Christmas hauls!

During the Christmas season, I was able to buy some BEMANI stuff during the break. First, I attended the Christmas Toy Convention 2017 held at SM Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. While I was scrolling in the exhibitors, I saw a very familiar figure on display, a Rasis figure from Sound Voltex, an arcade video game. The figure is 950.00Php, fortunately, I was able to bought it for 900.00Php. On the exhibitors, I also bought a USB charging cable to Nintendo 3DS for only 180.00Php. A good buy indeed!

Rasis figure

A few days before our last working day of the year ends, a postal notice came. I have to pick up the item I bought from Ebay, it was a Rasis figure. Good thing it came before the year ends, because I bought the item last November. The parcel took at least 2 months in transit. It took longer due to a vast amount of parcels coming in the Philippines this Christmas season.

Rasis figure

Lastly, this Saturday afternoon, I was able to visit a Japanese shop somewhere in Metro Manila. While browsing I found a pop'n music portable to PlayStation Portable (PSP). The game is complete with manuals and inserts. Even though I already have the game before, it would be a spare to my collection or someone would like to buy it in the future.

pop'n music portable for PSP

This Christmas break is a perfect time to relax and enjoy the festivities around.

My nearest arcade: Rockwell Powerplant Mall

A few years ago, Glorietta 4 used to be the place I usually play Arcades, but when eAMUSEMENT came to the Philippines last year by Quantum, we all changed our place and head to different Quantum branches in the metro.

For me, the best and nearest Quantum Arcade branch is in Rockwell Powerplant Mall in Makati City. Although it has different name, QPS Powerstation. The mall is just a few kilometers away from my home and it won't cause me too much hassle in commuting.

DanceDanceRevolution A in QPS Rockwell Powerplant

QPS Powerstation has a quite number of BEMANI arcade games in line such as DanceDanceRevolution, beatmaniaIIDX, MUSECA, jubeat, GITADORA (DrumMania cabinet only) and Sound Voltex. They also have Disney's Tsum Tsum.

A beatmaniaIIDX24 SINOBUZ

The staff inside the store are friendly and accommodating which is very good to see from them. The best advantage of this mall that is not too many people go here, as this mall is classy and a bit hidden. Sometimes after a rounds of arcade gaming, I usually head to the grocery to buy some food stuff.

Alternatively, the next nearest Quantum branch is in Shangri-la Mall and SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. Although just 2 train stations away, however, commuting going to those places in terrible unless you live in Pasig or Mandaluyong.

On the side note, Philippines is now participating in the 7th Konami Arcade Championship.

Cosplay Mania 2017!

This Saturday is 2017 edition of Cosplay Mania held at SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Got the chance to see the event due to 4 day vacation from work. Went to the Convention Center past 12pm. The lines are hefty from ticket line up to the entrance door. The price of the ticket varies from 399.00Php for Silver ticket, 799.00 for Gold, and 1,999.00Php for VIP guest.

A CosplayMania 2017 tarpaulin inside SMX

Long lines outside

As I entered the event, I went straight to the Quantum's area to see the latest BEMANI additions, the DanceDanceRevolution A and GITADORA Matixx (DrumMania). Present in the event is the cabinet of beatmaniaIIDX24 SINOBUZ, jubeat clan, and Sound Voltex IV Heavenly Haven. The event also held a tournament for Sound Voltex, which is the grand prize is an artist signed Sound Voltex IV poster and a special edition e-amusement card signed by an artist.

DanceDanceRevolution A

beatmaniaIIDX24 SINOBUZ

GITADORA Matixx (DrumMania cabinet)

jubeat clan

Sound Voltex IV Heavenly Haven

Got the chance to play DDR A, but the player can only play once. After that, you can sign up again to play. Although its FREE PLAY! Wasn't able to play GITADORA, the good thing is there is one here in the Philippines.

While waiting for my turn to play, I had the chance to look around. There are a few anime merchandise exhibitors.

Because of this latest additions, the BEMANI community is in rage to play BEMANI games, old and new.  In my opinion, with the presence of Sound Voltex for over a year, it garnered a lot of new players and attracting more players to try other BEMANI games. I think Quantum really did a good job in participating the event and it adds exposure to the games they have. I hope more BEMANI games will add here in the Philippines.

To the organizers, to prevent long queues, add more booth to accommodate guest because the lines are hefty and chaotic. People have to wait for over an hour just to get inside the event.

Also, a K O N A M I  are displayed in front of the Quantum area.

Touch, touch, touch, Utacchi 「うたっち」！

Early Friday, I received my newest game in my BEMANI collection,Utacchi / うたっち. The only BEMANI game for Nintendo DS and the only BEMANI CS game that uses a stylus pen. Makes me wonder, why the game is under pop’n music line? The songs? I think.

うたっち box art

I used to play the game 6 years ago, but the copy I have is a downloaded ROM.Tried to play the again, on my first attempt I got a PERFECT FULL COMBO! On the next songs, its already raining GREATS.

