MartialBeat is one of the most fascinating rhythm game curiosities of the early 2000s. Developed by Konami and released in arcades and on PlayStation, it combined martial arts movements with rhythm gameplay, essentially asking players to punch and kick to the beat.
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The tracklist is a wild time capsule of late '90s and early 2000s Eurobeat and pop, headlined by Chumbawamba's "TUBTHUMPING" and Duran Duran's "ORDINARY WORLD," which get the high-energy remix treatment that Konami's music games were famous for.
The Konami original music game DNA runs deep here, with several tracks shared with or inspired by the Bemani family. "BOOM BOOM DOLLAR (Red Monster 2000 Mix)" is a Dance Dance Revolution staple that translates surprisingly well to the punch-and-kick format, and "DAM DARIRAM" brings that signature Eurobeat cheese that defined an entire generation of arcade rhythm gaming.
"HOT LIMIT" and "RHYTHM AND POLICE" represent the J-pop side of the equation, while "LUPIN THE 3RD '78" is a funky deep cut nodding to the legendary anime franchise. The remix selection adds real replay value, with the "Above & Beyond Remix" of "ORDINARY WORLD" being a notable early credit for the trance duo who would go on to become one of electronic music's biggest acts.
"SKY HIGH (Zombie Remix)" gives the Jigsaw classic a darker edge, and the various mixes of "BOOM BOOM DOLLAR" and "SEVENTEEN" show the range these tracks could cover. "Beat of Life" and the self-titled "MARTIALBEAT" serve as original compositions that tie the whole package together.
It's a deeply niche title, but for rhythm game historians, this tracklist is gold.