THE COMPLETE UNOFFICIAL DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION SERIES FAQ
Version 0.573
Written by GurtyGurt/GG@RTF (gurtygurt@dancegames.com)
Last Updated: 20 November 2001
I am a member of the DDR Team 'Ranking Task Force' (http://rtf.genxer.net)
I am also a member of the 'Bemani Order of Madness' (http://gurt.50g.com)
This FAQ covers the following DDR games extensively:
Dance Dance Revolution (PSX, Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution 2nd MIX (DC, Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution 2nd ReMIX (PSX)
Dance Dance Revolution 2nd MIX Link Version (Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX (PSX, Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX Korea ver.1 (Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX Korea ver.2 (Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX Plus (Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution Solo Bass MIX (Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution Solo 2000 (Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX (Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX (PSX)
Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX Plus (Arcade)
NEW! Dance Dance Revolution 5th MIX (Arcade)
NEW! Dance Dance Revolution 5th MIX (PSX)
NEW! Dance Dance Revolution: DDRMAX (Arcade)
Dance Dance Revolution GB (Game Boy Color)
Dance Dance Revolution GB2 (Game Boy Color)
Dance Dance Revolution GB3 (Game Boy Color)
Dance Dance Revolution Best Hits (PSX)
Dance Dance Revolution Extra MIX (PSX)
Dancing Stage (Arcade, PAL markets release)
Contents:
_____________________________________________________________________________
0.0 Introduction
0.1 FAQ History
0.2 Announcements and Notices
1.0 Basic Info
1.1 Frequently Asked Questions
2.0 Arcade Operation
2.1 Using your Memory Card on 3rd MIX Arcade
2.2 Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX Korea ver.
2.3 Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX
2.35 Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX Operator Settings
2.4 Dance Dance Revolution 5th MIX
2.5 DDRMAX
3.0 Console Operation (PSX, DC and GBC)
3.1 Dance Dance Revolution
3.2 Dance Dance Revolution 2nd ReMIX and 2nd MIX
3.3 Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX
3.4 Dance Dance Revolution GB
3.5 Dance Dance Revolution GB2
3.6 Dance Dance Revolution GB3
3.7 Dance Dance Revolution Best Hits
3.8 Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX
3.9 Dance Dance Revolution Extra MIX
3.10 Dance Dance Revoltuion 5th MIX
3.11 Extracting Stuff From DDR CD's
3.12 Pocketstation guide
3.12.1 DDR 4th MIX NS Order Editor
4.0 Physics, Ergonomics and General DDR Advice
4.1 DDR Illness Guide
4.2 DDR Mat Review
4.3 Physical vs. Mental
5.0 Step/Scoring Guide
5.1 DDR, Dancing Stage and 2nd MIX songs
5.2 3rd (Re)MIX Songs
5.3 4th MIX Songs
5.4 5th MIX Songs
5.5 DC Edit Data and PSX 3rd MIX Konami Edit Data
(including 3rd and 4th MIXes on Arcade)
5.6 Techniques Glossary
5.6.1 Play Styles
6.0 Competition Guide
6.1 Performance Play
6.2 Perfect Attack
7.0 Myths, Legends and Trivia (as well as questions)
7.1 Different Group Name, Same Artist?
8.0 Codes and Cheats
9.0 Outroduction
9.1 About the Author
9.2 Links
9.3 Credits
9.4 Disclaimer
9.5 Future Versions
9.6 Requests
_____________________________________________________________________________
0 . 0 I n t r o d u c t i o n
_______________________________
Welcome to my Dance Dance Revolution FAQ! This FAQ covered the entire DDR
series of games. I started this FAQ quite simply because it's my favourite
game of all time! I usually play games for 2 weeks tops. Gran Turismo 2
lasted for 1 week. Zelda 64 lasted for 6 days. DDR games, especially 2nd
ReMIX, has lasted 8 months and counting! (My old favourite game was the old
Commodore 64 game, Monty on the Run, in case you wondered.) There's a few
DDR FAQs around, and most contain gameplay/menu information. Some contain
some stepping information. I think one contained a few performance hints.
While getting good at DDR is something best done by yourself in my opinion
(I had no such FAQs to turn to!) this FAQ will point you in the right
direction. For more information on this, see section 4.0.
This FAQ is based on the contents of my old DDR page at www.emutech.net/ddr/.
I've left it up for historical purposes, but I'm working on a new page, which
for better be...better! Or else!
This FAQ is based equally on the arcade, PSX, GBC and DC versions of DDR.
If you have something to contribute, don't hesitate to email me! This
includes DDR sites. If you email me edit data, I'll post it on my own
site if you so wish.
I might restart my DDR site from scratch soon, based on this FAQ...
0.1 FAQ History
---------------
v0.1 > The first version. (31 May 2000)
> Began the FAQ cos' I lost my NeoGeo Pocket Color while playing DDR
and thus was unable to finish my Sonic Pocket Adventure FAQ. Isn't
that ironic?
> Since the PSX version of 3rd MIX comes out tomorrow, I expect
there will be a small update within a fortnight.
v0.2 > Released 19 June 2000.
> Added further 3rd MIX arcade details after the arcade machine tried
to eat my memory card.
> Extended section 3.0 and of course, added 3rd MIX PSX info.
> Performance section introduction extended and new performance trick
added!
> Double mode tips added to 3rd MIX score info. Step/Score Guide
extended.
> Confirmation of the 'hackers version' of DDR in Myths/Legends.
> 3rd MIX GameShark codes added.
> I musta added a lot, because this version contained just under 2000
lines compared to just over 1200 or something for the last version!
Sheesh! (1976 lines)
v0.3 > Released 29 June 2000.
> Added ratings system for each difficulty level of song!
> Brief guide to announcer's sayings added in part 3.3 to help players
indicate where their health is if they aren't looking at the screen.
> Added hints on Official Edit Data!
> Begun techniques glossary!
> Added DDR Illness Guide!
> This version 3220 lines long and 185kb! Sheesh again! If I type
another 100 letters it'll be 186kb long! Oops! Now it is, isn't it?
Damn! And it's 3222 lines long now!
v0.4 > Happy New Year! Released 01 January, 2001!
> Added more song info!
> Added info on DDR GB, DDR GB2, DDR 3rd Mix Korea ver., and DDR Best
Hits.
> Expanded on DDR Illness Guide! Note 'Giddiness' and similar illnesses
can be avoided now no matter how long you play!
> Added mat reviews!
> Added some info on DDR Best Hits (esp. the PAL Speedfix code!)
> This version isn't really finished, but it's been so long since the
last update that I really should release it as is. Nonetheless,
I found a Korean DDR 3rd Mix machine (ie has all the extra songs),
so I'll give guides to the Korean version as best I can...keep
in mind that most of the new song titles are in Korean :) (NB: Not
all the band names are, though - so if in doubt...they will be listed
under the band name)
> A side note: Part of the reason why this FAQ hasn't been updated in
6 months is because I was in hospital for a while with a collapsed
lung. Doctors said it was spontaneous, as I don't smoke or anything,
but I have to wonder...marathon runners get collapsed organs a lot;
is it possible DDR caused my collapsed lung? A scary thought... (no,
it isn't a serious problem and the only permanent effect it has is
I can never go scuba diving. Boo hoo. :P)
v0.43 > Released 04 February 2001.
> Called version 0.43 for no apparent reason. I just like the sound of
it!
> In for a penny, in for a pound: Upon failing to find some DVD's I
wanted, I brushed past the ol' 3rd MIX hangout in hope of their
Daytona USA/Daytona USA 2 machines being vacant. Lo and behold, I
found DDR 4th MIX! And nobody was using it!
> Thus added info on 4th MIX and 4th MIX song guides.
> Added one technique for Gradiusic Cyber ~AMD G5 MIX~ which makes it
incredibly easier! (NB: in my opinion :P)
> And myths/legends/etc on 4th MIX.
> Added small descriptions of each different mix with the song guides.
> 90% of emails I get are asking for help with getting 3rd MIX started.
In section 8.0 I've clearly marked out some basic help for it.
> Added section 4.3.
> Added section 7.1.
> Added section 9.6.
> Totally rewrote the Author Profile thingy at the bottom end of the
FAQ that nobody reads anyway (I know because nobody submitted what
I requested in the 'in the next version part', and lord knows every
man and his dog would have if they saw it :P)
> This FAQ is exactly 5000 lines long now. Woohoo :P
(yes, I deliberately rounded it off cos' it was only 2 lines short)
v0.47 > Released 1 April, 2001. No April Fools jokes (honest!)
> Added even more and more 4th MIX song info!
> Consequently added 4th MIX PSX info!
> And DDR GB3 info!
> Great new DDR 3rd MIX PSX GameShark codes! Play the game at 75-150%
speed! And the music slows down/speeds up too!
> And don't forget the DDR 4th MIX PSX PAL Sync Code! Essential for PAL
users! Verified to be 100% correct cos' I got an AA on 1,2,3,4, 007
with it!
> Extremely detailed Operator/Settings info for 4th MIX Arcade! Great
for people who happen to own or have unrestricted access to a
machine's operator box and don't know what anything does!
> Oops. Forgot to list the 4th MIX arcade info in the index!
> Important update to DDR 4th MIX Internet Ranking.
> Added section 1.1.
> No more emails about getting DDR 3rd MIX started, but I added
a genuine FAQs section to the FAQ - section 1.1. Many of my emails
now are about unlock codes or PAL sync codes for DDR Disney's Rave.
It suprises me people actually bought this game in such vast
quantities!
> "GurtyGurt has equipped the Boots of Sluggishness." - put on big
loose-fitting sheepskin boots to find hidden techniques for harder
songs, and to find how easier songs might be hard for novice and
intermediate level players once again. The boots dull your reactions
so you require technique, namely not using the same foot twice in
a row for different steps...suprisingly, it worked. Not only did my
stamina rise massively, but my technique increased too! I recommend
you try it!
> Added 'recommendations' to song info, one list of recommendations for
each mix. Sorted into categories for every type of DDR player.
> Added detailed information on 'recommendations' to the very start of
section 5.0, including how to distinguish each type of DDR player.
See which one you fit in best!
> Added the most important DDR guideline of all to section 4.3 -
not being afraid to face new challenges, even if it means losing
a credit or two.
> This FAQ is getting a bit too big (it's over 360kb now). I don't
know if it IS too big yet, but in the future I may divide this into
two parts. Over 5000 lines long. Over 50,000 words long too,
apparently. I type too much!
> Joined a DDR team (see links). This will allow me to expand on info
a lot more.
> I got DDR: Disney's Rave but I haven't been able to find a PAL speed
sync fix code thing. I could slow down the music, but it'd require
a multitude of codes as it seems to switch between them a lot, and
it wouldn't really be fixing the problem, it's just be altering the
problem, wouldn't it? Don't expect a sync code...
> Added a few links & credits!
> Released in a bit of a hurry and is still messy. I couldn't delay it
any longer - I've been withholding this for a week now.
v0.5 > Released 1 May, 2001.
> An excellent method of checking the condition of the sensors in your
local arcade's DDR platform has been suggested by Andrew Campbell!
See the 'actual' Frequently Asked Questions section a few pages down.
> Much more detailed and much more accurate medical bits, thanks to
Vince Yim!
> 4th MIX PSX Bugs reported. Many thanks to H.Edward from Ranking Task
Force (the DDR team I'm in, plug plug :P) for the information on
these undocumented 'features'! All this information originally comes
from Konami's Message Board, but it's in Japanese, of course...
> Excellent contributions and feedback on 4th MIX Arcade technical
info from Dvae Van Horn!
> Section 8.0 and 8.1 condensed into one section, and made nice 'n'
neat. Some never used 2nd ReMIX code info removed to save space...
> Renamed section 1.0.
> Added section 0.2 for important notices and DDR news...it's sorted
by reigon (World, North America, Europe, Oceania). Hope this helps!
This info will be erased once it is obsolete. Info will not be
repeated.
> This is just so everyone notices: I have changed the trivia bit about
the 'swastika' X on Orion.78 AMeuro MIX (and Hero KCP Happy Grendale
MIX) because I was half asleep when I typed it up and forgot that I
knew all about backwards swastikas and stuff. I received umpteen
corrective emails about this, so I learnt my lesson...thanks to
everyone who snapped me out of it! :)
v0.5a > Released 2 May, 2001.
> Urgent news update. A few other things have been added and corrected
too to make it worthwhile re-uploading everywhere...
> One or two things I may have forgotten in the rush to release this
version: Giving credit where credit is due. If you gave me some info
and I forgot to mention your name, and you believe it should be
mentioned, email me...I've been awfully busy lately with RTF team
affairs and the launching of DanceGames.com, and I've had very little
time or motivation to write the FAQ. Email replies have been first
priority!
v0.51 > Released 31 May, 2001. First anniversary issue!
> H.Edward of Ranking Task Force informed me shortly before his trip to
Melbourne that Konami actually require a fee for the password to
unlock hidden songs. Not that any of the Southern Californian or
Japanese sites with the code mention that. But Konami's site don't
mention the code - he must be right. Oops. My bad. Sorry Konami! It's
gone now...
> Dans Dans Revolution from Melbourne pointed out to me that not all
DDR machines have the degaussing feature. I know they're on 3rd MIX
machines, but I'm not sure about 3rd MIX Korean or Dancing Stage ones
so remember that before you harass attendants to degauss it!
> Quite large step update for 4th MIX and Solo 2000/Extra MIX songs!
Nice to know since Extra MIX is coming soon!
> Results of RTF competition displayed now!
> Umpteen minor fixes on the step guides and tech info.
v0.53 > Released 23 June 2001.
> Webpage up the top changed. The site it points to now UPDATES! My
god! Shock! Horror! Go there if you want some really nasty Edit Data
or something! And please, submit your own edit data! The old URL will
no longer work as the domain expired (well it hasn't but it's gone
anyway and nobody knows where, but it's due to expire anyway soon).
