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[cj_iwakura]

This hip-hop, you don't stop-
Let the beat drop.

DJ MAX Portable is easily the PSP's longest running rhythm gaming series.

It's had five version now, and if you count the Technika series, it's at eight releases and going strong.

Without question, the DJ MAX titles are most essential software for a PSP owner, because there's nothing else like them.

How the heck do these games play?

Basically, the L/U/R and the O / [] / X buttons are used to control opposing note charts of music, and you play them as they come down, creating the melody along with it. All the tracks are key sounded, so you can even mix them up or add new beats along the way; at the risk of your score.

It's like Frequency and Amplitude in principle, but a lot more like Beatmania in execution.

The difficulty curve may seem steep at first, but stick with low levels and work your way up. You'll be mixing with the best in no time.


Here's a run down of the main games in the series, along with some details, and a few of my favorite tracks from them.

DJ MAX Portable

The game that started it all. DJ MAX Portable was such an international smash, and imported by everyone from around the world, that the sequel was released in Korea with an almost unheard of English language option.

Interestingly enough, it's also among the hardest games in the series. The toughest charts in DJMP1 go all out. Expect insane charts with lots of three note hits mixed in with all the stream.

Opening - Ask To Wind [Live Mix]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsPahVF9eVg

This classic track sets the tone for the DJMP games, and eventually became playable in later versions. Only the original version is playable in DJMP1.

Highlight Music

Memory of Beach (Dance Pop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuswCPFt2vI


Ray of Illuminati (Euro Dance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDJNZmNaNrw

Oblivion (Dramatic Trance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UwAUAayvbY
(See also: Rockin' Night Style)


Hamsin (Electro Trance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0M9d-A0O2A

Outlaw (Hip-Hop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brMgjPR-nfA




Note that DJMP1 also has a somewhat stricter entry point; there's no international language version. That said, the only Korean you need to figure this game out is 'Yes' and 'No'. All the menus and song titles are still in English, as are the options.

Only PSP system options are in Korean.



DJ MAX Portable 2 (Localized as DJ MAX Fever)

Widely considered the best in the series. DJMP2/Fever has a huge song list, lots of extra modes, and a solid balance between fun and difficult note charts.

It also has an international version for importers(with English text!), but with Fever out, there's little reason to go after DJMP2.

Opening - Your Own Miracle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67kaK-yhBco


Highlight Music

DJMP2 has a wide, varied selection of music. If you're new to the series and skeptical about whether or not DJMP is for you, this is the game to turn to.

These tracks only scratch the surface of the immense OST DJMP2 has to offer.

Syriana (Funky Beats)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY50bPobvYs

Divine Service (Ethnic Techno)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OCiWEFnzOQ

Midnight Blood (Oriental Trance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UFeBU_Rkhc

Blythe (Synth Drum'n'Bass)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxHKaYQLGh4

Stay With Me (Dance Pop)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-gzNQqLiQQ

Good-Bye (Dance Pop)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu9eX0mH9M4

Higher (2-Step House)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeV6w-HjWO0

Ladymade Star (K-Pop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0qNbijbu7o

Mess It Up (Big Band)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIusWd6nLgI

Seeker (Melodic Trance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpfaZZkMD-U


DJ MAX Portable: Clazziquai Edition

My favorite DJMP title. Clazziquai was designed with beginners in mind, as a collaboration with Clazziquai; a trio of two singers and an electronic music producer.

CE's BGAs are when Pentavision finally began getting a real budget for their background animations, and it shows. It also has some of the best songs in the series.


Opening - Flea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsajjZdk3qg


Highlight Music

Love Mode (Melodic K-Pop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7hp5lF51sM

First Kiss (K-Pop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1mvyvLcdfc

The Clear Blue Sky (DnB Trance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXjcgEEy5qs

In My Heart (Dance Pop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUTEIUQBUSU

I Want You (K-Pop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj4CyzJkg90


Bonus - Awesome Clazziquai Music



Fill This Night

Tell Yourself

Clazziquai are a wonderful group, even though they mostly do solo work now; Alex has his own solo albums, and I assume DJ Clazzi is still at it as well.


DJ MAX Portable: Black Square

This is the Hard Mode to Clazziquai's Easy Mode.

Black Square was designed with professional DJMP players in mind, and the charts are MUCH harder than Clazziquai's on the whole... but still easier than DJMP1's psychopathic challenges.

