Castlevania sequel for DS, Lost in Blue for Wii and a Rock Revolution underway among surprises during Konami’s Gamer’s Day yesterday.

Finally Konami realises that it is allowing Guitar Hero and Rock Band to steal its thunder. It was Konami that originally invented the play-along-a format so successfully repackaged and marketed by Activision and EA. Long before Guitar Hero and Rock Band Konami gave us Guitar Freaks, Drum Mania and even Keyboard Mania - yes, replica musical instruments that could all play together in a Super Link mode on PlayStation 2… EIGHT YEARS AGO!

So, yesterday Konami announced that it was re-entering the band-based rhythm action market with Rock Revolution Wii, PS3, Xbox 360 and DS. The game is being developed by Zoe Mode who has previously collaborated with Sony on the SingStar series for PS2. It’ll release sometime in autumn. We hope it doesn’t suck because it ought to destroy – but it’ll be Konami marketing spend versus that of EA and Activision so let’s see. The 40-track line-up includes Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister from the 80s, and System of a Down from the 90s. Not bad for starters.

Another unsung success story for Konami, outside of Japan anyway, is the DanceDance Revolution series… yes, ‘dance mat’ gaming euphoria all started with these guys too. Konami is planning not one, not two, but THREE DanceDance games to mark the series 10th Anniversary: DanceDanceRevolution: Hottest Party 2 (Wii), DanceDanceRevolution X (PS2), and DanceDanceRevolution Universe 3 (Xbox 360). These are all scheduled for autumn.

In addition to all this, Konami also unveiled New International Track and Field for DS this summer, Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked! for Wii due autumn, and Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for DS, again autumn.

On the back of recent success with the Pro Evolution Soccer series, especially on Wii and PSP of late, plus sporting titles such as baseball in Japan, Konami has just posted a 20.2 percent operating income year on year. PES 2008 has PES6 (the previous edition from 2007 before the branding changed slightly). Apparently Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party for Wii did plenty in the US. Hurray!

And if the videogames aren’t enough to keep us rocking and dancing up a sweat, Konami is also going gangbusters with its health and fitness business in Japan, with 300 sports clubs currently in operation. Are you watching EA?