> On the webpage up the top, perhaps the first DDR comic ever is
available... "The Adventures of Microphone Eating Guy and Clapping
Man", who feature in the background of some 4th MIX songs (eg Dream
a Dream). Absolutely zany antics, but I must warn this isn't a kids
comic or an adults comic...it's more of a DDR/Konami fan comic...
I would not recommend it for children, though! Sorry! Episode 2
should be coming in a few days...
> Arcade Operator Settings/Memory Card Options updated with more
specific details, as a lot of people don't know this extremely useful
feature exists! As our arcade is still waiting for 5th MIX (customs
detain our stuff a lot, apparently) it is unclear if it's on that
or not yet...
> Extra MIX info redone, now the game is out.
> Solo 2000 songs added a bit again, as well as a few 4th Plus and
due to Extra MIX, some 5th MIX songs as well.
> A lot added to the 'real' Frequently Asked Questions (section 1.2)
> FINALLY updated the Official Edit Data step guide section!
v0.573> Released 20 November, 2001. I have a twisted sense of humor.
> NOTE: My email address changed from .net to .com. The difference is,
it's not Yahoo! Mail anymore. This changed because of yahoo
frequently coming up with 'this page has not responded' when I reply
meaning I don't know if the email got through or not (it appears to
go through but I don't know). This affected emails after October 28
and in early-mid September mostly. Please redirect all traffic to
the .com address! Also note now you should specify you're talking
about DDR as I write FAQs for other Bemani games now.
> Release synchronized with the first releases of my Drummania and
Guitar Freaks FAQs.
> Come visit our new DDR and Bemani team, the Bemani Order of Madness!
See the link at the top of this FAQ!
> Added important PAL sync code info. Thanks to Anthony Cheng for the
email...
> Plenty more 5th MIX info as our machine arrived now!
> Make A Jam! info added to...
> Oops! I took so long releasing this, thanks to umpteen PS2 delays for
my other 2 new FAQs, that the planned simultaneous release got put
back almost two months! My bad!
> Consequently, a lot of 5th MIX PSX info is in this FAQ too.
> Added to censored names list, new total is 98!
> Added one more bit to 3rd MIX PSX info about the intro movie (same
movie as in the arcade, of course).
> Just so everyone stops emailing me about it, the .59 info has been
updated. Make it stop! Pleeeeeeease!
0.2 Announcements and Notices
-----------------------------
World
* DDRMAX, the latest incarnation of DDR, has been released. It is to DDR
what Beatmania IIdx was to Beatmania - a well timed revamp. See in the
FAQ for details...
North America
* DDR Disney's Rave was to be released on the September 18th. Thank you to
Daihaikusei(@)aol.com for the info! I think it was released, but I'm not
sure. Please don't email me to tell me or I'll get 50 billion emails
again! I'll ask someone soon!
Europe
* Dancing Stage: Disney's Rave was released in Europe and consequently can
now be found across the PAL market...or so I'm told. I avoid local games
shops so I don't know 100%.
Oceania/Australasia
* No competitions for the time being.
* For especially crazy DDRers in my neck of the woods, I'm pleased to
announce a new Bemani team has started - the Bemani Order of Madness. If
you're a crazy wierdo who likes to do edit data with all down steps,
endless spins or you like to do stupid moves when freestyling on purpose,
or you simply just mock DDR as much as you enjoy it with fake lyrics or
whatnot - feel free to check out our page at http://gurt.50g.com ! It
launched today (20 November) also, in fact. At the time of release we have
4 members and expecting 2 more very soon! Watch us step! We're sober!
(don't ask what that means, I don't know!)
1 . 0 B a s i c I n f o
___________________________
Dance Dance Revolution is a Dancing simulation, sort of. Unlike Bust-a-Groove
or even the old 8-bit breakdancing games of the early-mid 80s, Dance Dance
Revolution requires you to play with your feet. A 1½ minute long series of
arrows scrolls up the screen in time with some music. The arrows point in
the 4 principle directions - up, down, left, right. When these arrows get
near to the top they go under some greyed out arrows - this is the moment
you step on the corresponding arrow button on the pad below you. Depending
on your timing, you can score 'Perfect!', 'Great!', 'Good!', 'Boo!' and
'Miss!'. You can score combos by getting 'Perfect!' and 'Great!' steps in
succession - getting one of the others breaks this combo. An energy bar is
located up the top of the screen. Getting 'Perfect!' or 'Great!' increases
this, getting 'Boo!' or 'Miss!' decreases it. If it empties, you lose. At
the end you are given a rating based on your stepping accuracy. An E is
a fail. D is almost a fail. C is an average score. B is a good score. A
means you made one or two mistakes and got a lot of great steps, or made
several mistakes but generally got perfects. S means you missed one or two
steps. SS means you got all perfect/great steps. This scoring system changes
slightly in 3rd MIX - SS and S both mean you got all greats and perfects,
however if you got mostly perfects you get an SS as opposed to an S for
too many great steps. An A means you missed one or more steps. If you pass
the song, you get to choose another. You ultimately get between 3 and 5
songs (depending on what the settings are, and that's if you aren't playing
two player on one credit).
As you progress, the game's difficulty level will automatically become
tougher - by the last stage, missing a step will penalize you severely. If
you play in two player mode, only one player is required to pass the chosen
stage for both of you to progress. If one player loses all his or her energy,
but then gets a combo of around 40 or more, they will gradually start to
receive energy back (but will most likely get a D or E overall). This means
that if one player fails, but revives then the other one fails, you still
continue playing. Each song is graded on the difficulty of the steps with
a rating system which indicates the difficulty by footprint symbols. Songs
are ranked between 1 foot 'Simple' songs and 8 foot 'Exhorbitant' songs (in
3rd MIX, there are also 9 foot 'Catastrophic' songs and in 2nd MIX link
ver. or on consoles, there are 'Step battle' songs given no rank. In these,
each player creates their own step sequence of about 8 steps, then repeats
it, then the first and second player's created sequences swap over and
each player has to do the other player's sequence twice). The pace of the
steps and the speed of the song can not be configured.
1.2 Frequently Asked Questions
------------------------------
Q. Do you know the lyrics to (insert song title here)?
A. I might, but I suggest you check another FAQ for these. They are not
included here because they're a waste of space, the FAQ is big enough as
it is, and more often than not the lyrics freely available on the internet
are horribly inaccurate (especially in the case of Jam Jam Reggae and
Strictly Business!). This really irritates me for some reason. So I won't
include any.
Q. The Gameshark code to make DDR 3rd MIX work doesn't work! What's wrong?
A. Two possibilities: One is that you're putting the code in as the master
code - that won't work. The second is that you may need to put the code
C1000000 0000 at the top of that code.
Q. The Disc Swap mode doesn't work for me on any MIX! Why not?
A. Disc Swapping does not work with an external modchip/gameshark device -
you need a real modchip.
Q. Why did Konami release the arcade style platforms only in limited
quantities instead of mass producing them for cheaper?
A. Note this answer isn't a fact, but it's a theory: The platforms are in
actual fact the lighter Solo Bass platforms (apparently), and they may
have had a few thousand spare machines. So where did the actual cabinets
go to? Probably they were made into Para Para Paradise cabinets, which
use the exact same design. DDR 4th MIX Solo machines may have been made
seperately or only to order.
Q1.The DDR platform at my local arcade seems a little dead and sometimes I
could swear I got the step, but the game says I didn't! How can I fix
this?
Q2.The DDR platform at my local arcade has a mind of its own! Sometimes it
gets steps on its own, and sometimes when I push the (insert direction
here) arrow, nothing happens at all.
A. Both of these questions are regarding similar problems: As you might
expect, DDR platforms aren't invincible. Each floor panel has 4 sensors,
one for each side. If one of these starts to wear out, it'll start saying
it's being pressed when it actually isn't. This is the case in problem #2.
If the button is already held down (or rather, the machine thinks it is),
that means if you press the panel, it won't register the step. Meaning
you'll miss. Usually a hard stomp will temporarily fix this.
Problem #1 is similar: Some arcade operators will remove permanently
crippled sensors altogether. There is an easy way to check for this, as
suggested by Andrew Campbell: Simply with your hand, finger, foot, or
whatever, lightly press on all 4 sides of each panel. If one side has no
reinforcements, the sensor has been removed. This means if you step on
this side while playing, nothing happens! Of course, it's usually the
lower side which breaks first since it gets the most friction on it. If
this is the case, there's little you can do but play on Player 2's side or
play on another machine.
NOTE: DDR Solo tier machines (Solo Bass Mix, Solo 2000, Solo 4th) have
two sensors per panel, not four...because of this, they feel springier
and register some steps differently.
Q. The PSX DDR 4th MIX unlock code doesn't work! I've tried everything you
suggested.
A. Sorry, but that's just a small problem which hasn't been solved yet...
for some people it just won't work like it's supposed to. As I don't have
this problem I can't fix it. I suggest you try the following:
* Try it on a friend's PSX using your cheat cart
* Try it on your PSX using a friends cheat cart
* Buy another cheap cheat cart from somewhere
* If your PSX skips regularly, that's probably the problem, not the code
Ultimately, the game is so buggy and the bugs seem to appear randomly in
different copies, so it's quite possible that it's related to that.
Unfortunately I cannot fix this if none of the above ideas work. Sorry!
Q. My First MIX/2nd ReMIX edit data won't work in the arcade! Why not?
A. The original PSX version of DDR and DDR 2nd ReMIX used a type of edit data
called 'TYPE1'. All future versions INCLUDING 3rd MIX arcade and onwards
use 'TYPE2'. To convert the data to 'TYPE2', load it up in DDR 2nd ReMIX,
then re-save it as 'TYPE2'. 2nd ReMIX can save it as either, so always
save as 'TYPE2'!
Q. How do you get Emi to have no hat?
A. It's a 25% random occurance. I've managed to get over 20 consecutive
normal Emi's without getting hatless ones, though. For 4th MIX, you can
use my GameShark code (see waay down the bottom of the FAQ), but it won't
work on Extra MIX and I don't plan to convert it. It took hours to make as
it is!
Q. Petit Love doesn't appear to be in Extra MIX. Where did it go?
A. Nobody knows, but the old rumor of Smile(.dk) not wanting their songs in
DDR anymore resurfaced about the time of release. These last surfaced when
3rd MIX came out in arcades, so they're probably no more true now than
they were then...you got Dancing All Alone in 4th MIX, so consider it a
trade-off.
One thing though: Konami didn't properly remove Petit Love from the game.
A CD carousel image of it still exists on the DDR Extra MIX CD. If you
dump the VRAM on the song select screen in all music mode, you will notice
there are 51 CD's, not 50! It's probably not unlockable as Konami often
leave useless supposedly removed graphic data in DDR's. In 4th MIX, the
data bank was hidden in the VRAM. in 3rd, it was the 3 removed songs.
It's highly unlikely that the audio and steps remain in the game.
(this also explains why it isn't in 5th MIX! Don't say I didn't tell you
last time!)
Q. Will the Korean songs ever be in a home DDR game?
A. No. The PSX versions are domestic Japanese releases, the arcade ones are
domesticated in Japan, Korea and other places. Why would Konami include
songs from Korea if it's not going to be sold there? They were only
included to fight back against Pump It Up, anyway. Now Konami's lawsuit
against the Andamiro corp. was successful, they're totally useless. Sorry,
I'd like to have played them at home too, but they just have no reason to,
being a corporation and all.
Q. Will third party memory cards work on DDR?
A. Yes, both on PSX and Arcade. As long as they are not bad quality, they
will function great. Since Sony manufacture their memory cards rather
poorly nowadays, it is seriously worth considering the cheaper alternative
if there is one. Both my PSone style memory cards screwed up in less than
a week. I'm still using two memory cards I got for $15 (about US$8) and
I've never had a problem with them (they're by Joytech, if you want to
know). I personally recommend not having two memory cards that look the
same or you do tend to mix them up.
Q. Is 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You (70's Mix) in DDR 3rd MIX?
A. No. Often sites list this song in the 3rd MIX lineup for some reason,
and I've even seen the MP3 around so it must be widespread. My only answer
to how this occured is that someone mistook Bu Dam (from DDR 3rd Mix Korea
ver.1 and onwards) for this song, as the two sound similar (ish) OR that
it was removed from Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX at the last minute. As
CTMYOY (70's Mix) is on a DanceMania CD - one of the ones used for 3rd MIX
nonetheless - it's highly possible that it was in DDR at one point. But
then again, who knows?
Q. Will there be more song unlock codes for 5th MIX?
No. The secret songs have been known since the game came out in Japan,
thanks to hackers. Some people even hacked out the steps and made step
charts for the songs, without knowing what song they went with.
Unfortunately when I first learnt of the secret songs well before anyone
else I know or any website be it in Australia or SoCal, no other songs
were mentioned. For your information, my source was/is www.nissie.com.
Q. Is there an English version of Dive?
A. Yes - in Beatmania IIdx 6th Style, there is a song named Dive ~Into Your
Heart~ sung by Paula Terry - however, it's rather lame in comparison to
the Japanese version. Lyrics and even the music itself have changed
dramatically, resulting in it feeling rather 'tacked on' (ie, like it
wasn't supposed to be that way - even though it was composed before it
was written). Could have been better, but Paula Terry's voice is barely
audible in it!
Q. Are there any songs from any other Bemani games in DDR?
A. Yes. 20 November, The 4 hidden songs in 3rd MIX, all the hidden songs in
4th MIX and all the hidden songs in 5th MIX are from Beatmania IIdx.
Broken My Heart and Afronova Primeval both were in DanceManiaX (I'm pretty
sure Broken My Heart was in Beatmania IIdx first, but Konami says DMX, so
I won't argue...). Luv This Feelin' was in Guitar Freaks, but was
different to the DDR version and it was in DDR first. Finally, Hypnotic
Crisis is a remix of Hypnotica (also from Guitar Freaks).