MIRACLE FLYER

In Japan, there is an advertisement promoting the game and showing a glimpse on how to play the game and variety songs in it.

This is a hard-to-find game. Last year, a friend of mine had no luck in finding it in any Akihabara video game shops. Meaning, a $17.00 for a used copy with free shipping is a good catch after all.

Iroha Umegiri Figure Collection Vol. 3

Last Tuesday, I went to the Makati Central Post Office to claim my parcel I bought from Japan. Good thing, that the transit time for parcel took less than 3 weeks. I bought a figure, an Iroha Umeigiri figure, a character from beatmaniaIIDX. It is third figure from manufacturer, Eikoh. Bought it for around $6.00 or approximately 600.00JPY excluding shipping.

Box art

The Shipper amazes me due to the packaging of the parcel. It was loaded in a box with bubble wraps and newspapers to ensure safety of the parcel during transit and its registered mail. The $13.00 shipping fee is somewhat reasonable after all.

Iroha Umegiri out of the box!

The Umegiri Sisters (Vol.1 ~ 3.)

This coming August, a new beatmaniaIIDX figure will be released, she is Kanzaki Saya. A teaser was announced online. I hope I wilk be able to buy it in a reasonable price.

Teaser announcement (screenshot credit; bemanistyle's twitter page)

Asking a friend to buy me stuff in Japan (Part 3)

Today, I received the stuff that I requested to my friend to buy in Japan. The last time we visited Japan was December 2016. We met at SM Mall Of Asia to play arcades and treat him to my upcoming Natal day.

The Loots!!!

My friend always includes some Pocky in my loots. Some Pocky he added are sometimes sold only in Japan. Today, he includes the original chocolate and green apple flavor.

Pocky in Original Chocolate and Green Apple in Peanuts box art

The Juicy part of the loots, the BEMANI stuff. I asked him to buy me a pop'n music game for Nintendo Wii. He got the game for only 2,000.00JPY (approximately 1,000.00PhP). The game is in good condition. The file folder in 轟け！恋のビーンボール！！ (Todoroke! Koi no beanball!!) design, a BEMANI song from 熱闘！BEMANIスタジアム (Nettou! BEMANI Stadium arcade event. Interestingly, The other side of the folder depicts the male version / alternate character of the song. Another juicy item is the BeatStream アニムトライヴ arcade poster. The poster is in B2 size.

BeatStream arcade poster

pop'n music Wii and Eikoh file folder

He also added an Inflight food from Japan Airlines, which I believe, the carrier he took on his Japan trip. I asked him why he include an Flight Food?, he replied that because I love Airplanes. I haven't opened it, but I definitely sure that it tastes salty (Because our tastes buds during flight diminishes).

Rice Cracker from Japan Airlines

My friend told me that he might visit Japan again before the year ends. Hoping for more Japan travel loots.

BEMANI at SM Mall Of Asia

This Saturday morning, I went to the new Quantum Power Station in SM Mall Of Asia in Pasay City. QPS used to have a branch when the Mall opened in 2005, but closed due to unknown reasons. Now, QPS opens its MOA branch at the 3rd floor of the Main Mall.

Teaser post from the Facebook page of Quantum Amusement Corporation

In the Facebook page of Quantum, they posted a teaser. That the new QPS Branch will open on the May 28, 2017. They even have a 100Php Quantum Gift Certificate for the first 100 customers.

In the gaming side, the branch have loads of BEMANI Arcades games, such as, jubeat Qubell, MUSECA 1 1/2, Sound Voltex IV. This branch is also the second to received a beatmaniaIIDX machine, and the first branch to received the newest BEMANI game, ノスタルジア (NOSTALGIA). 

4 jubeat machines

beatmaniaIIDX24 SINOBUZ

ノスタルジア, MUSECA, and SOUND VOLTEX

ノスタルジア is a new BEMANI game similar to KEYBOARDMANIA that simulate piano keys, but ノスタルジア's gameplay resembles from PIANO BRICKS. The cost is 30.00Php per
gameplay. 

On the other note, there are currently 3 (three) beatmaniaIIDX24 SINOBUZ in Manila; in SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, and in Rockwell Power Plant Mall.

BEMANI figures and plushies 2017

For the past years, I have been collecting video games, from BEMANI music game line to other game genres such as Metal Gear and Gundam. For years, which I moved on from other game genres and concentrate on BEMANI games. While I am in the stage of collecting video games, I am also collecting figures from BEMANI games but in minimal. You can see on my previous post years ago where my figures are in small amounts. KONAMI used to create their own figures and toys a decade ago, but now, Eikoh, (plush and figure maker in Japan) takes over.

My BEMANI figures and plushies in a small cabinet.

