BEMANI's old school arcade link using PlayStation saves

In the late 90's, arcades was big hit among people. They usually play racing, fighting games, some goers play crane machine to win a prize. At same time, PlayStation reigns supreme as well. Arcade developers took the advantage of the PlayStation to port the arcade game to the console. Because of porting it to consoles, Konami, an arcade and console developer in Japan created an arcade link to their BEMANI console games to their arcade counterpart.

New Version Link save. Scores can be viewed using the DDR 5thMIX (PS1)

First being the first DanceDanceRevolution game for PlayStation. The game save in the PlayStation memory card or PocketStation can be linked to the DanceDanceRevolution 2ndMIX arcade machine using a dedicated memory card slot in the arcade machine. The arcade link's purpose is to the save scores and play edit step charts to the arcade. Scores from the arcade can be viewed to the game console as well. The succeeding DDR game released in the PlayStation will be have it's arcade link as well. For example, DDR 2ndReMIX (PS1) has its arcade link to the DDR 3rdMIX arcade machine and so on.  This kind of system is available up to DDR 5thMIX (PS1).

Home versions of DDR for PlayStation

In the DDR 5thMIX (PS1), a dedicated game save was available for arcade link for DDRMAX to EXTREME (I think starting DDRMAX, the home versions are released in PlayStation 2 console). The arcade link beyond 5thMIX has limitations, it can only store song scores up to 170, DDR EXTREME has a songlist of 240. Kindly click the Youtube link on how arcade link works for DDR EXTREME.

Scores from DDR EXTREME arcade. Can be viewed using DDR 5thMIX (PS1)

Long before e-amusement network arrived in the Philippines, old DDR cabinets with dedicated memory card slots are very scarce, some of them are located far from Manila, some were converted into a ITG (In The Groove) game and worst, being scrapped due to old age.

Also, arcade link is available to the GUITARFREAKS arcade. I can recall that a GUITARFREAKS 6thMIX in the old Club Synergy in SM Megamall with memory cards slots but unfortunately, never had the chance to use the feature.

Home versions of GUITARFREAKS for PlayStation

Now that the old arcade link using the PS1 memory cards are no longer available and e-amusement network is available, I think playing an old BEMANI arcade game will have a nostalgic feeling to the old timer gamers.