2 . 0 A r c a d e O p e r a t i o n
_______________________________________
The arcade machines feature 4 arrows to step on per side, 2 selection buttons
per side, and a start button as standard. This type of setup is featured in
the US, Europe and World versions of DDR (such as Dancing Stage, the Europe/
World version). Some of the Japanese cabinets also feature memory card slots
(such as 3rd MIX) - you can insert PSX memory cards in here and save your
data. Also, DDR Solo and DDR Solo 2000 feature a single platform to dance on
and have 6 arrows instead of 4 - they feature 2 upward diagonal arrows. The
basic operation is as follows: You insert your coin. Use the selection buttons
to input any codes desired (more on those later). Press the start button.
On Japanese versions of the game, select a game mode using the selection
buttons and the start button. Then, on all versions, select your song using
the selection buttons and the start button. Codes must be entered using
the arrows if you wish to use them. On most DDR machines in the US, Europe
and Australasia, you get 3-5 songs per game (this is preset by the operator),
and the game will not end instantly if your energy bar is fully depleted.
On most Japanese versions of the game, you -do- end the game instantly upon
losing all your energy unless if someone else is playing. The game costs
the same to play as most sit-down or special cabinet games (Sega Rally 2
and so forth).
2.1 Using Your Memory Card on 3rd MIX Arcade
--------------------------------------------
If you have access to a 3rd MIX machine and you own 2nd ReMIX, you will
want to bring your memory card with you when you play it. You can save
your scores to it, for one. Also, using 2nd ReMIX, you can create Nonstop
mode data for 3rd MIX in the Non-Stop Order menu on 2nd ReMIX. (see the
GameShark code section for some extra info on this!) Also, if you save edit
data in _2nd ReMIX format_, you can use that on the arcade version if you
play in 2nd MIX mode. Holding down Start when you select a song on 2nd MIX
will show special edit data stored in the machine - these steps are also
hidden in the Dreamcast version. Well, most of 'em. They begin with 'PF-'
and the description is something like 'House Edit Data'. No new data is
shown on 3rd MIX songs with the exclusion of Let Them Move, Keep on Movin'
and 20, November, which allow you to do the steps from their 2nd ReMIX
equivilants. Also, if you have paint data, it finally has a use -
press both selection buttons and start, and hold them down when the
game loads from the memory card. You can press the selection button/s in
the game to change the arrows to the ones you set if you do this. The
memory card has no further use. When inserting the card, watch the bottom
left corner - it should say 'INSERTED' then 'READY' in white text if the
slot works and the memory card is not corrupt. It will also indicate if you
have removed it. Do not remove then insert the memory card too soon or the
game will not register it. After you have saved the data to the card
(it will say in english 'Now SAVING to Memory Card' down the bottom, I
believe), another screen entirely in Japanese comes up - this is just
reminding you to remove the card before you leave the game. Oh, one last
thing - DDR 3rd MIX does NOT save your Nonstop mode records. Bummer. At
least it saves 2nd and 3rd MIX data, as well as SSR...also note, do not
insert your memory card during the game or even the music select screens.
This will freeze the game...at least until you remove the card. (perhaps
it is reading from the card when it freezes?) If you see 'MEMORY CARD ERROR'
appearing in white text in the corner where memory card info is displayed,
remove the card. Do NOT reinsert it for the duration of the _current_ game.
Trying to do this will result in the word 'DANGER!' appearing in red text
in the bottom corner. Although this may not do permanent damage, it's not
a good sight.
Any edit data made for The Race or In The Navy '99 with 2nd ReMIX
will work in the 3rd MIX mode of the 3rd MIX arcade machine. Finally,
3rd MIX on PSX has almost no features to use with the arcade version. You
cannot view your arcade records on the PSX 3rd MIX. You CAN edit Nonstop
data. You CAN make new steps for 3rd MIX and some 2nd MIX songs. You CAN use
the paint feature. But that's all...
2.2 Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX Korea ver.
---------------------------------------------
The Korean version differs from the regular Japanese version in the
following ways:
* It says "Korea ver.' on the title screen.
* Charmy has allumiunium tights, presumably cos' her panties were visible
in the Japanese version (and aren't now).
* Many Korean songs added, most of which were in the Pump It Up series.
(many people in Korea think DDR isn't as good because it doesn't have
modern hit songs in it, only old stuff like That's The Way (I Like It).
Obviously the people who think that haven't played it recently!) The
Korean songs are situated between the special song you get based on
your character, and Upside Down.
* It's worth noting that there are more Korean songs in this than in
3rd MIX Plus or 4th MIX - many more! (they're roughly on par with
2nd MIX song difficulties, but they don't get anywhere near as hard)
* The writing on the cabinet is in Korean, not Japanese.
* The warning screen is in English (albeit poor English).
* Step Step Revolution mode seems harder to access, although the code
is the same (it seems to need you to push it faster)
* Xanadu was removed from the game as the artists (The Olivia Project)
were not happy with the mix (or so I heard). It Only Takes a Minute
~Extended Remix~ and Follow The Sun ~90 In The Shade Mix~ are still
in the game. Also, Get Up and Dance, and Get Up were removed. There's
probably more I haven't noticed.
* Nonstop mode was changed a little bit.
* The memory card slot is gone (is this only on some cabinets? Or did
some arcades just upgrade 2nd MIX?), but the software hasn't been
reprogrammed accordingly and trying to access edit data reports
a 'no memory card found' type error. Was this removed due to the
Korean songs being there, or since DDR on PSX isn't sold in Korea?
* Two versions of the Korean DDR appear to exist. The most common version
these days is caled 'Korea ver.2', although many places in the past got
ver.1 as a cheap alternative to the Japanese DDR 3rd MIX. The only
difference in the two is ver.2 is full of Korean songs as well (some of
which made it into 3rd MIX Plus, 4th MIX and 4th MIX Plus, obviously).
Thanks to Inuki for reminding me of this...I had long since forgotten
ramblings of SoCal players a year ago...hehe...
2.3 Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX
----------------------------------
The latest arcade version (4th MIX Plus has been announced, so this'll
sound really stupid in a few months time because I -will- forge to change
that line, you watch!) has quite a different interface. Here's some of
the changes:
* ALL menus appear to now run in high resolution (like the 3rd MIX PSX
menus). This provides an interesting effect. The in-game resolution remains
unchanged, although on It Only Takes A Minute (Remix) I noticed the
background shrunk to ¬ then 1/8 of the normal size...which suggests that
it is high resolution, as it didn't become pixelated.
* Two versions exist: The most common is the regular DDR 3rd MIX style
cabinet (4 arrows, 2 players), but a 'solo' style cabinet also exists
(ie 6 buttons, 1 player unless linked). The 6 button one may be linkable
with other 6 button machines (I haven't seen one, but if so, I assume this
would be done via your usual 10base2 cable or ethernet cable or whatnot).
If this feature is in the game, netplay might also be available for
tournaments (a feature becoming common in games: A T1 connection is usually
required).
* Single, Double and Versus can be selected from the same menu which asks
you if you'd like link play. This is good because you're far less likely
to end up playing Versus mode by yourself instead of Double! (I did find
that I didn't have enough time to put in more tokens for double mode once)
But it's still possible, though. I've done it already. :)
* SSR is called Maniac again. Song difficulty is selected after the song,
a lot like how you could hold in the button to choose memory card data
before. Another is also named Trick, like in the World versions of DDR 1.5
and the Korean version of 3rd MIX. All former SSR songs are now called
Maniac.
* Holding down the button as mentioned above still chooses memory card data.
Choosing PF-BITCH is quite nasty because it prints the data title in
MASSIVE letters now.
* Most obviously, the songs are catorgorized now into groups of 30 or so.
No 'All Music' mode appears to exist, but may in 4th MIX Plus.
* 136 songs total. (source: my memory card with nonstop data on it)
* Less obviously, the catergory determines who the dancing 'model' is. Two
new types of Konsento seem to exist, both for Konami Original songs...
but one has a deceiving name, like 'Robo2000' or something. Devil Zukin is
still in this, but there's also a 'Maid Zukin'. Cute :P (NB: The Konsento
for Konami Original Side B (or whatever the course is called) is actually
'Konsento 3«'.)
* A personal favourite: The trippy background effects are a LOT trippier.
Trip Machine Climax made me nauseous. Seriously! (so did Paranoia :P)
* Banners for Korean songs are in English, however the backgrounds themselves
remain unchanged. Some still are in Korean, actually...but most aren't.
* Xanadu is back in the game, as are It Only Takes A Minute ~Extended Remix~
and Follow The Sun ~90 In The Shade Mix~, and anything else removed for the
Korean version, but Strictly Business is gone forever :( (I liked that
song! Good for performance play!)
* Another song has been removed too: So Many Men by Me & My. Big whoop. :P
* The announcer voices are almost identical to 3rd MIX, however some phrases
are re-recorded and it features a few 'new' ones, some definately stolen
from the DDR 3rd Mix Nonstop Megamix CD. ("You're a dancing hero!") Also
note that there are now phrases even lamer than "Your dance was so great!
It's like sunshine on a cloudy day!" - there's one that is REALLY bad...
"I can see a dream in your dance. I can see tomorrow in your dance! We can
call it, our hope!" - I mean, $@*$#@$#*&!!! WTF are Konami trying to do?
Make us vomit? It sounds like it's from a _really_ bad movie. Like maybe
R.O.T.O.R. (don't ask :P). Is it just us or do Japanese people find this
corny stuff repulsive too?
* The scoring method is similar or identical to 2nd MIX (I can't tell). This
may mean the high scores are back to in-game totals, not nonstop totals,
but I didn't see any high scores... (the scoring system SEEMS to be more
generous than 2nd MIX, but like I said, I can't tell!)
* Likewise, the rankings are changed. It appears to match the US and Euromix
versions: I got a lot of B's when I only got one good and the rest were
great+perfect (and a large percentage of perfects, too). A replaces
S/SS/SSS. It's very hard to get a D. I don't know what replaces SSS, but
the difference between S/SS is non-existant once again. A is one and the
same.
* The announcer seems to give 3rd MIX S/SS type praise for B's and C's as
well.
* The songs are easier overall. These 3 factors put together (see the two
above) make this game MUCH easier for beginners, and drastically reduce
the lifespan of the game.
* I have no idea why, but some built-in edit data was removed! It only seems
to be alternate steps from previous versions of DDR (I noticed Kung Fu
Fighting's old 'hard' mode steps were gone, for example). 2nd MIX data is
still there (ie Keep On Movin'), as does Club Mix data (Paranoia Max and
Brilliant 2U). All the 'PF-*****' data remains, however. Thank god! :)
* Some Naoki songs appear to be performed by two entirely different people
to before - except for the ones from the Solo series (Can't Stop Fallin'
In Love, Hysteria) and Love Again Tonight (which is by Naoki featuring
Paula Terry). There's a perfectly obvious explanation for this. See section
7.1.
* Nonstop mode is accessable through Link mode.
* Couple/Unison mode is replaced by Battle mode. In this, a single set of
arrows (like Unison mode) splits into two columns (like Couple mode). Only
one set of Battle songs are available for each song, though. To get Battle
mode songs, choose versus mode then push the down arrow twice when you
select the difficulty of the song.
* Internet Ranking will give you a password if you have no memory card. If
you have one, it saves to the memory card. The game won't give you one if
you aren't good enough. (see the memory card info below)
* How does paint data load? To my knowledge, it doesn't...
* You can create edit data for any song in 4th MIX or 4th MIX Plus by editing
a saved edit data set from 4th MIX manually. 4th MIX has unique checksums,
like 3rd MIX did, so you can't just use 3rd MIX saves. By editing it
manually you could make edit data for, say, Drop Out!
* Exactly ¬ of the time, Emi has no hat.
Since the 4th MIX memory card feature is so damn confusing (and annoying -
Konami, why is there no arcade records anymore?), I'll save everyone the
confusion and tell you all here how to use the memory card on 4th MIX!
(Note: The machine constantly loads from the memory card slot to check a
memory card is still there or still not there.)
1. Save some data from DDR 3rd MIX on PSX to your memory card. Anything at
all.
2. Take it to the arcade and shove it in the 4th MIX machine. The game will
default to link mode with the memory card in it, as only this mode uses
it (damn! You can't play for Records anymore!). Play anything in Link mode
and um...I think you're not allowed to get Game Over, either. It'll load
the memory card then briefly save to it once and only once. For now, the
only purpose the memory card has is for edit data. It's okay if you
insert the cards on the mode select screen (link/main mode, that is) - it
doesn't load until you select single, versus or double.
3. Take it back home and shove it in your PSX. Go to Options, then Memory
Card Option(s), Then Create Link Data. Also note it's added some info
in Information - this just tells you to do what I just told you to do.
Note that even though you could unlock Create Link Data with a Gameshark
code, it wouldn't work alone - it appears that the arcade machine does
something else to the saves too. Probably some kind of 'flag'.
4. Take it back to the arcade again. And do something there. Anything should
work, as long as it's in Link Mode. After the game ends, it'll save for
a while, load for a few seconds, then save for another second or so.
It's then safe to remove the memory card. It SHOULD save all Internet
Ranking scores, but it doesn't seem to for me...
5. Take it back home and shove it in the PSX and now you can make Nonstop
courses! For me, the 'Create Link Data' option appeared as 'NEW!' again,
as well as the same page in information, however in the information page
it said some info about what to do with your newfound data, which is all
about the Nonstop feature. It mentions the number 136, which I assume is
the total number of songs in 4th MIX...also, with edit data, you can use
both memory card slots for a 1 player game, however, Nonstop order only
works with one memory card per player.
6. Take it back to the arcade and shove it up the machine again. I'm in a
very shoving mood today. You can now play Nonstop stuff, at the expense
of 3 days and travel costs!
