[GameDroid] The Rise of BEMANI in the Philippines

Wazzup Everybody? Going into an Arcade is one of the best ways to relax and discover new games. You can be a sharpshooter with Shooter Games, 'The Fastest Racer Alive' in Racing Games, or even 'The Greatest Fighter of All Time' in Fighting Games, or test your luck as you eye for the prize with some nifty Claw Crane Games to win some nifty prizes, and many more! One particular genre of games in the arcade haven't changed since 2014 which is "Music Games". But last May 2016 with the help of Quantum Amusement and Konami, Music Games are alive once again! Keep reading after this break as we talk about the Rise of BEMANI in the Philippines.

(July 15, 2016) Crowd during NicDroid Day 16: Fan and Community Meet
at Q Power Station Shangri-la Plaza

Way back then, we only know very few games like Maimai (SEGA), Pump It Up (Andamiro), DanceDanceRevolution, GuitarFreaks&DrumMania, Dance ManiaX, and even beatmania IIDX (pronounced as 2DX,) The last 4 of the games mentioned are from one company who also made Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania, and even Contra possible, Konami. Since 1997, Konami made different series of music games that promotes (obviously) Music by promoting Music Simulation Games.

Jubeat Qubell in Action at Q Power Station Power Plant Mall (Rockwell)

Music Games not just tests your rhythm and reflexes, it also trains your ear on how to interact with music, same principle when you're playing a real instrument. This is why some few musicians know what they are doing when they're playing Music Games but the mileage may vary for some other musicians. Many people get intimidated playing these games though, majority of people said that these games are hard, but the main reason why they don't get it because they only focus on visuals than the music itself. Having a sense of rhythm became one of the essentials of getting everything synchronized not just on Music Games or Playing Musical Instruments, that's why these type of games help players to improve that sense.

MUSECA in Action at Q Power Station Shangri-la Plaza

When did the Music Gaming stopped? few years ago, another arcade company Timezone released the (offline version) of DDR X3 vs 2nd Mix, GuitarFreaks&DrumMania XG3, Jubeat Copious APPEND, and Reflec Beat Limelight. It was a game-changer when it comes to Music Games back then, but until Kinect-based Games released (like Just Dance and Dance Central.) Making most of the Arcade Players switched into the Pop Culture of Kinect-based Dance Games leaving other Music Games behind. Few years forward, Music Gaming is slowly dying in the arcades in the philippines, few people are keeping those games alive back then.

(April 18. 2016) MUSECA and Sound Voltex III Location Test
at Quantum SM City North EDSA

15th of March, 2016, Quantum Amusement made a little surprise for the Music Gamers around Quantum SM City North EDSA as one person found a MUSECA and a Sound Voltex Machine being installed, and finding out Konami is conducting the first ever Philippine Location Test of the said two games. A month later, it was ended but Quantum and Konami didn't stopeed there. They immediately released DanceEvolution ARCADE and Jubeat Qubell in the same location, bringing BEMANI to rise in the Philippine arcades (with eAMUSEMENT Support - it means that the machines are online and will always get updates!)

Jubeat Qubell and MUSECA at Q Power Station Shangri-la Plaza

To conclude this article, Bemani is rising in the Philippines to bring more fun in both Music Gaming and Arcade Gaming in General. With the new beginner-friendly games like Jubeat, MUSECA, and DanceEvolution ARCADE, New Players have a reason now to play these, and to bring more attention to this genre of games. It won't be possible without all the supporters from Aracde-goers to the Music Gamers (like me.) But the Rise won't stop there if we keep supporting for the future releases.

Wanna play these awesome games featured in this Article? You can play them all at the Selected Quantum and Q Power Station branches or check out Quantum Amusement and/or Q Power Station Facebook Pages for more Info and Joins us at BEMANI PH as well!