View source for Bemani

{{Short description|Konami's music video game division}}
{{about|the video game developer|the village in Iran|Bemani, Iran|the administrative subdivision of Iran|Bemani Rural District}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2015}}
{{condensed|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Bemani
| native_name = ビーマニ
| romanized_name = Bīmani
| logo = Bemani series logo.png
| former_name = Games & Music Division <small>(1997–1999)</small>
| type = Division
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1997}}
| founders =
| hq_location_city = [[Tokyo]]
| hq_location_country = [[Japan]]
| products = {{unbulleted list|''[[Beatmania]]''|''[[Beatmania IIDX]]''|''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]''|''[[Dance Dance Revolution Solo]]''|''[[Dance Maniax]]''|''Dancerush Stardom''| ''[[GuitarFreaks and DrumMania]]''|''[[Jubeat]]''|''[[Karaoke Revolution]]''|''[[Keyboardmania]]''|''[[Para Para Paradise]]''|''[[Pop'n Music]]''|''[[Reflec Beat]]''|''[[Sound Voltex]]''}}
| parent = [[Konami]]
| website =
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Bemani'''|ビーマニ|Bīmani|extra={{IPAc-en|b|iː|ˈ|m|ɑː|n|i}}}}, stylized as '''BEMANI''', is [[Konami]]'s [[music video game]] division. Originally named the '''Games & Music Division''' ('''G.M.D.'''), it changed its name in honor of its first and most successful game, ''[[Beatmania]]'', and expanded into other music-based games, most notably [[rhythm game]]s such as ''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]'', ''[[GuitarFreaks]]'', and ''[[DrumMania]]''.
==Current Bemani games==
Since 1997, Konami has released many different series of music games under the Bemani brand. Each series has a unique way of playing the game and detaches players from the typical [[Gamepad|hand held controller]] of modern game systems by using their whole body to control the game. ''Dance Dance Revolution'' lets players dance with their feet, ''Beatmania'' gives players a DJ style mixing board complete with turntable, ''ParaParaParadise'' is controlled with the players hands and arm by setting off [[motion sensors]] during the dance routine, and ''GuitarFreaks'' & ''DrumMania'' let players use simplified instruments to create music. Below are the Bemani series of video games in alphabetical order.
===''Beatmania IIDX''===
{{Main|Beatmania IIDX}}
{{See also|List of Beatmania IIDX video games}}
[[File:Beatmania IIDX 27 HEROIC VERSE LIGHTNING MODEL cabinet.jpg|thumb|''Beatmania IIDX 27'' running on a  ''Lightning Model'' arcade cabinet]]
Continuing the ''Beatmania'' series, ''Beatmania IIDX'' (typically pronounced "Two Dee Ecks") was released in 1999. The rules of the game remain the same from ''Beatmania'' with the addition of two more keys giving players seven keys to play with along with the turntable. "IIDX" stands for 2 Deluxe, "Beatmania 2 Deluxe", as Konami gave the series an entire internal and external makeover. The deluxe versions of the arcade machines were bulked up with larger displays, a platform for players to stand on and literally feel the bass of the music, and other amenities. As time went on Konami ceased production of the standard cabinet and went exclusively with the deluxe cabinet.
''Beatmania IIDX'' has been released on the [[PlayStation 2]] and PC platforms for home players and continues to this day with arcade releases worldwide. In 2006, the game was released on the PlayStation 2 in North America for the first time, simply titled ''[[Beatmania (2006 video game)|Beatmania]]''.
===''Dance Around''===
{{Main|Dance Masters#Dance Around}}
''Dance Around'', stylized as ''DANCE aROUND'', was released on March 3, 2022 in Japan. Internationally, it was released on June 6, 2022 in North America, and in December 2022 in China.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.konami.com/amusement/topics/20455/|title=BEMANIシリーズに新たな本格ダンスゲームが登場！みーーーんな踊れるダンスゲーム「DANCE aROUND」ロケテスト開催!|language=ja}}</ref> The game is named after [[Round One Corporation|Round One]] arcades, and it is exclusive to these arcades. ''Dance Around'' uses a pair of cameras mounted on either side of the cabinet to detect the player's body using parallax. ''Dance Around'' is considered by fans to be a [[spiritual sequel]] to Bemani's own ''[[Dance Evolution|Dance Masters]]'' and ''Dance Evolution Arcade'', and is also comparable to the [[Just Dance (video game series)|''Just Dance'']] game series.