7. Whenever you do an Internet Ranking game, and you get an A on a song or
an otherwise high score, the game will save the IR password to your card
at the end of the game, along with the date, score and mode
(single/double). This is view in the Information menu under Link Data. I
don't know what Records does - it has some requirement that I don't know
about. However, to get an Internet Ranking password/save, you require
approximately 80% of the maximum _SCORE_. This means if you break the
combo up, do it near the beginning or near the end! There is no mimimum
score like 100 million for each song. It's about 80% of the maximum per
song. (on some of the easier songs you won't get near 100 million if you
get all perfects even)
NOTE! To get all the songs for Nonstop Data, you have to play in link mode
for a while. The more songs you do, the more that becomes available (no,
it's not do each song and you get it; more like play once and get 30 or
something big like that)
The Pocketstation can be used to bypass most of these steps with the use
of some software. The most up to date version of this software can be found
at www.nissie.com in the 'PK Room' link. A similar program exists for 3rd
MIX, but I don't have software for it nor can I test it because there's no
3rd MIX Japanese machines for 50km! The convenience of having this means
you can set your order at the arcade without having to go home - not to
mention you probably don't need to play the game repeated times to get all
the songs.
All that's required to use this Nonstop Order Editor is the Pocketstation,
and both saves for 3rd MIX (or 4th MIX?) and the link data on the
Pocketstation. The menus are in English, but the Pocketstation isn't. See the
Pocketstaiton guide in this FAQ for info!
2.35 Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX Operator Settings
-----------------------------------------------------
An arcade operator or someone else with access to the settings menu (which
is basically software dip-switch settings) can reconfigure the game, as
well as other things. To access this menu, open up the operator box above the
coin box (the coin slot is built into the box you want). There's a service
button inside here which activates the menu. Make sure you don't push the
coin trigger by mistake! (note I haven't actually seen or done this myself,
but it's a common arcade game schematic) A large amount of this info has
been contributed by Dvae Van Horn, so thank you very much for that!
I know from the bootup sequence that the game HAS got a CD/CD-ROM in it,
and I also know this from upgrade kits, however I'm fairly certain it's just
used to store data en masse...DDR takes about 3-5 minutes to initialize,
and the music never skips...one section uses the traditional Konami countdown
sort of (first used in Gradius probably because it stored on a tape drive or
something). Except the game counts UP, and not to 99, but to about 160 or
something.
Main Menu
I/O Check
- Controller check. Allows operator to manually check all 4 directions
on both sides, the select buttons, the start buttons, the coin1
trigger, and the test and service mode buttons (which probably work
if you got into this :P). Note the directional buttons have 4 sensors each
in them, so when checking the buttons, check all the sensors work (one on
each side). It will display if they do or not on screen. Like most arcade
machines, especially ones without joysticks, this is probably the screen
you'll be looking at most.
NOTE: Solo machines have only 2 sensors per panel. Normal machines
definately have 4. If a left/right panel has the left/right sensor broken
(the outside one), don't worry about it unless if you need it for double.
There is also a slight delay between the steps and the screen update -
this is immediately obvious if you test the selection buttons! Pressing
both start buttons exits this menu.
Screen Check
- The generic screen alignment hash pattern test which is in all Konami
games. I thought it was identical, but in actual fact it's SLIGHTLY more
fancy than the generic Konami one. Braaaaaaaavooooooo!
* Also note that the test button should act as a degausser in case you get
screen burn. This feature works on Solo and Normal machines, but not in
all models. It is present in 3rd MIX machines and onwards, as well as
perhaps older ones. Very useful!
Color Check
- Displays a RGB color palette to allow operator to check for monitor
malfunction (manually).
Flash ROM Check
- Checks to see if Flash ROM is available and/or corrupt. See Memory Card
Options for related options and information. (Flash ROM is similar to
RAM; a user can write to it. In DDR, edit data is stored on it)
Dip Switch Check
- Reports status of all hardware dip switch settings. (dip switches are
a series of switches on a PCB which are set to on/off, and their positions
can define some essential options such as reigon, control type, etc) If
it's possible to access (and safefly at that) the dipswitches while in
this menu, you could check their effects in realtime.
CG Check
- Displays two texture mapped 3D rotating cubes.
Memory Card Options
Game Options
Difficulty Level [def. 4]
- 1 (Easiest) to 8 (Hardest)
Max Stage [def. 3]
- Number of stages in main game (1 to 5)
Max Stage(Nonstop) [def. 4]
- Number of stages in nonstop game (2 to 5)
Clear Player's Tendency
- Resets the songs in the "Player's Best" category, which is generated
from the 30 most popular songs (20 of which must be new songs, the
other 10 are from previous DDRs). Songs picked in Internet Ranking/
Link mode do not accumulate in this counter.
Sound Options
Atrract Mode Sound [def on]
- Disables/enables sound on demo screens.
Sound Scale Check
- Runs a sound scale through the speakers.
Stereo/Mono [def Stereo/Stereo Only]
- On some machines appears to be locked to Stereo (Solo machines?)
Coin Options
Free Play [def. off]
- Allows game to be played for free. Enabling this disables the other
two options (on/off)
Coin Slot1 [def. 2 coin/1 credit]
- Defines how many coins it takes to get how many credits.
(16 coin/1 credit - 1 coin/1 credit - 1 coin/4 credit)
Joint Game Premium [def. off]
- Allows two players to play for the same price as one and get the same
number of stages. Also affects double mode.
- Not present on Solo machines
Bookkeeping
- Records the income the machine has generated on a day by day basis. Resets
when the machine is turned off.
Lamp Check
- Tests the 4 lamps up the top, the neon tubes in the bass speakers, the
stage lights and the select/start button lights.
All Factory Settings
- Restores all settings to what they were when manufactured (ie, default).
Game Mode
- Returns to the game itself (exit menu).
Memory Card Options
Memory Card Check
- Checks if a memory card is present in the 1P slot, and if it's
correctly formatted.
Flash Card Check
- Checks for a flash card. Probably also checks if it works.
Use Memory Card [def off?]
- Does the game check if a Memory Card is in? (This should be turned
off if the cabinet has no slot for it! Probably set off by default
because of this)
Use Flash Card [def on]
- Enables any edit data stored to the Flash Card.
Store Edit Data
- Stores edit data from the 1P memory card slot (if a card is
inserted) to the machine. If it has trouble detecting it, it
will request if you wish to try again (def no). Press any of the
2P start/select buttons to change to yes and keep hammering
1P start until it accepts, because it's a bit dodgy. After it's
loaded, it's as simple as highlighting your edit data and pressing
start. Wait 3 seconds for it to work...you can store up to 8
edits per song, however I have never seen more than 4. WARNING:
Do not save any over existing Konami edit names (eg PF-PARAS for
Paranoia MAX). It will load that one instead of the real one
when selected! This can be a very evil trick to play on people
though!
Delete Edit Data
- Deletes any edit data on the Flash Card. Allows you to select what
to delete. All edit data is categorized by song. You are asked
for confirmation as well.
Clear Edit Data
- Erases all edit data on the Flash Card.
Factory Setting
- Resets everything to default.
Save And Exit
Exit
- Cancel changes.
Edit steps can take up as little as 8kb each, so it's unlikely
the machine will ever fill up. The machine only scans the memory card in slot
1. If you go to 'Add Memory card' (or something like that) another menu
will come up displaying the songs, the data's name, and if it's single or
double. The rest is pretty easy to figure out.
(Note that you seem to need some kind of memory plugin to save data, and the
machine might not be standardly sold with it)
The secrets menu allows you to unlock the following songs:
- If You Were Here ~B4 Za Beat Mix~
- Dam Dariam (KCP Mix)
- Hero (Happy Grandale Mix)
- Let's Talk It Over
- Leading Cyber
- .59
- Holic
- Era (nostalmix)
- Never Let You Down
- Make Your Move
- Don't Stop! ~AMD 2nd MIX~
- Get Me In Your Sight ~AMD Cancun MIX~
You will require a password - I used to provide it here, but I've since
been informed that Konami require some sort of fee for this. If you want to
know it, it's on heaps of websites so it's not hard to find. But don't ask
me for it cos' I haven't got a clue what it is...that's why I wrote it here,
see! The codes are not on Konami's site, therefore they are not here.
2.4 Dance Dance Revolution 5th MIX
----------------------------------
Finally our arcade got the machine so I've gotten a decent look/play at 5th
MIX. Here are the changes:
* Many songs from 1st MIX-3rd MIX Plus are gone, only about 15 remain. A poll
was taken to decide which ones would stay - Dynamite Rave came first, and
thus became one of the long versions of the songs. (Dam Dariam came second)
* Higher framerate due to no transparencies or similar tricks used - note
that the 'Demonstration' screen which has 'Demonstration' blinking with
transparancies has a nasty mysterious black bar down the bottom. Thus, 95%
of the old images used transparently are gone. The game is NOT in high
resolution contrary to popular belief...
* You cannot select Double mode or Versus mode on one credit anymore. This
might be an option in the settings menu...
* Rankings are changed once again. It is now like 2nd MIX in a way - D-A
means you missed a step or more, AA means you max combo'd the song. AAA
means you missed no steps and got all perfects.
* Songs are all in one category, and can be sorted. You only have 17 seconds
to choose a song, but if you change song intermittantly before the timer
can count down, you can get a lot longer out of it!
* Song order can be rearranged by holding down the selection arrows (< and >)
and pressing start ([]). The top left corner displays the sort method.
* The Beats Per Minute (BPM) is displayed next to the song sort method as
mentioned above. If it is red and changes, the song changes speed during
the song. It does not appear to indicate if it stops. If it is red, it will
change through the maximum and middle speeds, and NOT speeds in between!
* Easy songs (1-2 foot Basic) are marked with a yellow and green icon. This
I believed is a Japanese Learners Permit or similar icon indicating a
Learner Driver (as seen in Gran Turismo 2 when you import a Gran Turismo 1
save).
* High scores are saved to the machine once again. Unfortunately there is
no Nonstop mode or anything, meaning you could do Matsuri Japan over and
over and get the highest score simply by being good at one song.
* Scoring is now done in a manner similar to 3rd MIX and 2nd/4th MIX:
there is a maximum overall score, not a multiplier based on combo. However
the maximum score is different for each song (not 10 million like 3rd MIX).
If you missed a step in the middle of a hard song and max comboed it, you
would get more points than if you max comboed an easy song. The Max Combo
is given as a bonus - Kupster@RTF thinks this bonus is based on the length
of time that your energy bar was full for the song. This theory has yet to
be proven or disproven.
* Scores and ranking can be saved to memory card like 3rd MIX. Kupster@RTF
points out that the high scores will save an A over an AA if the _score_
is better, not grade. If scores do not save, see bugs below. When you get
a new score, it flashes "It's new record!" (sic) in your bottom corner.
Your current score and rank are displayed in the bottom left corner and
next to the song title respectively. The first player's score is green/blue
and the second player's is orange.
* You can save your initials to memory card so the game automatically inputs
them for you.
* The memory card has to be inserted before game mode is selected.
* Saint Goes Marching (Remix) has been removed.
* An event mode is concealed in the Operator Settings and cannot be selected
unless if you do something... (I won't tell you how to get it so there! It
is a secret, I'm afraid!)
* Only one code for hidden songs was released this time, however it is not
private and is freely available on Konami's website!
BUGS:
* 5th MIX songs in Extra MIX have slightly different timing to the arcade
counterparts and are 1-2 bars early. This is unnoticable unless you make
edit data, which will be massively desynched in the arcade. This bug does
not affect 4th MIX Plus songs, but may affect Wild Rush as an identical
bug was present in 4th MIX/Extra MIX for this song. In 5th MIX though,
this appears to be little more than a method of making you want to buy the
PSX version of 5th MIX when it comes out! Here is an up to date list of
songs, and how much slower they are on the arcade. Move the song steps up
this much to fix them.
Broken My Heart - 1 bar/s slow
Dive - 1 bar/s slow
Remember You - 1 bar/s slow
Sky High (Lucyfer) - 2 bar/s fast
Wild Rush - 1 bar/s slow
Regarding Sky High, on the PSX the arrows start as soon as the music does,
but in arcade they start a little later.
* THE FIRST TIME YOU PLAY WITH A MEMORY CARD, DO NOT REMOVE THE MEMORY CARD
UNTIL YOU ARE CERTAIN IT IS DONE SAVING! The game saves the song list to
memory card, and if you remove it, not all songs will record names and
thus you cannot get scores for them! If this happens, you must wipe the
save. This may also screw up your automatic initials.
* On Double Mode, instead of displaying 'STAGE FINAL' up the top during play
it displays 'STAGE FIN'. This is just a programming bug and does not affect
gameplay.
2.5 DDRMAX
----------
Also known as Dance Dance Revolution 6th MIX, but this title is probably
incorrect. DDRMAX is an overhaul of the DDR series, like Beatmania IIdx did
when it introduced the 7 keys to Beatmania's 5 (or Beatmania III's 5 and 1
pedal - which makes it Finger Drummania!). DDRMAX introduces the following
gameplay changes (a question mark indicates this is _suspected_, not known):
* Selectable arrow scroll speed
* Optional speed boost for song (?)
* The Freeze arrow: Similar to ParaPara Paradise and Keyboardmania, it
requires you hold down the arrow until it stops!
* Similar to DDR 2nd MIX, harder songs are only playable if you do well
earlier on
* Option to make arrows scroll down instead of up (like DDR Solo)
* An Extra stage a-la Drummania and Guitar Freaks - do well enough (machine
difficulty dependent) and you get an extra song, MAX 300, which is 300bpm,
full of freezes and scrolls down by default
* Songs are ranked similar to Drummania (1st MIX) and to this FAQ: instead of
a foot rating, a graph is displayed showing the randomness of the steps,
jumping technique, freeze steps, etc. in that difficulty of the song.
* Other than that and the latest Be For U song, no new Konami Original Mix
songs are present - but all songs 4th PSX and 5th PSX are in it.