Today, I have collected almost a dozen of figures and plushies in almost every BEMANI games, from beatmaniaIIDX to Reflec beat (DDR dolls are kept in a container because they are taller). Catching up to the oldest to the latest figures available. Some of the figures are bought in local conventions and local Japan surplus, some are pasalubongs from Japan, and some bought from Ebay. Although, collecting figures and plushies are sometimes expensive. Almost the same price as used BEMANI video game but, once you have it, it's all worth it!

Because of cramped space, some Pastel-kuns and Sumire are on top of big Pastel-kuns

.

A Pastel-kun pillow in my bed.

 Right now, I' am having problems with space, as I don't have a good set of cabinet where I could display them. They are underneath our shared cramped glass cabinet. Wishing that I can find a tall glass cabinet.

Ozine Fest 2017

Last April 9, 2017, my friend and I went to Ozine Fest 2017 in SM Megamall. The entrance fee 300.00, which is a bit pricey than Cosplay Carnival 2017 which I attended a few weeks back.  While waiting for my friend to come by, I stroll around the exhibitors and found a pop'n music 9 soundtracks (I wasn't able to take pictures inside, my bad). The disc cost 100.00, unopened. The soundtrack is included in the first print edition of pop'n music 9 for PlayStation 2.

pop'n music 9 soundtracks

When my friend arrives, I accompanied him in strolling again and pushing my luck if I found something interesting. As past 6pm, my friend told me that he will attend a mini-concert of Mitsuko Horie and Takayuki Miyauchi. I don't have plans to watch the concert because the fee cost 350.00. However, while we are convincing ourselves not to go, the signage was posted that regular tickets can watch the concert. When we get inside, we are directed to the last section of the area. People who paid the concert tickets are next on the stage. I don't normally attend concerts because it's too expensive and cramped, but my friend convinced me to join.

Mitsuko Horie sings Voltes V no Uta, Growing Up!, and Sailor Star no Uta

Takayuki Miyauchi sings Choudenshi Bioman's opening and ending, Mask Rider RX theme 

A few minutes after, Mitsuko Horie starts the concert and after 2 songs, Takayuki Miyauchi takes place. A small interview and on the final set, Mr. Takayuki and Ms. Mitsuko sang the infamous Voltes V no Uta. After the concert, they organizers, starts an auction of character illustrations created by illustrators themselves. The auction proceedings will be used for the selected charity organization in Cebu.

Mitsuko Horie and Takayuki Miyauchi sings together

We ended the night at Komoro Soba, A Japanese restaurant inside the mall. I ordered Tempura Teishoku for 139.00 and California Maki (4 pcs) for 67.00. A good food for a good price. I might eat again on that restaurant.

Tempura Teishoku, the after concert dinner

One year after: Philippines' eamusement scene

One year after since the first location test of eamusement network here in the Philippines. Since then, many of the Quantum and Powerstation branches have arcade machines that requires an eamusement service.

A Disney Tsum Tsum in Quantum SM Baguio

Most of the branches have jubeat, MUSECA,Sound Voltex, and some Disney Tsum Tsum machines are in Metro Manila, but jubeat machine have spawn in Baguio down to Bacolod. It seems that Quantum is starting to spread in Visayas and Mindanao regions and adding more and more machines.

Quantum's announcement in their Facebook page

As of the moment, the only beatmaniaIIDX (SINOBUZ) here in the Philippines is located at SM North for 35Php (7 tokens). Rumors say that their will be more than one beatmaniaIIDX here and DDR A would be available soon.

jubeat Qubell in Quantum SM Bacolod

The eamusement network here in the Philippines, which I believe, boost the sales of Quantum that Timezone Philippines didn't realize that years ago, stagnated by Namco-Bandai's Banapassport service.  Although the service uses a profit sharing scheme unlike subscription scheme. Today, Quantum has Namco-Bandai and Konami's network service in their games. Many arcade gamers who loves rhythm games starts to play again and attracts new people to play.

Let's hope that eamusement service will last for years here.


* All photos posted in this page are from Quantum Amusement Corporation's Facebook page

Philippines' first GUNPLA EXPO!

A Gundam RX-78-2 pose

Today I went to SM Mall of Asia to see the very first GUNPLA EXPO in the Philippines. The Expo runs from February 25 to March 5, 2017. Due to hectic schedule from work, got the glimpse of the Expo on its last run.

The Expo consist of Gunpla's that are available in the Philippine market. They also sell limited edition, but all limited edition Gunpla's were sold out. Though empty-handed, I enjoyed the event taking photos of the Gunpla's on display.

Gunpla fans will be delighted if there will be another GUNPLA EXPO for 2018

These are the photos;

GUNPLA EXPO Main entrance

On Display: Gundam Build Fighters Try

On Display: Perfect Grade (PG) Gunplas

Ver. Ka: Nu Gundam and Hi-Nu Gundam

Pinoy Gunpla creations on display

Gunplas for sale

Gunplas on sale

Mega size (1/48) Gunplas