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BEATMANIA
REVIEW
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Format- Playstation
Developer- Konami Japan (Homepage)
Type- DJ Simulation
Other formats- Arcade/ Gameboy/ Wonderswan
Players- 1/2
Memory Card compatible- YES (1- 2 Blocks)
Vibration compatible- YES
DJ Controller compatible- YES
Discs- 1/ 2 |
In 1998, Konami
invented an entirely new genre of game; the DJ simulation. Fair enough,
Beatmania has little to do with actually DJ-ing; there is only one
turntable to control, and you don't use a mixing deck either. However,
what they have created is an incredibly playable game that almost defies
categorization. You choose a song and simply play the tune over the top,
pressing the corresponding buttons as they reach the bottom of the screen
to play the notes. Five buttons represent piano keys (three white and two
black), while a sixth button scratches the turntable. Depending on the
style of song you choose, your task varies: select something like Soul and
the vocals become the central point; choose Techno and your button presses
form a frantic, bass-laden rhythm. That's basically it. Simple and fun.
There are a wealth of tracks to choose from, varying in difficulty and
tempo, from the incredible Cat Song to the stupidly insane World Groove.
In Japan the popularity of these titles is phenomenal, both for the
Playstation and in the arcades, and it is easy to see why. Because the
graphics are functional, not the focal point of the game, the transition
from arcade to home has been faultless, every song reproduced perfectly.
The additional 3rd Mix CD is perhaps better than the first 2 discs, a
mixture of all new tracks and a selection of the best from the originals.
Announcements of additional data discs promise a bright future for the
series; the potential exists for great variety in music style, with many
of the tracks already produced by big name Japanese artists.
It's hard to fault this
game; the multi-player mode extends the lifespan almost to infinity, while
many of the later tracks will challenge the gamesplayer for weeks on end.
Musical taste is not really an issue, as all the tracks are fun to play,
regardless of style. The response to Beatmania in England has been mixed
so far; people either love it or hate it. Those who hate it, however,
clearly have no idea what makes a game good. An all new European Edit will
be released around Christmas 1999.
Quite frankly, there aren't
enough games around that offer the pick-up-and-play lure that comes with
Beatmania. Playing it with or without the special controller is a treat
from start to finish, just don't expect to turn off your Playstation for a
few hours at a time once you've turned this on!
The original
Beatmania is called Beatmania: 2nd Mix as it has both 1st and 2nd mixes
over 2 CDs. Additional data discs are now available, entitled 3rd Mix,
Gottamix, 4th Mix, and 5th Mix. Gottamix is superb, being very fun and
enjoyable. 4th and 5th Mix are somewhat of a disappointment, as the music
selections lack catchy songs. Similar titles, also from Konami have been
just as successful in Japan. Pop n Music, Guitar Freaks, Drum Mania, Dance
Dance Revolution and Goo Goo Soundy are all available or being converted
to the Playstation or Dreamcast, along with sequels! With more Beatmania
games coming soon, the beat goes on.....
Review by Andy Dilks
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