3 . 0 C o n s o l e O p e r a t i o n
_________________________________________
All console versions are played via a plastic mat roughly of the same size as
the arcade version's platform pad. These weigh quite a bit besides being
completely foldable, and will cost a fair amount in postage. The game is
essentially operated in the same way, however there are no selection arrows
and the start button is located on the mat. Also, all codes are entered via
a special popup menu which appears if you push Select/the Konami button,
which is located on the top left of the mat. The Menus are straightforward.
Also note in the controller settings, in one menu ('Dance Play Settings' I
think) it has the options 'Controller 1' and 'Controller 2' which can be
toggled off. These do NOT disable the controllers themselves - just the
X, O, triangle and square buttons. This may be of immense help to ameteur
DDR players. Any questions regarding the menus are welcome - email me at
the address at the top of the FAQ. The following are some home version only
features:
3.1 Dance Dance Revolution
--------------------------
The original DDR game features 'Arrange Mode' where you are penalised for
standing on arrows if there is no arrow on screen. This 'Ouch!' damage is
more damaging to your energy than a 'Miss!', so beware! Some songs in this
are not in the older/original US and UK arcade versions. It's quite dated
now, and the only reason to buy it is if you either want the whole collection
of DDR's or if you _really_ like Strictly Business. And fair enough if you
do. This version has a nasty feature where if the CD skips, you automatically
fail! In 2nd ReMIX the music just stops but the game continues, and in 3rd
MIX it tries to reload the music (and it doesn't become out of sync either!).
This can be VERY annoying if your Playstation is old like mine. Also, there
are only 9 combinations of modes which require codes to be put in to enable
them. There's no hidden, sudden, stealth, vivid or shuffle modes. The Records
menu is cumbersome. 'Arrange Mode' is more annoying than fun. Still, a decent
package in its own right, but better options are available. Buy it if it's
the easiest one to get or the cheapest one to get.
3.2 Dance Dance Revolution 2nd ReMIX and 2nd MIX
------------------------------------------------
Both versions feature Edit mode, Paint mode, Endless mode, Non-Stop
Revolution mode, Bonus Tracks, some songs not in the arcade versions,
and add-on disc support. New songs include 'Think Ya Better D', 'Trip Machine
~Luv Mix~ and 'Love This Feelin''. US and UK version players will notice
many 'new' songs. The PSX version features 2 'Trial' songs. The DC version
features 8 songs from 3rd MIX (including the 2 'Trial' songs in the PSX
version). The DC version also has special edit data built-in the game. DDR
2nd ReMIX saved data can be used with 3rd MIX in the arcade and scores
will be recorded to your memory card if used on that machine.
Tips and Tricks:
* The 'User Support' option in Memory Card will enable all hidden features
in the original DDR game.
* In Dance Play settings under Controller Options, disable Controller 1 if
you use a mat in that port - it'll turn off X, O, Triangle and Square.
(or, on the DC, that's X, Y, A, B)
* Dreamcast users: When you get an option called 'DC Edit Data', enable it.
Every so often you'll unlock new steps for the songs - some hard, some
easy. All different. (the edit data for Little Bitch is an absolute bitch!)
* PSX Users: If you play 3rd MIX arcade on Nonstop mode on a Ranking course,
and get a good score, it'll save your score to the memory card along with
the date and the number it gave you!
* Your overall mark for the song loosely depends on these factors:
SS: All perfect and great steps.
S: Mostly perfect or great steps. Not -too- many greats, though. Too
many is probably about 30-40% or more.
A: Mostly perfect or great steps, with less perfects/greats than
required for S, or maybe a few more Boos/Misses.
B: Good mark. Given for a flawed dance which you kept under control
(more or less).
C: Typical mark. In between B and D, basically.
D: Nasty mark. If you got this you screwed up at least one part of
the song! You probably only barely made it to the end, too.
E: Fail.
* Difficulty can be selected via two ways: Push D, D or U, U before you
select game mode (Easy, Normal, Hard, All Music), or by pushing Select (or
the Konami logo/Analog stick on the DC mat/joypad) and selecting difficulty
on the top option by pushing left and right.
* The second option down on the above mentioned menu is Little mode (on/off).
This removes all half and 1/4 steps, even if there's no other steps before
them. The third option down is sequence pattern modifiers (left mode, right
mode, shuffle mode, mirror mode, off). To find what these do, check the
arcade version commands in section 8.1. The last option is Hidden mode
(on/off). This makes arrows disappear halfway up the screen.
3.3 Dance Dance Revolution 3rd MIX
----------------------------------
The first thing to note is PAL users will have trouble with this game -
due to technical details, the steps will be slower than the music on a PAL
machine. This also features Diet mode, Endless mode, a lame PocketStation
feature, special optional backgrounds, 3rd ReMIX mode and you can play the
previous DDR games using their CD's with the graphics from this one. Also
features 16 songs from 2nd MIX, 4 new songs and 2 'Trial' songs. 3rd MIX
saved data works with 4th MIX arcade in 'link' mode, as 2nd ReMIX had done so
with its arcade successor (3rd MIX Arc), however it will also show additional
information, and possibly more features yet to be discovered.
One interesting note that nobody's noticed - in the intro movie, two
sentences flash up on the screen occasionally. Everyone sees the first one
- "Can you feel it?" - because it's in the background music too. Nobody has
ever noticed the second one which says "you can play Let's enjyoi!" - which
is about as funny as 2nd MIX Dreamcast Edition's "Give me a cool stuff!"!
Tips and Tricks:
* Try the 'User Support' option to unlock all hidden features on the
previous DDR games if you haven't gotten them all.
* If you have Konami Edit Data switched on in the music menu, you can play
special versions of some songs (the original Butterfly steps for Butterfly
~Upswing Mix~ for example). (flashing blocks in the top left when choosing
a song indicate it's got Konami Edit data - black blocks indicate there's
data in another mode (Double or Single/Versus, that is)
* Konami Internet Ranking scores are all around 99 million, so if you don't
get that much, don't bother looking to see if it's good enough. (possible
exception for SSR mode - I didn't check)
* In Dance Play settings under Controller Options, disable Controller 1 if
you use a mat in that port - it'll turn off X, O, Triangle and Square.
* If you go to the arcade or have some edit data for 2nd ReMIX, load it
up in 3rd MIX and resave it. You can set a number of feet and difficulty
level (Basic/Another/Maniac/SSR). I haven't tested this on 2nd ReMIX to
see if the steps still work with that...so...next version :) (note that
the number of feet and difficulty will NOT show up on the arcade version!)
* Your energy bar can be seperated into 4 sections:
1. Awful - Red section. Announcer says things like "Your moves are
lame!", "You're not following the music!", "Danger!
DANGER!", "Oh no! You're dangerous!" and "No good!". You
will get booing sounds at this point.
2. Poor - Light blue section. Announcer asks rhetorical questions a
lot like "Are you having trouble with your feet?", "Did
you have breakfast today?", "Are you okay?" and "Are your
legs okay?". Also says "Not good!" - don't mix this with
"No good!" which is said if your bar is in the red. There
probably won't be any booing (I never had any). If you go
up into this from the red part (Awful), then you'll get
a cheer. (the announcer's sayings are same in both
home and arcade, however he seems to say the same things
more often on the home version)
3. Good - Green. Announcer says things like "I'm getting excited!",
"Everybody is cheeeerinnnnng!", "The crowd LOVES you!",
"You are awesome!", "Yeah, do it!", "Amigo!", "Take my
heart away!" and so forth. You'll get cheering sounds
often.
4. Great - Yellow portion of the bar. The announcer says things like
"Fujiyama!", "You're a dance animal!", "What technique!",
"You suprise us all!", "Wow! You are too cool!", "This is
the best show I've ever seen!" and "I was moved!". You
also get regular cheering.
5. Great - On SSR mode only, sometimes the announcer will say "Are
you an alien?" when your bar is full. (I don't know if
this occurs on SSR songs in 3rd ReMIX mode on PSX)
While 3. and 4. might be the same, during testing I got different sounds
for both. (I'm 100% certain the announcer indeed says "Fujiyama!" because
I recorded the sound without the music playing and it was unmistakable.)
* Your overall mark for the song loosely depends on these factors:
SSS: 10,000,000 points (You scored perfect for every step)
SS: Required score varies from machine to machine, depending on
settings. At level 4/5 or so, you require 8,700,000 or more. On
level 4 on the PSX version, the figure is more like 9,200,000
or more. Mostly perfects with a few greats (about 10% max)
S: Too many greats, but mostly perfects still.
A: You require about 7,900,000 points or more on the arcade version
at difficulty level 4 or equivilant. At home, you require about
8,200,000 points at the same level. Other factors include how
many goods, boos and misses you get.
B: A score between 7,000,000 or so and the minimum for an A. If
you have many misses but no goods, this may also affect it.
C: A score in the mid to high 6 millions or so.
D: You must have screwed up regularly to get this.
E: Typically a fail, or in versus mode, both players ended with
no energy (or both lost their energy completely at different
points. You CAN still finish a song with both players having
no energy. I witnessed two players both get E's personally).
* The Pocketstation feature definately sucks. It's a mailbox program. Why
you'd need this or what it has to do with DDR is beyond me. I do think it
has a Nonstop Order rearranging program, but it's a bit dodgy and I think
it's for the home version. Why did they bother?
* Select your difficulty by pushing D, D or U, U on the song select screen.
(this should be obvious, but some people may not know!)
* You can access a hidden menu by pushing select on the Music Select screen.
The first option is Vivid/Flat mode (off/flat, off/vivid, depending if
you're on 3rd MIX/3rd ReMIX or SSR mode). These change the patterns the
arrows flash in - Vivid makes 1/4 and 1/2 beat steps flash differently to
normal steps. Flat makes them all do the same flashing pattern (ie 2nd MIX).
The second option down on the above mentioned menu is Little mode (on/off).
This removes all half and 1/4 steps, even if there's no other steps before
them. The third option down is sequence pattern modifiers (left mode, right
mode, shuffle mode, mirror mode, off). To find what these do, check the
arcade version commands in section 8.1. The last option is arrow visibility
(off/hidden/sudden/stealth). Hidden mode makes the arrows disappear halfway
up the screen. Sudden makes them appear 2/3 up the screen (harder than
it sounds!). Stealth makes the arrows totally invisible!
* Auto Music Select is stupid. Basically you pick songs by pressing the
triangle over them and then it randomizes. I think. If you don't pick
several songs you end up doing the same one over and over and it's stupid.
Waste of a mode. I prefer just holding down an arrow, closing my eyes,
then stepping on start. It's much more chaotic.
* Wanna know how to get on the high scores table? This goes for the arcade
version too - complete a Ranking couse in Nonstop mode. (3rd MIX or SSR
only - not 3rd ReMIX or 2nd MIX in the arcade)
* In Unison mode, try doing the other players steps too if possible to
increase your combo. If they have one at the same time as you, do it as
a jump and you'll increase your combo by two, because it's not one jump,
it's two steps!
* An interesting note: The backgrounds for the three songs removed (ie
Xanadu, It Only Takes a Minute ~Extended Remix~ and Follow The Sun
~90 In The Shade Mix~) are still on the CD! Links to utilities to rip
these graphics and the music will be in future editions of this FAQ, but
you can save time and look for 'THV' and 'YU_RI' yourself! This trick also
works on 2nd Remix. I haven't tried it on the original or Best Hits yet.
* A special option is unlocked when you play with this game's memory card
save on a 4th MIX machine: 'Create Link Data'. After a bit of messing
around, you can create Nonstop data for 4th MIX and other stuff. (See
DDR 4th MIX in the arcade section for precise info)
* You can also edit 3rd MIX nonstop data, should you wish to. All 3rd MIX
stuff is always mentioned in sections named 'DDR 3rd MIX(Arcade)' (or
similar). I assume 4th MIX is under 'Link Data' because they hadn't named
it yet...
* Edit Data from the original DDR will no longer work. The same goes for the
arcade machine; in 2nd ReMIX there are two types of edit data formats you
can save in, 'type1' and 'type2'. 'type2' works on 2nd ReMIX and up. You
can use 2nd ReMIX to change any edit data you saved from the original so
it'll work in this one.
3.4 Dance Dance Revolution GB
-----------------------------
Same game, unusual format. The game comes with a finger pad apparently, or
in the very least one is available (there's pictures of it around), but
I've only played it in emulator form currently. I plan to buy it since
it's good. Before I start, I'd just like to say DON'T ask me for the ROM. I
know it's hard to find (at least considering it's just released), but I am
not gonna be a tool for piracy. Go buy. Anyway, this version is based on
2nd Mix, however features what may be Bonus Tracks from 3rd Mix, or just
something to fill the game out. DDRGB has:
AM-3P
Bad Girls
Boom Boom Dollar
Brilliant 2U
Butterfly (Normal and Hard)
Dam Dariam
Dub-I-Dub
El Ritmo Tropical
Have You Never Been Mellow
Hero
I Believe In Miracles
If You Were Here
La Senorita
Love
Paranoia
Paranoia MAX
SP-Trip Machine
On the title screen there is an option - this simply is the special finger
controller option (on or off - leave it off if you don't have one). Other
options are just typical of DDR - difficulty level, amount of songs for
various modes, etc. - two puzzle me though: 'Tough' mode for Free Play Mode.
It seems to make no impact on any songs - not even the two 3rd Mix ones. The
other option which confuses me is couple mode (press select on the select
game mode screen). 1P Couple mode might be just 1 Player with Couple mode
steps (I didn't look), but 2P Couple mode had no effect at all. Perhaps it's
cos' I wasn't playing a link game, but then why did it let me pick it in
the first place? Wierd.
In smaller itty gritty details, DDR is a 16mbit cart (both Beatmania GB carts
are 8mbit), it's a Color only game (once again, Beatmania GB carts work on
old GB's too), and it doesn't have a save mode or password mode.
