Introduction
to DDR
Dance
Dance Revolution, or DDR, is a Dance Simulation game brought to you
by the folks at Konami as a part of their illustreous BEMANI music
game collection. Essentially it's a game that requires you to use
your feet to step on panels on the dancing stage to stay alive and
keep the game going. DDR has a wide variety and collection of music
that has evolved as new releases of the game were released. DDR is
one of the most popular of the BEMANI series and has 10 distinct arcade
versions not counting the poor U.S. release attempts including:
Dance
Dance Revolution
Dance
Dance Revolution 2nd Mix
Dance
Dance Revolution club version
Dance
Dance Reolution 3rd Mix (Plus)
Dance
Dance Revolution 4th Mix (Plus)
Dance
Dance Revolution 5th Mix
DDRMAX:
Dance Dance Revolution 6th Mix
DDRMAX2:
Dance Dance Revolution 7th Mix (Soon to be released)
Dancing
Stage feat. True Kiss Dreams
Dancing
Stage feat. Dreams Come True
Each
has it's own unique music selection with music from previous releases
(with the exception of Dance Dance Revoltion and DDRMAX). Popularity
of this Japan originated game is spreading not only across Asia but
also in the United States with many arcades importing these hefty
arcade cabinets and Konami of America releasing mediocre U.S. releases
to America audiences. Home versions of DDR have also been released
by Konami with one for each version and a few extras. There games
are made for the Playstation game console and are availible at many
import stores. American releases are also availible but include mediocre
song selection and features and are not recommended. For more information
on Dance Dance Revolution, please visit the links below.
Links
Konami of Japan
- Home of DDR and other BEMANI Games (Japanese)
Dance Dance Revolution Gateway-
Gateway to DDR Official sites (Japanese)
Konami Consumer Entertainment Tokyo
- makers of DDR home versions
DDRFreak - Not one of my favorite
sites but offer lots of information for newbies.
NCS - a great place to buy DDR games
and other import game titles
ToysNJoys - another great shopping
site
Bemanix.com - Southern California's
premier DDR and Bemani site
DDRSpot - No Cal's premier DDR
site
Introduction
to Beatmania IIDX
Beatmania
IIDX, the successor of the Beatmania series is a DJ simulation that
is also apart of the BEMANI series from Konami. IIDX is most probably
the most difficult Bemani game since it uses a total of 7 Keys and
a turntable for single play and double that for Double play. In order
to play, a player must press keys that correspond with notes coming
down the 16:9 aspect ratio TV. Beatmania IIDX is probably the most
graphically outstanding BEMANI game to date because of its flat screen
16:9 ratio TV, brilliant interface, and beatifully rendered background
videos. The music selection is also astounding with beautiful tracks
and breakthrough artists such as dj TAKA, Naoki, TaQ, Osamu Kubota,
and many others. Beatmania IIDX does not take off where Beatmania
ends, but is rather a whole new different series as well as the new
Beatmania III series. Beatmania IIDX is the best Bemani game to me
and also includes different versions like Dance Dance Revolution such
as:
Beatmania
IIDX
Beatmania
IIDX substream
Beatmania
IIDX club version
Beatmania
IIDX 3rd Style
Beatmania
IIDX 4th Style
Beatmania
IIDX 5th Style
Beatmania
IIDX 6th Style
Beatmania
IIDX 7th Style (Soon to be released)
Each
mix also has it's own set of music with new songs and songs from previous
releases and some from Beatmania. Because of it's very large price
tag, the Beatmania IIDX cabinet is very rare to find in the U.S. with
just a few arcades owning them. IIDX requires skill and precision
which requires plenty of practice. Beatmania IIDX is also availble
to be played at home using the Playstation 2 game console. So far,
the current titles include
Beatmania
IIDX 3rd Style
Beatmania
IIDX 4th Style -new songs collection-
Beatmania
IIDX 5th Style -new songs selection-
Beatmania
IIDX 6th Style -new songs selection- (soon to be released)
For
more information on Beatmania IIDX please visit the links below.
Links
Konami of Japan
- makers of IIDX and other Bemani
Beatmania IIDX Gateway
- Gateway to IIDX sites
Konami Consumer Entertainment Japan
- makers of IIDX home versions
YesAsia - premier Asian goods
shopping site, sells IIDX home version
Bemanix - So Cal's premier Bemani
News
DDRSpot - No Cal's premier Bemani
News
