I'd buy a version where I could put Kotori on stage any day. She's by far the best girl in the game.

cortana

@Nawara_Ven: I work for a university and for years our library had a big banner outside calling itself the 'libr@ry'. Consequently everyone called them the 'lib-rat-ry'. (I think it was supposed to imply that, you know, they have computers.)

@Channing: Well, they definitely don't tone down the voice-acting while singing... that's something I guess...? ;) leaving aside the quality of singing, song was a bit blah; boring production, imo...

quen

How the hell do you pronounce that? "Idol matster?". Or is the "i" separate due to its de-emphasis? "Eye-doh-l'matster"?

Random insertion of non-alphabet characters really chaps my atdollarsigndollarsign.

Nawara_Ven

I'm willing to bet that they'll release a Miki + Kotori pack as well, with a slightly higher price tag. Sure, they said they'll never put her on the stage but that doesn't mean they can't make a 15years-ago flashback stage...

muu

@Channing: I kind of get. I'll check out some videos when I get home. I've got no sound here.

@KeroseneClimax: I don't think Norris could handle Pikachu and all his furry cuteness.

everybest

I'm super sorry for multi-posting, but seriously. I gotta throw it out there.
This is the song that I transcribed in part in my previous post.

+ Watch video

Channing

It's not the choice at all. It's Perfect Sun.

Mayu-mayu

Ya'know Namco Bandai, you've given the PSP lots of games from your various franchises; Tales of, Ridge Racer, Ace Combat, Katamari Damacy, Tekken: Dark Resurrection, and now THE iDOLM@STER. It's all good, and I'm not complaining. But I swear, if you guys don't get your heads out of your collective asses and release a Soul Calibur game on the PSP, I'm flying Norris in to Japan so he can Roundhouse Kick some sense directly into your cerebellums. What the hell people?

Have to admit though, I'm a bit uncharacteristically curious about actually wanting to check at least one of these games out [via a friend] to see what the fuss is all about. Then again, I've seen allot of road-kill caused by curiosity.

KeroseneClimax

@everybest:
Well, if you're into that kind of thing it's fun. You can surf around youtube looking for "Idolm@ster" or "IM@S" or something and you'll find some clips of it.
It is sorta like a dating sim,.. thingy,.... kinda. I dunno. I don't really have much that I can compare it to, not off the top of my head.

Channing

@Channing: Is that fun? Wouldn't you rather play the idol?

It sort of sounds like playing the waterboy in a football game. Or the Pit Crew in a racing game. Or Drebin in MGS4. Or the control tower in a flight simulator. Or Roman/Michelle in GTA4. You get the idea :)

Now that I think about it, some of those would make a good twist to games. I'd love to see an MGS4: Arms Dealer. I'd also rather play the role of a waterboy than a football game, I think.

everybest

@MetalGearMax: Not "lost"... As it seems in current market, that any notion of "exclusivity" is lost anyway... More like "game makers/publishers want more money".

rbleader

So MS just lost the only game that got interest from the Japanese? lol, good job MS.

MetalGearMax

@everybest:
Idol manager simulation game.

Channing

もっと、高めて果てなく心の奥まで
貴方だけが使えるテックニックで、
溶かしつくして
本能、渦巻く最中に落ちてくときめき
今宵だけの夢
踊るは激しく

Channing

Considering the arcade hardware was basically a PS2 with increased memory, I guess porting AC version was a good decision on Namco's part.

Personally, I have no clue why this game is THIS much popular either...

Then again, who doesn't like cute anime girls doing cute things (like, singing and dancing)?

rbleader

I could imagine seeing some guy playing this in a subway already, it creeps me out thinking about it.

SupaPhly

Sounds like half of you play this game. Anyone care to explain what it's about? Is it a rhythm game? Dating Simulator? Dating rhythm simulator?

everybest

It'd be Perfect Sun for me.

And the twins don't really count as two separate characters, as far as the game's mechanics are concerned...

@Does Not Equal: Yeah. Stressing that it's likely a port of the arcade game means that we won't be seeing Miki; she was only ever in the 360 game.

Taiyz

Ami and Mami don't really count as 2 characters, since
1) They look mostly identical.
2) You can only play as one in the game.
Yes, I am somewhat ashamed to know that.