ADDENDUM: I've since bought this game, and let me tell you DDR GB1 is pretty
poor. It tries and it fails. The main problem is with the music - the bass
totally disappears after a little bit on most songs. I believe this is
because the programmers unintelligbly change the intruments or use the
sound channel for something else. It sounds insignificant, but try playing
DDR on some of those really poor speakers you get in $2 shops and you'll
know what I mean. If it weren't for this, the music would be fine. This
problem is 10 times more noticable with earphones.
3.5 Dance Dance Revolution GB2
------------------------------
See above. GB2 is essentially the best songs (in Konami's opinion) of
DDR 3rd Mix and DDR Solo (2000?), and is heavily based on DDR 3rd Mix
in graphics and such (the title music is 'Can You Feel The Rhythm'). It
has Nonstop mode, as such. These are the songs:
Afronova
Can't Stop Fallin' In Love
Club Tropicana
Dam Dariam
High Energy
If You Can Say Goodbye
I'm Alive
In The Navy '99
La Senorita
Love Machine
Mr. Wonderful
Operator
Paranoia Rebirth
Silent Hill
So Many Men
Sky High
Together & Forever
Turn Me On ~Heavenly Mix~
Typical Tropical
Vol 4
It has more songs, of course, and for what it's worth, this is a HUGE
improvement over the first DDR GB. The bass problem is more or less fixed -
it still happens, most noticably (by me :P) in I'm Alive (which I hate
anyway), but overall, it's a great port. The only question to ask yourself
before you buy it is, do you love DDR for the physical interaction or for
another reason? After all, there's not many different ways to push buttons
with your fingers - especially while holding a GBC!
As for playing advice - without the finger step controller is the hardest
way to play, as B becomes the up arrow and A becomes the right arrow (so
you can do jumps). I suggest you learn to use these buttons for these
directions only - if you try to push up and right on the directional pad
too, you'll confuse yourself. Also, like the PSX, press select to get any
hidden game modes once you're on a song select screen.
As for playing on an emulator, pressing several directions at once tends
to 'lock' keyboards and thus nothing happens. Beware of this. This probably
has been corrected with USB keyboards, though...
3.5 Dance Dance Revolution GB3
------------------------------
DDR GB3 once again uses the seemingly rushed DDR GB1 engine. Here's the song
list:
1,2,3,4, 007
1,2,3,4, 007 -HARD-
Celebrate Nite
Don't Stop! ~AMD 2nd MIX~
Dream A Dream
Eat You Up
Eat You up -HARD-
Higher
Holiday
Hypnotic Crisis
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
In The Heat Of The Night
Kiss Me (KCP Remix)
Love Again Tonight (For Melissa Mix)
Luv To Me ~AMD Mix~
Luv To Me ~AMD Mix~ -HARD-
My Summer Love
Never Gonna Make
Pink Dinosaur
Trip Machine Climax
Upside Down
Walkie Talkie
Luv To Me ~AMD Mix~ -HARD- actually plays significantly faster than it does
normal. It's 200bpm, I estimate. 1,2,3,4, 007 -HARD- on Maniac would be
actually easier than the normal Maniac if you were playing the real game, as
there are more steps like triples but less off-beat ones or sixteenth/¬ steps
like normal. It's harder with the GB controls, though...it still uses the
now incredibly outdated looking DDR 2nd MIX numbers for the score, as well
as the way outdated 2nd MIX ranking system (E-A, S-SS and maybe an SSS but
I haven't gotten one). D-A are displayed as they look in 4th MIX. E and the S
ranks are unique to this game in look (ie they've been drawn from scratch).
Also note that all songs are available initially and there are no categories
like 4th MIX, except in Nonstop Mode which seems to be catergorized exactly
like some of the 4th MIX main mode categories! (Konami Original A/B, Pops
A/B, Covers and Classics)
Overall, this game is still disappointing. The audio isn't too clear and
sometimes bits which you usually can't hear in 4th MIX can be heard over
the main instruments. This means the song could be unrecognisable and it
will not help you follow the beat! Basslines disappearing seems to no longer
be a problem. However, some songs sound way different...especially My Summer
Love. Hypnotic Crisis, Eat You Up, Upside Down and Dream A Dream don't escape
either. Every other song, except maybe Trip Machine Climax, is perfectly
recognisable. Like DDR 4th MIX on Playstation, Solo 2000 and Korean tier
songs are absent. Personally I think they coulda got rid of some of the
other songs they decided to add, like the junky 3rd MIX songs they added. I
wouldn't say it's an improvement over DDR GB2, and I wouldn't say it's worse
than DDR GB2. It's just different. It's definately better than DDR GB1.
3.7 Dance Dance Revolution Best Hits
------------------------------------
A spick 'n' span mix of all of the 'best' DDR songs using the DDR 3rd Mix
engine. As such, it has the same de-synced steps problem for PAL users.
See the Gameshark code section for the fix I've made. This has less songs
than 3rd Mix, and less features. It has a 'shareware' feel to it. You
get roughly 30 songs from DDR mixes 1-3, including every song from the
original DDR (excluding Strictly Business, which was removed from DDR
games after DDR 3rd Korean Mix/before DDR 2nd Mix DC, and the original
Trip Machine, for reasons unknown to me as I liked it!), a large chunk of
2nd (Re)MIX songs (alternate mixes are all gone except Paranoia Max and
SP-Trip Machine ~Jungle Mix~), and a few 3rd Mix songs (the only
Catastrophic songs in it are ol' Captain Jack and Dynamite Rave!). It
also has Drop The Bomb and After The Game Of Love. I doubt it has any
hidden songs, as so far, I've found no hidden features at all! (there
is no Information menu) The only new features are Maniac Double mode
for pre-3rd MIX songs (also note SSR is just named Maniac here), a
shortcut menu in options to allow you to default to certain characters and
a mode every time which you specify yourself, diet records in the record
menu, and 2 new characters which don't suit DDR well at all and are
probably inspired by Pump It Up or something. Small details for small
detail fans include the numerals for scores changed, Charmy has alluminium
tights now like she has since DDR 3rd Mix arcade (in 3rd Mix arcade/PSX
she had none - I presume this was changed since you could see her panties.
3rd Mix Korean arcade was the first one with this change), the background
in the song select screen is a bluey-green similar to the 2nd Mix mode
on 3rd Mix arcade, and the options menu looks a lot like the original
DDR but it's much less detailed. It also features no built-in edit data
like 3rd MIX arcade or PSX, or 2nd MIX DC, but you can still load all of
your own edit data. Nonstop mode is still in, but it has only about 8
or so selections, and two difficulty levels (you can't put all songs on
Maniac/SSR, for example, or all songs on Basic). There is no paint mode,
but there is edit mode, diet mode, learning and training mode. Another
utterly useless feature is that Soft mode has become Beginner mode, and
shows you a picture of the DDR arcade floor panels in the background so
you can mimic the steps they do and all songs are only 1 foot! I hear
this is in DDR USA/DS Euromix too. Also, the intro loops through the intro
movies from all 3 DDR mixes, but they're still lower framerate versions,
unlike on DDR 2nd MIX DC. Overall, a lot of stuff has been removed from
DDR Best Hits, and it's a blatant showcase for the other games in the
series. For westerners, its only advantage is it has 2nd Mix songs with
3rd Mix graphics, as many people seem to have problems with the disc
switch mode, and it isn't just people who pirated the game. I believe it's
because the disc switch mode is a seperate .EXE on the DDR 3rd MIX CD, and
thus the protection is invalid - as for Maniac Double mode, the mats slip
too much for that! (it's also worth getting if you want the original DDR
but cannot find it anywhere.)
DDR Best Hits has no edit data, yet Konami didn't remove the Official Konami
Edit Data distinguishing code from the engine - wierd. DDR Best Hits has
NO secret songs, NO edit data, and basically NO frills. The only improvements
over 3rd MIX are Maniac Double mode (if you can call it an improvement!),
Diet Mode's new alternate modes and a flashier edit data engine. But only
slightly flashier. For your interest, here's the song list:
Reminder to self: unfinished and unverified...
After The Game Of Love
Boom Boom Dollar
Butterfly
Brilliant 2U
Dam Dariam
Drop The Bomb
Have You Never Been Mellow
I Believe In Miracles
If You Were Here
Get Up'N Move
Kung-Fu fighting
La Senorita
Let's Get Down
Little Bitch
Make It Better
My Fire
Paranoia
Paranoia MAX
Put Your Faith In Me
Silent Hill
Stomp To My Beat
That's The Way (I Like It)
Wonderland
Because of the song list, it's also the game most similar to the original
US/UK version of DDR/Dancing Stage!
3.8 Dance Dance Revolution 4th MIX
----------------------------------
Like 3rd MIX, the first thing to note is for PAL users only: The steps will
be out of sync with the music yet again. The code to fix this is in the
Gameshark section along with the modchip protection removal codes.
For changes from 3rd MIX to 4th MIX, check the arcade info. The first thing
to note is the differences from the arcade version and 3rd MIX PSX's unique
additions, including the many bugs:
* The 7 or so DDR Solo 2000 tier songs have been removed (Drop Out, Paranoia
Evolution, Hysteria, Let The Beat Hit 'em!, Super Star, Can't Stop Fallin'
In Love, and Wild Rush). Also, the 7 or so Korean songs from 3rd MIX Plus
are not in this.
* 1 4th MIX Plus song was added along with about 5 all-new songs, including
a new mix of Orion.78.
* Link Data for use with 4th MIX Arcade and 5th MIX Arcade can be generated.
You can also fiddle around with both too.
* All Music mode and Event Mode are enabled/disabled in Game Options.
* 'Solo Mode' is added, which puts the game on 6 panel mode (like the Solo
arcade version of 4th MIX). Only one version of the game exists with both
Solo and normal modes in it
* Like 4th MIX Plus, 'Ninzaburo' is now known as 'Furuhata's Theme'. (as
Ninzaburo is the name of the show the song is from)
* The 3 songs not found in 3rd MIX - Follow The Sun ~90 in The Shade Mix~,
It Only Takes a Minute ~Extended Remix~ and Xanadu, are in this game.
* Song Categories have changed drastically.
* Currently, no option to switch discs with older DDRs seems to exist.
* No 'User Support' option seems to exist. (ie, you cannot use 4th MIX to
get all the goodies in 3rd MIX)
* 'Challenge Mode', which is like 'Training' in 3rd MIX and Best Hits in
that there are 3 initial modes (Basic, Trick, Maniac) with 10 challenges
each, but obviously it's more than just a tutorial. Tasks might include
getting an A (formerly SS) on the song, or not using the up arrow. You
have to unlock this feature by playing a small number of times.
* A Pocketstation feature is included for 4th MIX arcade. It's that junky
mailbox program from 3rd MIX again by the looks of it...yes, it edits 4th
MIX Arcade NS Order. But it's cumbersome and it sucks and it looks like
a ZX Spectrum program (that's bad).
* Unlike DDR Best Hits, Lesson Mode has been redone from scratch. In other
words, it doesn't have the N.M.R. songs playing - which weren't in Best
Hits except for Lesson Mode :)
* The 'timing' option in Sound Options allows you to make the music faster
or slower than the steps. It does not change the actual speed of the music
or allow you to get more perfects.
* The announcer no longer says "I can see a dream in your dance. I can see
tomorrow in your dance! We can call it, our hope!". I think Konami did the
same thing that Sega did with Daytona USA's corny lyrics - which are now
considered cult classics. Konami ruin all our fun! :(
* The announcer doesn't even say 'oh god! oh god!' when you get an AA (the
equivilent of SSS).
* Endless mode no longer lets you pick specific songs. You don't seem to be
able to set when the stage break appears, either. No frills endless mode,
I guess...
* BUG: If the CD skips, the game pauses briefly but the music doesn't - and
thus becomes desynchronized. This probably isn't isolated to PAL machines.
This only occurs occasionally, other times it'll pick right up again like
3rd MIX. The Game Shark unlock codes may cause this...
* BUG: The song 'Dancing All Alone' by Smile.dk appears to be a trial song
for 5th mix but appears in the normal setup with the following difficulties
(Basic/Trick/Maniac): 2/1/1 4 panel, 1/1/1 6 panel. Obviously it was never
supposed to be seen on Trick/Maniac. Much less a bug than Konami being
lazy coders yet again. (note: The steps are identical on all difficulties.
Try getting A's on all of them!) Info does say to play it on Basic Single/
Double only, but since when is that an excuse for poor programming?
* BUG: 6 panel mode does not always work in Challenge Node using a mat.
Challenge Mode seems to automatically enable the controller setup, even if
you pick that you have a mat and have Controller 1 off in options! This
bug may be fixable by trial and error, but nothing fixes it every time.
Very serious bug. Fix it by selecting you have a normal controller in
Challenge Mode, quit out of Challenge Mode, enter Challenge Mode again,
then select mat. This may only occur on copies of the game - this is
unverified as it doesn't occur 100% of the time.
* BUG: 'Danger' doesn't seem to appear on the screen, although an option
for it is in the graphics options menu - yet you still get booing, which
indicates it should be showing if switched on. This may be only occuring
on copies of the game too, and you may be able to fix it somehow - I think
'Danger!' only works with Event Mode off.
* BUG: Often the next stage won't load after it's selected. This bug appears
to be widespread and ISN'T caused by a GameShark unlock code as first
suspected (hence it was not mentioned earlier). Letting the game run a bit
seems to fix this problem sometimes. Save often...
* BUG: Sometimes scrolling through the songs really fast causes some of the
banners to flicker. This is probably just a sprite overload. Konami are
famous for that (remember Gradius 3? :P). This seems completely random.
It seems to be caused by pressing twice in the same direction too fast.
The cause is undetermined, though!
* BUG: In some versions, any edit data for Leadin Cyber has invisible
arrows. Even if you get a full combo, you always get 23 misses at the end.
