Famitsu just announced this year's concert will be held on Sep 11th and they set up a poll on what previously performed items we want to hear again. My choice would be something from the 2006 or 2008 concert, neither of which I attended. More than that, I wonder when Hamauzu or Sakimoto will ever be featured.

Official site: http://www.famitsu.com/famiweb/pressstart/about.html
Poll: http://www.famitsu.com/game/etc/1233537_1058.html

Are you saying you have been to the 2006 and 2008 shows? I'm confused.

Oops. No, I didn't attend them.

I don't care what they play, as long as they COME TO OSAKA ALREADY!

I won't be going. 

Four items revealed.

http://www.famitsu.com/famiweb/pressstart/menu.html

Chorno Trigger/ Chrono Cross
NES medley
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Mother medley

Interesting to see Muramasa on the program. It's a sign that finally Sakimoto is invited.

Oh lord, Muramasa? ;_; I'd do illegal things to hear that stuff live.

Great stuff. I'm excited to learn how they interpret Muramasa and wonder if Asian instruments might be included.

Fancy robbing a bank together?

Hmm, so tempted to emigrate to New Zealand a bit earlier than planned via a week in Tokyo!

Tickets are on sale now but I'm still undecided.  I wasn't particularly impressed with the concert the year I went (2007 or 2008 I think) but last year's program was nice and the program for this year is looking pretty decent thus far.

Anybody made plans to go already?

And Chris you are moving to NZ??

Haha, yes. I made the crazy decision to emigrate and do a PhD in a beautiful new country. Still undecided whether to go there via Japan or Australia though!

I wasn't always wowed by everything the past concert offered (but compared to that fact I'm now unemployed and too poor to buy a ticket, it doesn't matter). It has at least some strengths. a) Eastern has very few alternatives 2) Every year's Press Start provides at least a very exciting yet unique program, instead of focusing on same old mainstream IPs.

hm. well really?
first of all, this year looks like they are taking a lot of old stuff from previous concerts. their excuse: 5th anniversary. hurray!
look at the program 2010 and you will see: legend of zelda. chrono trigger. metal gear solid. new super mario bros. ... boring.
i mean, ok... nothing wrong with that, but if that's no hardcore mainstream IPs stuff what else?
and i am pretty sure final fantasy will be added soon enough too...

Um, perhaps you're right but I still have an impression that Press Start still offers the best program for Eastern VGM fans (which is natural, give the fact it's an Eastern concert ;p). Eminence is also solid, yet sometimes goes for too niche in my opinion.

Um, maybe I revert my statement. This year is mostly dominated by reprises from the past concert and only 3 of 13 are new items. Perhaps that's an evil of the fact the concert organizers are otherwise pretty busy with their main works. I'll still be willing to attend if I can afford to buy a ticket.

Here's the concert program.  Arrangements from previous Press Start concerts have the original performance date in parentheses.

1. Chrono Trigger / Chrono Cross (2008)
2. Famicom medley (2009)
3. Oboro Muramasa (new)
4. Mother (2006)
5. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (new)
6. Legend of Zelda series (2006, 2007)
7. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (new)
8. Wild Arms 2nd Ignition (2008)
9. Namco Arcade Medley 2010 (2006/updated)
10. Final Fantasy X (2009)
11. Ico (2006)
12. Mega Man 2 (2008)
13. Rhythm Tengoku (2009)

For those who have heard many of these pieces at previous concerts, would you recommend this year's show to those who haven't?

Did somebody attend? How was it?