Abstract: A video game machine includes a monitor that permits three-dimensional viewing, a virtual camera controller for moving first and second virtual cameras while maintaining a positional relationship in which the two virtual cameras are separated from each other, an image display controller for synthesizing first and second image data acquired by the two virtual cameras upon leading the image data to a display memory, and reading out data content thereof, a game-related image storage block for storing panel images including objects and textures, and a specifier which issues a command for presenting a panel image. The image display controller maps a texture corresponding to an object read out in accordance with the command given from the specifier twice in two storage locations of the display memory that are offset from each other. A player is provided with a gaming image generated with a reduced 3D processing burden, yet creating compelling reality and enjoyable sensation in game playing.

Abstract: A CPU controls a graphic controller based on control programs within a main RAM to extract a series of rhythm sound data for each of multiple mimic percussion instruments from a graphic RAM and correlates these in a time-axial direction for display on a monitor, instruction and display of the operating timing for each sound of the multiple mimic percussion instruments is performed on the monitor, the player performs sequential striking input with the left and right hands, for example, for the rhythm sounds via a rhythm input detecting apparatus corresponding to multiple mimic percussion instruments, while following the operation timing display instructions thereof. The timing thereof is compared with the timing of the display instruction and evaluation is made based on the offset thereof, and the evaluation results are accumulated. Thus, a rhythm-matching game with a high gaming nature is realized, by inputting operation for multiple instruments using multiple hands and feet such as the left and right hands.

Abstract: A drum rhythm game apparatus and a guitar rhythm game apparatus each includes a staging operating unit. Playing progression information, which includes sector numbers, is transferred between the drum rhythm game apparatus and the guitar rhythm game apparatus, thereby enabling staging operation to be implemented from each of the staging operating units while synchronizing the visual staging instructions provided to players of the game for the background music piece to be played at both the drum rhythm game apparatus and the guitar rhythm game apparatus. This allows the game to be played in a state closer to reality in which multiple players each have staging operating units as different instrument, such as with an actual band, making the game more enjoyable.