View source for Software:Beatmania IIDX (video game)

{{short description|1999 music video game}}

{{Infobox video game
|title=Beatmania IIDX
|image=Beatmania_2dx_title_screen.jpg
|alt=Two gears imprinted with "dj" and "II" are placed above the widened letters "DX" to form a silver metallic logo over a black background. It is partially covered by the slab-serif ''Beatmania IIDX'' logo, accompanied by Konami's brief copyright information and the dark blue text "The ultimate system beatmania deluxe version." "Insert Coins(s)" appears slightly off the center of the title screen, and "Level 4", "Battle Double Hidden", and "0/1 0/2 coin(s)" are seen at its bottom side.
|caption=The title screen
|developer=Bemani
|publisher=[[Company:Konami|Konami]]
|designer=
|series=''[[Software:Beatmania IIDX|Beatmania IIDX]]''
|engine=
|platforms=[[Software:Arcade game|Arcade]]
|released={{vgrelease|JP|February 26, 1999}}
|genre=[[Software:Music video game|Music]]
|modes=Single-player, multiplayer
|arcade system=Bemani Twinkle
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Beatmania IIDX'''''|ビートマニア ツーディーエックス|Bītomania Tsū Di Ekkusu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (stylized as '''''beatmaniaIIDX''''') is an arcade [[Software:Music video game|music video game]] developed by Bemani and published by [[Company:Konami|Konami]]. It was released in Japan on February 26, 1999. The objective is to perform songs using a controller with seven keys and a turntable. After the surprise success of ''[[Software:Beatmania|Beatmania]]'', Benami conceived ''IIDX'' to simulate an actual [[Disc jockey|disc jockey]] (DJ) live performance. Its [[Software:Arcade cabinet|arcade cabinet]] contains a widescreen monitor, speakers, and eight spotlights. Bemani later developed several updated versions of ''IIDX'' to increased success. The game retrospectively received a positive reception from video game publications for its gameplay and increased difficulty. A sequel, ''[[Software:Beatmania III|Beatmania III]]'', was released in 2000.

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Beatmania_2dx_gameplay_screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A person wearing a hat is seen at the center of the screen, depicted with monochrome colors over a black background. The left and right sides of the screen contain lanes for notes heading toward the controller's seven keys and turntable. The player's score and groove gauge are at the bottom side of the screen alongside a percentage accounting for the player's overall performance, a red dancer, the song's bpm, "surround", and "0/1 coin(s)".|The player hits notes during the M-Flo song "The Theme from Flo Jack".]]
The objective of ''Beatmania IIDX'' is to perform songs using a controller with seven key buttons and a scratchable turntable. Hitting notes with accurate timing increases the player's score and groove gauge bar, allowing the player to finish the stage. Failing to do so depletes the gauge and can prematurely end the song.<ref name="gsbm"/><ref name="ignbm"/> ''IIDX'' has four play modes: 4 Keys, 5 Keys, 7 Keys, and Expert. The controls in the 4 Keys mode are limited to only the white buttons.<ref name="hg101bm2dx"/> 5 Keys is a mode where the player uses "3 white keys on bottom and 2 black keys on top" like in ''Beatmania''.<ref name="hg101bm2dx"/><ref name="hg101bm">{{cite web|url=https://hg101.kontek.net/beatmania/beatmania.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723001338/https://hg101.kontek.net/beatmania/beatmania.htm|title=Beatmania (page 1)|first=Neil|last=Foster|archive-date=July 23, 2019|date=April 1, 2013|access-date=October 7, 2020|website=Hardcore Gaming 101|publisher=Kontek}}</ref> The 7 Keys mode utilizes all buttons<ref name="hg101bm2dx"/> and Expert has the player select a course and obtain the highest score. Clearing four or more stages in Internet Ranking results in a password, which can be submitted to Konami so that the player's score is registered and shown in worldwide rankings.<ref name="bm2dx">{{cite video game|title=Beatmania IIDX|developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo|publisher=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo|date=February 26, 1999|platform=Benami Twinkle|language=Japanese}}</ref>

