Keyboardmania Explained

Keyboardmania
Developer:Konami
Publisher:Konami
Released:2000
Genre:Music
Modes:Up to 2 players simultaneously
Arcade System:Firebeat
Platforms:Arcade

Keyboardmania (alternately KEYBOARD MANIA, and abbreviated KBM) is a rhythm video game created by the Bemani division of Konami. In this game up to two players use 24-key keyboards to play the piano or keyboard part of a selected song. Notes are represented on-screen by small bars that scroll downward above an image of the keyboard itself. The goal is to play the matching key when a note bar descends to the red play point line. The arcade cabinet has two screens - one for each player.

There is also a simulator called DoReMi Mania,[1] which uses *.pms files. However, players can use a MIDI-to-pms converter to simplify editing.

Arcade release

Keyboardmania has three Japanese arcade releases:

Super linking session

Keyboardmania 3rdMIX has a linking feature with Drummania 4thMIX/GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX and Drummania 5thMIX/GUITARFREAKS 6thMIX with a dozen songs.

Home version

Keyboardmania has 2 home versions for PlayStation 2:

The home version of the game has modified controller similar to the arcade keys.

One other notable version is for Windows PCs and it is shipped with the Yamaha EZ-250i Keyboard, which is used to play:

Song lists

The list is incomplete[2] [3]

Keyboardmania

SongGenreArtistVideo DescriptionBPMTier
All the loveR&BLaLa MooreAya, the song character, dances slowly.106
ARMAJIROProgressiveBunmeiCybernetic guy exercises with jumping rope, in the middle he trips over and he resumes after his recovery.184
Brain ChildRetro TechnoLogic SystemAs the girl watches the television, a gifted boy practices with pulling ups and dish washing. He balances two dishes while walking through the forest and log bridge. A stray dog barks, casing the dishes to fall and break. The boy cries, but suddenly a circus clown arrives with a "New Dish", giving him new pair. It causes him to fly to the sky and to the outer space.120
BURNIN'B3-HARDBunmei, RyoWith burning backgrounds and choreography, the solo rocker performs the song with a vacuum cleaner instead of a metal guitar. 173
ConfusionMixed BeatThomas131
CRISIS OF LOVEHI-ENERGYT.R.S.R. featuring MIHO-F139
Dicky's ThemeTrenchcoat JazzNaya~n Big Band160
Fairy TaleDreamQ-mexShining blue flashes, crystal-like patterns and water-like backgrounds.140
gymnopedie (skip over MIX)Sky WalkMitsuto SuzukiHome version of Keyboardmania only
Henry HenryCathedralBunmei180Also in pop'n music 10
Keyboard ManA.O.R'N BASSsimon165
kimi ni ai ni yukouHIPHOPPictures of Lily123Unavailable in Keyboardheaven
Let's go back home (for Christmas)SWEETLYLarry CaorinThe girl (same character from "Brain Child") drives into the city, and on the highway during sunset.138
Mighty GuyMaximumCHIHOMIAya dances rhythmically and lively in the fast-paced background.156Also in pop'n music 16 PARTY; Unavailable in Keyboardheaven
Mighty Guy -Long Version-MaximumCHIHOMI156Home version of Keyboardmania only
morning musicK-CLASSICBubble SystemLooping warm up sequence for Konami's Bubble System arcade hardware.
MR. C.CDETUNEN.R.BKeyboardmanias principal character named "Usao-kun", the purple-furred rabbit, walks along the path, ignoring his breakthrough wall. He sleeps on his bed at the end of the video.200Also in pop'n music 10
My LoveLove BalladQ-mex & CHELSEAVarious footage of love-themed videos with on-screen song lyrics. 87
Pf Concerto NO. 2MAESTROProkochskyUsao-kun's majestic conducting performance in fantasy-themed scene.180
Shake!50'sBunmeiA bowling ball player (in paper animation) shakes by beat along with his back-up dancers on bowling center.175Also in pop'n music 9
Shining DreamSTYLISHMagic projectFlashy lights, zooming seascape and skies.155Unavailable in Keyboardheaven
しりとり (Shiritori)STRAIGHTFantastic Factory187Also in GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX and Pop'n music 8; Unavailable in Keyboardheaven
The 24th DGoa TranceSPARKER145
TRUTHFusionHome version of Keyboardmania only

