DDR FESTIVAL!!!

It's been 2 months since the last time I made an blog entry, because of work and other real life stuffs. Anyways, days before Christmas I received my new BEMANI game, DDR FESTIVAL! It is the 5th Consumer software of DDR for PlayStation 2 and 2nd non-arcade BEMANI game.

DDR FESTIVAL: DanceDanceRevolution game for PlayStation 2.

It is the first BEMANI game to use the Eye Toy accessory of the PlayStation 2, in which you can use of it for it's mini-games. Most of the songs came from DDR ULTRAMIX series, a USA version of DDR for Xbox console, J-POP covers, and a number BEMANI crossovers.

BeForU's new members line-up.

This game is heavily promoted in Japan, due to BeForU's new 3 members and to promote a new song which is included in the game.

DDR PREMIUM CD

Hi! It's been a long time since my last blog update. It is because of real duties and other stuffs. Anyways, during my hiatus in blogging, I traded an exclusive BEMANI soundtrack from a friend, a DanceDanceRevolution EXTREME PREMIUM CD! This PREMIUM soundtrack cost me a GameBoy Color console.

DDR EXTREME PREMIUM CD

This rare soundtrack was released in 2003. It was a gift who purchased DDR EXTREME CS early. The PREMIUM CD consist of 8 tracks, for track list click here. One of them is a preview music from the DDR PARTY COLLECTION CS game.

Quiz Magic Academy VI Desktop Arcade Cabinet

    Last week, I received my very first D.A.C. or the Desktop Arcade Cabinet from a broker. Before we got this item, I encountered heavy rains, muddy streets and raging trailer trucks because the meeting place is in Manila North Harbor.

Quiz Magic Academy VI Desktop Arcade Cabinet

   The D.A.C that I have is a Quiz Magic Academy VI arcade cabinet released in 2010 by KONAMI. D.A.C.'s replicates the design details from the original arcade cabinet. Originally as a prize for its U.F.O. Catcher in Japan but, retail is also available. Based on the price tag, this little arcade cabinet cost 499 JPY However, Toy Planet slashed it down to 199JPY (around 80PHP)

Pricing from Toy Planet

   Other variations such as beatmaniaIIDX, pop'n music (old standard cabinet), GuitarFreaks and DrumMania (old standard cabinet) and jubeat.

BEMANI in your pockets

        A decade ago, Konami released a handheld bemani game called BEMANI Pockets. They are somewhat similar to Nintendo's Game & Watch but the gameplays and designs mimics the BEMANI arcade. The screen is a monochrome and an 8-bit sound output. They are powered using a 3 CR batteries.

       BEMANI Pockets have different variations and releases from beatmania, DDR, ParaPara, pop'n music and even GUITARFREAKS. These handhelds have a very limited number of songs due to hardware limitations.

BEMANI Pockets that I have.

        I only have 3 BEMANI pockets and the a good rare find. Although, I rather put it in a shelf than playing it. There are sellers who sells used items from our local online shops for only 400.00Php or $19.00 a piece.

Metal Gear Solid

       I have been collecting Metal Gear Solid games since College. My first encounter with this series is when my father bought a PlayStation 1 console with a Metal Gear Solid demo disc. Metal Gear Solid game that I finished are the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Though, I also have other MGS games, I wasn't able to play them due to lack of time, I look forward to play the other MGS games especially the MGS4: Guns of Patriots if someone would give me a PS3 console. :) :)



Metal Gear Solid Games

        Right now, MGS creator Hideo Kojima announced a new MGS game a few months ago. He said, the MGS game will use the Fox engine (Kojima's new gaming engine).



Gundam in All Nippon Airways livery

      Last month, I bought a limited edition Gundam model kit. It is a Gundam RX-78-2 in 1/144 scale colored in All Nippon Airways livery that was released in 2010. This Gundam was my first gunpla since 2nd year College (a Wing Zero 1/100 scale). I'm surprised that this Gundam had a better articulation than the 1/144 scale I had in my Grade school years.

Gundam RX-78-2 Box

    This Gundam is only available onboard ANA Flights or Ebay sellers who took an ANA Flight during the selling period. I bought this Gunpla for only 500.00Php or approximately $13.00 to an undisclosed seller.

New BEMANI Stuffs and Customs Officer.

