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What's New
What's New
The current craze in Japan and in the homes and offices of some U.S. gamers that are in-tune with the Japanese import scene is undoubtedly dance and music -inspired games. While the games haven't been given the chance to thrive in the United States, they've been managed to obtain lofty sales figures in Japan.
The most popular of these dance and music -inspired games is undeniably Konami's Benami series, which includes its DrumMania, BeatMania, Dance Dance Revolution, and Guitar Freaks games. Fueled primarily by these Benami games, Konami of Japan went on to become the most successful software publisher of last year in Japan with nearly ten million total games sold. To put this in perspective, Konami sold more games in Japan in 1999 than Capcom, Namco and Sega combined.
With the success of these games, it didn't come as a surprise when Konami announced that it would release DrumMania for the PlayStation2 at the system's launch on March 4, 2000. Despite the fact that it features graphics that could be easily done on a lesser system, the game will undoubtedly be one of the best selling PS2 launch titles. In fact, in Famitsu Weekly, DrumMania ranks as one of the top ten most wanted games in Japan for any system. And, the only other PS2 title that is ahead of it on the list is Sony's Gran Turismo 2000.
For those in the dark that haven't had the chance to experience one of these Benami games, the gameplay is very simplistic in nature. The goal in these games is generally to hit the correct button (or drum pads, cymbals, and foot pedal in DrumMania) that relates to what's being shown on the screen - with all of this being done to music. While it seems simplistic in nature, and it is for the most part, it provides for one of the most addictive and enjoyable videogame experiences since Tetris was first unearthed.
The songs in DrumMania range from simple beats to more complex and insane musical patters. The PlayStation2 version will have all of the songs that were featured in Konami's arcade release of the game.
Furthermore, DrumMania will work with the Guitar Freaks controller that's available for the Sony PlayStation. The game will also feature a two-player mode that allows one player to play the drums and the other player to play the guitar. However, it is believed that this mode will only work on widescreen televisions.
DrumMania for the PS will ship at the PS2's launch on March 4, 2000 and will be released in a package that contains the DrumMania control pad. The total package will be around US.
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Drums
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Set Out
3D Street Fighter series has done more to advance the SF sequel numbering scheme rather than the actual fighting formula, but Capcom obviously has enough faith in that team (composed of ex-Capcom and ex-Square designers) to put their Street Fighter rendition as the face of Capcom in the new millennium.
Although Street Fighter EX3 (pluses, alphas, subtitles, and other appendixes to be added later) is scheduled for launch on March 4, the gameplay unveiled so far has still been relatively early -- the early playable version at the PS2 announcement wasn't much to look at in the graphics department, but the core gameplay held itself well. The Tag system was quick, and the response time was even quicker. The frame rate, needless to say, was blistering, but the backgrounds looked incredibly bland and lacked the detail Capcom is well known for. So far the character list includes SF regulars Ryu, Ken, Chun Li, Blanka, Guile, Dahlsim, Zangief, Vega (Balrog in Japan),and Sakura, as well as EX series newcomers Skullomania, Cracker Jack, Doctrine Dark, Nanase, Byakku, Hokuto, and Sharon. Also, at least one brand new character has been introduced, a flight-suit attired fellow. The cast of 20 should also include other SF and EX characters as well as all-new EX fighters.
What is known about SFEX3 is that the game is classic Street Fighter EX action, with furious gameplay, tight controls, speed, and flashy moves. Added to this latest SF game is the popular tag feature, pioneered in the Vs. series. Tagging out will once again be a crucial means of survival and strategy, although bouts without the tagging are possible. This time, the tag partners can be seen running on the sidelines and cheering you on (somewhat like SNK's King of Fighters series).
The most recent details having emerged from Japan help to clarify the Tag system. Called the Touch System, players can switch from a selection of characters during in-game play to another. The first screens show that the characters exit from the screen. They pull off in a kind of curving motion that kind of cool. What seemed especially interesting is that characters can fight with two of their own characters at one time, enabling a full two-on-two battle. It looks as if once you have built up a power meter, your secondary character can come in and perform his or her more powerful moves before exiting. Still, how this is pulled off precisely remains sketchy.
