Konami has put up a location test page announcing the latest in the DrumMania/GuitarFreaks series: V6 BLAZING!!!

http://www.konami.jp/am/locationtest/gfdmv6/

Nothing else has been posted to the Konami site as yet, so no further details are available on the title.

With the growing strength of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, I think it's safe to expect more classic rock tracks and a renewed focus on rock and metal music styles as with V5.

{With thanks to Orange Lounge Radio}

Well, as you all may or may not know. It is being arranged with Konami to connect Australia with the e-Amuse network. It has been very slow going, and unfortunately I have merely been a spectator in the arrangements.

I have recently been in contact with the South East Asia Konami Representative who will be initially launching the system for two store locations. Timezone George Street and another location in Melbourne that I do not know. I do not know how soon it will be online, and I've not got high hopes, but it is under way.

Being a store Owned by the owner of Replay, if it is successful it will no doubt quickly spread to his locations in Brisbane before hitting any location available.

A little late with the news: With the demise of Tops in the Myer Centre, Funhouse has moved in to take its place.

Funhouse Sunnybank is one of the better arcades outside the CBD for Bemani players, so there were some big hopes for their new City location. Although only a DDR Extreme Plus (hacked ROM) cabinet was present at opening, there are hopes of more bemani to come with the store's expansion upward and outward.

While Tops never seemed to find a way to use the upstairs area successfully, and only expanded to the (former restaurant) area to the side for short periods, Funhouse is in the process of fully incorporating that side area, and staff have spoken of the upstairs area and possible machines to come.

With the deteriorating condition of the machines in Replay, we continue to hope for the best with Funhouse, and perhaps a bit of healthy competition can re-invigorate the CBD arcade scene.

As reported by OrangeLoungeRadio, upgrade kits for DanceDanceRevolution SuperNOVA2 are on their way to Japanese arcades today.

While SuperNOVA was largely considered a disappointment due to a sluggish UI, synch issues, and what was considered by some to be a poor songlist, interest in the sequel has been high due to a number of UI additions, some interesting song announcements, and the propsect of Konami's e-Amusement system finally getting a push outside of Japan.

Sadly, there has been no talk of an arcade Dancing Stage release at this time, although a home version was expected to be on-show at this week's Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany. Coupled with DSSN's lacklustre performance in local arcades, this may mean we are unlikely to see this latest upgrade making it's way to Brisbane any time soon. Hopefully other capital cities will fare better.

If SuperNOVA2 makes an appearance in your local arcade, hit the RTF Forums and let us know what you think.

The Tour rolls on, with our next trip scheduled for this Saturday, July 21.

This week's destination is Funhouse Sunnybank, and we're expecting a big turn-out.

We've heard a lot of good things about the machines out that way from Wendy@RTF, so we're looking forward to checking them out. If you're in the area, drop by between midday and 4pm and say 'Hi'.

We'll be taking a break from the Tour the following weekend, but we'll be back with a new location on the first Saturday in August. For more discussion of locations and dates, join us in the Brisbane Tour Thread.