Beatmania 2 DX 3rd Style was developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Inc. and was published by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. The game is based on the Beatmania concept, already popular in Japan at the moment of release, and is mostly an update which brings in new songs and new moves for the game, without changing the gameplay mechanics.

The game comes bundled with a special controller that acts like the DJ scratch pad, complete with seven keys. You must be able to manipulate the scratch pad and the controls in accordance to the instructions that appear on the screen. As you achieve a degree of rhythm, you earn the approval of the audience and get points. Only if you get the audience to react to your moves will you be able to progress through the game.

Each of the keys on the controller has one corresponding vertical bar on the screen. The turntable also has special bars, and they are used to indicate the path that rectangular icons follow as they go down towards a horizontal line, which sits near the bottom of the same screen. You should hit the key that corresponds to the bar and also rotate the turntable when the icon matches with a line. This will trigger a preset sound sample and you recompose the song properly. Players are judged for each key press for accuracy.

The basic concept is used today by such critical and commercial successes like Guitar Hero III and Rock Band, while the original Beatmania games have earned a small but loyal following.

UNLOCKABLES

Diving Money song

Successfully complete the game in game mode eight times.

Special Energy song

Successfully complete the game in game mode nine times.

Genom Screams song

Successfully complete the game in game mode ten times.

Deep In You song

Successfully complete the game in game mode eleven times.

Celebrate song

Successfully complete the game in game mode twelve times.

Patsenner song

Successfully complete the game in game mode thirteen times.

Here's a gameplay video: