The Bemani thread. Update: New IIDX on the way!

What's the word on the US release? I looked up Guitar Hero and they suggested Beatmania as another game. I've always wanted to try Beatmania, but I don't live close enough to LA to play the arcade, and don't want to pay big money for a controller or to mod my PS2. Ebgames says it'll cost $50 for the game and controller, but I bet it'll be more like $60-70 like Taiko Drum Master was.

I have no idea, Beefy.

My big thing now is that ever since I started playing I've always played one handed: meaning that I key only with my right hand, spin only with my left (Unless I'm eating; then I spin with my foot).

But, with stoic constantly defeating me, should I just start two handing it? It's such a foriegn feeling for me. Plus, I know I'm getting better at one hand, just not as good as I could be (after all, when I started 8th, Sakura L7 was beyond me, but now I can pass it like nothing).

Does everyone else two hand it?

I two hand it and it's just natural, especially during songs where your left hand will be keeping beat while your right hand plays a melody.

Everybody I know does. I'd say go for it, but I've never really gone one-handed save for easy stuff and doubles.

And my IIDX 10th has no tracking number. ;_;

I guess maybe I should start doing it then. But, knowing how to one hand is something I deffinently don't want to forget how to do.

Tain, while I'm thinking about it: were there any good tutorials written for cleaning the keys or sanding them down? I've been cleaning mine for a while, but I never know what I really /need/ to be doing. You know what I mean?

Bemanistyle.com has tons of tutorials about the various mods. Most of the 'good players' don't do anything permanent, they say it's unnecessary. I'd look into the cardboard-circle thing detailed there before going at your keys with a file.

Yeah, I wound up with the sheet magnet thing in one of mine (similar to the cardboard I'd imagine), and I did try key shaving at one point... As it is, though, I generally just clean the keys occasionally and don't even have many modifications set up. I don't play as heavily as I used to, though.

Thanks guys, I'll look around. It's nice to see Bemanistyle back up completely.

I tried the cardboard mod, and I felt they made it worse. Of course I'm terrible at cutting circles.

SO UH beatmania US hits store shelves on Wednesday?!

I think it's late March.

Gamespot puts it on the 1st.
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/beatmania/index.html
But ... they are wrong sometimes.

Ebgames says the 28th, and they're usually right.

I've gotta laugh at one of the comments for beatmania - one guy said it "has a steep learning curve, don't give up." That's true about just about every music game.

I'm inclined to believe the March 28th date. I feel that there'd be at least some small hype when it gets closer to the release date; they might want to try and pimp out Beatmania US with the success of Guitar Hero(Freaks) and DDR (not so much this one).

Quote:

---

I've gotta laugh at one of the comments for beatmania - one guy said it "has a steep learning curve, don't give up." That's true about just about every music game.

---

IIDX's learning curve is steep compared to pretty much any other music game out there.

If you're still pretty new to Beatmania, or have only played it in the arcade, you'll like the US version. If you big into importing the game, there isn't going to be much to attract you.

Either way, I'm a bit disappointed that Konami didn't put more effort into the U.S. version.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shidoshi

If you're still pretty new to Beatmania, or have only played it in the arcade, you'll like the US version. If you big into importing the game, there isn't going to be much to attract you.

---

Good. The series has spent a long time catering exclusively to people who are already hardcore fans, so Konami needed to release a version that new people could enjoy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shidoshi

Either way, I'm a bit disappointed that Konami didn't put more effort into the U.S. version.

---

I don't think they did that bad of a job, to be honest. Never thought it'd be here period so I won't complain at a rehashed songlist all that much. I -am- genuinely surprised that they put the time into redoing the controller and making improvements on it, instead of just handing out what they've been selling in Japan for years (a slightly flawed product). Props to them for improving the hardware.

Yeah, I'm definitely buying a new controller or two.

I'm just hoping that they're sold seperately for cheap.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sethsez

Good. The series has spent a long time catering exclusively to people who are already hardcore fans, so Konami needed to release a version that new people could enjoy.

---

What I mean is, there isn't much new stuff to also give longtime fans something to enjoy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nomi

I don't think they did that bad of a job, to be honest.

---

The remade 9th Style interface is an utter joke. They shouldn't have mucked with it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shidoshi

If you're still pretty new to Beatmania, or have only played it in the arcade, you'll like the US version. If you big into importing the game, there isn't going to be much to attract you.

---

CONTROLLERS

I'm actually surprised at the number of people that are going to get BMUS, from what I've seen on this and other boards. I just hope they won't be too disappointed with the first game, or at least use it as impetus to play the J games somehow.

For every positive BMUS has, there's arguably (at very least) a negative. Based on BMUS alone, I just think the most likely outcome can be most of the people playing it for a week or two tops and never touching it again. Eh, we'll see.

Oh hey this is still a Bemani thread and shit ain't it. Tada:

PS2 IIDX 11th site.

For me it's a sick curiosity as to how it will suck like the American released DDRs will.

My main want for this release is a 2nd controller so I can play double.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shidoshi

If you're still pretty new to Beatmania, or have only played it in the arcade, you'll like the US version. If you big into importing the game, there isn't going to be much to attract you.

Either way, I'm a bit disappointed that Konami didn't put more effort into the U.S. version.

---

Good. It'll be a friendly release for someone like me then.

I wonder why konami has first decided to release this game after all these years here? Is it due to the success of DDR and Guitar Hero?

I finally started playing IIDX again after a five month haitus. Surprisingly I was able to jump back into the game, passing Colors [7k] and DXY! [7k] right off the bat. Shit's like riding a bike, you never forget.

I still don't think I'll ever fucking pass A, though. Let alone A another. :(

I dunno man, if you keep at it I think you will. I never thought I'd pass some of these songs, but every once in a while when I pick it up for a week I find I've gotten faster and better. It takes a lot of "grinding" though.

How much are the controllers going to go for once it comes out in the US? I haven't read through the thread, so forgive me if this has already been answered. I kind of miss it, but man, $500 worth of gear (games, controllers, system, etc.) to play one game was a little rough on the pocketbook. Great game, though.

It's really almost the same kind of rush a shooter like gunbird 2 gives me. It's such a pure gaming experience.

Should be out today.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beefy Hits

Should be out today.

---

My buddy's going to pick this up today, so I'll probably have some impressions on the display and such by saturday.