It is with great pleasure that we learn that Sega announces the forthcoming opening of a Joypolis in Brussels! The incursion of Sega in Europe is not new, everybody reminds the SegaWorld in London (1996-1999). More recently, we noted the presence of Sega of Japan representatives at ATEI 2008 looking for investors to open Joypolis indoor amusement parks in Europe. It seems they have found some confident people, the recent resurgence of the arcade market in Europe certainly played a role. We still have very few details except that it will be modeled on the Japanese centers while taking into account the specificities of the local market with the addition of standard arcade cabinets alongside the big simulators. There will be a stage which will host concerts by Japanese and European artists as well as cosplay contests and other various activities. The site location was not disclosed although the conversion work has already begun but we are promised that it is close to downtown and easily accessible by public transport. Brussels Joypolis will be a showcase for investors because Sega hopes to open other similar amusement centers in several major European cities. The opening of Brussels Joypolis is planned for the beginning of next school year. Welcome to the next level! This is an April fool!
Author: Nomax More info... Permalink
Initially scheduled for March 24, Quiz Magic Academy VIII is finally released in Japan today. The game takes place in a school of magic, by correctly answering quiz presented in different forms (classical, multiple choice, open response, student ...), the player progresses in his studies to become a great magician. Very focused on the cooperative mode, QMA VIII once again offers an impressive number of questions on various topics. New questions will be regularly added. A national online tournament mode for up to 16 players is now available. Like all new Konami games, QMA VIII uses e-AMUSEMENT PASS for savegames and support PASELI payment system.
Author: SophieKitty More info... Permalink
A few weeks after the release of XG2, here comes GuitarFreaks and DrumMania V8 (out today). This latest version of both musical games offers over 600 songs recorded including 35 new ones. The game feature 3 modes: "Easy" mode for beginners that teaches them to play through a tutorial, "Standard" mode that offers the freedom to choose among all the titles of the game (except the hidden tracks) and "Battle" mode that is playable online through national network, this mode is recommended for experienced players. March has been very prolific for Konami that has released GuitarFreaks/DrumMania V8 and GuitarFreaks/DrumMania XG2 but also jubeat knit APPEND.
Author: SophieKitty More info... Permalink
Made In Asia 3 was a blast with more than 16,000Â visitors! Those who paid us a visit at the show have come to realize that arcade games still appeals to people and that there is a real public demand despite what some companies are telling the media. The best evidence: Arcade Belgium was crowded the whole weekend! Absentees will want to check the event page featuring pictures and a video. There, you will also find the complete results of BlazBlue Continuum Shift and Hyper Street Fighter II tournaments. Congratulations to Nstalkie and Iori for their victories! Big thanks to Player for running the tournaments, Made In Asia and PlayerOne for providing the prizes and a thank you to all visitors!
Author: Nomax More info... Permalink
Haunted Museum II by Gamewax/Taito is available in the USA today. American version being manufactured by GlobalVR, the game is retitled as Shh...! Welcome to Frightfearland. This game is hosted in the same cabinet as Paradise Lost (with guns attached to the control panel). LCD screen sizes are 32", 42" or 50" depending on the model. Scenario is simple: two special agents are sent to a deserted amusement park to locate hundreds of missing persons. Haunted amusement park theme recalls Midway's CarnEvil but Frightfearland being powered by Type X², graphics are in high resolution (1280x720). Players can select their course through the 15 different levels. There are lso a hundred hostages to rescue, a bonus level, 6 special missions (mini games), 6 bosses and 3 ending sequences depending on player performances. Currently, the way the game will be distributed in Europe is a mystery.
Author: Nomax More info... Permalink
Despite the disaster ongoing in Japan, major Japanese firms are trying to continue to operate normally and to keep their commitments. Therefore, although supply problems, Konami releases jubeat knit APPEND today. This version is simply an update kit for jubeat knit. It features 16 new tracks (for a total of 199 titles). For the first time, a jubeat game shares songs with other Bemani titles currently in operation. Playing specific crossover songs in jubeat knit APPEND and saving on the e-Amusement Pass unlock these songs in pop'n music 19 TUNE STREET, REFLEC BEAT, GuitarFreaks XG2 & DrumMania XG2: Groove to Live, DanceDanceRevolution X2 and beatmania IIDX 18 Resort Anthem. There is one song to unlock for each of these games. jubeat knit APPEND soundtrack will be released on April 20.
