Band-kun (バンドくん, loosely translated as "Mr. Band") is Koei's first attempt to create a music video game. It is the first title to be branded with the "Sound Entertainment" label, the other being Life is Music. Eiji Fukuzawa is the credited producer.
Band-kun, a popular game, initially required a MIDI board, costing around 30,000 yen for computers, which caused it to fade into obscurity due to unattractive consumer demand.
Gameplay[]
A musician aspiring to form a band for prestigious contests must work part-time to fund expenses. The minimum wage is determined by random RNG readings. Four band members are recruited, each requiring a minimal percentage from the player's income. The ideal members fit the protagonist's genre, and members can be replaced if desired.
The game involves freestyle performances, with the player playing a tone and changing pitches. Performances are judged based on genre faithfulness, and good or bad performances earn rewards. The player must build a social network to build reputation. Once famous, the band can record performances in a studio booth, with cassette sales becoming profitable for winning the global music competition.