The first BEMANI game for home console: beatmania

After the successful released of the first beatmania in the arcades back in 1997, Konami released its direct arcade port for the PlayStation, released in October 1, 1998. The first beatmania game consist of two disc, a direct arcade port from beatmania 2ndMIX (ARCADE DISC) and an append disc (YEBISU MIX). The game is also the KEY DISC to all APPEND DISC in the beatmania games, explanation here. 

The beatmania box art

Nowadays, getting a used copy at Ebay will cost you less $10.00 (depending on the condition). However, looking for a sealed copy is rare and expensive. I wasn't able to play the first beatmania game, the earliest beatmania version I played is a beatmania 3rdMIX mini located in Morayta, Manila. I know big Game Centers in the Philippines like Timezone and Quantum had their beatmania arcade machines but their whereabouts are unknown, most likely they are in storage or scrapped. It's good to reminisce on how beatmania looks like in its early years and how it evolved thru the years with beatmaniaIIDX. 

The Arcade and Yebisu disc

Inside the game, includes a leaflet for the beatmania controller created by ASCII and Konami

At launch, the game costs 5,800JPY, while the BEST edition retails for 2,800JPY

Cheap Upscale converter for PlayStation 2!

Last August 8, 2020, Shopee held its 8.8 event. A site wide event for big discounts and free shipping to all their listings. On that day, I decided to buy the generic PS2 to HDMI converter for 162.00Php! According to the seller, the item will be coming from overseas (Shenzhen, China) and shipping fees will be waived, thanks to their 8.8 event. 

The listing where I bought the converter

Yesterday, the courier came, and delivered the item after 6 days after my order was placed. Tried the converter and it works! My initial observation were the resolution are refined than using the composite (Red, Yellow, and White) cable and our TV recognized it as 480i resolution (I don't know if the 480i is the standard resolution when using the composite). As the description says, the converter can give a 480p, 576i, and 576p video output.  Tried the converter to a PS2 game, the images are more sharper than composite. Unfortunately, PlayStation 1 games won't work for the converter. As lags are still present although more brighter than composite. I searched over the internet and found out that there are two variants of PS2 to HDMI converter.

The actual product

I also read reviews about this item and found out that the converter is a hit-or-miss product. Some buyers reported that they got a faulty item, some became faulty days after they received it, and some were works like a charm. Good thing I received a working unit but I don't how long it will last. Some buyers would expect buying cheap will give them a high quality product. There are other sellers who are selling the same product in Shopee's website and their prices varies, ranging from 162 to 250.00Php.

Aside from the generic converter that I bought, there is an another PS2 converter can be bought, from Pound. The converter from Pound, which I believe more powerful and more expensive than the generic ones. For me, I think the generic one will suffice my need to upscale the resolution of my PS2. Maybe I will buy the Pound brand if the generic converter becomes faulty. All I can say is that, even though, the console is 20 years old, there are still people who are using the world's best selling console.

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.

Old tech: PlayStation 2's internet connectivity and Hard drive storage

When PlayStation 2 released wayback in 2000, the world went gaga over it. Long lines at stores, supply shortages, and related crimes due to Sony's newest gaming console at the time. One of the features of this console is the capability to connect to the internet. Sony released it as an accessory, they call it PlayStation BB Unit (BB stands for Broadband). 

Sony brand HDD for PlayStation 2 (SCPH-20401)

Initially, the first three Japan only models used an external HDD with PCMCIA port while the later models (30000 to 55000 series) used an expansion bay slot underneath the console. PS2 models from 70000 to 90000 series omits the HDD features but broadband jack is built-in to the console. They using a software that they called the PlayStation Broadband Navigator that installs to the HDD. The console is using an IDE Hard drive which is jurassic and outdated in today's standards.

PS2 models (SCPH-50000 and 39000) 

The PS BB Navigator can be used to play games online, download demo games, browse game channels, check emails, and play audio files. Sony also released a video to promote it in Japan. The first time I saw this feature is when I used to have the PSX multimedia console. I think the PS BB Navigator is the predecessor of what is the PlayStation Store and other online offerings right now. Sadly, Sony killed the BB Navigator in 2016 lasting for more than a decade. 

Progress bar in installing the BB Navigator

Some hackers where able to exploit the software and patching it with English menus and able to use the software offline, as the software is meant for Japanese only consoles. They were also able to circumvent the restriction of using a Sony brand HDD and using any IDE HDD available in the market. Take note that regardless of a modified PS2 console with US/ Europe console, the software will not install, as the software will only boot to a for Japanese PS2 console. By the way, when I searched the net, I found a guide on how to install the software to your PlayStation 2, which is very helpful to retro gamers.

Error prompt while installation

Right now, I am looking for the original disc of the BB Navigator so that I could install the game caches of IIDX 5th style and GITADORA.

Uniqlo's x Gundam: Gundam's 40th year anniversary

Today (8 June 2020), Uniqlo Philippines just released their new UT shirts despite of COVID-19 pandemic. This is in collaboration of Uniqlo and Gundam for it's franchise's 40th year anniversary. This is not the first time that Uniqlo and Gundam had a collaboration, but this is the second time that Bandai released a Uniqlo limited edition Gunpla kits for Free! Also, this is the first time that Uniqlo Philippines is part of free Uniqlo Gunpla kits. Only three stores in the Philippines offers Gundam UT shirts (Uniqlo Manila Flagship Store in Makati, SM Megamall, and SM Mall Of Asia). In Japan, Uniqlo advertised it as part of Spring lineup. Youtube link in Japanese.