Author: SophieKitty More info... Permalink
A spinoff of pop’n music will be released tomorrow: Hello! pop’n music. Based on the redemption game released by Konami in North America, this title differs by using 4 buttons rather than the 9 traditional buttons and by the presence of "rolling notes", long notes that the player has to hit several times quickly. Most available songs come from earlier pop’n music games. Four difficulty levels are available per song: "Easy", "Normal" and "Hard". Hello! pop’n music is of course compatible with the e-AMUSEMENT PASS.
Author: SophieKitty More info... Permalink
GuitarFreaks XG2 and DrumMania XG2 - Groove to Live are available in Japan since yesterday. Released beside GuitarFreaks and DrumMania "standard" versions, these "XG" are a kind of deluxe ones with a completely new design. Konami adds some new features in the "XG2" cabinets: new screen, speakers and peripherals. The two games use Paseli e-payment system. Nineteen new songs were added to the 70 already present in the "XG".
Author: SophieKitty More info... Permalink
Made in Asia show will take place in Brussels Expo from March 18 to 20. This is already the third edition of this show devoted to Japanese and Asian culture and it is growing year on year. Many events are held during the weekend: signings by Nobuhiro Watsuki (author of Rurouni Kenshin) and Hiroki Kanno (chara-designer of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime series) on Saturday and Sunday, live concerts by Pinky Doodle Poodle and Ryo Fujimura (on Saturday). During the whole weekend, visitors will enjoy the many other activities: the Japanese village and its traditional activities (go, ikebana, calligraphy, sumi-e, taiko, bonzai, furishuki, shogi, cooking, tea ceremony...), two dojos with martial arts demonstrations (Aikido, Kendo, Jodo, Naginata, Jodo, Thuy Phap, Kick-Boxing and Jujutsu), cartoon projections (Neon Genesis Evangelion : 2.2 You Can (Not) Advance, Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, ...), exhibitions (Tokyo, dolls, ...),video games tournaments, ... Exhibitors will be grouped by type: the show floor will be divided in several zones with the Akihabara space (video games publishers and associations), Shinjuku district (manga shops, cartoons and Japanese goods), Ikebukuro alley (manga fanzines, associations and artists), Harajuku alley (the "fashion" alley with shops and young creators selling clothing, jewelry, Asian inspired goods and accessories) and the Shibuya crossroads (information about all activities). On Friday, doors will open from 19:00 to 21:00 (free entrance!), on Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 (ticket price: €10 per day/€20 for the weekend). This year, Arcade Belgium will showcase free to play arcade games on its stand and will organize tournaments: Hyper Street Fighter II on Saturday and BlazBlue Continuum Shift on Sunday. You'll find more info about the tournaments on the forums. We have 2x 2 free tickets to offer, click here to try your luck.
Author: AB Team More info... Permalink
Sega releases today the latest version of Initial D: Initial D Arcade Stage 6 AA (AA as "double ace"). A new game mode was added: "Tag Battle" which allows players to compete in teams of 2 against 2 through the national network (also available in some countries outside of Japan). Gold and silver "ACE" panels are dispersed on the course, team members must touch them to win points. The team that gets the highest score at the end wins the battle. The gold panels are placed in locations hardmly accessible, an effective strategy and a good team spirit between team members are essential for victory. This game mode is similar to the battles of Takumi/Takahashi duo in the original manga. Characters and cars of the last volumes of the manga have been added: a record mumber of 34 cars and three new models are available (FAIRLADY Z Version S, LANCER Evolution X GSR and NSX). Futhermore, ten new races are present. Initial D Arcade Stage 6 AA runs on RINGEDGE, supports up to 4 players, uses ALL.Net network and data can be saved on an IC card. The data saved on an Initial D Arcade Stage 5 card can be transferred.
Author: SophieKitty More info... Permalink
All other news items are featured in our news archive.
23-26 September 2024
IAAPA Expo Europe
RAI
Amsterdam
Amusement trade show
5-6 October 2024
GameForce NL
Jaarbeurs
Utrecht
Videogame convention
12-13 October 2024
Comic Con Holland
Expo Greater Amsterdam
Vijfhuizen
Convention
19-20 October 2024
GameForce BE
Brussels Expo
Brussels
Videogame convention
26-27 October 2024
Comic Con Brussels
Tour & Taxis
Brussels
Convention
2-3 November 2024
FACTS Fall
Flanders Expo
Gent
Convention
6-8 March 2025
Made in Asia Spring
Brussels Expo
Brussels
Manga convention
trade only
trade / public days
public event