        This morning, I received a postal notice from our City Post Office. The long wait over that the BEMANI stuffs that I bought is here. When I arrived at the parcel claims section, the Customs officer asked me if the item inside the parcel is USED and I confidently reply him Yes. Because if these PlayStation 2 games is used, there should be a PlayStation plastic cover seal on the game case and PlayStation 2 ended it's lifespan together of it's game line. I think the Custom Officer will tax me if the items I bought is brand new.



The games that I claimed at our post office.

      Regardless of the sudden scrutiny, I'm happy to my new stuffs. Anyways, Time to give a feedback to the seller. :)

Philippine Toy Convention 2013

        Last June 14, 2013, I went to the Philippine Toy Convention, A 3 day event held at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall. The convention is all about toys, model kits, anime, manga and cosplay. An Entrance fee of 120.00Php per person.

Elebits Keychain plushie

     From that convention, I bought an elebits keychain, a mickey mouse keychain and an AKB48 keychain (I gave it to my friend who loves to collect AKB48 merchandise) all for 100Php. Aside from keychains I also bought a gunpla kit, a Wing Zero Custom in 1/144 scale for only 540Php.

Wing Zero Custom gunpla

      I notice that the event organizers invited a number of food concessionaires. However, meals they served expensive, more expensive than McDonalds or Jollibee.

Zone of the Enders Premium Package

Front cover box

     Last week, I got my premium package of the Zone of the Enders game from a local seller. I got this rare item for only 500.00Php. Originally,the seller sells this package for 1,500.00Php, but he agreed to slashed the 1000.00Php.

Contents of the Premium package

         The contents of the package are: PS2 game, soundtrack, movie and artbook. Though, this package was released 12 years ago, all items are in the mint condition especially the discs'.

        The premium package of this game can be usually bought at ebay but, keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the seller and the condition of the items.

DanceEvolution!!

    A few days ago, my Mother asked me to buy an Xbox 360 console with Kinect. I'm shocked to hear that she will buy a console for herself. After buying her a console, I loaded a game that I'm longing to play and that game is Dance Evolution.

DanceEvolution game art cover
 

    I bought a Japanese copy from an ebay seller for only $6.53, a very cheap price for a good game. This is the second time to play this game, first is at Quantum in Lucky China Mall in Manila. The gameplay is to follow the dance moves shown by the dancer on the screen.The first song I played is Sakura in light difficulty and received a grade C and later some B and A grades on other songs. According to my friend, in order to unlock songs I must pass all courses with a grade of A or better in each song. The song list in this game is very familiar to my ears as some songs came from Dance Dance Revolution and Para Para Paradise.

   I have to practice frequently so that I will be able to familiarized the dance moves of every song, get higher grades and have fun.

BEMANI Spree! limelight, copious and XG3!

        Last Wednesday night, I went to play a few rounds of DDR at Timezone in Glorietta 4, Makati City. I asked the security guard if when will be the new BEMANI games deliver to this branch. He said that the machines will deliver tonight. A few days ago, Timezone, the biggest operator of amusement games in the Philippines posted a hint about there new machines.

Reflec Beat limelight

       That same night my friend called me that the machines has arrived at the store, pulling out existing games and replacing it with new ones.

       Next day, I visited Timezone and 3 BEMANI games are working. These are DrumMania XG3, jubeat copious and Reflec Beat limelight. Unfortunately, GuitarFreaks XG3 is absent at the location because the game system is still unstable and needs further troubleshooting in their warehouse.



jubeat copious

       Many avid players are gathering around especially DM XG3. I got my first shot at Reflec Beat. I'm clueless about the interface because I'm used to play these games using an Ipad. Luckily, I managed to get a fair score in my first tune. Next is the jubeat game. This game used to have an imitation arcade game in other arcade operators before and they call it "e-Magic". Both games have only music licenses available for play with a few Konami Originals are playable. Both games cost 30Php per credit.

       I never had the chance to play DM XG3 on that day because the credit line to long around 20 credits. I will try it next time.

DrumMania XG3

     Good thing Timezone bring these new games here in the Philippines, at least we were able to play these games without the e-AMUSEMENT service. I also hope that players here would support these games.

"beatmania makes DanceDanceRevolution powerful". DDR+IIDX = CLUB VERSION!

    During the early months of 1999, DDR is the game craze in Japan and IIDX is beginning to make a scene simultaneously with it's older sister beatmania. In order to add marketing to there BEMANI line of games (I think?), they decided to link both games similar to the current session link of GITADORA (GuitarFreaks & DrumMania). Click here for the Youtube link on how DDR and IIDX link. DDR CLUB VERSION introduced the 9 foot difficulty, also known as "Catastrophic", the highest foot rating in that time.

