Since its release last June, Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Arcade is regularly updated by Sega: 3 revisions are already out each bringing new songs and new costumes. Today, it's a new version that comes out: Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Arcade Version A. More than a simple update, this version introduces 2 new modes: DUO mode (highly anticipated by fans) and Contest mode. New songs are also added and the playlist has been revised so that more titles appear on the screen which makes the choice easier. To upgrade to this version A, operators must already have installed revision 3 on their machine. Futhermore, Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Arcade Version A is compatible with Aime card (phone card which also serves for electronic payment) from NTT DoCoMo.

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During IAAPA Attractions Expo, Andamiro unveiled its new Pump It Up FIESTA EX model. The game was showcased in a new designed cabinet featuring a 50" widescreen 50 (improving resolution and refresh rate) and an improved response and solid dance pads. To maximize audio performances, Andamiro R&D team integrated two high quality subwoofers and four tweeters. Andamiro has also implemented a synchronization program that coordinates LED lighting and rhythmic frequencies to produce beautiful rhythmic effects during a game. Pump It Up FIESTA EX offers about 350 songs (most in the history of Pump It Up) and more than 2,000 step charts.

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After many years as Product Planning Manager at Konami Digital Entertainment, James Anderson joins the new Namco Europe Prize Division where it will be employed as European Sales Manager. Konami products inquiries must now be sent to their European representative Electrocoin. James Anderson declared: "I am thrilled to join Namco's Prize Division and to be part of a team that is focused on developing, designing and delivering great products for the EMEA and CIS markets. It is a fantastic opportunity for me coming into a company that already has a catalogue of strong products and the timing coming shortly before EAG gives me an excellent opportunity to meet with customers and introduce what is without doubt an inspired product line.". New Bandai Namco Prize Division is backed with an investment of several million dollars. First exclusive licences secured for Europe include characters from British animation series Shaun the Sheep (from the creator of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run) and its spin-off, Timmy Time. But also American cartoon Ben 10 and of course Pac-Man! Other licences will be unveiled at EAG show in London next month.

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pop'n music licence succes does not weaken in Japan: this is already the 19th episode! The principle is always the same: hit the buttons in rhythm with the music. However, each new game is based on a theme for this Tune Street, Konami has chosen the theme of the city. New cabinet is already available since December 09 but the game is officially released today as upgrade kits. pop'n music 19 TUNE STREET is of course compatible with the new payment system Paseli and is equipped with a card vendor The cards reprensent characters from the series. The cabinet features a widescreen LCD monitor, a new sound system with woofers and 2 tweeters and a card reader.

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Announced since 2009, Metal Gear Arcade is finally available. Metal Gear Arcade, developed by Kojima Productions team is an adaptation of Metal Gear Online released on PS3. With this title, Konami introduces a new way to play through stereoscopique 3D glasses "shutter glasses" equipped with sensors allowing on screen character to follow player head movement (head tracking) associated with a rifle assault also fitted with sensors, a small stick for moving forward/backward and various buttons to shoot, reload, lock on enemy, crouch and roll. In order to further enhance immersion, cabinets are networked nationwide and feature a 5.1 surround sound system, convenient for integrated voice chat. Eight players can compete simultaneously in different modes: "mission" mode (including 7 selectable stages), "Grenada Carnival" mode (a deathmatch where player throw grenades at opponents), ... By the way, the game can also be played in 2D, 3D may be disabled. The player begins his "career" as a simple soldier, but he can rise in rank. Winning a match grants him tickets allowing him to buy weapons and equipment. The game has over 80 customizable weapons.

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Anpanman Taiko de Dondon is out today in Japan, as Taiko no Tatsujin also developed by Bandai Namco, this is a drumming game but dedicated to young players. The cabinet is indeed much smaller and the game is more simple, it features 2 modes: "Story Game" and "Anpanman March". Anpanman is a character created in 1969 by Takeshi Yanase, an author of children's stories. Anpanman whose head is in fact a bun (anpan) filled with anko (sweet red bean paste) is used to sacrifice himself to feed hungry people. This character is still very popular in Japan, his animated serie (Sore ike! Anpanman) broadcasts since 1988 without interruption on NTV and many other merchandising products are sold in Japan.

