Ok, so I took a trip into the city today for some Yum Cha, and decided to pay a visit to the arcade on George St, Sydney, as I haven't been to one in ages.

Played the usual games, Daytona, Street Fighter, Virtua Cop, but one game I did try out, was an unusual game called Drum Mania.

Now, the premise of the game, is to play drums, but it's done in such a way, that it was absolutely awesome fun. Beginner mode was a little too easy and slow, but got you used to how to play the game. Thinking I was an expert, I decided to try standard....and boy did I get my arse whooped. I couldn't even pass the first level, and was getting so confused. Still was great fun, but the best bit was watching these Asian guys on this other drum mania machine, playing on like expert, and going absolutely crazy! The speed those guys exhibited, did not seem humanly possible, and but my standard efforts to complete and utter shame.

Man, if I had 10,000 spare, i'd buy one of these things for my room, and after playing this, I really wanna get Donkey Konga for my cube, as it's very similar.

Pure awesomeness, and you gotta try it when you hit an arcade.

Well, Donkey Konga is much more simpler than Drum Mania Manny. With only really, 4 different "hits" (left, right, together & clap) it doesn't get as hardcore as Drum Mania does. As long as you are fine with that Donkey Konga is fine.

I have seen some crazy good people play Drum Mania and it is amazing. Even better when they play it with their friends linked up with Guitar Freaks, playing the same track synchronized. And yes, having 6 different things to hit gets really confusing especially when you see 40 things coming downat a million miles per hour.

Yeah, i'd imagine Donkey Konga would be alot easier, what with only to drums, but drummania just opened my eyes to how fun the genre is. It's great.

I'm seriously, seriously considering buying a Drum Mania machine.

I wonder how much money those people have poured into the game to be that amazingly good. I just couldn't see any way possible for a human to react quick enough to the beat without actually knowing the song.

Crazy town!

YES!! I too have recently found a new love in DrumMania! I'm not brilliant at it, but I can pass just about anything on the first difficulty. :P The problem is that the machine at Galactic Circus doesn't have an adjustable seat, and at 6'1" I have a little trouble hitting the drums without looking because they're too close. :( I always play Ai No Shirushi at least once, I love that song! :D

Regarding Donkey Konga, have you guys heard of that Nintendo comp that's been running at Village cinemas in Victoria? Well my housemate went to his first round yesterday (he came 2nd too), and they had a special "bonus" game. Guess what it was? :o

I really should just take a digital camera down there and record these guys in action, they're phenomenal.

Btw:

Drum Mania 2nd Mix, a cool $2500 US.



Hmm, either that or my tiny Vaio for the same price....

Yeah, borgster mentioned that in the thread in Nintendo Central. ;)

Did you also know that Donkey Konga is coming out in September! :woot:

I've watched this game and literally laughed out loud. The females glorify unco-yet-familiarised asian boys who can keep a beat which requires absolutely no skill.

Considering that, I should take it up soon. *shoves Initial-D*

Seems fun, I'll give it a try. :lol:

Jesus, Man - welcome to four years ago! ;)

Though it still cops criticism from some of my muso friends, DrumMania s definitely the Bemani game that somes closest to actually playing the instrument and requires the most skill.

You'll notice a lot of people turn auto-kicker on, and while I'm craptacular at it, I'd rather the full experience, even if it does mean languishing around the lower difficulty songs.

Back when I was a bit of a Guitar Freaks nut, I used to play a bit of DrumMania. I think it was around 5th or 6th mix, and they had Steppenwolf's 'Born To Be Wild' as one of the easier songs. THAT kicked arse. Now it's all a bit too J-Poppy for the likes of me.

Well it's been about 4 years since i've hit an arcade....

Anyway, I hit the arcades again today, and while i've gotten a little better, i'm still no match for even the standard difficulty setting.

Once again, seeing those asians play made me feel so stupid playing on beginner. I just don't understand how you can have such quick hand eye coordination.

I didn't know you could turn the kicker on Auto, until I saw one of the chicks playing it with it on. Damn cheaters! The kicker is the most awkward thing about it, and it always screws me up...so auto kicker would come in very handy for me :D

You COULD just buy a drum kit for cheaper. :P

But a drum kit doesn't come with all the bells and whistles, although I could just add some neons to one....

Nothing beats the simple namco drum game, much like donkey konga but with bit sticks and you hit the sides of the drums with the sticks instead of clapping. Great tunes too!

Drum Mania sounds fun - I hope I can find somewhere in Brisbane with it 'cos I wanna give it a go now.

Is it just me or is it always Asian teens who are crazy awesome at all the arcade games? (not trying to be racist by the way)

You know, its a game like drum mania that would do really well with the new Nintendo controller ...

Y'know, i'm not too sure. It'd work ok I guess, but you just wouldn't get the feeling from actually hitting an object.

controller

$50AUD

game(tba)

$85AUD

NTSCJ console (+free component cable)

other bemani