Unlike other rhythm game, MaiMai is exclusively played at an arcade. Even trying to play at home is not reccomended. Sure, there are emulators like AstroDx on mobile but the actual game is only at aracdes. Unless you have $18,000 lying around, you have to interact with other people. Now, many people in the rhythm game community (not to generalize) have higher neurodivergence rates, meaning we hate social interactions. This, combined with needing to play in a public location means there are some ground rules. These rules do not vary aracde to arcade.
Like any aracde game, there is a line to play. Sometimes, there are queue boards, but most commonly, there are lines. Rule 1: Respect the Queue. Unless someone has made it explicitly clear that you can go ahead of them in line, you have to respect the queue. This is especially true for higher rated players. Rating superiority is quite common (thankfully not in Korea). This is a topic I will cover later. Anyhow, rule 2, do not interrupt or distract a player while they are playing. If you've ever seen a MaiMai player at an arcade, you know when they're locked in. They've got the earbuds in, the gloves on, and the crouch. They might be doing an all perfect challenge for all you could know, until some rando interrupts them. Don't be that guy. Rule 3: Don't overstep boundaries. Like we've previously established, there is a higher neurodivergence rate among the rhyhthm game community. This means some of us are a little socially inept, can't read the room, or are socially unaware. This makes overstepping of boundaries, like unsolicited advice, quite common. This could make the other player mad or just flat out be really rude to you. Just follow these rules and you'll do fine
Whenever you see a MaiMai player, they always have gloves on. Well, you probably thought,"Hey those gloves look weird. Why are they wearing them?" Well, unlike many rhythm games, MaiMai has a mechanic called sliders. These are not hold notes. When a star reaches a judgement line, it will create a line that you have to trace. The MaiMai touch screen is kind of bad for your skin. Like it makes it red and shredded. This is why we wear gloves to complete sliders faster and keep our hands safe. You probably also see the pros wearing those earbuds. These are for annoying public locations. Unlike the privacy of our home, MaiMai machines have children nearby. Noisy, overstimulating, and loud, very loud children. Earbuds prevent us from having to listen to those noises. We can put on earbuds and focus. Finally, you see them using these cards to read data. These are known as Aime cards. They read data from previous plays and are linked to your MaiMai profile. This basically means your account in MaiMai. This is an important tool to save data and records. But in some places, like Ipark, they don't sell these. Where can we get them? Glad you asked, hardcore rhythm game arcades usually sell them. These are cheap, like 7000 krw. Make sure to buy them. Don't be like me (I bought them after 1 month of playing so I lost all the rating I earned).
Honestly a great place, especially for MaiMai players. Sometimes, the queues are bad- especially on weekends- and the buttons misfire sometimes. Overall the cab is in decent shape and if its convenient, its worth a visit!. Additionally, the bathrooms are right next to the arcade and its near the food court, with lots of great food options. Personally, I reccomend the Indian restaurant, but there are really good food options. However, parking prices are atrocious if you don't buy anything. Luckily, there are lots of things to buy! Anime fans are especially lucky. The 6th floor is full of anime figurines, goodies, plushies, etc. Personally speaking, I reccomend the blue archive store but that's just because I play the game. In conclusion, if you're just coming here for MaiMai, I don't really reccomend this place. However for a fun day I wholeheartedly reccomend this place. Update: There are so many MaiMai couples. The lines are sometimes worse than Konkuk. I reccomend only coming here to play MaiMai really early or really late unless its a work day when the players have to go to work or school.
This is basically rhythm game heaven for most players. You can rent a machine for 2-3 hours for a reasonable price. Additionally, they have every arcade rhythm game here (except taiko, sorry). Ongeki, Chunithm, MaiMai, heck even Gitadora. There is no parking but there are many cheap places nearby. There are lots of academies here so any college students play MaiMai, coming here is a great idea. Even for casuals, this place is a great location to grind charts or go for 16k rating. There's a smoothie shop nearby, a chicken place, and other restaurants and the fish market so you have a lot of food options as well. In conclusion, great for any rhythm gamer (except for taiko fans). Warning: There are some bugs on the first floor. Thank god they moved the MaiMai machines to a new spot that's also very clean.
Definitely not worth a visit unless you live nearby. The queues can be really, really, really bad. Once, I had to wait 3 hours to play. However they also have Chunithm and other stuff so non-MaiMai bums rejoice I guess. Its in a mall so good food options and mediocre parking prices. Its also the same distance to Noryangjin so might as well go there. The good thing is free wifi. So just go here if you don't really mind long queues and have nowhere else to go.
I will come here again. If I had to choose anywhere to be stuck in for 24 hours, it would be here. The only reason I got Chadwick for jamborees is because of this place. They have 13 MaiMai machines. 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you've ever seen an arcade, they have about 2 maimai machines. This is more than SIX TIMES THAT AMOUNT. No,no,no not only that, they have EVERY SINGLE RHYHTHM GAME IN THE WORLD (available to South Korea at least). ONGEKI, CHUNITHM, DDR, PUMP, GITADORA, TAIKO NO TATSUJIN, ESSENTIALLY EVERYTHING!!!!! Not just that, they are in flawless shape. Nothing misfires, nothing is cracked, nothing has dents, absolutely no flaws whatsoever. HEAVEN!!!!!! This is just perfect. The only downside is its in the suburbs, making it a little dangerous. I saw 5 pubs and 15 people smoking when I was walking here. Parking is a little troublesome, however there is a train station nearby like a 10 minute walk. Perfect. They even have restaurants and a bathroom nearby. Not only that, it's a freaking apartment complex. Whoever lives here is a very lucky man (or woman).