Sadly, it also has a pretty weak songlist, IMO, but the good stuff is damn good.


Highlight Tracks

Heart of Witch (Classical Trance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdZLAbQAesk

Colours of Sorrow (Trance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT8R7zepisM

Fermion (Psychedelic Trance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zVm067Cpjw

Secret World (K-Pop)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NmN53qLcuM


DJ MAX Portable 3

The last 'traditional' DJMP since Technika hit it big. Portable 3 is widely considered the worst DJMP, sadly, and probably killed the series. The BGAs are absolutely phenomenal looking, but there's a very sparse songlist, and most of it takes forever and a day to unlock.

They added a new 'remix' mode where you can switch the analog to left and right channels to mix things up, and it sounds awesome, but it's overall too easy, and it's used with too few songs. With more time and effort, this could have been amazing.

That said, it still has some great tracks.

They also finally started reaching out to some western DJs for this version.
They provided some of the best music to the game, but it's only a taste of what might have been. Imagine if BT or Tiesto had gotten in on this game.


Highlight Music


Hanz Up (Funky Beats)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t62zkUuV3CY

Xlasher (2-Step)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI0-6mPqWhQ

Waiting For The Sun (Vocal Trance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=envbn5Aov70

Rain Maker (Hard Trance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HayPs0WVveM

Put 'Em Up (Hip-Hop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC20MfySHb4



So in addition to the Portable series, there's also the PC Version called Trilogy, which basically uses a keyboard instead of the PSP, as well as Technika, the arcade smash on the way to the Vita.

System seller if I ever saw one.



Also, if anyone wants to have high-score contests or anything, I'm always down for that, so let me know what you think.

Let the beat drop!

 

[Hunter-Zero]

Hey, nice thread!! but... Black Square OST is really good imho, better than Clazziquai

And by the way, you can play with the psp as a controller in DJ Max Trilogy, pretty neat, but is far better with a "real" controller (beatmania, dj dao, muse-on, etc)

Also, cant wait for the vita version of Technika!

 

[Durante]

I need this on my Vita ASAP.

 

[Castor Krieg]

Was hoping I can skip Vita, but no, they needed to announce DJ Max...day 1 as always, best rhythm game ever, definitely the best production values.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Okay, so I'm thinking of holding weekly high score contests.

I need a run-down of what versions you MAXers have.

I have Portable/2/CE/BS/3, so I can do whatever.


I'm leaning towards 2/Fever, since I assume most people have that.

 

[ReaperXL7]

Hype through the roof, technika being announced was the reason I originally bought my Vita so when Tune comes out it will easily be a day 1 one purchase for me. Hell If the wait for the US version is going to be long, i'll probably import, then buy again when localized.

You already posted a bunch of my favorite songs in the OP, but i'll post a few more:

M2U-Memoirs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Xi7cj67Mc

End of the Moonlight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bk1__1RT_Y&feature=related

Proposed, Flower, Wolf : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cumMM0Om7Ck&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLC26C580D9161D8E0

Oblivion(Rockin Night Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut4pzuKUfo8&feature=related

Series is jam packed with great music, Even Portable 3 has some good stuff it just did not have a chance to live up to 2 and Black.

 

[Chesskid1]

i was about to buy DJ max 3 for the vita ($20), was only version of dj max on the list on the psn vita store.


should i just wait since i'ts the worst in the series?

will be my first DJ max game. I love IIDX/DDR music, i love kpop music.

should i just wait for the other version to become available on PSN?

thanks for the advice man, great thread. i waited this long and can wait longer for a better version.

 

[Raelson]

And by the way, you can play with the psp as a controller in DJ Max Trilogy, pretty neat, but is far better with a "real" controller (beatmania, dj dao, muse-on, etc)

I tried that, but even the extremely small delay messed up my game. There are also certain note combinations that are impossible to hit with a PSP.

i was about to buy DJ max 3 for the vita ($20), was only version of dj max on the list on the psn vita store.


should i just wait since i'ts the worst in the series?

will be my first DJ max game. I love IIDX/DDR music, i love kpop music.

should i just wait for the other version to become available on PSN?

thanks for the advice man, great thread. i waited this long and can wait longer for a better version.

It's an alright game and very competent DJ Max game. It's just not the best.