Every customer who bought 2 Gundam UT's will get a free Uniqlo limited edition Gunpla kits. The featured kits are Amuro Ray's RX-78-2 Gundam and Char Aznable's MS-06S Zaku II, both are in 1/144 scale. These kits are in Uniqlo's red and white colors. The shirt cost 790.00Php each.

I rushed to the Uniqlo Manila Flagship Store after work. I went straight to the Gundam UT shirts that are located at the second floor. I bought a Gunpla runner and Nu Gundam design shirt. According to the sales crew, there was a long line outside the store and all them are Gundam enthusiasts. 

For Gundam enthusiats, Uniqlo will be giving free kits starting June 8 to 14, 2020. Get your UT's and kits before its gone.

DDR V for PC!

Konami today released the alpha version of the upcoming DDR game for PC, DanceDanceRevolution V for a limited time. This will be the second time that Konami released a DDR game for PC, the first one was in 2000. To be able to play the game, the user must register or logged on to his/her Konami ID at the e-amusement website. This Alpha testing doesn't have gameplay mods in this version but it does have the controller and timing options available. The 25 percent dark filter (I think) is available by default. Difficulties in all songs are available. 

DDR V downloading screen

Directional buttons in your computer can be used. I also tried playing the game using PlayStation 2 controller with USB adapter connected, unfortunately only the directional buttons can be registered for this alpha version. I think using the conventional PlayStation dance pad with USB adapter will do the trick. The jump arrows on this version counts as two combos. Grading seems lax, you can get a grade of AAA for less than 999+ score. For specifications needed in order to boot the game please see link (Kindly use google translate).

There will be a lot changes and bugs during its testing stages. We look forward on the next alpha version.

Song list at Alpha version

My first play

Controller and Timing options are only available

Let's play DDR EXTREME at home!

During this Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Philippines, everybody is in their houses to prevent exposure from infection. Some people does the house chores, working from home, and some are slacking off. To avoid boredom inside the house, I play console games. I livestream my gameplays recently (sorry for video quality and sometime weak connections) during this lockdown period and this time I choose to play DDR [DanceDanceRevolution].

Cover art of DDR EXTREME.

I picked up my most fave DDR game, the DDR EXTREME (CS). The console counterpart of DDR EXTREME was released back in 2003. I bought this game thru a Japanese Ebay seller in 2012. DDR EXTREME was the largest number of songs in one disc (111 songs to be exact) in all DDR console releases. That's forty-six percent of it's Arcade counterpart (240 songs). Part of the campaign of the game, Konami also released a bonus gift Music CD, DanceDanceRevolution EXTREME PREMIUM CD for people who bought the game early. I already featured that special CD in this blog years ago. Another thing that I liked this game is the staff roll, they used an unplugged version of Remember You during the staff rolling and they also feature all the DDR mainline console games.

back cover art

By the way, the game can also unlock previous games starting from DDMAX~MAX2 by means of System Data Support. Data Support for EXTREME is only available if you own a DDR Party Collection game. For more information regarding DDR's Data Support please click here. Prices for the game differs, depending on the condition for a used game. And because the game was released 17 years ago, it is rare to find a sealed one and if there is, it will be expensive. 

Game manual and game disc

How I wish there's still an available DDR EXTREME arcade in the metro, to relive the moments when DDR EXTREME is the current game during DDR's hiatus in making an arcade version. The last time I stumbled a DDR EXTREME arcade is in Centris Mall, Quezon City a decade ago. If there's one, it will be nostalgic to all old DDR players!

The seller includes the unused warranty card

'GOLIALIZZE GOLI MATSUMOTO ARCHIVES' GOLI's BEMANI Artworks

While cleaning my containers, I unearthed a book that wasn't opened for years. Back in 2005, Goli Matsumoto an illustrator and designer for KONAMI released GOLIALIZZE GOLI MATSUMOTO ARCHIVES. An artbook for his artworks for beatmaniaIIDX. The artbook consist of most his artworks starting from beatmaniaIIDX Substream to IIDX HAPPY SKY. The art book also includes an DVD that contains a ALFARSHEAR music video and mini posters from Substream to HAPPY SKY. Up to this day, GOLI is still working for the company.

Front cover

The one I have doesn't have the mini posters nor the DVD, but I think the book is itself would suffice. As of writing, online sellers from Ebay sells it from $29.00 up to $180.00 depending on the completeness and condition of the item. I couldn't say that the book is a rare item yet, but I think as time goes by, the value would rise up and fewer sellers will sell the item. If you are in Japan, try looking for it in nearby BookOffs / HardOffs or Mandarake stores you might score one.

Book staff roll

Here are a few of his artworks inside GOLIALIZZE;

Online transaction is the new normal in managing your of daily needs amidst pandemic

Amidst the Corona virus pandemic, countries around the world are in lockdown, and the Philippines is one them. Many businesses are closed at this time, except for essential establishments such as supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, and banks. Although restaurants and banks are open, restaurants are open for take-out or delivery and banks are in limited workforces with shortened work hours.

Right now, banking institutions are encouraging their clients to download their mobile application to transact with their finances. I have been using my banks mobile banking services for years, but during this pandemic that I was able to maximize the features of my bank's online services. I was able to transfer my salary into my personal account and pay bills. For international payment transactions I always use PayPal, nothing else.

Aside from mobile applications in my financial accounts, I was able to order food online using the app ordering services. Most of the contact centers of the largest fastfood chains in the Philippines are closed or in limited workforce (this cause long queue on phone), this is an alternative way in getting your food to your doorstep.

Online transactions is a convenient way in getting your daily needs at the tips of your fingertips during this pandemic crisis and to prevent from being infected. Always bear in mind to be vigilant in using this services. Avoid responding to emails that asking for information from you. Hackers are taking advantage of the situation to steal money and information digitally.