Request for Information on Early Mixes

[poiuytman]

I'm trying to collect information on earlier DDR arcade mixes, such as 1st Mix, DDR Internet Ranking ("1.5"), 2nd Mix, their respective home versions, and the US DDR "1st Mix" (before DDR USA). I was hoping some of the veterans here have played on these mixes, and would be willing to contribute whatever they can remember. I haven't been able to extract much from the Internet-translator versions of Konami's site, and DDRFreak only provides songlists and codes.

The information will be used primarily for inclusion on Wikipedia, in the main article and the individual mixes. I'd like to archive as much of DDR's history as possible before it fades into obscurity. I'm looking for:

- Interface differences, such as the difficulty selection, song selection, background characters, announcer, etc.
- Gameplay differences. For example, I've been told that 1st Mix in Japan penalized you for hitting extra arrows, and that arrows didn't explode on the casting when hit.
- Photos, screenshots.
- Anything else that stands out when compared to a newer mix.

I also can't find the exact release date of Japanese 1st Mix; the best I can find is "September 1998".

Thanks,
Poiuyt Man