Yeah, French Bread is great about balancing. However, I still think that there's some other disadvantage than losing the ability outright. I will admit that maybe the author mistook damage due to Full Moon power-up as lack of rebeats, though.
I'm heading to Japan this summer, on my way to Taiwan. I'm only there for two days, though, but if I can find my way to a nearby arcade with AA, I'll be sure to clear this all up! =3
>_> The place I'm visiting is nowhere near Akihabara, though... I wish I could take a bullet train there. -_-;;
Ugh, off to bed.