This bug appears to affect originals and copies. (thanks to H.Edward from
RTF for this)
* BUG: In some versions, any edit data for Era(nostalmix) with twelfth beat
steps in places where the speed changes, the song automatically clears.
(thanks again to H.Edward from RTF for this)
* BUG: Sometimes the Internet Ranking password won't show after a stage has
been beaten when it should (ie if you get a max combo). This appears to
happen most often on Love Again Tonight. Once again, it doesn't affect all
versions and isn't isolated to pirated copies of the game only. (thanks to
H.Edward from RTF again :P)
* BUG: In Solo Mode, using 4 Panels, the 4 controller buttons are enabled
no matter how many times you switch Controller 1/2 on and off again.
* BUG: Shuffle does not appear to randomize properly. Out of 10 turns of
Hypnotic Crisis Maniac, it had the same shuffle pattern (beginning with
L-U D-U, - indicating a quarter beat). Note the song was deliberately
failed most of the time but passed once and it still happened. This was
tested on multiple songs on multiple copies and it definately isn't just
mine.
Here's some tips, too:
* Secret songs are unlocked every 5 songs, including the following non-4th
MIX songs:
5 songs SYNCHRONIZED LOVE (Red Monster Hyper Mix)
10 songs Challenge Mode
15 songs DANCING ALL ALONE
20 songs HERO (HAPPY GRANDALE MIX)
25 songs DAM DARIAM (KCP MIX)
30 songs IF YOU WERE HERE (B4 ZA BEAT MIX)
35 songs Never let you down
40 songs Share My Love
45 songs .59
50 songs era(nostalmix)
55 songs Let's talk it over
60 songs Make Your Move
65 songs GROOVE
70 songs Don't Stop! (AMD 2nd MIX)
75 songs Get me in your sight (AMD CANCUN MIX)
80 songs Holic
85 songs LEADING CYBER
90 songs Midnite Blaze
95 songs ORION.78 (civilization mix)
100 songs Endless Mode
Total number of songs: 54 (this is confirmed to be all their is!)
(source: KCET)
* Challenge Mode doesn't unlock any songs unless you haven't unlocked them
all already, in which case it unlocks them all.
* Endless mode can be unlocked by letting the demo loop! At least, that's
what I did and that's what I got! (Konami says it's unlocked by playing
100 songs, but I got this whilst watching the demo, honest! Another bug?)
* Info on Arcade Link can be gotten by saving the game about 10 times.
* Xanadu and Follow The Song were among songs which, in 4th MIX Plus, had
new, harder official '4th MIX Plus' edit data. The edit data is in 4th
MIX PSX and replaces the original Maniac data...
* Enabling All Music mode and disabling Event Mode allows you to get an
alternative ending for the game, which plays "Let the beat hit 'em! -
Classic R&B Style", a song now in Extra MIX (AKA bmIIdx version, or
something like that)
* You can get the other steps for Dancing All Alone by playing 5th MIX. At
least that's how it sounds on Konami's site...obviously, you need a memory
card for this.
* To get an Internet Ranking password for Endless mode, play with Break Stage
turned off, Little mode turned off and get 100,000,000 points or more (note
the score multiplier is different in this, which means you have to last
for a while to get this high)
Essentially, this game is as accurate a conversion as 3rd MIX was - but that
is one of the biggest problems, because it ISN'T 4th MIX arcade. Obviously
the missing 3rd MIX songs are...er...found again, so that's a bonus. However
this has NO append mode. This is probably because of Extra MIX, or because
game players would expect too much in the append mode - ie Maniac Double AND
Solo Mode (This would take up a lot of memory...here's the math: 1 edit data
save block =8kb, 4 new sets of steps per song x 56 for 3rd MIX, gives
you 1.792mb, which is most of the PSX's RAM. Sorry if I'm wrong but I suck
at math). Actually, it's most likely because Konami were too lazy (as the
amount of bugs shows). Still, even though it's smaller overall than 3rd MIX,
it has more new songs and the total number of songs is only 3 less than 3rd
MIX had. This game is ideal for beginners as it's basically a lot easier
than 3rd MIX was. Intermediate level players will probably also find that
they'll be able to progress to harder songs easier with 4th MIX, but any
advanced players will be a little disappointed here. None of the songs offer
any real long-term challenge, except maybe Leading Cyber. Challenge mode
does add an interesting new bit of variety in gameplay and is addictive yet
frustrating.
One big, and I mean BIG problem is the song categories. By default, you have
the usual number of categories from the arcade (about 8 or so), except they
are way different, some misspelt ('veriety'), and most of all, almost
empty. One category had 9 songs in it! Why bother? Even Konami Original's
shrunk waaaaay down. Now, granted, their is an all music mode with about 35
songs to start with...but the problem is, the menus all run at high res. And
this is technically a menu. You are presented with a 3rd MIX style carousel -
except it's almost microscopic! You may have to get closer to the screen to
see the titles. Also, the background for this is a very ugly...black. Yep,
no background. Honestly, Konami, what were you thinking? Nothing? All Music
mode just plain sucks. Link mode is still here, and
Overall, although DDR 4th MIX is excellent as far as conversions go, it's
just too much of a straight conversion. It's missing a lot. Only about 3/4
of the CD is used, so obviously the Solo 2000 and Korean songs weren't
included for another reason...also, if Konami actually PLAYTESTED the @#$(&*!
game, they would have found the bugs, as they're OBVIOUS. They've obviously
just been too lazy to even debug their game. If the arcade machine were as
buggy as this, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot barge pole.
Other Info:
Challenge Mode has some of the instructions in Japanese. Song, 4/6 panels
and which sections/modes can be viewed on the right side of the screen.
The bottom of the screen gives more specific info. Here's what I've found
so far (C=Challenge, PA=Perfect Attack (perfect/greats only):
PRACTICE:
C1: No misses allowed
C2: PA
C3: PA
C4: End the song with the energy bar maxed out, starts empty
C5: Must score over 1 500 000 points - doesn't have to be in 1 combo
C6: Must get more 50% or more perfects (easy - 25% is average for most
players anyway, and I usually get 10% or less myself)
C7: PA
C8: PA
C9: PA. Note the steps are different to normal. Use a controller to save
time if you suck too much...but it's a really good way to get good at
6 button mode, albeit VERY annoying...
C10: Score must not exceed 1 million points, max combo must be over 50. Best
way to do this is get one 51 combo then keep combos below 8 or so for
the duration of the song - 51 combo will bring you to about 400k, then
for the rest of the song try to get as many goods as you can - anytime
you step a bit off it'll alternate between boo's and perfect/greats...
which will keep your energy high.
BASIC
C1: PA. The 6 greyed out arrows up the top are not in this one, so read
the Perfect Attack hints here in this FAQ if you have problems!
C2: No jumps allowed. No other Boos/Misses allowed.
C3: PA. Hidden mode. All half steps, but all in the same direction. Just
be glad you only have to do the EASIEST part of the song...I've never
seen anyone break the combo here in the arcade.
C4: Combo must never go over 10.
C5: No up or down steps allowed. No other boos/misses allowed. Diagonals
don't count as up steps.
C6: Steps for Baby Baby Gimme Your Love/Trick, music is Shooting Star.
You can only get one good/boo/miss.
C7: Keep your energy bar below halfway. There's another requirement too,
but I dunno what it is.
C8: You must get 50 or more Perfects. (more or less the same concept as
Perfect Attack) Only 62 steps in the song, though...very tough.
C9: Score must end between 3 million and 3.1 million. Work your score up to
2.9 million or so, then break the combo immediately and concentrate on
getting goods, until you know the last few steps are coming up - by
then your score should be nearly 3 million, so just balance it out.
C10: Energy bar must be reaally low - no more than the first bar filled.
Less seems to be ok.
TRICK:
C1: Do not do any jumps. Greyed out arrows up the top are invisible. All
non-jumps must be good/great/perfect!
C2: Only do jumps. All jumps must be perfect/great. Hidden mode enabled!
Still fairly hard! Tap to the beat in the middle if you have problems.
Keep your feet together when idle! See C1.
C3: Pass with full combo (only first 8 bits of the song tho)
C4: Grey arrows up the top are missing. Must get 70% Perfect or better.
This normally is fairly easy, but Sudden mode is on! Any less than 50
or so is ok...
C5: Music is different to steps (Shake Your Booty). 1 good allowed, no
boos or misses allowed. Beware because the BPM is slightly different
between the songs...only slightly...
C6: Must get 30 combo or greater. Must not get over 50% energy bar. To pass
this, allow yourself to ALMOST fail first, then try to get a few greats
to begin with, then just either freestyle or play properly. DO NOT try
to get too many greats for too long, or you'll get a good and mess it
up. If you do it right, you'll barely scrape a 30 combo before you get
50% energy. Then allow your energy to drop and play like an idiot for
the rest of the challenge.
C7: Pass with a full combo. Start with right foot.
C8: All perfects required! 31 steps total.
C9: Full combo needed, but the song is in stealth mode! All steps are up
except for a jump in the middle (which you'll know once you miss it,
or you could just do C8...
C10: Never step up (up-left and up-right okay). Every other step must be
good/great/perfect! Very confusing!
MANIAC:
C1: Clear the sections with a max combo. You also have two bars of the
song after it speeds up, so be careful!
C2: Pass the song. The catch is, your life bar doesn't recover...
C3: Clear the skipping section with a Max Combo.
---
C10: Clear the section. Using original edit data that basically goes in a
L-D-U-R-D-U-repeat pattern. Afronova facing forward, basically. Note
the pattern does not change when it speeds up. You need a max combo.
(NB: This section will be updated a lot next time)
3.9 Dance Dance Revolution Extra MIX
------------------------------------
The game is now out. Here are some small details on it:
* As far as I can tell, every Solo Bass MIX/Solo 2000 song is included.
This includes Drop Out, Paranoia Evolution and so on from 4th MIX and
Celebrate Nite and Sexy Planet from 4th MIX Plus (even though they were
in DS feat TKD already).
* The 'original' version of Together & Forever by Captain Jack and I'm Alive
by Cut & Move (also the original) are hidden songs. The reason for this is
probably lack of original content for secret songs so soon after 4th MIX...
* Noticably absent from the 4th MIX Plus lineup is Petit Love. Rumors say
that Smile (smile.dk) do not want their songs in DDR anymore. Of course,
we all heard this rumor back when 3rd MIX came out, didn't we? And remember
the Xanadu one about them being unhappy with their mix?
* A suprisingly large list of 5th MIX songs included. Dive is the first song
unlocked, and other songs include Remember You (NM feat. Sunny - the
'artists' (ie Naoki Maeda) who did Higher in 4th MIX), Broken My Heart
(Naoki song from Beatmania again), and Afronova Primeval (which appears to
be easier than the original on every difficulty. Gee! I am so suprised!)
* Konami have included a 'Data Bank' choc-a-bloc full of DDR edit data which
you can save to your memory card and play in old mixes - and presumedly
there's some for Extra MIX as well. This feature WAS in 4th MIX, and was
removed. The graphics are still there...I'll try to find out if the code
is as well when I get the chance...
* Challenge mode is back.
* Lesson mode was apparently gone according to Konami, but appears to be in
the game. I may have mistranslated...sorry! All the same, something is
amiss: Lesson 1 is 20, November. Lesson 2 is Higher. Lesson 3 is Baby Baby
Gimme Your Love. None of these are in Extra MIX...and why Lesson 1 was
replaced with 20, November is beyond me...
* For DDR purists, the graphics are redesigned (not vastly new though) and
more importantly, the song categories are more faithful to arcade
incarnations of DDR (DDR Solo Bass MIX, DDR Solo 2000, DDR 4th MIX Plus to
name but three). Also, most of the sounds are from Solo Bass/2000, which
does include the female nurse announcer. The intro movies are from both the
Solo games.
* The Super Star banner is now the one from Solo 2000, not 4th MIX and
its sequels. The background is still the 4th MIX version, though (it has
text). Also, Wild Rush's preview sound plays from the second last section
instead of the very last section.
* The I'm Alive (Cut 'n' Move) banner and background have changed completely;
originally they featured the Playmobil type figure thingies which pop up
at various intervals in songs like 1,2,3,4,007 and Saint Goes Marching
(Remix) on 4th MIX. It now features cartoonish drawings. The drawings are
wearing the same clothing the figurines were in the original.
* The background animations in various songs are changed. For example, in
Drop Out in the arcade the background animations were of a mechanical theme
mostly featuring cogs and gears moving. In Extra MIX, it features the
missile things (as seen in One Two (Little Bitch)), and the jumping men
(as seen in Holic).
* The DanceMania promotion is no longer a video file like 4th MIX - it now
uses the one from Best Hits, with more up-to-date CD's shown and the song
played is now "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing (Planet Lution Mix)".
* Although the space is far from 100% utilized again, it's slightly better
used. Oh, and you have to do more than just 100 songs to get all the
secrets this time!
* If the game is completed in Main Mode, the ending features a Be For U
video (which is yet more shameless self promotion really, something this
game has way too much of). In Link Mode, you're rewarded with a nice
starfield background with DDR arrows instead of stars, and a new mix of
AM-3P! Hopefully this will be in 5th MIX Plus!
* No Korean songs, as I expected.
Here is the list of bugs/flaws found to date:
* Let the beat hit 'em! & Let the beat hit 'em! (BMIIDX version) have
identical steps. This would be ok if the music followed the same basic
pattern, or was faster. I'd assume that this was due to lack of time, only
that the inclusion of the BMIIdx version and Classic R&B Style was
announced about a month ago...and I managed to make edit data for it in
15 minutes.
* BUG: Wild Rush edit data doesn't seem to function properly. Some
edit data I made on PSX works fine on PSX was massively desynched for large
portions of the song on 4th MIX arcade. This problem has also been reported
in Japan, so I am assuming that it is not specific to 4th MIX machines. To
fix it, after you have finished making your edit, move everything 1 bar up.