Keyboardmania 2ndMix

SongGenreArtistVideo DescriptionBPMTier
AKUMAJO DRACULA MEDLEYK-CLASSIC矩形波倶楽部 (kukeikakurabu)Scenes of Transylvania and horrific creatures based on Castlevania game series. It features Simon Belmondo.102-142also in Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX3 and pop'n music 9
Beyond the OceanASIANWORLD SEQUENCE122-124Also in pop'n Music 19 TUNE STREET
CycletronFingeringHIROYUKI NAMBA176
Hear My Love SongPOWERSAKITwo boxers on the boxing ring, the thin man with red gloves and a buffed man with blue gloves. After the thin man gives several punches, the buffed man then uses a machinegun-like lightning punches until the thin man faints.120Licensed song
HEAVEN'S GATEBrilliantNAHJEE & HATA152
INSPECTOR N.DANDYIIIScenes based on detective stories within investigation, gambling, suspense and crimes.125
Journey to the WonderlandPolka DotsN.P.BThree little elves dance for the welcome to the "wonderland", which is a toy world.130
Manhattan Sports ClubTURBANsimonTwo alien twins, Apsara and Seijin, and their race perform their dance. It features a crossed dance pad similar to Pump it Up.178Also in pop'n music 8
まっさら (MA-SSA-RA)Lite Popnatural bear164Also in pop'n music 8
MemoriesDramaticNaya~nInspirational, relaxing live sublime messages, the goldfish, the autumn forest, the clouds and old train.80
MotionELECTRONICASPARKERSky-blue background detailed with electronic patterns and texts based on electronic variants. 160
Onion Ring60'sHIROYUKI NAMBA132
PrestoPiano AmbientOsamu Kubota135Also in beatmania IIDX 3rd Style AC
REGRETHAMMERRyo & Q-Mex 5132
Ride on the LightFormulaMr. TIn 3D-animated video, the green Cyber Bird, launched from her Duck Ship, confronts the blue Cyber Shark on the skies. She takes damage from her opponent, so she summons the heavy weapon to retaliate the Cyber Shark. She calls the Duck Ship to crash him away. As the struggling ends, Cyber Bird dynamically poses with "Ride on the Light" title.160
Sabre DanceFightA.KhachaturianUsao-kun and the green bear races across the obstacles and urban city, fighting each other with kitchen utensils.185
SNOW AFTERNOONEZ Listenin'UNIVERS 6???-136
STEAM AND DREAMEU-TECHV.C.OTree atomic balls, linear wormhole, and vast cloudy city.135
SUN BEAMHyper LatinNahjeeOn the beach, Usao-kun mambo-dances with his dog pet.
USAO-KUNKIDSTHE RABBITSUsao-kun writes his diary about visiting his friend, the green bear, to buy carrots. However, his wallet is lost after he finds his shirt ripped. The dog returns his found wallet and Usao-kun is happy, and gives him a bone. Green bear and his pet cat joins the strolling happily.140
VITALIZEPWMSPHINX138

Keyboardmania 3rdMix

Song[4] GenreArtistVideo DescriptionBPMTier
BlessingSanctityQ-mexSilent and snowy town as if it is a Christmas theme.72Also in Pop'n Music 14 FEVER CS
CarezzaSwingOsamu Kubota128
CASSANDRASkaAnnetai Maji SKA BakudanGeneric video190Supported in session play; from GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX
Citta' del soleVivaceQ-mexRed roses and crimson patterns.140Also in pop'n music 12 いろは
CLASSIC PARTY 3Classic MedleyHideyuki OnoGeneric video76-240Supported in session play; from GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX
COSMIC COWGIRLRockToshio SakuraiGeneric video145Supported in session play; from GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX
DEAR MY FRIENDJ-PopMakiGeneric video133Supported in session play; licensed song
DEPEND ON MEPopsTHOMAS HOWARD with AMSD BANDGeneric video129Supported in session play; from GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX
EE-AL-KFar EastShinji Hosoe [Remix]Usao-kun walks like kung-fu warrior with an arrow (a controller) below him. He makes his adventure through oriental world, China.120Remix of Yie Ar Kung Fu's main theme.
ERIZE NO TAMENI (Für Elise)ClassicL.V. BeethovenGeneric video???Unlockable song
Frozen RayTrancedj TAKAArctic, cold and icy patterns, rays and lights.156Its remix, "Frozen Ray ~For Extreme", appears in Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME
Illegally SaneDangerousTatsuya Nishiwaki131
Klungkung 1655Gamelansimon180Also in pop'n music 12 いろは
LabyrinthCoolNahjeeGeneric video154Supported in session play; also in GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX
LimitationThemeSeiya Murai150Original version of Keyboardmania 2ndMix's title theme
Midori no Kaze (Winds of Green)CureNaya~n72Also in pop'n Music 15 ADVENTURE
Monkey MagicJ-PopGary AdkinsGeneric video116Supported in session play; licensed song
Mr. MoonDance PopsJulie Ann FrostGeneric video150Supported in session play
NEW CENTURY GENERATIONSparkMagic Project131Also in pop'n music 10
Parade of the Wooden SoldiersClassicLEON JESSELGeneric video125Unlockable song
Pink RoseHeartKiyommy+Seiya145Also in pop'n music 5 CS, Beatmania IIDX 12 HAPPY SKY, and Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME
Q no tameno SONATANobleJ.S.Mech147
SENSATION -from Salamander 2-K-GenerationShinji Hosoe [Remix]200Remix of Salamader 2s main theme
SHOW THEM THE WAYRelaxNahjee115
Smoky TownQuartetQ.U.A.D189
Threshold LabelChaosTatsuya NishiwakiGeneric video184
To the 44883WalkyMr. T100
The Least 100secProgressiveHirofumi Sasaki264Supported in session play; from GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX
Three WormsNew York FunkJimmy WecklGeneric video140Supported in session play; from GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4rdMIX

Notable songs

These songs were later featured in Dance Dance Revolution Extreme and every subsequent Dance Dance Revolution arcade release, excluding Dancing Stage Fusion:

Trivia

External links

Notes and References

  1. "Unofficial English Site for Doremi Mania"
  2. "Keyboardmania 1st/2nd/3rd Mix OSTs". Tricoro. May 19, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013
  3. "Keyboardmania FAQ". DDRFreak. Retrieved August 27, 2013
  4. http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/567078-keyboardmania-ii-2nd-mix-and-3rd-mix/faqs/26132/ Keyboardmania II ~Keyboardmania 2nd Mix & 3rd Mix~ PS2 FAQ (Version 1.0)