===''Dance Dance Revolution''===
{{Main|Dance Dance Revolution}}
{{See also|List of Dance Dance Revolution video games}}
[[File:DanceDanceRevolution White Machine with DDR A installed.png|thumb|A ''Dance Dance Revolution White'' arcade cabinet]]
''Dance Dance Revolution'', often initialized to ''DDR'' and also known in Europe as ''Dancing Stage'', was first produced in 1998. The game is played by stepping to music on a dance platform with four pressure-sensitive [[Dance pad|arrow pads]]. The game has changed little since its introduction but has come a long way in terms of musical selection and visual appearance. While originally an arcade title, many versions of ''Dance Dance Revolution'' have been released on many different platforms including the Sony [[PlayStation 2]], Sega [[Dreamcast]], Nintendo [[Wii]], and Microsoft [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. Other versions have also appeared on portable handhelds, cell phones, and as standalone TV [[Handheld TV game|plug'n'play]] devices. ''Dance Dance Revolution'' is commonly considered to be the most well-known BEMANI series outside of Japan.
===''Dance Rush''===
''Dance Rush Stardom'', stylized as ''DANCERUSH STARDOM'', was first released on March 23, 2018. It is marketed as a shuffle dancing simulator, and encourages the players to learn several real-life moves, such as the running man, the crab step, the Spongebob, and the Charleston. It uses a Microsoft Kinect-like body tracking camera and a dance platform powered by an IR frame. In addition, ''Dance Rush'' has five buttons for navigating the menu, but not used during gameplay.
In ''Dance Rush,'' the player is given a set of prompts that scroll down the timeline, and must match the horizontal foot positions by stepping in the right place on the platform, sliding their feet left and right, or keeping their feet off the platform by jumping. In addition, the game also detects the speed at which the player’s center of gravity moves, requiring the player to go "DOWN" in time with the prompts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DANCERUSH STARDOM |url=https://p.eagate.573.jp/game/dan/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=DANCERUSH STARDOM |language=ja}}</ref>
Similar to other Bemani series like ''Dance Dance Revolution'' and ''Dance Evolution'', ''Dance Rush'' has three game modes: Light (up to two songs, or only one in South Korea), Standard (up to two songs, plus Extra Stage if the total score for the two songs exceeds 180.000) and Premium (record any one song fulfilling the license terms and upload them to YouTube).
''Dance Rush'' also has a cooperative 2-player mode, where one player uses the front half of the platform and the other uses the back half, as well as a head-to-head battle mode using two separate cabinets. The two modes can even be activated at the same time, resulting in a 2v2 cooperative multiplayer game.
===''Gitadora'' (''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'')===
[[File:Small housing version of GITADORA (GuitarFreaks).jpg|thumb| A ''GITADORA HIGH-VOLTAGE'' GuitarFreaks machine]]
[[File:Small housing version of GITADORA (DrumMania).jpg|thumb|A ''GITADORA HIGH-VOLTAGE'' DrumMania machine]]
{{Main|GuitarFreaks and DrumMania}}
{{See also|List of GuitarFreak games|List of DrumMania games}}
Also known as ''Gitadora'' in Japan, the combined series of ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'' are games that use simplified instruments after their namesake. ''GuitarFreaks'' uses a small, plastic [[guitar]] with three buttons known as "frets", a strum bar, and a motion sensor that players set off by pulling the neck of the guitar up and quickly down again. Despite the similarities, ''Guitar Freaks'' predates ''[[Guitar Hero (series)|Guitar Hero]]'' by several years; in fact, the heads of [[RedOctane]], Charles and Kai Huang, were reportedly inspired by the ''GuitarFreaks'' gameplay to develop the Western game's guitar peripheral and pitch its gameplay proposal for what would eventually become ''Guitar Hero''.