In addition to the usual modes, Arena mode: Tag Battle, Dramatic Battle [1x3, 2x1, etc.], Team Battle [5x5] and Training mode, there is a new Character Edit mode. Using the character known as Ace, you gain "exp points" by fighting with him. Once you have gained a certain number of experience points, you can use them to teach him various finishing moves, etc. Make sure to see Ace in the screenshots section.
One of the strategies that Capcom is implementing into the fight scheme is the quick alternation of characters to surprise and continually keep off balance the opponent. Apparently, a quick button scheme has been worked out for new players to use this technique. Also added is the Momentary Combo, which allows combos to be started, switched up, and restarted much like the Super Cancel. Additionally, there's the Hard Attack (which replaces the Guard Break), the ability to trade attack power for life, and a double combo system where teamed characters can attack at the same time. Capcom is adding an endurance stage where you fight against an onslaught of continuous characters (like Bushido Blade). Also to be ramped up in this new SF is the special effects and chaotic nature of the mega-attacks.
Make no mistake -- although this is a new system capable of pinpoint accurate fighting, Street Fighter EX3 is not the ultra-technical fighting purity that Street Fighter 3 aspired to be. In fact, with the screen-filling combos and whiplash pace, this is the antithesis to Virtua Fighter and Tekken. And for Street Fighter aficionados, nothing could be sweeter.
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Street Fighter EX3
While Konami was definitely the king of the dance and music games with its great Benami games like Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Freaks, DrumMania, and BeatMania, but it isn't the only show in town. One of the other companies that has put out a moderate amount of music and dancing games in Japanese arcades is Jaleco.
While not quite as popular as the Konami games, Jaleco has released several dance and music games to Japanese arcades. The titles include its dancing games in the Stepping series and its music games in the Rock'n series.
Despite having a console division, none of the company's dance and music games have found their way onto the PlayStation. This seems pretty odd considering that Jaleco must see the phenomenal sales being generated by Konami's games on consoles. However, things are about to change. Jaleco is planning to release one of its dancing games, Stepping Selection, on the PlayStation2 gaming console.
Stepping Selection will be the first dancing game on the upcoming next-generation system and it will feature gameplay reminiscent of Konami's Dance Dance Revolution. And, just like DDR for the PS, Stepping Selection will be released with a special dancing control pad.
The game features a wide-array of hot dancing tunes from past and present eras, including songs like "Baby One More Time" from Britney Spears and "Larger Than Life" from the Backstreet Boys. It will be based on the arcade version, but will also include new gameplay modes that were not found in the arcade. Here are the modes:
Standard: The normal game mode found in the arcade. Unlike the arcade, which had separate screens for the visuals and step meters, the home version puts them both on the same screen since you have one TV.
Challenge: A mode that adjusts itself to your ability with four different levels.
License: Starting out at the 9th class, work your way up the levels.
Movie: You can enjoy the visuals that appear within the game in a sort of "video-clip." Certain songs like Britney Spears' Baby One More Time" have actual video footage for your viewing pleasure.
As mentioned, Stepping Selection will have a wide assortment of tunage from the '70s to '90s. Here's a list of the songs that appear in the game:
Disc 1
5,6,7,8/Steps
No Limit
Hello Mr. Monkey
Girls Just Want To Have Fun
You Can't Hurry Love
The Galaxy Express 999/ Yukihide Takekawa
Surfin' USA
Saturday Night
Footloose
My Sharona
Maniac
Ghostbusters
Love's Got A Hold On My Heart/STEPS
Disc 2
Dschinghis Khan
Santa Maria
Scatman(SKI-BA-BOP-BA-DOP-BOP)/Scatman John
The Neverending Story
Try Me
Take Me Higher
Tora Tora Tora
Eat You Up
Night of Fire
Sky High
Seventies
Baby One More Time/Britney Spears
Larger Than Life/Backstreet Boys
The songs by STEPS, Scatman John, Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys all feature the original songs and videos on the game. The Galaxy Express 999 features the original song.
Stepping Selection and the special dancing controller will be released alongside the PlayStation2 at the system's launch on March 4, 2000 in Japan. The game will be featured on CD-ROM and will be priced at 6,800 yen (US ) and the special dancing controller will also be priced at 6,800 yen.
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Stepping Selection
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