    Also, Konami released a PlayStation version of the CLUB VERSION for DDR However, IIDX link is impossible due to limitations of the CD and IIDX console version are released for Playstation 2. These CLUB VERSION's were released in 2 Volumes and released on the same year (1999). These CLUB VERSION's are APPEND DISC, which you need to have a DDR 2ndReMIX or DDR 3rdMIX game in order to play the game. A Sega Dreamcast version of CLUB VERSION is also released but the game is standalone disc. When the first console version of IIDX released, all license songs from 1st to 2nd style are not included, making the CLUB VERSION the only console game that has the license songs from IIDX.

DDR 2ndReMIX and DDR CLUB VERSION APPEND DISC Vol. 1 and 2

When I was young, playing these append discs' at home is annoying, because the copy that we used to have is fake one and fake copies for these games are off sync and most songs donˇt play. The interface of the PS CLUB VERSION is different from the Arcade, it uses the 2ndMIX interface with a few changes. Years after, I finally managed to buy an original copy of the 2 volumes of CLUB VERSION and played all over again. Catching-up to those years that I havent played it properly.

 I realized that if the link of both games still exist right now, will it have the same success as the session link of GITADORA?

PSX. Old and expensive.

   Last January 2013, Sony announced the discontinuation of the PlayStation 2 console. Finally closing the sixth generation of video game consoles. During the lifespan of PS2, there is a home appliance that had a PlayStation capabilities, they called it "PSX".

  "PSX" or the PlayStation X is multimedia device equipped with PlayStation 2's hardware, were you play music, watch videos, internet, watch and record footages directly from your Television screens. However, this home appliance is too expensive and a few units were sold in Japan and never make it outside the region. Also, the first Sony device to have the XMB (Xross Media Bar) interface.

                                                         (PSX DESR-5100)


   The PSX I have is a used DESR-5100 with 160GB of HDD. Fortunately, I managed to grab a good working unit. Although I bought it without the bundled remote controller, PS2 Dualshock 2 controller can be use to navigate the system. The first thing I did is to install the HDD games that I have such as the beatmaniaIIDX 5th style and GITADORA! GUITARFREAKS 4thMIX & drummania 3rdMIX. This recent week, I asked my friend to come over to help me format the console. After the resetting and formatting the console, he plugged the Ethernet and surprisingly, the Sony PlayStation 2 server is still up, but the contents is already outdated for almost 5 years.

   This multimedia console becomes very rare and still expensive today. It cost around more than $400.00 in Ebay, more expensive than the current PlayStation 3 system. For some it's a waste of money for buying an old system but for some game collector's it's worth it.

My BEMANI Collections!

   I have been playing BEMANI music games since I was in elementary and it has become a habit for me play in arcades and at home.

   I started to collect my authentic copies during my college years. My first game that I bought is a used Playstation version of DanceDanceRevolution 3rdMIX, since then collecting music games became my passion.

   Searching for these items is very difficult to find here in the Philippines. I have to look for a Japanese thrift shops within the capital or in nearby cities. Prices range from 50.00Php to 2,000Php or more depending on the physical condition of the item but asking for a lower price is possible.

   I bought my games from Ebay or from our local online shops and sometimes trades from other video game collectors. Currently, I have 56 BEMANI music game software's from different consoles and I'm continuously adding more.





























(My BEMANI Softwares in different consoles)


   While I'm collecting video games software's, collecting controllers is simultaneously necessary to purchase in order to play it appropriately. For example, beatmania game needs a beatmania or beatmaniaIIDX controller, because using the consoles' standard controller will give difficult gameplay. Though, there are some music games that the console controller can be use, such as DDR and the 5 or 7 buttons mode of pop'n music. The most expensive controller that I bought are the Arcade Style Controllers. I made an entry about ASC on my previous post .Click here.

(My BEMANI controllers)


   Aside from collecting video game and it's controllers, I also collect it's merchandises. Such Artbooks, Soundtracks, Figures etc.. Some of them are complete and loose items.

(My BEMANI merchandises)

   Collecting these things is a guilty pleasure for me, that sometimes almost half of my salary is allotted for collecting. Despite of that, I really love collecting. (^^)V!


                                                       THANK YOU FOR PLAYING!

Arcade style for home gaming

pop'n music and GuitarFreaks Arcade style controllers

I have been playing in the arcades for the longest time and I really enjoy playing with my friends every time we hang out. Every time I hang out, I usually mingle to a Music/Rhythm simulation games such as DDR, IIDX and GFDM to name a few. What if you are at home and you want to play your fave music games and the home style controller is not giving you an arcade like gaming?