''Drum Mania'' lets players play a set of drums. Modeled after modern [[Electronic drum|digital drum kits]], the player strikes the appropriate piece with the [[drum stick|drumsticks]] on cue with the music and failure to do so causes the song to sound incorrect. Many American players will recognize the ''Drum Mania'' setup from more recent games like ''[[Rock Band]]'', which is unrelated to the Konami game.
Similar to the 5-key to 7-key upgrade from ''Beatmania'' to ''Beatmania IIDX'', ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'' received a major gameplay overhaul with the 2010 release of ''GuitarFreaks XG'' and ''DrumMania XG'', with a total of 5 frets and 9 drums respectively. While standard ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'' games were originally being released alongside the XG games, the latter has now become the primary focus of the series, with the last standard series game being V8, released in 2011. The XG series was rebranded in 2013 as simply "GITADORA".
Despite being separately released games that can be played independent of each other, Konami markets the ''GITADORA'' series as a pair that can be linked for co-operative play in the arcades. The two series continue to be released to this day.
===''Jubeat''===
{{Main|Jubeat}}
[[File:Jubeat.jpg|thumb|''Jubeat'' arcade cabinets]]
Announced on December 22, 2007, ''Jubeat'' (pronounced "you beat", title changed to ''UBeat'' and ''Jukebeat'' in the American test releases) is similar to [[Whac-A-Mole]], where players must tap the square-shaped panels on a touch screen when they light up. It was released in Japan in July 2008. A localized version of the game for [[North America]] was announced the month after with tests held at an arcade in Southern California alongside ''[[Dance Dance Revolution X]]''. After two separate testing phases Konami canceled all plans to release the game in North American Arcades. ''Jubeat''{{'s}} arcade presence is localized in Japan and several East Asian countries.  Free-to-Play adaptations for mobile were eventually released in 2010.  Japan received Jubeat Plus, available for iOS and Android. International regions received a localized version called ''Jukebeat'', available solely on iOS. While the apps may appear similar, ''Jukebeat''{{'s}} songlist is far more restricted and features different licences.
===''NOSTALGIA''===
[[File:NOSTALGIA Op.2.jpg|thumb|A ''NOSTALGIA'' arcade cabinet]]
{{Nihongo|''NOSTALGIA''|ノスタルジア|Nosutarujia}} was first released on March 1, 2017, available as an upgrade kit for ''BeatStream'' cabinets or as a new machine. The game serves as a spiritual successor to ''Keyboardmania'', with its gameplay involving a keyboard-esque controller used to hit notes coming from the top of the screen. Unlike ''Keyboardmania'' though, the player does not have to hit a specific key, just one in the note's general area. Only one row of keys is used as well; while the cabinet does have black keys, they are solely for decoration. The touchscreen used by ''BeatStream'' is reused to navigate the game's interface. Similar to ''Keyboardmania'', "Real" charts requires players to know how to play the piano in order to easily pass the songs.
===''Pop'n Music''===
{{Main|Pop'n Music}}
[[File:Pop'n music - Dream of a rabbit and a cat and the boy.jpg|thumb|180px|A ''Pop'n Music'' arcade cabinet]]
Released in 1998, ''Pop'n Music'' is like a simplified ''Beatmania''. With larger, colorful buttons, no turntable, and easier note patterns, ''Pop'n Music'' presents players with a more childlike appearance. However ''Pop'n Music'' is viewed as every bit as difficult as ''Beatmania IIDX'', with modes that use up to nine hand buttons at once, and having some songs that aren't keysounded. ''Pop'n Music'' is stylized with cute [[cartoon]]y characters and a musical selection to match. The series continues to this day as one of the most popular Bemani games.
