Hello everyone!

 My name is Andy, I'm the owner of a place called Tokyo Game Action (TGA) in Winchendon Massachusetts.  Hopefully you've heard of us. I'll talk about TGA a little later, but first a few words about myself and DDR.

 I started playing DDR back in 1998 with the Japanese version of 1st mix. Since then, I was hooked. I lost 40 pounds through DDR, so I am a walking testimonial to the wonderful health benefits of this game.

As a Police Officer, I had to see the negative aspects of drugs, gangs and violence on a daily basis. I witnessed the power that the Bemani series had to change lives for the better, so I decided to open a non profit, Bemani community center, to spread the series to my home town and as many people in the US as possible.

5 years later, through a community effort, we've evolved into an international community center. We're fortunate to say that we've been able to stay current with all the Japanese and American arcade Bemani releases of DDR, IIDX, Pop'n Music, Drummania and Guitar Freaks, since our inception.

 As a small independent community center, we are of course not officially affiliated with Konami, (although it would be a dream come true for us) but we do everything in our power to support them, because we believe that Bemani has changed and will continue to change countless lives for the better.

Through TGA, I've seen Bemani help a lot of people through a lot of tough times in life, so I really appreciate what this series has done for society.

We did location testing for IIDX Gold last summer and hosted two events called Bowlmani festival where Bemani artists performed at the center. We've welcomed people from all over the world and would love to welcome you too!

 So, if you are ever in the area, please come by and say hi. We'd love to meet you. You'll be in the company of other people who love this game as much as you do.

 We have a SuperNOVA 2 dedicab, 5th mix, Extreme and pretty much everything else Bemani related.

I don't want to use this as an advertising thread, as I want this discussion to stay focused on DDR. So if you want to know more about us, please visit us at tokyogameaction.com

I just wanted to say hi, say thank you to Konami for producing a series that revolutionized the arcade industry, and allowed me to meet my wife and friends from all over the world. We appreciate all the hard work you've put into this series and will do everything in our power to support you!

 Keep up the good work Konami!!

 Sincerely,

 
Andy and your friends at TGA!

Yep, heard about you on Bemanistyle. Unluckily, I live in the Midwest.

Thanks for the post! We've actually had some friends come from the midwest visit us before so
hopefully you'll be able to come some day.

If you ever do decide to make the trip, let us know and we'll let everyone know you're coming and do everything we can to help with transportation and lodging and such.

 Thanks!

 Andy

Hello Andy.  I've been out to TGA a handful of times and it is really the best arcade I have ever been to.  Thanks for everything that you and the rest of the TGA staff do for all of us Bemani fans.  Also, thank you for your constructive and informative posts in these forums.  I'm pleased to see you sharing your input on DDR.

ya whatever happened to beatmania? Itwas the most succesful arcade test I have ever seen!

well, right now, at TGA (Tokyo Game Action), We currently have a beatmania IIDX 15 Dj TROOPERS machine running. I myself am a little vague on the details as to why Konami pulled the IIDX 14 GOLD machine, but still, i'm pretty satisfied with TROOPERS.

It has all unlocked songs from GOLD, then it has all the basic songs for TROOPERS, mostly because you need the E-Amusement system to unlock secret songs. i love TGA. can't wait to go back

Andy, I've said this before, but your arcade has been an inspiration to me and I am nearly finished with college, after which I'll be working to open my own arcade/gaming center/lounge. I hopefully will be able to make it up this summer at some point, I really would love to meet all of you (and hang out with RSP again).

I can't wait to come by TGA myself! I too live in the midwest, so it's a bit taihen (horrible) of a drive for me =( If Bowlmanifest '08 or anything of the sort goes down this Summer I definitely wold like to come. I'm probably going to be going through current-bemani-withdrawl by that time. <3 DJT/SN2,V4 =D

Thank you everyone for the kind words, it's an honor to be here to serve the Bemani community. I'm glad to see DDR getting more and more support in the US. I promise I will continue to do everything in my power to assist the community. 

