Beatmania IIDX Gold to go on test in an American arcade

by Jared Rea { Feb 28th 2007 at 4:55PM }

Do you love Beatmania? Have you always wanted to check it out but your arcade wouldn't carry it? If you answered yes to either one of those questions and live near Naperville, Illinois, you will have an opportunity to try your hand at the latest in Konami's original rhythm series. You may have played Beatmania before and your local arcade may even have it, but this test is special. The results may determine if we ever see an official, arcade release of Beatmania IIDX here in the States.

Mirroring the grass roots promotion of last years Dance Dance Revolution Supernova, Konami is teaming up with coin-op manufacturer Betson Enterprises to bring Beatmania IIDX 14: Gold to the US for a limited time only. Whether Konami is considering a US version of the game or to begin releasing the titles internationally (see: Supernova) is unknown as the test is simply to determine the general interest level of the game.

The location test begins on March 5th at the Brunswick Zone in Naperville, Illinois. The machine will remain on test for an undetermined amount of time, though we can't imagine it staying beyond two weeks. So bring a friend, a lot of quarters and show your support. This may be the only chance in your lifetime to play Ghostbusters.

Tags: arcade, beatmania, beatmania iidx, BeatmaniaIidx, bemani, konami

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

sheppy @ Feb 28th 2007 5:02PM

And with that, a roadtrip to Naperville is planned...

I wonder how well I'll do considering I can only beat half of Happy Sky on import.

hvnlysoldr @ Feb 28th 2007 5:13PM

Despite my father's entire side being good musicians, I don't have very much musical talent. Oh sure I squeaked passing Jumping Jack Flash on Hard Rock on Elite Beat Agents, but I can't handle even the standard difficulties on DDR.

In a completely unrelated note check out Gamestop's listing for Duck Hunt
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1&product%5Fid=T000521

hvnlysoldr @ Feb 28th 2007 5:21PM

Forget my last comment. Definitely should have seen as not relevant. Still like the tactile feel of EBA with rumble. And those goofy Blues Brothers, MIB, ghostbusters like cheerleaders too.

sheppy @ Feb 28th 2007 5:26PM

Well, to be fair, of all the rhythm games I play (and trust me, it's among my fav genre), Beatmania has the single highest difficulty entry point. If you're interested in Beatmania, I suggest starting with something easier like DJ Max portable or OS2Jam (and buy some Epilogue tracks for OS2, he's a friend of mine).

JodyAnthony @ Feb 28th 2007 5:38PM

mere miles from my home!

scott tsai @ Feb 28th 2007 5:38PM

does anyone know the release date for IIDX GOLD in japanese arcades?

sheppy @ Feb 28th 2007 5:40PM

One can almost imagine, since it's hitting a test market in the US starting on the 5th, it has to be close to that time if not already.

Cutriss @ Feb 28th 2007 6:20PM

IIDX Gold is out in Japan now.

No word on when IIDX Lawnmower will be released.

Arturo @ Feb 28th 2007 7:07PM

i leave near naperville and i played the us beatmania that's out, but damn is that game hard to get really good in. id really only try it again if the song quasar from another version were added and if i could get quick enough to play it lol.

Arturo @ Feb 28th 2007 7:07PM

o.o @ Feb 28th 2007 7:10PM

Although this is good news for me, I think by using GOLD, they are are only brining the Bemani crowd to it, not new people. GOLD isn't easy, more of the harder ones. They also really screwed up on IIDX PS2 release in the states even for newbies (was terrible).

If they want to attract new crowds, they should use either 3rd or 5thstyle AC and release GOLD as a full release

Nick @ Feb 28th 2007 7:14PM

if you play beatmania and live anywhere near BZ. GO PLAY AND SHOW KONAMI THERE IS A REASON TO BRING IIDX STATESIDE!

also too bad goldrush wont be playable ;< (I assume)

MAKE IT
MAKE IT MONEY!!

o.o @ Feb 28th 2007 7:18PM

I think they should release Drummania more than Beatmania personally though in USA, of course, with replacing most or all of the JPOP songs. I'm not sure what Guitar Heros has over with Guitar games or controller, but I don't think it'd be trouble for Konami to release the game (excluding fees) as a Session set.

Drum game has been done by MTV before, but it's more friendly interface like Drummania, I think it'll do so much better than Beatmania here in the states...especially at places like BJs

John Z @ Feb 28th 2007 7:52PM

I was utterly humbled by DistorteD when it was at E3 last year. Didn't stop me from getting excited; the machine had a significant crowd around it and there was a lot of good buzz. I can't help but think that this is a direct result of that showing (and not specifically the rather lackluster performance of BMUS).

I'm definitely in agreement that GOLD needs to have a lower-difficulty mode for new (US) players. Still, remember that a playtest works both ways; maybe Konami will take note that the tracks in GOLD are too hard and produce some easier tracks for noobs (like me).

That said: Anyone moaning about how the current tracks are too hard, loses the privelege to moan about how the new/easy tracks "suck". I'm off to go practice my Moby and Jamiroquai, thankyouverymuch....

o.o @ Feb 28th 2007 8:06PM

There are a lot of easy songs with good tracks and some easy ones with relatively fun notes as well.

Just because it's hard doens't make a Bemani game fun. That's why I don't like a lot of the current DDRs where it's mostly about PA.

Note: Not ranting towards you John Z

sheppy @ Feb 28th 2007 8:22PM

John Z, I actually imported Happy Sky (but bought the US mix... twice, just to get the turntables) and it's quite a trial by fire. Until you find the beginner mode.

Nick @ Feb 28th 2007 8:31PM

for all the people complaining about the difficulty there is always beginner mode >_< also on gold there are a few songs that ONLY have beginner charts

Arturo @ Feb 28th 2007 9:22PM

@john z, and nick:

there may be a beginner mode, but not all songs were offered in that mode in the us version released. i was very disappointed to not be able to play songs i liked more just because i wasnt good enough and dont have the time to dedicate that much practice to it.

k @ Feb 28th 2007 10:54PM

@Arturo
If the songs you like are more difficult than you can currently handle, isn't that motivation for you to practice more?
I mean, if Konami were to make all songs roughly of the same level, what's to keep people coming back and popping quarters/100 yen coins in their machines or buying the CS releases?

tommyd84 @ Feb 28th 2007 11:01PM

That's about 10 minutes from my house... awesome!

sheppy @ Feb 28th 2007 11:16PM

There's only one problem, K. Unlike most of the other Benami and musical games, there isn't exactly a smooth ramping up of difficulty. In fact, Beatmania has a rather sharp curve. Just because you pound out beginner doesn't mean lv3s are not going to kick your ass. In fact, the entire Beatmania experience is rather... immasculating.