=== ''Sound Voltex'' ===
{{Main|Sound Voltex}}
[[File:SOUND VOLTEX EXCEED GEAR for Arcade Game.jpg|thumb|Two ''SOUND VOLTEX'' arcade cabinets, the standard model at left and the ''Valkyrie model'' at right, both running ''EXCEED GEAR'']]
''SOUND VOLTEX'' was first released on January 18, 2012. Its gameplay involves four white buttons, two orange "FX" buttons, and two knobs, one blue and one pink. While the white and orange buttons are simply pressed or held, the knobs must be adjusted on cue with blue and pink lasers which quickly move left and right across the track. Similar to ''beatmania'', this gameplay is meant to mimic a [[DJ controller]], but places more focus on layering effects over the music. Besides music featured in other BEMANI series, many songs are arrangements of music from ''[[Touhou Project]]'', and some are produced by [[Vocaloid]] artists. SOUND VOLTEX also holds regular song contests, officially called ''SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR'', in which fans submit original songs or artwork for a chance to be part of the game's extensive songlist.
==Inactive Bemani games==
===''Beatmania''===
{{Main|Beatmania}}
{{See also|List of Beatmania video games}}
[[File:Beatmania6thmix.jpg|thumb|A ''Beatmania 6th mix'' arcade cabinet]]
Modeled after nightclub [[DJs]] and [[Mixing console|mixing boards]], ''Beatmania'', known as ''Hip Hop Mania'' in North America and ''Beatstage'' in Korea, allows the player to "spin" the music with five activator keys and a [[Phonograph|turntable]]. The ''Beatmania'' series was the first Bemani game introduced and its successor is still the most popular Bemani game in Japan. With numerous releases in arcades and on video game platforms ''Beatmania'' set itself as a role model for future Bemani titles. The music featured in this series of games is still in use today in ''Beatmania IIDX'' and other Bemani games.
===''Beatmania III''===
[[File:ビートマニア３.JPG|thumb|200px|''Beatmania III the Final'' arcade machine]]
{{Main|Beatmania III}}
{{See also|List of Beatmania III video games}}
Built off the ''Beatmania'' gameplay, ''Beatmania III'' added a foot pedal to the five keys and turntable used by players. The ''Beatmania III'' series was short lived with only a few releases and a series run of only two years, ending in 2002. Many songs from ''Beatmania III'' were ported to the IIDX series as well as other Bemani games.
===''BeatStream''===
[[File:BeatStream player.jpg|thumb|A ''BeatStream'' machine]]
Released on July 17, 2014, and discontinued on March 1, 2017, its gameplay involves hitting notes that come from eight directions to an octagonal judgment lines within a wide touch panel. The notes have several types: some need to be held down, and some need to be slid. Similar to ''Beatmania IIDX'', the player starts with 30% clear gauge (represented by a ring in the middle of the screen) and have to obtain at least 70% by the end of the game to pass the stage. The music library features a good number of songs from Vocaloid and ''Touhou Project'', like ''Sound Voltex'', but ''BeatStream'' does have its fair share of original songs. e-Amusement support for ''BeatStream'' ended on September 1, 2017, discontinuing most cabinets that require constant e-Amusement connection, rendering the game unable to run after boot and recycling cabinets for other games.
===''Bemani Pocket''===
{{Main|Bemani Pocket}}
Similar in style to ''[[Tamagotchi]]'' handhelds, the ''Bemani Pocket'' series released small, handheld versions of ''Dance Dance Revolution'', ''Beatmania'', and ''ParaParaParadise'' intended to be played with one's fingers. Rarer ''Pop'n Music'' and ''GuitarFreaks'' variants were produced later on.
===''Dance Dance Revolution Solo''===
[[File:Dance Dance Revolution Solo 2000 arcade machine.jpg|thumb|180px|''Dance Dance Revolution Solo 2000'' machine]]
{{Main|Dance Dance Revolution Solo}}
An offshoot of the ''Dance Dance Revolution'' series, ''Dance Dance Revolution Solo'' added two additional arrows to the dance stage, but supported only single-player gameplay. The ''Solo'' series saw two major releases and two complementary releases before being canceled in 2001. Most of the music exclusive to ''Dance Dance Revolution Solo'' was reused in the main ''Dance Dance Revolution'' series.
