IndyDDR.com

this game looks more promising after seeing the oni list. head over to aaroninjapan.com for a list and videos of them.

Why do people like the characters so much? I think they are nothing but annoying...

Of course it would be cool if they were in sync with the song or the steps or something fancy like that! Otherwise they are just doing whatever at different speeds...which is boring...

I don't know what world you're looking at DDR characters from (perhaps the xbox versions don't do this?), but all arcade versions and playstation versions of DDR that have characters have always at least somewhat synced them to the music. The speed with which they move is certainly matched to the tempo (play Maxx Unlimited on US MAX2 and watch the character go nuts).

The moves aren't related to the arrows, but even on the old versions they kinda went with the music (they were generic enough that it would fit) and there could very well have been some triggers similar to what triggers the lights on the machine. I will say that the characters on SuperNova have more moves than before (which is good, they used to have like 4) and it doesn't look completely stupid.

And hey, you can always ignore them like you ignore the other background animations. If you want distracting backgrounds, go play Pump :)

I think part of it may be nostalgia for players who have played old mixes (I learned to play DDR on a 3rd Korea.2, despite that being ancient at the time). Characters disappeared from arcade versions after 5th mix, and they never came back. This game is apparently being marketed identically to the US version in Japan (which is probably a good thing as far as the US release not sucking completely), so they may be doing some things like this to entice older DDR players who haven't played in years back to the game (DDR as an arcade is completely dead in Japan, if you weren't aware).

MonMotha wrote:If you want distracting backgrounds, go play Pump

Booby song!

MonMotha wrote:(DDR as an arcade is completely dead in Japan, if you weren't aware).

What do people in japan play then?

Pheonixguy wrote:

MonMotha wrote:(DDR as an arcade is completely dead in Japan, if you weren't aware).

What do people in japan play then?

IIDX.

SoDeepPolaris wrote:

Pheonixguy wrote:

MonMotha wrote:(DDR as an arcade is completely dead in Japan, if you weren't aware).

What do people in japan play then?

IIDX.

From my experience, they play at least as much pop'n music as they do IIDX, quite possibly more. I certainly saw more pop'n machines than IIDX machines.

no idea if its a typo or what but on konami's site, they say SN is out already....

Yeah, there's a SN machine in California...there's been one there for a while...but yeah I heard the release of SN was Spring...I don't think Bloomington will get one til like fall...hopefully...let's hope.

Well there are a few test sites around the US for SN, but it hasn't been released to buy yet. I know there's a test site in Irvine, CA, and in Naperville, IL. But I heard there's really long lines.

-Dan

Apparently DDRSN started shipping today?!

http://www.konami.com/gs/gameinfo.php?id=176
(Note the "Release Date: Available Now" on that page)

According to Bemanistyle.com, who contacted Betson, there are 50 machines available in the first order and they should ship mid-June. Price is $15,000 for the full cabinet.

Ho wrote: Price is $15,000 for the full cabinet.

There goes any hope for it being in the arcade deprived lafayette...

15,000 is too much for a cabinet. but then again maybe not. they dont have upgrade kits available yet which is BS.

Lil Dyme wrote:15,000 is too much for a cabinet. but then again maybe not. they dont have upgrade kits available yet which is BS.

Keep the market in mind. This isn't being marketed to individuals. It is being marketed to businesses that will use the machine to generate income.

In the arcade realm, $15,000 is not unheard of. There are certainly games that cost less but many that cost more as well. My understanding is that DDR machines cost ~$12,000 the last go around. Given the presence of more licensed content and newer (presumably more expensive) hardware in this version, the price does not at all shock me.

Ho wrote:Apparently DDRSN started shipping today?!

http://www.konami.com/gs/gameinfo.php?id=176
(Note the "Release Date: Available Now" on that page)

According to Bemanistyle.com, who contacted Betson, there are 50 machines available in the first order and they should ship mid-June. Price is $15,000 for the full cabinet.

A retraction?

I visited the site linked in my quote above today. The release date has been changed back to Spring 2006. Who knows...