Help for a newbie

[chibilaharl]

Hi guys, this is really my first serioustime on Bemanistyle( checked ina couple times but never really got in too deep)

anyway, im a long time player of the DJ max series, and keep hearing things about how konami has the best rythem game, beatmania.


now ive picked up the american version through various connections and it left me....disappointed to say the least.

So to the meat of my question.


I want to get into Beatmania and i come to the source for advice on where to really start.

Here is a List of equipment i currently have to work with.

Low income to spare
Ps3 w/ backwards compatability
X360
Wii
Low End laptop pc
1080p tv
xbox
gamecube
dreamcast


So please any suggestions on stuff i need to get to get started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ^^

[kknd]

Originally Posted by chibilaharl

Hi guys, this is really my first serioustime on Bemanistyle( checked ina couple times but never really got in too deep)

anyway, im a long time player of the DJ max series, and keep hearing things about how konami has the best rythem game, beatmania.


now ive picked up the american version through various connections and it left me....disappointed to say the least.

So to the meat of my question.


I want to get into Beatmania and i come to the source for advice on where to really start.

Here is a List of equipment i currently have to work with.

Low income to spare
Ps3 w/ backwards compatability
X360
Wii
Low End laptop pc
1080p tv
xbox
gamecube
dreamcast


So please any suggestions on stuff i need to get to get started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ^^

Since you have the controller already, the cheapest way to get started is to get a used PS2 (has to be slim PS2), tape mod it and buy a swap disc, the whole thing should cost you around 100$. Then start importing, you should be able to find used copies of IIDX in the market place here for around 40$ shipped.

PS3 is region free only for PS3 games, PS2 games are still bounded by region, and any game before 12th style is unplayable on a HDTV due to lag.

[MdX MaxX]

Wouldn't it be easier to get a used fat PS2 and buy Swap Magic with a Slide Tool? It would be cheaper, too.

I would recommend getting DistorteD or Gold first. I got Troopers, but that was only because they didn't have DistorteD in stock at japanvideogames.

[kknd]

slide tool could potentially damage the disc tray and it's not cheaper.

[chibilaharl]

i also have a computer monitor that has AV cable inputs, that shou;ld fix the lag issue right?

also after i get a ps2, where should i go to get the other tools mentions

[aroomwithaview]

sell your wii

Originally Posted by chibilaharl

also after i get a ps2, where should i go to get the other tools mentions

Originally Posted by kknd

you should be able to find used copies of IIDX in the market place here for around 40$ shipped.

considering your statements as being a long time player of djmax and disappointment with bmus i dont see how any given iidx is something youd enjoy better but hey all the power to you

[Lentic]

I also suggest you sell your Wii.
Go to Swapmagic.com, get some Swap Magic discs, and a flip top case for a used fat PS2. no mod chip or slide card required.

As for a game, there are two ways you could go.

1) An older style like 7th. Good song list, has some classics. Going to have a larger amount of easy songs (easy on Light7/Normal, that is) than newer styles, but with good room for improvement. A bit on the ugly side, but definitely better looking that Beatmania US.

2) A newer style like Gold. Looks really sharp and flashy, great song list. In my opinion, the easier songs in Gold are more accessible/manageable than those in Red, HS, DD, and DJT. If you already have some proficiency in IIDX, it's great start. Gold isn't my favorite mix, but if you're getting into the swing of things, I definitely recommend it. The only thing I'd warn about is...well, getting discouraged by the few REALLY easy songs newer styles offer. It's typically like "Okay, here's a 1*. And a 2*. And two 3*s. HOPE YOU ENJOY THE LEARNING CURVE"

[prodygee]

DO NOT JUDGE beatmania on it's one time American release. Pulllease.

It's the worst version of the game out there. You should start with something like DistorteD, Gold or DJTroopers.

Then go for all the awesome tracks (they're all awesome..)
Once you start to get better, go and check out bemaniasc.com

Maybe you dislike the game because of its difficulty. Plus it feels a lot more awesome to play using one of those controllers from DAO.

[aroomwithaview]

a long time player of djmax probably doesnt have much issue with iidxs difficulty

[_____Cait]

I always suggest this to people...

But buying a JPS2 IMO is better than modding your PS2. If you can afford it and you want to play Japanese IIDX, it's totally worth it. Plus, it opens you up to other J-games as well, and DVD's too.

[MUSCLES]

You are not going to be able to play shit on a 1080p, welcome to my LAG.

What TV do you have? You might have one that you can survive or bypass the lag on.

[nostromer]

Originally Posted by chibilaharl

1080p tv

Just a heads up, all mixes previous to 12th style (happy sky) - do NOT have lag configuration settings, so you won't be able to fix the lag for the television.

You can't alter the lag settings in BMUS, either. So if your going to play on a flatscreen, or high def TV, you'll want to get 12,13,14, or 15.

Nobody told me that so now I have a dinky little monoaural tube tv I have to bust out want to play 10th, or red.

[snoogans]

or you can soft mod your ps2 (memory card really) with fmcb which can be free or the cost of an action code replay but you'd have to patch your (after making an image of your perfectly legal totally honest non-pirated purchased game) games with ESR.

[Go Beyond!!]

Buy a 21" CRT monitor for next to nothing and a PS2 as others have suggested.

I can't play IIDX on the 40" in the living room at all.