===''Dance Maniax''===
[[File:Dance Maniax 2nd Mix.jpg|thumb|180px|A ''Dance Maniax 2nd Mix'' arcade cabinet]]
''Dance Maniax'' is an arcade [[video game]] controlled by two pairs of infrared motion sensors that detect movement of arms and legs. Several versions have been produced in 2000 and 2001.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wolf|first1=Mark J.P.|title=The Video Game Explosion: A History from PONG to Playstation and Beyond |date=2008 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |isbn=9780313338687|page=138|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC&pg=PA138 |access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref> Instead of the usual concept of dropping notes in the genre (like [[Beatmania]]), they scroll up to the top of the screen instead. They can be judged as a "hit" or "miss", depending on the timing accuracy. The game featured a song list from Konami's in-house artists and [[Dancemania]] music label.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Peng|first1=Philip|last2=Lane|first2=Stephen|title=Designing Rhythm Game Simulators for Touchscreen Devices |publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania]]|url=http://beatsportable.com/static/misc/cis400/old/m1/pengp-prop_spec-r1.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
===''Dance Masters'' and ''Dance Evolution''===
{{Main|Dance Evolution#Dance Evolution ARCADE}}
[[File:Dance Evolution Arcade.JPG|thumb|''Dance Evolution Arcade'']]
A Kinect-based game called ''Dance Evolution Arcade'' is also considered a part of Bemani series, previously being exclusive to [[Xbox 360]]. It was released on March 27, 2012. Its gameplay is similar to the original game, in which players must follow the in-game character's movements by touching and drawing line on the air correspondingly with the movement. The game ceased receiving e-Amusement service on August 31, 2016, discontinuing most cabinets that require constant e-Amusement connection, installing the offline patch and effectively terminating support for the game.
===''Keyboardmania''===
{{Main|Keyboardmania}}
[[File:Keyboardmania Cabinet.jpg|thumb|A ''Keyboardmania'' arcade cabinet]]
A [[MIDI]] synthesizer game. ''Keyboardmania'' features a mini-musical keyboard and players create the primarily [[piano]] based music by striking the keys to the note patterns on the screen. ''Keyboardmania'' saw only three major releases before being canceled but features exceptionally difficult and unique gameplay for the Bemani series of games. "Real Mode" actually requires players to know how to play the piano in order to easily pass the songs.
''Keyboardmania'' can be multi-session linked with certain versions of the ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'' series.
===''Martial Beat''===
''Martial Beat'' was designed for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in Japan in 2001. It is based on the players' actions by use of wristband sensors.<ref>[http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/11/09/rumble-roses Rumble Roses] IGN. 08/11/04. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref> The game was shipped in a modified ''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]'' cabinet, with the sensors and the game's art on it. Although there are two sets of selection buttons (as ''Dance Dance Revolution'' supported two players), the game is one player only. To play the game, one needs to follow the on-screen instructor, and when a red light turns on located on top of the screen, the player must perform the move by repeating the instructor.<ref>[https://www.highwaygames.com/arcade-machines/martial-beat-8709/ About Martial Beat] Highway Games</ref>
===''Mirai Dagakki FutureTomTom''===
[[File:Future Tom Tom.JPG|thumb|A ''FutureTomTom'' arcade cabinet]]
''Mirai Dagakki (ミライダガッキ) FutureTomTom'' was first released on June 20, 2013. Its gameplay involves hitting drums to match the notes on the screen, akin to ''[[Taiko no Tatsujin]]''. The game ceased receiving e-Amusement service on July 31, 2015, discontinuing most cabinets that require constant e-Amusement connection, installing the offline patch and effectively terminating support for the game.
