Apparently on Oct 27, a new DDR game will be released for the PS2, Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii. Although the names are unknown for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, it will be called Dance Dance Revolution X2 for the PS2 and Hottest Party 3 for the Wii.

The boxart for the PS2 version:

And a tentative song list is here in the Wikipedia article.

So far looking at the song list, it does not feel like the game warrants a purchase. I will probably wait it out and look at the Japanese version.

As this will be the last PS2 release of Beatmania IIDX on the PS2, 16 Empress will be released with extra special editions, each containing lots of goodies. Regardless if you choose to buy the normal version or one of the 3 special packages, it will come with a Beatmania Best CD.

The special editions are:

Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress Konami****Special Edition
» PS2 Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress + Premium Best (2 DVDs)
» Beatmania IIDX CS Collection-GOLD, DJ TROOPERS, EMPRESS Soundtrack
» An undecided privilege will also be given away (probably a keychain)
   Konami Price: JPY9180 (US$129.90)

Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress Konami****Special Edition Set
» PS2 Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress + Premium Best (2 DVDs)
» Beatmania IIDX CS Collection-GOLD, DJ TROOPERS, EMPRESS Soundtrack
» Beatmania IIDX Visual Emotions Vol. 8 DVD
» Beatmania IIDX Storage case which holds all three discs
» An undecided privilege will also be given away (probably a keychain)
   Konami Price: JPY13170 (US$179.90)

Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress Konami****Complete Edition
» PS2 Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress + Premium Best (2 DVDs)
» Beatmania IIDX CS Collection-GOLD, DJ TROOPERS, EMPRESS Soundtrack
» Beatmania IIDX Visual Emotions Vol. 8 DVD
» Ryu☆ "starmine" Limited Edition First Album (SKU: LC1799-1801)
» Beatmania IIDX Spin-off Drama ROOTS26 S[suite] Vol.1 (SKU: LC1704)
» Beatmania IIDX Storage case
» Beatmania IIDX 16 Empress poster
» An undecided privilege will also be given away (probably a keychain)
   Konami Price: JPY18800 (US$239.90) 

They all sound pretty awesome (if not pricy). I'm still debating whether I'm going to get the normal version or the $180 Special Edition Set.

Well, this time Konami decided to put up a location test for Guitar Freaks Drummania XG. Not much is known about it at the moment, but it looks cool. Wish I could play

Pictures:

ShadowVari!! General cookie! ATTENSHUN! you may now go and date him don't get too dirty

Dirty ol' cookie~ we will be watching you*cough* tape recorders on every hotel of the zone*cough*

And so said ShadowVari will get...TEH COOKIE!!!11

YOU MAY EAT THE COOKIE!*rings weeding bells*

The last Beatmania IIDX game ported onto the PS2 will be released on Oct 15 of this year. It will include a special CD (PREMIUM BEST DISC) that contains 180 songs from the series.

Guess who will be getting that game with the special CD?

Although the series moving on to the PS3 leaves me with a somewhat hollow feeling...

Jubeat, better known in the States as UBeat, is Konami's latest music game evolution. The arcade game replaces plastic instruments with 16 versatile buttons. Audio cues and flashing icons let players know which button to hit. While not widespread in North America, UBeat has a following in Asia maybe enough supporters to convince Konami to develop a sequel.

Konami registered trademarks for Jukubeat appeared on the US and European trademark databases. It seems a little early for a new game in the Ubeat lineage, but it's hard to ignore how alike the names sound. Perhaps, the name Jukubeat will be used for a modified console port.

Aside from Jubeat we haven't seen any new franchises from Konami's music division. Surely, one of the key companies behind the music/rhythm genre is working on something, but what is it?

Maybe, it's Rhyme Player. Konami filed a trademark for Rhyme Player in Japan and its for use with video games. Interestingly, the video game publisher/slot machine maker registered the name in Japanese and English. Perhaps, Konami is thinking about an international release?

Namco Quester is another puzzling trademark. Like Rhyme Player it has something to do with video games, but nothing to do with Konami. Namco Bandai registered the name, which sounds like an arcade quiz game to me.

This video contains the pro player from Japan called Y.S-Y

A short while back Konami announced the location testing of the newest entry of Beatmania IIDX series, and this one will be named 17 Sirius, after the star in the sky.

Here is the official Japansese Konami website.

Good, I wonder how far this union can go?

To celebrate, here's a video to scare off new/potential members