 

[cj_iwakura]

i was about to buy DJ max 3 for the vita ($20), was only version of dj max on the list on the psn vita store.


should i just wait since i'ts the worst in the series?

will be my first DJ max game. I love IIDX/DDR music, i love kpop music.

should i just wait for the other version to become available on PSN?

thanks for the advice man, great thread. i waited this long and can wait longer for a better version.

Portable 3 isn't a bad game.

It's just the least good. If it's the most accessible to you, dive right in, just know that Fever and any of the imports have much more to offer, especially in terms of song list.


And Portable 3 is easily the best looking version. It must look gorgeous on a Vita.

 

[ReaperXL7]

Portable 3 isn't a bad game.

It's just the least good. If it's the most accessible to you, dive right in, just know that Fever and any of the imports have much more to offer, especially in terms of song list.


And Portable 3 is easily the best looking version. It must look gorgeous on a Vita.

it does imo, I just wish 2 and black square were on the store for me to purchase

Hell i'd buy all them and make my Vita a DJ Max machine if I could.

 

[cj_iwakura]

it does imo, I just wish 2 and black square were on the store for me to purchase

Hell i'd buy all them and make my Vita a DJ Max machine if I could.

I think there's more on the J-PSN store, if that's viable.

I don't know if K-PSN is a thing, but they must have everything on there.

 

[Community Forum]

Portable 3 is fun and looks so awesome on Vita.

I "own" DJ Max Fever downloaded from PSN, but it is not "supported" on the Vita, so that's a bummer. Yay.

 

[cj_iwakura]

So far looks like most people here have access to Portable 3.

Unless anyone objects, I'm putting up a DJ MAX Portable 3 challenge in an hour.

 

[Community Forum]

Hanz Up (Funky Beats)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t62zkUuV3CY

Such a great song / visualization. So catchy!

 

[Hispanicguy]

I have Portable 3 as well. Would love to get a hold of a PSP with the entire series. Hoping the other games show up on PSN.

I recorded a video back in February showing how Portable 3 looks on the Vita:

http://youtu.be/CPoyjDQf8L4?hd=1

Does look great.

Cannot wait to see how beautiful Technika will look.

 

[Community Forum]

Portable 3 was released in Korea and the US at the same time, and on PSN to boot. I hope for the same for Technika.

 

[megalowho]

Nice thread. I've been hooked on the series since the DJMP2 demo, 5-button Sunset Riders with zero context or ramp up. Looking back it's a ridiculous chart to serve as an introduction, but I was determined to make my way to the end on a red eye flight to Europe. I don't think anyone was awake when I finally mastered it, but if they did they likely wondered what that idiot was doing pumping his fists in the air in the middle of the night. Now DJ Max (and sometimes Lumines) are all I use my PSP for, the system was worth it for those games alone.

My first time playing Technika at Chinatown Arcade was revelatory as well, can't wait for the Vita version to drop. Still hoping they have plans to bring it to iPad, that's about as close to a perfect home platform as it's gonna get for Technika's gameplay.

I'll just drop this making of video for Hard to Start from Clazziquai in here, it's one of my favorite unlockable extras from the series. Great MV and tune.

http://youtu.be/nvGH8qvII4M

 

[branny]

Omg... Is there really a space between "DJ" and "MAX"? I thought DJ MAX Fever is the only one with a space.

Great thread. It's impossible to see YouTube links and not click on Outlaw and Blythe, haha. It sucks that Black Square and Clazziquai Edition never came over (I'm almost okay with DJMP2 not coming since we got Fever...but it's still a crime we don't have DJMP2). It's weird that Fever isn't on PSN anymore (unless it is again?), and I don't know how Technika will work on the Vita without being awkward. I just want to see more DJMAX over here. Importing is no longer an option when I want digital copies of stuff to play all the time.

I guess I should get DJMP3 on PSN now that the Vita has real sticks because that remix mechanic scared me so far away from it for PSP.

Now DJ Max (and sometimes Lumines) are all I use my PSP for, the system was worth it for those games alone.

Well, for a lot of people, PSP was/is their Lumines machine. I still wonder why these games work so well on portables. Playing Lumines on a TV, for example, is not the same. It loses its intimacy or something.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Considered doing one for beginners, but nah.

Weekly High Score Challenge #1
(DJ MAX Portable 3)

White Blue (Trance)

Mode: 6B
Chart: NM

Difficulty: ***** ***


This will run for one week. I could only think of one reward I can confidently provide, even if it's the nerdiest thing imaginable.