==Development and release==
In 1997, Konami distributed its Games & Music Division's (G.M.D.) ''Beatmania'' in Japan as an arcade DJ simulator, significantly influencing [[Software:Rhythm game|rhythm game]]s. Its surprise success prompted the developer to rename itself Bemani, a portmanteau of the game's title. The studio made more music-themed video games following its release, including ''[[Software:Pop'n Music|Pop'n Music]]'' and ''Dance Dance Revolution''.<ref name="ashcraft jean">{{cite book|last1=Ashcraft|first1=Brian|last2=Snow|first2=Jean|title=Arcade Mania! The Turbo-Charged World of Japan's Games Centers|publisher=Kodansha International|year=2008|isbn=978-4-7700-3078-8}}</ref>{{rp|54–58}}<ref name="cook richard">{{cite book|title=Taking It to the Bridge: Music as Performance|first1=Nicholas|last1=Cook|first2=Richard|last2=Pettengill|publisher=[[Organization:University of Michigan Press|University of Michigan Press]]|date=May 16, 2013|isbn=9780472051779}}</ref>{{rp|297}} Bemani conceived ''Beatmania IIDX'' as a sequel to ''Beatmania''. It was designed to simulate the experience of a DJ performing songs live at a music venue which gave it a "club Visual Jockey feel." The game was released on February 26, 1999. While its predecessor used five keys, the ''IIDX'' controller had seven. The controller was one of components used in the game's Benami Twinkle cabinet, along with a large 40-inch widescreen monitor, large speakers, eight spotlights, and the Effect Fader (located in the control panel); the last of which is used to alter the sound during gameplay.<ref name="kbm2dx">{{Cite web|url=http://www.konami.jp/am/bm2dx/bm2dx1/overall_e.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206120918/http://www.konami.jp/am/bm2dx/bm2dx1/overall_e.html|title=overall on beatmania IIDX|website=Konami|date=February 26, 1999|publisher=[[Company:Konami|Konami]]|access-date=March 5, 2020|archive-date=February 6, 2007}}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
Neil Foster of ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' noticed that player one's controller had the turntable relocated to the left side, which was advantageous to "some players." He commented that with the addition of a widescreen monitor, the black keys were given easily identifiable lanes. He called the game "a rocky start" for the ''[[Software:Beatmania IIDX|Beatmania IIDX]]'' series, since it had music from ''Beatmania''{{'}}s first two iterations (''1st Mix'' and ''2nd Mix'') paired with new songs and remixes. According to Foster, many players were initially not impressed with performing old songs on upgraded hardware, so they switched to ''Beatmania 4th Mix''.<ref name="hg101bm2dx">{{cite web|url=https://hg101.kontek.net/beatmania/beatmania8.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723001346/https://hg101.kontek.net/beatmania/beatmania8.htm|title=Beatmania (page 8)|first=Neil|last=Foster|archive-date=July 23, 2019|date=April 1, 2013|access-date=March 5, 2020|website=Hardcore Gaming 101|publisher=Kontek}}</ref> Bryn Williams of ''GameSpy'' found ''IIDX'' harder than the original ''Beatmania'', because songs that take advantage of its seven keys have more notes than those made for five keys.<ref name="gsbm">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/beatmania/700292p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060409035903/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/beatmania/700292p1.html|first=Bryn|last=Williams|date=April 5, 2006|archive-date=April 9, 2006|title=beatmania - Page 1|website=GameSpy|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc.|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref> ''IGN''{{'s}} Chris Roper wrote that it was successful because of its distinctive and responsive controller. He opinioned that the controller was imperfectly designed, yet its implementation made the game a rare experience.<ref name="ignbm">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/29/beatmania|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104134756/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/29/beatmania|title=beatmania|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|last=Roper|first=Chris|date=March 28, 2006|archive-date=November 4, 2012|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref>

Bemani developed several updates to the game after its release. Konami decided to link ''[[Software:Beatmania IIDX Club Version|Beatmania IIDX Club Version]]'' (later ''[[Software:Beatmania IIDX Substream|Substream]]'') cabinets with ''[[Software:Dance Dance Revolution (1998 video game)|Dance Dance Revolution 2ndMix]]'' machines for simultaneous play, leading to increased success. In late 1999, the publisher hired artist Goli to design graphics and characters for ''[[Software:Beatmania IIDX 2nd Style|Beatmania IIDX 2nd Style]]''.<ref name="hg101bm2dx"/> Featuring a new visual theme, ''[[Software:Beatmania IIDX 3rd Style|3rd Style]]'' was ported to the [[Engineering:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]].<ref name="gsbm2dx3s">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/beatmania-iidx-3rd-style/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040808121404/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/beatmania-iidx-3rd-style/|author=<!--nocredit-->|date=November 2, 2000|archive-date=August 8, 2004|title=BeatMania IIDX 3rd Style - PlayStation 2|website=GameSpy|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc.|access-date=March 15, 2020}}</ref> In 2002, ''[[Software:Beatmania IIDX 8th Style|8th Style]]'' was released after the discontinuation of the original ''Beatmania''. Foster stated these updates popularized ''IIDX'' to the point where it overshadowed its predecessor, as the game not only earned more new songs, but became very difficult.<ref name="hg101bm2dx"/> A sequel with a five-key controller, ''Beatmania III'', was released in 2000.<ref name="hg101bm3">{{cite web|url=https://hg101.kontek.net/beatmania/beatmania4.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723001343/https://hg101.kontek.net/beatmania/beatmania4.htm|title=Beatmania (page 4)|first=Neil|last=Foster|archive-date=July 23, 2019|date=April 1, 2013|access-date=October 7, 2020|website=Hardcore Gaming 101|publisher=Kontek}}</ref>

==Notes and references==
===Footnotes===
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last1=Ashcraft|first1=Brian|last2=Snow|first2=Jean|title=Arcade Mania! The Turbo-Charged World of Japan's Games Centers|publisher=Kodansha International|year=2008|isbn=978-4-7700-3078-8}}
*{{cite book|title=Taking It to the Bridge: Music as Performance|first1=Nicholas|last1=Cook|first2=Richard|last2=Pettengill|publisher=[[Organization:University of Michigan Press|University of Michigan Press]]|date=May 16, 2013|isbn=9780472051779}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206120918/http://www.konami.jp/am/bm2dx/bm2dx1/overall_e.html |date=February 6, 2007 |title=Official website }}
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060226032841/http://www.konami.co.jp/am/bm2dx/bm2dx1/overall.html|date=February 26, 2006|title=Official website (in Japanese)}}
*{{KLOV game|id=7077}}

{{BeatmaniaIIDX}}

[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Beatmania IIDX (video game)}}