New to Pop'n Music, have some questions

neodude237 · 10-19-2008, 09:11 PM

Well, I got hooked on Pop'n yesterday, and may be getting a home setup around Christmas time. I was wondering how much the mini controllers go for, and if they are any good. (don't want to buy an ASC) Also, what PS2 versions would be the best for someone who:
A. Is a total newb
B. Likes J-Pop
C. Wants to be able to play some D-Crew songs
D. has played lots of DDR and would like some songs that have appeared in DDR in the game...

Also, I was playing 5 key mode, the PS2 versions have this I assume, right? And, should I just dive right into 9 key, or master 5 key first?
Thanks everyone!

MZDandMr.KKFangirl · 10-19-2008, 10:43 PM

A. DON'T GET ANY OLD POP"N GAMES BEFORE 10! D: You'll be hard hit by how bullshit the charts can get.
B. I'd suggest getting 12 Iroha, if only for the J-factor. But 13 Carnival has some J-popish songs (Including Honey Punch!)
C. I dunno...
D.Can't really help you there, but I do know some DDR songs that orginated in Pop'n music and vise-versa, Such as Love Love sugar, Mars War, and the aftermentioned Honey Punch.

neodude237 · 10-19-2008, 10:51 PM

Honey punch eh? 12 might just be my mix
edit: yay curus
YouTube - Pop'n music Iroha CS - Curus EX
Edit 2: does pop'n 14 cs have high school love? I know the AC does... and I love that song XD, and again, anybody know how much the mini controllers are?

DJ Tomoe · 10-19-2008, 11:26 PM

14 CS does have High School Love.

And for your needs,13 CS is the best choice. Lots of easy songs + D-Crew + J-POP + Butterfly (Delaction Mix) + HONEY PUNCH

neodude237 · 10-19-2008, 11:33 PM

Whoah, buttefly... nice XD, i've been looking into a lot of vids on youtube, all the mixes sound great, I am leaning towards 14 over 12, but i'll look into 13.
Edit: just saw a video that had afro in it on 13? does that mean there are any other DDR characters? And about how many songs are on each version?

Spiritsnare · 10-20-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neodude237

Whoah, buttefly... nice XD, i've been looking into a lot of vids on youtube, all the mixes sound great, I am leaning towards 14 over 12, but i'll look into 13.
Edit: just saw a video that had afro in it on 13? does that mean there are any other DDR characters? And about how many songs are on each version?

Afro appears in 13 because he represents Butterfly (Delaction Mix). The only other pop'n character is Emi (AC 16).

Also speaking of DDR, 14 has a pair of DDR songs - Break Down! and Afronova Primeval. Technically, the latter does belong to DanceManiax, though.

Modern (9+) CS pop'n games usually have something on the order of 80+ songs.

Minicons are $60~70 shipped. (For comparison, ASCs are $200ish).

Oh, and yes, CS versions do have 5-key mode. Older CS versions (hi PSX) have 7-key mode in Free. Fever has 3-button charts in Enjoy mode, dunno about Carnival.

BemaniAK · 10-20-2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neodude237

I was wondering how much the mini controllers go for, and if they are any good. (don't want to buy an ASC)

If you aren't playing with an ASC, you aren't playing Pop'n.

MZDandMr.KKFangirl · 10-20-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiritsnare

Afro appears in 13 because he represents Butterfly (Delaction Mix). The only other pop'n character is Emi (AC 16).

Also speaking of DDR, 14 has a pair of DDR songs - Break Down! and Afronova Primeval. Technically, the latter does belong to DanceManiax, though.

Modern (9+) CS pop'n games usually have something on the order of 80+ songs.

Minicons are $60~70 shipped. (For comparison, ASCs are $200ish).

Oh, and yes, CS versions do have 5-key mode. Older CS versions (hi PSX) have 7-key mode in Free. Fever has 3-button charts in Enjoy mode, dunno about Carnival.

You kinda forgot to mention Zukin from Pop'n 8, and the DDR super mix from Pop'n 10 (I think)

Spiritsnare · 10-20-2008, 12:09 PM

Oh, crap, I did forget them, whoops

As an aside, there are plenty of DDR songs that haven't made it to CS yet (because 15 CS isn't released, and thus ee'MALL 2nd Avenue songs have also not released), like Kiss Kiss Kiss, Sweet Sweet Love Magic, Matsuri Japan - basically, a handful of Naoki songs from the MAX era.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BemaniAK

If you aren't playing with an ASC, you aren't playing Pop'n.

This is true; if you can save up the money (once again, it's ~$200 shipped, but I'm using DASC rates, DJ Dao ASCs are I think more expensive?), it is indeed best to go with an ASC for the true pop'n experience. If money and/or living conditions (if you're in an apartment, for example) don't support/warrant the purchase and use of an ASC, you can still have fun with the mini-con, or even a Dualshock.

Koop · 10-20-2008, 12:47 PM

Matsuri is in Carnival.

the BASE DASC is 200 dollars, so any fixins would cost you alot more.

valius · 10-20-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BemaniAK

If you aren't playing with an ASC, you aren't playing Pop'n.

Seconded. Playing mini-con... feels like playing beatmania with colorful notes :\ It's still fun, but, IMO, the real ASC is so much more fun... not to mention that the notecharts were created with the ASC in mind rather than the mini-con...

neodude237 · 10-20-2008, 06:06 PM

No way I can get an ASC (don't want to pay, and not that much room for it anyways) I have tried playing on a dual shock about a year ago and didn't like that at all, but I think a mini controller would probably be a lot more fun

Spiritsnare · 10-20-2008, 06:08 PM

Then I'd say try out the mini-con and see how much you like it.

You might get so addicted, you'll want the real thing.

neodude237 · 10-20-2008, 06:10 PM

Playing at the arcade got me addicted enough

(but 30 miles each way and I have to rely on family for a ride... so doesn't happen much) and the ASCS are way to big to store easily, so a mini controller should be okay. Are they durable and what not? I don't expect them to be as good as an ASC, but if they are as good as an IIDX home controller, i'm fine.
Edit:
Looking around ebay, I found this? Official Pop n music controller 2 PS2 bemani ddr - eBay (item 270290042957 end time Oct-29-08 15:46:32 PDT)
What is a "pop'n controller 2"? same as a mini?

Spiritsnare · 10-20-2008, 07:37 PM

There are two versions of the mini-con. IIRC,

Mini-Con v1: Flat buttons; they're set flat against the surface of the controller.
Mini-Con v2: Round-top buttons; they extrude from the surface of the controller.

What I hear from my friend is that mini-cons seem to be pretty durable.