osu!. The game has gained popularity due to its accessibility, as it can be played on a mouse and keyboard. This accessibility led to the gaming keyboard manufacturer Wooting releasing a three-key keyboard dedicated to playing Osu!.
Osu! has a robust community of players who create and upload levels, expanding the range and volume of the song library. This community-driven content creation is a significant factor in the game's enduring popularity. The game has a strong connection to Japanese culture and anime music, which has been praised and criticised by different reviewers.
The gameplay of Osu! involves clicking notes that appear as circles using the cursor. There are also slider and spinner notes where players must click and hold while moving the cursor. Players can fail a song by missing too many circles, and in-game settings called mods can change gameplay, such as by speeding up the song or decreasing the size of circles.
The game has four modes: osu!standard, osu!mania, osu!taiko, and osu!catch. Osu!standard is the original and most popular mode, based on Ouendan. Osu!mania is based on rhythm game series such as Beatmania and Guitar Hero, where players must press the correct keys as notes reach the bottom of the screen. Osu!taiko is inspired by Taiko no Tatsujin, and osu!catch is based on Beatmania.
American Airlines' Direct Flights to Australia: Where and How?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$23.11 $25.99

It was created as a computer version of Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and Elite Beat Agents
Osu! was created by Australian developer Dean Herbert, also known as "peppy" or "ppy". The game was developed as a computer version of Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and Elite Beat Agents, which were both rhythm games for the Nintendo DS handheld game console.
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan was developed by iNiS and published by Nintendo in 2005 for the Japanese market. The game stars a cheer squad that appears to help troubled characters work through their problems by cheering them on through music. The game features a manga comic art style and players use the DS touchscreen to tap along to various Japanese pop songs, scoring points for accurate timing.
Elite Beat Agents was released in North America, Europe, and South Korea in 2006 as the international counterpart to Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan. The game was also developed by iNiS and published by Nintendo. It features similar gameplay to Ouendan but with scenarios, characters, and song lists geared towards Western audiences. Instead of a cheer squad, the game features a trio of government agents inspired by Western media such as Ghostbusters, Blues Brothers, and Men in Black.
Osu! was released for Microsoft Windows in 2007, with later ports to macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The gameplay involves clicking notes that appear as circles, using the cursor. The game has four game modes, with the original and most popular mode based on Ouendan and known as osu!standard. The other modes are osu!mania, osu!taiko, and osu!catch, which take inspiration from other rhythm games. One of the key features of Osu! is the ability for users to generate their own beatmaps, contributing to the game's longevity and popularity.
Applying for an Australian Passport in the USA
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Osu! is a rhythm game where hit circles appear as notes over a song
Osu! is a rhythm game that was originally created and self-published by Australian developer Dean Herbert, also known as "peppy" or "ppy". It was released for Microsoft Windows on 16 September 2007 and later made available on macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The gameplay primarily involves clicking on hit circles, which appear as notes over a song, using the cursor. The objective is to click on the circles at the appropriate time and in the correct order. These circles are aided by rings called approach circles that visually indicate the timing by closing in on the hit circles.
The core gameplay of Osu! is inspired by the Nintendo DS rhythm game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and its sequel, Elite Beat Agents. It has also taken inspiration from other rhythm games such as Taiko no Tatsujin and Beatmania. Unlike many other rhythm games, Osu! allows users to create and upload their own levels, expanding the range and volume of the song library. This user-generated content is a significant factor in the game's popularity.
Osu! has four game modes: the original and most popular mode, osu!standard, and three alternative modes—osu!mania, osu!taiko, and osu!catch. In osu!mania, players must press the correct keys on the keyboard when notes reach the bottom of the screen, similar to games like Beatmania and Guitar Hero. Osu!taiko involves circles moving from right to left, requiring keypresses when they reach the left side, drawing inspiration from Taiko no Tatsujin. Lastly, osu!catch is based on EZ2Catch, a game mode in EZ2DJ, where players control a character to catch fruits falling from the top of the screen.
Osu! has gained a significant following since its release, with players sharing their gameplay on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. The game has a strong connection to Japanese culture and anime music, and it has also impacted the esports industry, with professional gamers using it for practice and warm-up. The community frequently organises tournaments, and the Osu! World Cup is an annual event featuring national teams from around the world.
Myer's Rich History: Founding Australia's Favourite Department Store
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The game has a significant connection to Japanese culture and anime music
Osu! is a freeware rhythm game that was created and self-published by Australian developer Dean Herbert, also known as "peppy" or "ppy". The game was released for Microsoft Windows on 16 September 2007, with subsequent ports to macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The gameplay of Osu! involves clicking on notes, which appear as circles, using the cursor. The core gameplay is inspired by the Nintendo DS rhythm game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and its sequel, Elite Beat Agents.
The cultural ties between rhythm games and Japan have contributed to the dedicated fanbase of Osu!, with players appreciating Japanese music and anime culture. The game has become an archive of anime music, preserving 90-second opening themes that may have otherwise been forgotten. Additionally, the shorter length of anime openings and endings, typically around 90 seconds, aligns with the competitive nature of the game, as shorter songs tend to be more popular among players.
The accessibility of Osu! is another factor in its popularity, as it can be played using a computer mouse and keyboard. This accessibility has led to the development of specialised keyboards for the game, such as the three-key keyboard released by gaming keyboard manufacturer Wooting. Furthermore, the ability for users to generate their own beatmaps, as intended by Herbert, has contributed to the game's longevity and the expansion of its song library.
In summary, Osu! has a significant connection to Japanese culture and anime music, which is reflected in its branding, gameplay, and song selection. The game has fostered a dedicated community that appreciates and celebrates Japanese music and anime culture, contributing to the game's enduring popularity.
Converting Currencies: 64 US to Australian Dollars
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, osu! was created and self-published by Australian developer Dean Herbert, also known as "peppy" or "ppy".
Osu! is a freeware rhythm game released for Microsoft Windows on 16 September 2007, with later ports to macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
Osu!'s gameplay is based on the Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan series of rhythm games and primarily involves clicking notes, which appear as circles, using the cursor.











































