Traveled to Japan? Use your Suica / Pasmo Card as Game Center Card!

Suica card issued by JR EAST.

Recently traveled to Japan? You brought home your Suica or Pasmo as souvenir? Then, you can use them as an alternative Game Center card! I traveled to Japan twice and used my Suica card for transportation and buying drinks in vending machines and in Konbini such as FamilyMart and Lawson.

My friend's PASMO Card (Credits: A Tokyo in Manila).

When I got home from my trip, a friend of mine told me that the Pasmo card in his wallet recognised by one of the arcade machines. So I searched the internet, tried it on my own in my nearby Game center and it works! Suica and Pasmo cards as game card is compatible with KONAMI's e-amusement enabled arcade games. You can transfer your existing e-amusement data to your Suica by tapping it for the first time, write down the card number generated by the machine, and log-on to your KONAMI account to transfer your account. Please do note when tapping for the first time (for e-amusement), you must cancel entry and mustn't create password, otherwise, it will create a new account. When transferring of data is completed, the same password from your old card will be used in your new Suica and Pasmo card.

Transferring of Suica card to iPhone.

Other features of Suica is you can use your iPhone or Apple watch as a virtual card by transferring your Suica card details to your phone. You can download the Suica app if you wish to load up or create a virtual pass. This feature is available starting from iPhone 7 and Apple watch series 2 sold in Japan. For more information and procedures please click the link.

Transfer complete!

Right now, I am using my iPhone as a Suica virtual card that is linked to my e-amusement account. It means that no more pulling out of wallets or game cards to bring every time I play and I have to do is to tap my phone onto the card reader.

Cosplay Mania 2019!

Cosplay Mania 2019 signage outside SMX Convention Center

Last week I was invited by my friends for the 2019 edition of Cosplay Mania at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia. I last time I went to a convention is the 2017 Cosplay Mania. I came to visit the event in support of my friends tournament of a Rhythm music arcade game (DANCE RUSH STARDOM). The tournament is scheduled on the second day of the convention. As some BEMANI community tournaments are on the first day.

Free ticket!

Quantum Amusement, one of the exhibitors of the event, showcased their BEMANI arcade games with the exception with beatmaniaIIDX due limited space allotted although there is a huge empty space beside them. They also have one non-BEMANI arcade machine at the convention, Disney's Tsum-Tsum.

FREE GAMES at Quantum Booth!

Hige Driver, a famous musician from Japan came and performs one of his creations on stage. Although, I wasn't able to join due to the tournament I was supporting is still ongoing. Hige Driver is also a music contributor in BEMANI such as IIDX. I think last year's Cosplay Mania, kors k was  music guest performer. Let's hope other infamous Japanese music artist would come here more often because K-pop genre is generally common in the Philippines.

When I was looking around the convention, I noticed that there are a few exhibitors in the event, unlike to the 2017 edition that there are a quite number of booths. Suprisingly, The Cultural Office of Embassy of Japan is present at the convention giving about Japan's culture.

Gundam booth

One booth is selling a beatmaniaIIDX figure

Embassy of Japan booth

After the tournament, we took our dinner to the nearest restaurant. A friend gave me a bottle of booze, a Fundador Double Light.

Fundador Double Light

It was a good thing I was able to come to the event, because I was able to meet new faces and catching up with my good old friends who are present at the convention.