drummania official controller

Back in 2000, Konami released a home version of drummania in PlayStation 2 (PS2). It is the counterpart of the arcade game of the same name.The game is also one of the launch game titles of PS2. 

box art of drummania controller

The controller is smaller than its arcade counterpart. While playing, there are many times that I don't hit the pads, mostly the red casing of the controller (or I think I need to practice more often). The pedals are made in plastic and thick cushion as a base. The pedal connects the main controller thru 3.5mm port jack. The drummania pedal can be used in beatmaniaIIDX controller (both KOC and ASC) as a foot scratch, similar to the beatmaniaIII gameplay. An another variant of drummania controller is released sometime in 2005, but lacks the stand and bundled game. 

drummania controller

The classic drummania arcade cabinet was discontinued after GFDMV8 in 2011 and move forward to the revamped cabinet with two additional pads and added one bass underneath. In the Philippines, it is rare to find a complete controller set in Japanese Surplus shops and often expensive (around 1,500.00php or more).  Having one the this classic drummania controller is a thing of the past and expensive online nowadays. In recent pandemic, playing console games will definitely kill your boredom at home and those people who misses playing drummania at game centers.

UPDATE (07/30/20): 

Found out that the drummania stand is also compatible with the KEYBOARDMANIA controller. Realized that the controller manual of KEYBOARDMANIA has instruction in connecting in the stand. The KEYBOARDMANIA controller comes with a dedicated bracket in connecting the stand. 

KEYBOARDMANIA controller connected to the drummania stand

A dedicated bracket for KEYBOARDMANIA

Seikyo: A Japanese grocery store in Makati

My friend from A Tokyo in Manila and I went to Seikyo, a Japanese mini-grocery shop located outside of Little Tokyo in Makati. As we get closer to the store, a note was posted on the steel shutter. The store has been moved to a newer location in Jupiter Street in Makati. We rushed to the new location and good thing they are open. 

A posted note outside the old Seikyo in Little Tokyo

Seikyo is a mini grocery store that caters Japanese food goodies such as Nissin Cup noodles, Kirin, Pocky, Frozen meats, and many more! I never thought that there's an another grocery store aside from Yamazaki, also outside of Little Tokyo before they relocated. 

New relocated Seikyo in Jupiter St., Makati City

As we enter the shop, we have doubts to take pictures inside, we might be asked to get out of the store. I noticed that the boxes of the goods have sealed packaging tapes from Donki (Don Quijote). It seems that the shop gets their items from Donki. Prices are a bit expensive but not that as expensive as Yamazaki. Seikyo only accepts cash, as a typical Japanese store which cash is king. I do hope they innovate to cashless payment such as credit cards and/or app-based payments.

What I bought

These Japanese mini-grocery shops are the answer to those people who are craving for real Japanese goodies, especially in this time of pandemic that all of us are unable to travel abroad.

What my friend bought

Buying items from Japan thru Buyee's proxy service!

Amidst of pandemic, a lot of sellers in Ebay were unable sell their items in a worldwide scale and limited for domestic buyers of their country, thus setting up exclusions to other countries. My friend and I were able to buy items from Japan thru Buyee's proxy service. This is our first time to try this service, although, this has been established years ago. There are a lot of establishments that provides proxy service to foreign buyers, but this time we tried Buyee first. 

Buyee's website

First is to look over websites such as Yahoo Auctions Japan to browse items we like to buy, and then, before we buy the items my logged in into his Buyee's account to confirm payment. Once order was taken place, the item must be paid right away (My friend used Paypal). Once payment is confirmed, the seller will send the item to their office. You can buy items to other sellers though. Once your items were received in their office, you can consolidate all your items in shipment and shipment options will be asked. My friend tried the DHL option because the DHL charges relatively close to EMS about 100php difference. Buyee sent the item last Friday and my friend received it Monday. My friend and I split the payment for consolidated and International shipping fee.

The parcel arrived in my friend's address

When using the proxy service, please do not that there will be fees to be paid on top of the item and International shipping fee. On Buyee's case, there are other fees such as Domestic shipping fee (Japan), Consolidated fee, and Buyee's fee. Charges and fees may be vary on other proxy company but always be prepare on other charges. Please be aware that Philippines Customs charges duties and tariffs if the total amount exceeds the 10,000.00Php de mini mis.

I bought a pop'n music 14 FEVER (PS2) Konamistyle edition

My friend bought some KitKats!

Proxy service is an alternative option in buying items in Japan during this pandemic, but please be mindful of the fees that you have to pay when you use this service. Ebay is relatively cheap than that of proxy service because you don't pay the service provider to buy your fave items and most Ebay listings are direct sellers. Next time, I will try the proxy service of locally residing Filipinos in Japan. If you want to try the proxy service please visit Buyee's website.

Postscript:

I would like to acknowledge my friend from A Tokyo in Manila for providing some photos in this blog entry. Please visit the A Tokyo in Manila Facebook page.

Konami's collaboration with Disney

In early 2000's Konami collaborated with Disney thru BEMANI games in licensing Disney's soundtracks. This collaboration created two arcade games and 3 home console games. Disney soundtracks were crossover in Dancing Stage (DISNEY'S RAVE) and pop'n music (MICKEY TUNES). The game has been crossover to PlayStation as well as Nintendo's N64 console (DDR Disney Dancing Museum). North American and European DDR version is also available for PlayStation version.

Konami continues its spin-off series for home console PlayStation (DDR Disney Channel Edition) in 2008 and Nintendo Wii (DDR Disney Groove) in 2009 for US Market. 

Dance Dance Revolution DISNEY RAVE and pop'n music DISNEY TUNES for PS1

I never saw an actual DISNEY related arcade game, however, a friend of mine was able to play the game.  The Dancing Stage DISNEY'S RAVE was spotted in Quantum SM Super Center in Las Pinas City years ago. Current whereabouts of the arcade machine is uncertain. Hoping that the game was transferred somewhere in the province and not being scrapped out.

Game centers in the Philippines during pandemic (COVID-19)

2020 is the year of struggles, as the world fights against the pandemic. The Philippines is also experiencing an overwhelming unemployment in almost all industries, that includes entertainment and recreation. All amusement and game centers in the Philippines are forced to halt their operations, as the national government mandates all leisure and entertainment industries should be close. As this kind of industry is highly susceptible in virus transmission. 

For more than three months Quantum, Timezone, and World of Fun are still close in major cities in the Philippines except for Baguio, as of writing, the city categorized as MGCQ (Modified General Community Quarantine). The Quantum branch in Baguio is allowed to open with social distancing in place. I read in social media posts that one branch of Timezone will be permanently close and maybe retrench employees to keep the company afloat during this crisis. I am afraid that other game centers will do the same if lockdowns is not lifted. 

I, myself, miss playing at game centers. I miss hanging out with my friends.  Good thing that I have console and games to play while they are close. I hope they survive this crisis and able to regain profitability right after this pandemic. If the national government lifts it in Metro Manila, I will definitely rush in a nearby game center and play games all day.