From 2000 to 2006, Konami released Arcade Style Controllers (ASC) for DanceDanceRevolution, pop'n music,beatmaniaIIDX and GuitarFreaks. DrumMania also have an arcade style controller but It was created by YAMAHA called "DTXplorer" and compatible with the later console versions of the game. These Arcade Style Controllers are for PlayStation 1/2 consoles. Though, compatible with the Arcade HD Rips connecting it to the PS2 to USB Adapter.

In my collection, I have a pop'n music (co-owned) and GuitarFreaks Arcade style. They really improvised arcade like gaming because these controllers have almost the same dimensions of the controllers used in the arcades and you can . However, an arcade like experience has a hefty price, an arcade style cost more than 10,000 Php that excludes shipping, customs and taxes.

Konami ceased making console versions of the game and these controllers are not compatible with the current PlayStation 3 console. Despite of that, It's still a good collector's item.

KEYBOARDMANIA on keyboards.

I have been playing any available Bemani-related simulation like DanceDanceRevolution, beatmaniaIIDX, pop'n music and GuitarFreaks and DrumMania in our local arcade shops. However, how about the defunct bemani games like DanceManiaX, ParaParaPradise, DDR SOLO and the original beatmania? I know that some of them are still roaming around the arcade shops in different parts of the Philippines, but how about the most rare Bemani game like KEYBOARDMANIA?

KEYBOARDMANIA is a Keyboard simulation game from Konami using a Yamaha supported keyboards with 2 screens on each keyboards with wheel effectors on each side. KEYBOARDMANIA 3rdMIX is capable of Multisession link with other Bemani games like GuitarFreaks and DrumMania with a dozen of playable songs in Multisession mode. Click here for the Youtube link of KEYBOARDMANIA's Multisession

During my college years, I used to play a KEYBOARDMANIA 3rdMIX Arcade in Timezone Market! Market!. During those times the machine was in pristine condition. I play so almost everyday just to practice the game and my most played music is "DEAR MY FRIEND" by Every Little Thing . As months went by the arcade machine is starts to deteriorate, keys are sticky and sometimes chipped off keys, blurry screens, unresponsive effector wheels and the worse of all being smashed by High school punks. It's very unfortunate that my friend wasn't able to play the game due to that issues. Arcade management tries to fix the problems, until they finally decided to return it back to their warehouse for further repairs and never seen it again.

Months after, I decided to search for an another KEYBOARDMANIA alive, but the other KEYBOARDMANIA is also broken, located in Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa. I decided to look for another options, until I found a PlayStation 2 version of the game.

(KEYBOARDMANIA CS with controller)

 

KEYBOARDMANIA has 2 consumer versions, the 1st and the 2ndMIX & 3rdMIX in one disc. The first CS version have the same interface with the 1st KEYBOARDMANIA unlike the second version uses the 3rdMIX interface. The PS2 version is not capable of multisession link but songs in multisession is playable.

 

I was able to practice more at home and manages to SS some songs on Light and Light + modes. Playing this game is like fulfilling my dream to play piano and most songs are classical.

 

Makes me wonder, Why Konami decided to end the game after 3rdMIX? and Why our local arcade operator didn't return the game to the Arcade parlor?  Nevertheless, this game is great and I will always play this game.

 

Photo: © 2013 Happy Fiesta Productions

Let's enjoy the e-AMUSEMENT world!

In the late 90's is the time that the internet starts to bloom. There are a few devices are internet capable unlike in todays' time. It is also the time that Arcade machines are beginning to use internet to post rankings, but Arcade machine give codes to players at the end of the credit and players must encode it to the game website in a period of time.

In 2003, Konami release the e-AMUSEMENT in Japan. This service use the internet is directly plugged into the arcade machine. This service aims to save scores, unlock game features and Internet ranking. The e-AMUSEMENT service is also available in some countries outside Japan depending if the Arcade operator has a subscription with Konami. The player must have an e-AMUSEMENT card that can be bought to the Arcade store cashier or a Card dispenser and the machine they will use is connected to the service.

(Earlier e-AMUSEMENT Cards)

The first e-AMUSEMENT cards are made of magnetic cards and easily bent if the owner mishandles the card. The bad thing is these cards is only usable in one arcade game and you are required to buy another card to a different game.

In 2006, Konami upgrades the service by centralizing all data in one card and using contactless smartcard.