For example, my edit, GG-2DIE4, starts at block 3. If I move it all up to
start at block 2, it will be out of time on PSX, but perfectly times in
the arcade!
Other songs also may be affected by this, so be careful!
* FLAW: 5th MIX songs only use the normal 4 panels in 6 panel mode. The steps
are ranked one foot less than they are normally because of this (why?).
Also, Solo songs (not Solo tier ones - ie the ones in 4th/4th Plus) do not
have double steps. Trying these will result in getting the steps on one
side only. Any song which is not supported in the mode you are in is
highlighted purple.
Some undocumented things:
* In the Data Bank, data entitled 'From VM007' is from the Dreamcast version
of 2nd MIX. 'PF-' data is the performance ('pafo') data which was in the
Dreamcast version, as well as all arcade machines from 3rd MIX onwards.
(Japanese and Korean editions only) 'KCET' signifies the data first appears
in Extra MIX. The 'Challenge' data might also be that, however there is
a chance it's in 5th MIX as well.
3.10 Dance Dance Revolution 5th MIX
-----------------------------------
As usual, most of the information from the arcade still stands. Here's some
of the changes:
* Like the arcade, your top ranking and scores for songs are displayed on the
song select screen, however both players use the one memory card and one
set of scores only.
* Event Mode allows you to choose songs freely, even long versions, and all
songs take up one stage only. This is in the arcade version of the game as
well, but I'm afraid that's a secret!
* As well as the hidden Naoki and N.M.R characters from the arcade version,
there are also hidden U1-ASAMI and 2MB characters (Naoki and N.M.R being
the two main arcade music arrangers, U1-ASAMI and 2MB being the two main
home version music arrangers). They're not very good, though.
* The difficulty is toned down somewhat - more specifically, the game is less
accurate than previous mixes with step accuracy and it's easier to get an
AAA (all perfects) than before. This is because in the arcade, it's way
harder to get perfects - for Perfect Attack competitions, no less. As
nobody really has the right to run comps like that on PSX, the difficulty
was altered with somewhat disasterous results.
* The Data Bank is back - this time, Konami asked every DDRer in Japan to
send in their edits. A lot of them did (I don't recognise any names though)
and Konami didn't waste any space - there are over 3,700 individual edits!
Some of the programmers did some too, they get unlocked when you get some
of the new songs (a comment on one of Naoki's: "MUSIC IS MY LIFE")
* The Data Bank is now sorted into 8 sections (date order, from before Extra
MIX's release to the closing date) and a 9th 'Best' section. Favourite
Edits are marked with a shimmering effect (there are literally hundreds of
edits for Dynamite Rave, B4U, Dead End, the Paranoia's, era and Drop Out!)
* There is a gallery featuring various DDR Art (scrolling backgrounds, reject
or beta backgrounds, DDR merchandise from comps and screencaps from the
FMV's of the first 4 games, as well as the 12 original gallery pics from
3rd MIX)
* New songs (and later, features) are unlocked every 5 stages passed.
* Hidden songs are yellow, hidden new songs are blue (in the arcade, older
songs are blue). The Beatmania tier hidden ones are unlocked in arcade
(difficulty/basic) order (Abyss first, Electro Tuned last)
* Petit Love is not in the game.
* DDRMAX sample songs only have one difficulty. Like 4th MIX, you're just
not supposed to pick them on lower difficulties but you can if you like!
Note that every new 5th MIX PSX song has been announced to be in DDRMAX now
(but it may be untrue).
* Most of the introduction sequence (note: no FMV still) is windowed.
* Edit Data use/loading has to be turned on or off (like 3rd MIX). It's off
by default (like 3rd MIX).
* The Edit menu itself has been changed again cosmetically but still is
functionally the same as it has been since Best Hits or so. Both this and
training do NOT have song 'banners' like previous MIXes - just pictures of
the titles from the selection menus.
* Songs are scrolled through by pressing left/right, difficulty is changed
like 3rd MIX (U-U or D-D) and edit data is selected by pressing X (and not
holding it!). Song is changed by pressing start (again, don't hold it!).
Songs can be sorted in normal (difficulty) order, alphanumeric, BPM or
Player's Best (and it gets it right! Sana Morette Ne Ente and Absolute at
the top, Oops! I did it Again and Never Ending Story at the bottom!)
* Unlike Extra MIX, there's no damn Be For U promotional junk! Well, there's
some. But you unlock it with a song as well, so that's alright.
* After a long time, a 'Total Score' item will unlock in Information. The
pre-requisite is unknown, but it isn't points (I got it at about 1.9
billion points)
* The only thing unlocked by playing many times is songs and the 2 sets of
hidden characters. No modes, info, features or gallery items will be
unlocked.
* Records notes the number of times you pass a song. Player's Best notes the
number of times you've played a song regardless of if you fail or do edit
data or not. (on mine, Sana Morette Ne Ente is #1 at 6 plays but I aborted
it umpteen times, Insertion is #2 with 4 plays but I did edits and aborted
it many times, and Absolute is #3 at 6 plays, but I usually do edits with
that...Mr.T.(Take Me Higher) is #4 with 5 plays, which I also use edit data
a lot on)
* Once you have all A's or better on a difficulty, an indicator of how many
you have for that difficulty/mode in total appears in Information.
GALLERY
* There are 228 items in all (no extra ones). The last 5 are Be For U pics
(Konami are very predictable!)
* As I said, Konami are very predicatble. To unlock the last 5 pics, move
the cursor over #224 (even though you haven't got it) and press Up, Up,
Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, X (cancels out), O (returns to the
screen and makes a coin insert sound). This unlocks all 5 pics. For those
of you who don't know, UUDDLRLRBA was the old 'Konami Code' frequently used
on Konami's NES games, sometimes on SNES games and very rarely since. It
probably originated in the NES version of Gradius.
* Gallery art usually seems to be unlocked purely randomly. I've tried
getting AA's and AAA's, finishing certain numbers of stages, etc - and then
I did one game where I tried out an edit, and passed rather poorly, and got
several at once! You definately do not get them for doing certain numbers
of stages. You even can get pics (more than one) by failing!
* If you get an AAA, when you save you will get 3 new pics.
* The Gallery items unlocked are random.
* For the record, I think some of these gallery items are about as drug
inspired as the Guitar Freaks/Drummania animations.
INFORMATION
* There are 47 categories in the information menu.
* 6 of the categories are for your total grades (unlocked by getting an A or
better in that difficulty/play mode). A 7th is unlocked when you have A's
or better in all difficulties.
* If you get an AAA, you get another one.
* If you pass training, you get another one.
* There are a second set of Be For U pics - 4 categories, with identical pics
to the ones which are unlocked normally.
* One is unlocked by completing the gallery.
* At about 180 million points a total score category is unlocked.
* Other similar categories are most used characters, most used play mode,
most used difficulty.
SCORE MULTIPLIER
* The bonus given for songs is larger on lower stages - eg, an AAA on Nori
Nori Nori/Basic is 30,490,105 on the 3rd Stage and 15,490,105 on the 4th
(final) Stage. (this needs further investigation)
BUGS
* Sometimes the YES/NO options seem to disappear from menus.
* See the Difficulty note in the version changes - it's a sort-of bug.
* Like 4th MIX and Extra MIX, the music skips like hell. I can full combo
Sana Morette Ne Ente 90% of the time in the arcade, but have not managed
at all yet on PSX as slower songs skip worst!
* The edit data indicators to the left of the song banner/background on the
song select screen (the 4 dots) do not light up if there is edit data
present.
* Like 4th MIX, 'DANGER' never appears on the screen when you're failing, and
it doesn't flash.
* 'GAME OVER' doesn't appear on the demo, thus defeating the purpose of the
big black borders (to improve framerate as the GAME OVER object is
transparent)
3.11 Extracting Stuff From DDR CD's
-----------------------------------
Yes, the DDR CD's have many wonderful things for you to extract! Go to this
site for starters:
http://niigata.cool.ne.jp/r7038/ddr/ddr3_cd.htm
It lists (in Japanese) which programs rip what out of whatever. For example,
Obviously XaPlay plays the CD-XA Audio in XA.STR (everyone has probably
tried this). All you'll find is shorts (song previews), so it's not too
useful. This info is specific to DDR 3rd MIX, however most of it is
applicable to older mixes as well (as well as Best Hits, which uses the same
engine as 3rd MIX). Don't bother trying to use these programs on 4th MIX if
you have a pirated copy cos' the files are hidden anyway, and it serves you
right :P
READ_DT.BIN stores the graphics. Yu-ri is a nice extractor of these. All the
backgrounds can be extracted, and I think some memory card icons too or some
junk like that. Good for windows backgrounds but little else. Note that ALL
the removed 3rd MIX arcade songs from 3rd MIX PSX have backgrounds on the CD.
Of course, there's no music...(NB: This program did not work on 4th MIX or
Extra MIX!)
STR.BIN holds all the audio. This includes music, sound effects and the
announcer that you love to hate. If you click on the link you'll find two
files. thv is 4 or so EXE files which are to be run in DOS. Each has a
specific purpose. There's a converter/batch file on the link below. Beware
though because extracting these will take up several gigs of space on your
hard drive!
3.12 Pocketstation Guide
------------------------
DDR seems to be one of the main reasons Pocketstations sell in Japan. That's
what I figure cos' when I looked up 'Pocketstation game' in Google I mostly
found DDR stuff. So if you've bought one (I got mine from www.lik-sang.com
but that's the only place I knew that sold 'em! So don't ask!), you'll
probably find it hard to figure it out cos' the manual is in Japanese. Well,
not all that hard to figure out. But there's a few things you should know:
* Obvious enough: Remove the tab from the battery cover when you first want
to use it. This is so it doesn't turn on accidentally before purchased!
* The reset button is under the control panel, right next to the big button
at the back. Push it with a pin or something.
* Pushing the enter button (the one with the hard to see <- on it) on the
main menu brings up some other stuff.
* The Pocketstation goes into 'sleep' mode after a minute. Push enter to
restart it on the last screen you were on.
* Pushing the up button on the first menu alters the volume level
(mute/low/high).
* Holding the down button on the first menu lets you view the memory card
icons. In the lower right of this first menu, you can see the second
counter.
* Obviously, the date scrolls along the top of the second menu. Hold up to
set the time/date again. Hold down to set the alarm.
* Push left or right to select mini games (if available).
* The lifespan of the battery is 1«-2 months of moderate usage. It uses the
lithium battery type 'CR-2032'. The supplied battery has a PSX logo on it!
3.12.1 DDR 4th MIX NS Order Editor
----------------------------------
First of all, this program is available at www.nissie.com under 'PK dev'.
Secondly, I didn't make it. Finally, what the program is used for is to
change the order of your nonstop courses in 4th MIX Arcade. This means you
don't have to run home and do it, basically. Also if your machine doesn't
have the beatmania songs unlocked you can use this to play them. It also has
a 'roulette' feature which randomizes all the NS Order songs (and their
settings - make sure you turn stealth off! ;P), an Internet Ranking score
viewer, and if you push left when selecting a song, you can view the
song info. For example, for La Senorita Virtual:
,--------.
| 1-5 BC | 1-5 = Order #, Stage. BC = Song ID# (HEX). Ignore this!
|La Senor| (Song title scrolls (La Senorita Virtual))
| SP:788 | SP = Single Play. Difficulty on Basic/Trick/Maniac mode.
| DP:678 | DP = Double Play. Difficulty on Basic/Trick/Maniac Double mode.
|BPM: 181| BPM = Beats Per Minute (obviously).
`--------'
That's all you really need to know. It's entirely in English and you don't
need a manual.
3.12.2 DDR 2nd MIX Edit Player
------------------------------
First of all, I'm not sure of this program's homepage location, but it's not
too hard to find. I think it's on http://www.psxsaves.f2s.com/ incorrectly
listed as DDR itself...
This program allows you to view edit data on your Pocketstation. This can be
done two ways: either viewing it, which shows all the individual sections,
or by 'playing' it, where the Pocketstation automatically plays the edit data
as if it were a DDR machine itself. Note that you cannot control this - its
purpose is similar to that of training mode; to show you the edit data at
the real speed of the song (it works with 3rd MIX and 4th MIX edit data too!)
as well as to help you identify the beats, which it does so by making a dull
'thud' and flashing the LED at you.
Controlling the Edit Player is simple - After starting it, it defaults to
the first edit data block and to 'play' mode. Note that if you have 3rd MIX
to 4th MIX link data on the Pocketstation, it'll also be listed as 'link4to3'
but loading it will crash the Pocketstation, requiring you to reset it and
thus set all the dates again! Very nasty bug. It won't damage your
Pocketstation, but it makes lots of loud and horrible screeching noises and
flashes the LED violently. It probably wears your batteries out. If this
happens, reset ASAP to save your batteries.
4 . 0 P h y s i c s , E r g o n o m i c s a n d G e n e r a l
D D R A d v i c e
_____________________________________________________________________
First of all, the arcade version and the console versions require different
tactics. The mat is touch sensitive and the platform in the arcade is
pressure sensitive! Secondly, your main enemies in DDR are physics and
endurance. Sometimes it's physically impossible to reach the next step if
your position is wrong. Sometimes you have to balance your weight in a jump
so that you land with a certain foot first. And so on. Endurance is important
because if you wear out, there is a chance you could collapse if you are in
ill health. If you've just had flu, give yourself 5 days to recover. If
you have food poisoning, don't play! After suffering 95% or so loss of my
vision, getting heavy breathing, overheating and almost collapsing, I should
know. If you feel even slightly ill or uncomfortable, don't attempt to play
because even the slightest illness will affect you severely - even at home.
Also note that in the arcade, you have another enemy to contend with:
Blisters. It is VERY common to get blisters since you wear shoes and socks
usually. If you play for extremely long periods (5+ hours), these WILL burst.
It doesn't even take that long sometimes...beware of blood blisters! I
personally suggest that you live with 'em. They don't hurt that much. Think
of them as proof of