===''MÚSECA''===
[[File:MUSECA Cabinet 01.JPG|thumb|''MÚSECA'' arcade cabinet]]
First released on December 10, 2015, after five location tests, ''MÚSECA''{{'s}} gameplay involves a pedal and five spinners which can be pressed, held or rotated, depending on the note type. One of ''MÚSECA''{{'s}} most important aspects are the illustrations named Grafica. A Grafica gives the player GIFTs, which are in-game bonuses that are auto-triggered at some points of the charts, slightly modifying the chart lane's judgment line. GIFTs include Life Support, Score Gain, Play Risk, and Item Collect. Most Grafica characters have their own voices that play when they're triggered in-game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://remywiki.com/MUSECA_Information|title=MUSECA Information}}</ref> The game ceased receiving e-Amusement service on July 31, 2018, discontinuing most cabinets that require constant e-Amusement connection, installing the offline patch, recycling some cabinets for other games and effectively terminating support for the game.
===''Para Para Paradise''===
{{Main|Para Para Paradise}}
[[File:ParaParaParadise 2ndMIX.jpg|thumb|A ''Para Para Paradise 2nd MIX'' arcade cabinet]]
Built around the [[Para Para]] dance style made popular in Japan, ''Para Para Paradise'' recreates official dance moves within the game by setting off arrows on screen by using players' hands under a set of motion sensors. The music in the game centers around [[Eurobeat]] and features songs from Konami and [[Avex Trax]]. Only three versions of the game were released as Para Para dancing fell out of mainstream popularity in Japan, and the series never saw light outside of the country beyond music game importers and localized Korean versions of the arcade machines.
===''Pop'n Stage''===
{{Main|Pop'n Music#Pop'n Stage}}
Combining game elements from ''Dance Dance Revolution'' and ''Pop'n Music'', ''Pop'n Stage'' takes the colorful buttons and lets players play the game on a stage with their feet. There was only one version of the game released.
===''Reflec Beat''===
{{Main|Reflec Beat}}
[[File:REFLEC BEAT VOLZZA 01.JPG|thumb|A ''Reflec Beat VOLZZA'' arcade cabinet]]
''Reflec Beat'' was first released on November 4, 2010. Its gameplay is similar to [[air hockey]], but ''Reflec Beat'' uses fingers. Players must touch circular symbols that match the color of their line moving to the player at the right time. It features a one-on-one matching system. Mobile adaptations for iOS were made in 2011, with Japan receiving ''Reflec Beat Plus'' and international regions receiving a localized version called ''Reflec Beat +'' in 2012. Like ''Jukebeat'', ''Reflec Beat +'' contains a more restricted song list, with no licensed tracks at all.
==Bemani artists==
{{Main|List of Bemani musicians}}
In addition to licensed music tracks, Konami employs a list of in-house artists to produce the music for its Bemani series, which in 2017 started being referred to as the "BEMANI Sound Team". These artists often go by [[pseudonym]]s when credited with their songs. Some of these artists, such as TAG, have broken off to become independent artists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=September 6, 2021 |title=After 15 Years, Bemani Composer TAG Says He's Leaving Konami |url=https://kotaku.com/after-15-years-bemani-composer-tag-says-hes-leaving-ko-1847623833 |website=Kotaku}}</ref>
==Related Konami games==
Not all Konami-produced games involving music or rhythm bear the Bemani name.
===''Polaris Chord''===
''Polaris Chord'' is an arcade rhythm game whose controller is made up of a slider consisting of a row of 12 shallow-pitch buttons, and a pair of levers that can be pushed to either side.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HOW TO PLAY |url=https://p.eagate.573.jp/game/polarischord/pc/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=ポラリスコード 公式サイト |language=ja}}</ref> It is themed after livestreaming, and focuses heavily on VTuber original songs, VTuber covers, Vocaloid, and other online hits. Some prominent VTubers whose songs are featured in the game are [[Houshou Marine]], [[Tsunomaki Watame]], [[Gawr Gura]], and [[Calliope Mori]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MUSIC |url=https://p.eagate.573.jp/game/polarischord/pc/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=ポラリスコード 公式サイト |language=ja}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://www.konami.com/ Konami company website]
{{Konami franchises}}
{{Konami}}
[[Category:Bemani games| ]]
[[Category:Konami]]
[[Category:Lists of video games by franchise]]