PARA PARA FEVER! ParaParaParadise!!

While Metro Manila is in Enhanced Community Quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I did some cleaning of the video game collection I have. I stumbled my ParaParaParadise controller. The box was full of dirt together with the other controllers I have. After cleaning, I thought of playing the game if the controller still works.

ParaParaParadise (PS2) game soft with controller

ParaParaParadise is Konami's answer in the Para Para fad in 2000 and it has three versions and a Korean variant (ParaParaDancing), it only lasted up to 2001. Konami only released one version for the PlayStation 2 console. The song list caters from the 1st up to 1.5MIX considering the arcade counterpart exist up to 2ndMIX. 

UPDATE 26/05/2021: I figured out that the controller and game are sold separately back then. Because the box controller doesn't have the space for the game soft to fit in.

ParaParaParadise paper layout

Unlike DDR and DanceManiaX, ParaParaParadise gets its license music from Avex label. The controller must use a specifically designed paper plate to mimic the arcade counterpart and its sensors can be adjusted unlike the arcades. The controller is one of the two BEMANI game controllers (the other is KEYBOARDMANIA) to use USB port.

ParaParaParadise controller

I saw a few Para Para controllers sold in Japan Surpluses around the metro, unfortunately they don't have the paper, therefore, layout of each sensor will be different. I also see some controllers has signs of tear such as chipped cable wire or cracked sensors.

Playing ParaParaParadise 2ndMIX circa 2015

The arcade version is rarely seen in game centers recently, maybe located provinces otherwise stored.  The last time I played it in arcade was in 2015 somewhere in Taguig City. Para Para Paradise is a fun BEMANI game reliving the Para Para fever two decades ago.