(The current standard design)

In 2010, they launched "PASELI" a service where players can store virtual credits into their cards and use as a payment to the game, without inserting coins or tokens into the machine.

I got my first and last e-AMUSEMENT entry way back in 2007, when my family had a vacation in Hong Kong. I inserted my card in a DanceDanceRevolution SuperNOVA game. At first, I had no idea how will I use the card because the instructions appeared in the screen are in Japanese. Fortunately, an Arcade attendant helped me to use it.

Though, the Philippines is one of the deprived countries that don't support e-AMUSEMENT service, many of us were able to obtain the cards thru ebay, brokerage or  they previously visited a country where this service is available . These cards are not only available in Arcade shops but also bundled in other Konami merchandises such as Video games and Game Soundtracks. However, those cards bundled are limited because these cards have a special design artwork, Like I have a Concertino in Blue design card that was bundled with GuitarFreaks and DrumMania MASTERPIECE GOLD video game for PlayStation 2 and other one is the QMA card bundled with the Quiz Magic Academy for Nintendo DS.

 

Some of my acquaintances were able to find ways to use their cards by means of emulation into an offline machine. The emulating software is called "eamumu" that could emulate the features of an online machine.

This service is vital to very arcade gamers, other Game publishers like Namco and Pentavision have their internet service here in the Philippines. If this service becomes available, I'm very sure it will be a huge success!

Photos: © 2013 Happy Fiesta Productions

Zone of the Enders

Over a decade ago, Hideo Kojima, a video game producer created the Zone of the Enders. A robot oriented game. One of the best selling game of Mr. Kojima aside from his Metal Gear series.  It was released in the PlayStation 2 and in the Gameboy Advance consoles. Main the character is Leon Stenbuck in the first installment and Dingo Edgret in it's sequel in which they shared a common Orbital Frame called "Jehuty". Jehuty has an A.I called "ADA". Unlike the PlayStation 2 installment, the Gameboy Advance version have a different story, It's was during the production of Orbital frames on Earth.

The first print of the first Zone of the enders includes a Demo disc of the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty while the ANUBIS: Zone Of the Enders was released in different special packages. Both installment was re-released many times until the release of the HD edition for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 that includes both series in one disc.

My experience on this game was fascinating and I was able to finish both games except on the Gameboy Advance. The reason why I bought and finish this game was because a remix of Beyond the Bounds was playable in the Consumer software of pop'n music 8, a music simulation game from Konami.

Konami/Kojima Productions already released the HD edition of the both games in one disc for PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles last year. Though, I haven't play the game, some reviews online said that the game improved it's graphics and re-living the gaming experience for the first time since PS2.

Nowadays, both games are rare and expensive, selling those games for around $50 or more in ebay and a must haves for a game collector like me.

PocketStation,PlayStation on your pocket.

The PocketStation is a PlayStation peripheral released in January 23, 1999 exclusively for Japanese markets. Sony had plans to release it to other regions however, it never happened. This cute little gadget is also a PlayStation 1 memory card (15 blocks/128Kb) and an alarm clock. PocketStation can play mini-games from selected PlayStation 1 games by transferring via PlayStation 1 memory card slot or via Infrared transfer located at the top of the LCD.

I'm using my 2 PocketStations as an Arcade Link to save scores or play edit data in Dance Dance Revolution games.  7 years ago, I saw a PocketStation in an electronic shop in Quiapo, Manila selling it for 1,700.00Php. The Store attendant had no idea if the PocketStation they are selling is new or used. Unfortunately, when I'm about to buy it, the store was already gone. I got my first PocketStation from a local ebay seller for only 300.00Php. A good buy for a used item.

 

Interestingly, PocketStations are made somewhere in the Philippines. (shown above)

Mini DS card holder

      A few days ago, I went to a small Japanese thrift shop in Manila and I found this cute little Nintendo DS. I thought it was a small keychain but it's a mini DS card holder. This DS holder can store 2 DS cards. Cards stored in this mini holder won't be easily fell off and it can remove by pushing the directional button of the holder to release the card.

     Though not an official Nintendo product, still a good accessory to those gamers who wants to bring an extra games on the go. I bought this accessory for only 20 pesos ($.50) which is reasonably a good buy also.

      Fortunately, my DS console and my card holder have the same color (Turquoise Blue).

There's always a first time.

This is my first time to create my very own blog site. Please bear with me as I try to familiarized how it works. From time to time I will try to update this blog site.