Bandai Namco has officially announced Penlalive, an original arcade rhythm game that first appeared in Japan during unannounced location tests under the name Penda Beats.
The game made its first appearance in late January and went on to receive several more tests in Japan. Bandai Namco then went quiet, but it did receive a new trademark, indicating that the project’s name may have changed before its formal reveal.
Location-test notice: Penlalive is still being evaluated in Japan. A location test is broadly comparable to a beta test for the arcade industry, so the final game could change significantly. There is also no confirmation that it will enter full production or be released in Australia or other Western markets.
How Penlalive works
Penlalive is a new original rhythm game from the company behind Taiko no Tatsujin. Instead of drums or conventional buttons, players use two illuminated wotagei pens, the light sticks associated with fans of Japanese idol music.
The pens are used across a rounded playfield, with players tapping, scrolling and shaking them in time with J-pop songs. Notes descend towards the player in a presentation that shares similarities with Guitar Hero, Sound Voltex and Chunithm, while the physical pen movements provide the game’s main point of difference.
For readers comparing dedicated cabinets with home setups, RETROCADE’s Arcade Machine Buying Guide explains some of the practical considerations involved in selecting an arcade machine.
Changes to the cabinet
The trailer suggests that the cabinet has been revised since the early Penda Beats tests. It now has different artwork and appears to use fewer LED lights than the earlier design.
Bandai Namco has not explained the change, so reduced manufacturing cost or power consumption are only possible reasons. The updated presentation also appears to put more focus on shaking the pens, which suits the way wotagei light sticks are used and matches an obvious expectation for the concept.
Another five-day test in Japan
Penlalive is scheduled to return to testing in Japan for five days from the 8th, at Namco’s flagship Ikebukuro venue in Tokyo. This is also where the original Penda Beats test took place.
Attendees who complete a questionnaire will receive free Penlalive-branded light wristbands. The giveaway is an unusual way to add interest to a location test, particularly compared with the quieter public testing commonly seen in Australia.
The timing also makes a showing at Japan’s Amusement Expo in November seem possible. So far, all reported testing has taken place in Japan. There is no confirmed Western release, although a limited appearance through Round1USA or a wider launch cannot be ruled out if the game performs well.
Western release remains uncertain
The Japanese test version does not appear to include visible network features. That may change later, but it is notable for a contemporary arcade rhythm game.
Bandai Namco is also still dealing with difficulties surrounding the delayed US launch of Taiko no Tatsujin. This makes an appearance at IAAPA in November seem unlikely, even though future exhibition plans remain unconfirmed. Resident Evil 2: Arcade was also considered unlikely to appear there.
Whether Penlalive needs several more years of development and a stronger Western foothold for Taiko no Tatsujin, or whether Bandai Namco’s Western division produces an unexpected announcement, is not yet clear. The title remains an interesting addition to the wider arcade news landscape.
Its dedicated design can be compared with other arcade machines, while the upright format is covered in RETROCADE’s guide to upright arcade cabinets. For operators and collectors, the store’s arcade repair and maintenance service is also relevant when considering specialised hardware.
Would you like to play Bandai Namco’s new rhythm game if Penlalive reaches an Australian arcade?
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