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Thirteen years after G-Darius, the last episode of the Darius series released in arcade, Taito pleases his fans by releasing Darius Burst - Another Chronicle (Type X²) today. The recipe that made the success of Darius is still the same: horizontal scrolling, music by Zuntata and big futuristic fish bosses. The cabinet features 2 large (32") LCD screens displaying a panoramic view of the levels allowing for the first time 4 players to sit at the same cabinet to play together. The cabinet is also equipped with a surround system and subwoofers (fitted in the seats), each player can plug headphones in the featured headphone jacks. The game supports the NESYS system (which allows online play throughout Japan and ranking checking using PC or mobile phone). Darius Burst - Another Chronicle is quite similar to Darius Burst released on PSP but brings many improvements: significantly enhanced graphics, a new ship called Formula, new sound effects, changes in stages configurations and enemy attack patterns, the ability to change the direction of the ship and a new "Chronicle" game mode featuring 12 areas each divided into 3 stages. Four ships are available: "Origin" (Silver Hawk), "Legend" (Silver Hawk-1 Burst Type-1), "Next" (Silver Hawk Burst Type-2) and "Formula" (Silver Hawk Burst Type-3).

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Today is D-day for fighting game fans. Because today is the day Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition hits Japanese gamecenters. This game features 37 characters including two new ones: Yun and Yang (already seen in Street Fighter III). As for each new version, Capcom refined balance between characters. Alternative costumes are available for all fighters (for example, Yun and Yang can be dressed as Chinese restaurant cooks). IC card used for Street Fighter IV is supported as well as NESYS system. Other new feature: the operator can set the cabinets to "tournament mode" in the manner of Super Street Fighter II - The Tournament Battle. In this mode, cabinets are organized in groups. The game is still powered by Taito Type X² system and is sold as upgrade kits. No international release is planned. Some American and European operators announced their intent to import the game. Despite the fact that the game language is selectable (English/Japanese), price is the main obstacle since unlike other fighters, Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition supports one player per machine only. Combined with a high price tag, this restriction makes it five times more expensive than the latest King of Fighters for a two player setup.

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The first games using NESiCAxLive, the new network service from Taito for Type X², are released today. This service allows the game to continuously receive online updates and new content. With the NESiCA IC card, players will be able to manage data for all their games on one common card. While playing, players earn points they can exchange for ingame bonuses. Some services will be free, others not. Besides the reissues of Battle Fantasia (Arc System Works) and Senko no Ronde Dis-United Order (G.rev), the release of the new BlazBlue (Arc System Works) is the main event today. BlazBlue Continuum Shift II features balance changes for the 18 characters since new fighters joined the cast (Platinum the Trinity, Makoto Nanaya, Valkenhayn=R=Hellsing and μ -No. 12- (Mu)). Other titles were originally planned to be released today, but they had to be postponed to the end of the month due to technical problems: these are Trouble Witches Episode 1 - Daughters of Amalgam AC (Bouken), Spica Adventure (Taito) et Power Instinct - The Commemoration / Gouketsuji Ichizoku (Atlus).

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For almost 10 years ago, Sega released regularly a new version of its football management game. Running on Lindbergh Blue, World Club Champion Football Intercontinental Clubs 09-10 can be played at 4 or 8 players, uses an IC card and is compatible with ALL.NET network. The player manages his football team using Panini cards: he can choose his players belonging to 24 clubs from Argentinian, Brazilian, English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish leagues. Furthermore, "Super Stars" cards of national players from the World Cup are available as well as players of the Japanese national team and the Japanese all time stars. The cards are divided into three categories: "Ordinary" whose color is white, "Special" whose color is black and reprensenting players that are particularly popular, and "Rare" cards which represent national players and whose surface is decorated with a special metal processing. The cards have been redesigned to give maximum information on players: name, photo, club name and emblem, description, field placement, special abilities, characteristics (attack, defense, technique, power, endurance), date of birth, height, weight, nationality,...

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