 For Zimmy and Hookyboysb, I hope you are able to make it out here during the summer. Usually during Christmas break, spring break and the summer, our guests who live further away come to visit. And of course, Bowlmani festival is when we have most of our long distance guests visit us.

 Regardless of the outcome of Bowmani festival, we will still have a large gathering in the summer so hopefully we can see you then! If there is anything we can do to assist, please let us know!

 Thanks everyone!

 Andy

Is BMF still canceled? =/

Man, I live in Watertown, MA, and for some strange reason, I have never been to TGA.  Sad, I know.  I've also been playing DDR since (very close to) the beginning, and I still love it just as much as I did back in the day.  I think my only hesitation in going to TGA is the fear of not being "1337" enough to play with the regulars.  There was a time when I was going to Jillian's in Boston every night for 2-3 hours playing DDR (memories...) but when they got rid of the arcade there, I just kinda stopped playing for a while.  I have never quite recovered in terms of PAing, but I can still keep up with pretty much every song.

Anyway, the point is, I definitely intend to go to TGA sometime, but I need to get over the "what iif they think blah blah blah about me?" thing and just go.  It sounds like you've got a really great community there, so I think I'll stop by in the very near future!

I'd love to visit TGA sometime :(

Nonslaught7, don't worry. i'm a big regular at TGA, and i can assure you, you won't be judged just cause of your skill level. come on down. TGA will be happy to have you come and be a part of their community. Just Ask Anyone.

I want to go to TGA so bad. I am only 16, and I cant make the trip alone so... ya. I would really love to though.

I do want to open an arcade like TGA... Really badly. I wanted to before I knew TGA existed. I am taking business and marketing classes in high school to help aid me open an arcade later down the road. I am going to start buying machines soon as well, so I dont have to worry about it later. 

To DDRaHoic and Omega thank you for the kind words, I think it's wonderful that you want to open a game center. It's good to see motivated players who want to serve the community by opening a center.

 Operators who appreciate the game and understand the game are few and far between, so good luck and don't give up!

 To Nonslaught7 I can assure you that nobody here will judge your skill, in fact people will be very encouraging  One of the things I'm very proud of, is the TGA community's acceptance of new members. You'll have fun and meet some great people who are always willing to share input and coach people. 

 If you come here and someone gives you, a hard time, not only will they never see the inside of TGA again, I'll play DDR with you so you can get a good laugh and feel better. 

 Thanks!

 Andy

DARN IT! YOU JUST MADE ME LOSE THE GAME!!![/offtopic]

Anyway, YOU HAVE IIDX 15?

There is an arcade down here in Southern California called Arcade Infinity. That place is Bemani heaven. I can only imagine what TGA is like. Arcade Infinity has IIDX 14, SN 2, Popn music, GF/DM v4 and many other games from Konami of Japan that I never even knew existed. I'm just glad that I know that there are more than 1 locations in the US with tons of Bemani games.

Man, I wish there was something like TGA down here in the Southeast.  The closest DDR Machine to me is an Amusement Park.  No IIDX machines or anything else in sight.

It would be awesome to do something like this when I get older.  I may open up an arcade as an adult if I don't get into game design or something. 

YES! Arcade Infinity or AI, is a legend in the Bemani community, they have been around for years, and have an extremely high reputation.  MdXMaxx sounds pretty rough having to go to an amusement park to play, what version do they have?

AI is pretty cool despite Konami disliking them.

Ive only been to TGA twice, but thats enough to tell you that  its pretty amazing. if i could i'd go everyday its seriously the best place to go to enjoy gaming, the games are great, the people are great, and all and all its just an enjoyable place to be at. I cant wait to go back! =D

I also have heard TGA being a great community, and not only that they respect the players, the games, and keep everything working, and updated.

Now thats my kind of arcade! Gameworks is like the exact opposite, and they giot rid of their Guitar Freaks machine! 

Ahh, which Gameworks do you go to? I saw a GF in Schaumberg IL while on vacation, but I was on my way out and didn't get to play it =/

He goes to that same one. XD

 I also go to a Gameworks.

Shaumberg is the one I go to.

Yes sadly the game was sold for parts.