After being first unveiled at G2E 2016, Konami’s arcade-style Beat Square game is back for another iteration this year with its new tournament version that allows multiple players to compete head-to-head using their rhythmic skills.
The game, the non-gamblified version of which has proven extraordinary popular across multiple demographics in Japanese arcades, is described by the company as a musical whack-a-mole challenge where players keep pace with the flow of a song’s rhythm by hitting lighted buttons.
Beat Square borrows its feel and concepts from the popular Dance Dance Revolution, which was developed by Konami in the 1990s. It is available for standalone use by players who want to place a bet and play it as a skill-based gaming device, or for tournament mode, whereby players compete directly and the casino can award prizes to the highest scoring player or team.
“It’s a great new twist on an old concept of whack-a-mole, with a great math engine behind it,” Steve Walther, Konami’s senior director of marketing, told This Week in Gaming.
Nestled in the far back left corner of the Sands Expo show floor, Konami’s demo this year features eight machines for tournament play. On Tuesday, it hosted four teams of local all-star gamers to participate in a mock tournament to the tune of Bruno Mars’ “24k Magic” and Paramore’s “Ain’t it Fun” at its exhibit, with team Double Trouble claiming the championship.
“It’s the tournament [aspect] that brings people together and brings a bit of excitement. It’s something Konami has had in its legacy with stuff like Dance Dance Revolution and other arcade style amusement games that people have played with their skill and have a lot of fun,” said Walther.
Company representatives say that the game has appeal to a wide range of players across varying demographics because of its simplicity and engaging nature.
“We’ve captured that magic that’s been in our DNA for so many years,” Walther added. “We think it’s unique to the market, which is why it’s drawing such a huge crowd here at G2E.”