Highest score winner can name a DJ MAX song, and I'll personally create a Stepmania chart for it.

If we have a tie, well... uh, we'll go from there.

 

[Adam Prime]

Considered doing one for beginners, but nah.

Weekly High Score Challenge #1
(DJ MAX Portable 3)

White Blue (Trance)

Mode: 6B
Chart: NM

Difficulty: ***** ***


This will run for one week. I could only think of one reward I can confidently provide, even if it's the nerdiest thing imaginable.

Highest score winner can name a DJ MAX song, and I'll personally create a Stepmania chart for it.

If we have a tie, well... uh, we'll go from there.

Ah man, I just sold my PSP. White Blue is one of my most favorite songs out of all five games I owned (1, 2, 3, Cliz, and Black Square). Yall have fun!

We need this on iOS and Vita!

 

[Peru]

So even Portable 3 isn't available on European PSN?

 

[cj_iwakura]

Here's my humble contribution. Feel free to use my template, or whatever.

Using Fever 5X (Auto).

Grade: A

Combo: 1019

Break: 13

Judgment: 92.4%

Score: 288,068

Bear in mind, first play in months.


We're going by honor code here. If you want to post screens, you're welcome to.

 

[Chesskid1]

just grabbed it and downloaded it in the past 2 hours. thanks for the advice guys, can tell i'm gonna be so addicted after playing a couple songs.

 

[lolez2matt]

Here is my higher score.

Had to quote to adjust the image.

By the way how does it work to use the psp in Trilogy???

can i use my vita? I have a GO, but my friend has it.

 

[depward]

Love this thread. Thanks for the history lesson

Portable 1 import made me love my psp. Portable 2 import was awesome as well. Aside from those two, I actually haven't played any others despite living both of those!

Maybe it's time to buy Portable 3rd or whatever is available in the U.S. PS Store for my vita...

 

[cj_iwakura]

Nice. By the way, this isn't a one and done contest. Replays are encouraged.

Aim for the top!

 

[Community Forum]

OK some pointers please, as now I'm getting back into Portable 3.

What speed setting do most of you play at? I have it set on 1.5 right now.

Also, it seems to be taking forever and a year to unlock anything. My old save file is gone so I'm just Lv8.

Oh and I really suck at 6T. Badly.

 

[cj_iwakura]

OK some pointers please, as now I'm getting back into Portable 3.

What speed setting do most of you play at? I have it set on 1.5 right now.

Also, it seems to be taking forever and a year to unlock anything. My old save file is gone so I'm just Lv8.

Oh and I really suck at 6T. Badly.

That's the downside to P3. It takes forever to unlock things.

I heard they patched it, not sure though.


And practice 5T if you can, but it's only on earlier versions. Huge downside to P3.

 

[lolez2matt]

I play mostly on 2.5 -3.0 speed and I love it!

 

[Diebuster]

Cool thread, looking forward to the weekly challenges

Sloppy playthrough, but my current contribution for White Blue on 3x speed:

Grade: A+

Combo: 2039

Break: 2

Judgment: 97.0%

Score: 421,856

 

[Ramune]

I got the LE version of DJ Max 3 and it came with a voucher for another version off PSN. Forget which one that is but it does have music from 1 & 2. Also there was a international version of Max 1. Has an "!" at the end and has English, but unfortunately this is negated by the fact that some song's lyrics are censored with an unmistakable "beep".

 

[Deadly]

I thought Fever was a mix of 1 and 2?

 

[Hispanicguy]

This thread is a good way to get me to play portable 3 lol.

I'll give that challenge a try tomorrow and post my results.

 

[Roubjon]

I love this thread.

I coincidentally started up a new file in Black Square today because of the pain in the ass save file system DJMax games have.

The only games I have with me at the moment are BlackSquare and Portable 1, which sucks because I really want to participate in the challenge. I have Clazziquai, Fever, and Portable 3 as well though.

To compensate, here is a score I got for WhiteBlue 6B HD a while ago.

I'll hopefully be able to get a hold of my Portable 3 copy before the week is over though.

 

[Chesskid1]

do we have any idea about the songs for djmax technicka on vita?

is there any chance we could see songs by KARA on it? they are in the arcade version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXJ5nFKP-TY

it would be pretty much amazing as they are a pretty sweet kpop group i follow. decent chance it's included in the game when it's released? ie are most songs from arcade released on psp version or something? i really want these songs obv, would even import.

