Beatmania

[Devhux]

Anyone else play this game before? (any variant -- 5-key and/or IIDX 7-key).

beatmania US just came out, and I've been having a blast with it so far. Sure, there are some bad points like the interface (whoever thought that PURPLE was a good color should be kicked out of Konami), but overall for someone just starting out with Beatmania, the US version isn't all that bad. Yes, the Japanese versions typically are better if you listen to the hardcore IIDX fanboys, but I'm happy so far.

At the very least, you're paying $60 for a really good controller -- even better than the Japanese controllers you can import, since you won't suffer from sticky keys.

[zero2dash]

I'm getting it once I buy a Ps2 again; I've always wanted to import it but didn't have an import-friendly Ps2. (Never played any Beatmania's before though...so I'm going in without any experience whatsoever; I just love Bemani games.)

I'm glad they finally released it over here (saw it in the recent issue of EGM) but I hope they didn't take out some good music and replace it with generic US music crap. How's the soundtrack? :hmm:

[Devhux]

There are a few US exclusives such as Funkytown, and some covers of other tunes (You Really Got Me, Toxic, Celebration). There is also First Day (Timo Mass) and Lift Me Up (Moby) which work well.

Other than that though, there's a decent mix of 5-key and IIDX material ranging from 2nd Style up to 9th Style. Notables include Summer Vacation (from IIDX 6th Style), 321 Stars (from Beatmania 2nd Mix I think), and V (IIDX 5th Style).

As a US mix, it's decent -- but it definately doesn't compare to the greatness that is IIDX 10th Style in Japan.

One final note -- this is NOT an easy game. Timing windows are VERY tight.