Kotaku: Bemani

Beatmania Gets Pink. Really, Really Pink.

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Konami has announced location tests for new Bemani title beatmania IIDX16 EMPRESS. Starting next month, the arcade location tests will be at Round One in Osaka's Umeda and another one in Tokyo (more details in the link). Okay, that's fine and all, but you know the current theme for beatmania IIDX15 DJ TROOPERS? If not, it's pictured. DJ TROOPERS clearly has a militaristic vibe going on. Empress does not. It's an about face! Hit the jump to check out the beatmania EMPRESS theme and brace yourself.

Oh yeah, I'd could play this arcade game. In front of other people, even.

Location Test [Konami Thanks, Riyu!]

Konami Adds "Jubeat" To Bemani Line-Up

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:40:10 MST

The newest member of the Bemani family—which includes DDR, Guitar Freaks, Pop 'n' Music, et al.—in Japanese arcades is jubeat, a touch-panel game that... well, we're not sure what the hell is going on with this one yet. It's currently on location test in Japan, so we're sure to see how the game behaves in motion soon enough, but it appears that players will have to frantically slap display screens in time to J-pop tunes, competing with others via local or internet connection. That mysterious glowing cube on top of the cabinet? Unsure, but it may simply be for decoration and to increase the obnoxiousness of the seizure inducing lightshow. More on jubeat as we learn about it.

jubeat [Konami via Arcade Heroes]

Bemani Figure Gets Green Light

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 03:00:59 MDT

Back in May, Konami dangled a Beatmania carrot rope, telling fans that if 2,500 pre-orders were received by June 17th for character Iroha Umegiri figurine, the piece would go into production. If not, well. When first announced, there wasn't even a resin sample or character model. Since then, the above figure has surfaced.

Good news! Iroha will go into production. Apparently enough folks pre-ordered, and Konami met its quota. The statue looks passable at best, but that probably doesn't matter to Bemani diehards. Iroha will be the first in Konami's planned Beatmania series. They better not set quotas for each figurine, because that would be annoying! Brian Ashcraft

Iroha Ready For Production [Konami Style via Heisei Democracy]

Konami Cruelly Teases Bemani Fans

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 18 May 2007 23:00:02 MDT

Like rhythm game Beatmania? Konami sort of announced that it would be launching 1/8 scale PVC Bemani figurines. Check out the design illustration for character Iroha Umegiri. Promising.

The catch?

Konami's playing it super safe and will only produce the figurines *if* the company receives 2,500 preorders *by* June 17th. Then and only then will the figs go on sale in late October. And customers must put in their ¥4,700 (US $39) preorders without seeing a production model or even a resin sample! Talk about good faith. No way in hell they're going to reach that 2,500 watermark with a raw deal like this. Brian Ashcraft

Konami Sorta Announces Figurines [Heisei Democracy]

Konami Game Music Coming Online

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 15 May 2007 23:00:53 MDT

Konami has inked a deal with Sony BMG to distribute its music online via iTunes and Rhapsody. From Bemani stylings to Michiru Yamane's Castlevania soundtracks, Konami has a rich back catalogue to draw from. And looks like they will! Brian Ashcraft

Konami Music [Gay Gamer]