 

[cj_iwakura]

I thought Fever was a mix of 1 and 2?

It has some tracks from 1, like 2 does. It's just a port of 2 for the most part.

 

[lolez2matt]

Here is a new record I made some minutes ago...

I will keep playing to obtain la Campanella Nu rave!!!

 

[Stephen_drewz]

I absolutely adore Rhythm games<333

Obsessed with OpenITG for PC. I regularly visit the local Arcade to play In The Groove on proper pads and also there insanely awesome Dj Max Technica machine.

As posted by a few others, half the reason I have the vita is due to this game .

What regions have the PSP versions on the Vita PSN store? I'm in Australia and it shows nothing.

 

[vareon]

Nice thread. I love the DJ Max series though I spectacularly suck at it.

 

[Diebuster]

New score for White Blue. So close to a clear run but I got a break near the end.

Grade: A+

Combo: 2511

Break: 1

Judgment: 96.3%

Score: 511,237

 

[QisTopTier]

I'm so hype for the vita one

 

[cj_iwakura]

So anyone with Portable 3: hit triangle on the UMD(or whatever) from the game menu, and update that ish to Version 1.01. I hear it upped the leveling speed a lot.

 

[BiggNife]

The fact that there is no iOS/Android version of Technika is criminal - that game would work great on tablets. I don't know when I'm going to get a Vita, but if/when I do it will probably be one of the first games I get. I've played the arcade version at 8 on the Break in NJ and it's fantastic.

There is a iOS/Android clone of Technika called Cytus, and it's not bad, but way too easy and not enough songs.

 

[KillGore]

Can't wait for the vita version, I bought Portable 3 for Vita and I'm loving it.

 

[Deft Beck]

I think that Pentavision has been doing a much better job of community involvement and Western investment than Konami, but there have been exceptional cases recently, such as the continued support of Jukebeat and the songlist for DDR II on the Wii.

Pentavision has iOS developers, as Tap Sonic is a universal app, but Neowiz heads that project up... Maybe PV is more comfortable with Sony?

 

[BiggNife]

I think that Pentavision has been doing a much better job of community involvement and Western investment than Konami, but there have been exceptional cases recently, such as the continued support of Jukebeat and the songlist for DDR II on the Wii.

Pentavision has iOS developers, as Tap Sonic is a universal app, but Neowiz heads that project up... Maybe PV is more comfortable with Sony?

Yeah, I've heard of TapSonic, but it's not really what I want - as far as I can tell, it's Tap Tap Revenge but with DJMAX songs. I think technika's style of gameplay makes more sense for a touchscreen device.

That, and the Android version is Korea-only and I've heard trying to buy songs as an international user is a tremendous pain in the ass.

 

[Ben Morales]

So anyone with Portable 3: hit triangle on the UMD(or whatever) from the game menu, and update that ish to Version 1.01. I hear it upped the leveling speed a lot.

Yeah, it alters some of the EXP+ characters to allow them to give you a higher bonus than normal. The EXP output for missions was also increased, but not for Freestyle/Arcade. It still takes too long imo but it's better than nothing.

Just purchased Black Square last week, I have to say that it has a fantastic song list. The stuff in that game is amazing. And I love being able to play YO MAX. I love that song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLJHTDZyDP0

 

[ReaperXL7]

do we have any idea about the songs for djmax technicka on vita?

is there any chance we could see songs by KARA on it? they are in the arcade version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXJ5nFKP-TY

it would be pretty much amazing as they are a pretty sweet kpop group i follow. decent chance it's included in the game when it's released? ie are most songs from arcade released on psp version or something? i really want these songs obv, would even import.

You can find a song list for Technika here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJMax_Technika#Complete_songlist ,

I don't know how much of this will make it into the Vita version , or what they would add, but according to the Wiki page Technika Tune will have the largest song selection of any of the previous Max Portable games. Which of course means that this game will be keeping me busy for awhile....

Can't come soon enough imo.

 

[Rctdaemon]

That, and the Android version is Korea-only and I've heard trying to buy songs as an international user is a tremendous pain in the ass.

I don't think it has been Korea-only for a while now. I've got it on my phone and it didn't seem too difficult to buy songs.

 

[redfiend00]

what level do you guys play on i can't get past 4B any tips to get better at higher levels?