BTW, L4U was pretty crappy.

Chinpokomon

I... don't ever want to be caught with this game in my possession, really.

umiman

I don't know what I'm looking at, but I know it's exceptionally cluttered.

mixmastermind

No Miki Hoshii? Damn, that sucks.

Does Not Equal

Where am I? I think I'm lost...

gomerkyle9

Sweet! Now to brush off the cobwebs off my PSP.

KillerScooter

Looks like the PSP just got what exactly what the doctor ordered to sustain its momentum in Japan. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G isn't going to last forever.

And it seems Namco took a page from the Pokémon book with multiple simultaneous releases. Smart move.

Antiterra

That's good news for Sony. Looks like PSP is here to stay.

everybest

I'd probably give this a bash on any console if it ever actually landed on the sunny shores of scotland... but sadly, no idol master here. Just Haggis, hills and teeming urban centers that look much the same as every other one everywhere else in the world =P

Geminosity

@Taiyz: I know Miki's only on 360, but I can still be disappointed.

Regardless, Perfect Sun is the one for me. I've been a fan of Yayoi since I saw her, Makoto is loaded with hidden charm, and Haruka's the primary idol. I'd like all three, but if I have to choose one (and by god, I'll buy one if I have to skip driving for a week), it'll be Perfect Sun.

Does Not Equal

Nice, Namco ... now how about releasing the 360 game in PAL?

uzivatel

perfect sun here

Kirakun

Can still do DLC through Sony's PSP store.

Azurite

That's just so wrong but typical. Haruka, Iori, and Azusa--the only three I really care about--are split across the three versions. I guess I'll have to think long and hard about whether I want to import one or more.

Draneor

@Draneor:
It's like pokemon! You'll need all the versions anyway!

Channing

Oh that's kind of annoying... At least most of my favorites are in one version.

chirokitsune

So I have to buy three copies? Pft...I'll do so. I want this game so badly, and if PSP is a viable option for me, I'm going for it!

ShinjiKinomoto

1 more way to hurt the 360 in Japan, lulz.

Chaospluto

Yes!
Actually it doesn't look that great, but... if I don't get to at least try it I'll die of curiosity. It's the title that launched a zillion add-on downloads and I've really wanted to try it since all the hype.

PSP is actually ideal for visual novel play IMO. Book-sized, instant sleep mode, good screen for reading kanji, movies are no sweat, and even the 3D scenes should be pretty decent.

But three characters per game? *engages moral piracy engine*
$Buys$
*downloads*
*downloads*

fuchikoma

This could be a big success, I suspect I'll have to import it if I want to live out my Simon Cowell dreams in portable form!

JudgeNutmeg

It looks like the PSP is gonna have another 6 months of topping the charts in Japan...

Daisuash

VERY YES!
I was just saying how I needed an XBox 360 for this... don't need anymore!

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

I'd say there's no chance in hell for a U.S. release, but ever since Game Center CX for the DS was announced for the fall I believe anything is possible.

Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic

finally, i've been waiting for some way to play this game without importing a japanese 360!! take that region lock!

nightshade_zero

@Bokusatsu_Tenshi:
hi-five!
Now if they could put DoA3 & 4 on something I own (before Tecmo vansihes!) I could rest easy...

@Daisuash:
Hey, you're right. Monster Hunter has set it soaring, but I think eventually the raw cash pressure will drop off from that sooner or later. With another title like this, it might just pin the DS down - not to say DS hasn't already had its success in full - but the PSP... may actually catch up (or even be more popular in common use?)
*blinks eyes*
I don't believe it...

fuchikoma

This sucks an enormous amount of ass. I finally get the chance of playing iDOLM@STER and they split my favorite idols!

AND WHERE'S MY HOSHII MIKI!?!? >:[

scotty

@umiman:

It would still make you look manly in front of a typical DS owner.

AlbenoX

YES! I can finally fulfill my child hood dream of dressing up young Japanese girls! Yipeeee! ^__^

SonnyBoy

Like the 360 version, seems doubtful this will hit PAL territories or if it does it won't be anytime soon.

Odin

@quen: Sorry for the multiple posts. I also think the reactions of many in this thread are spurred primarily by what the obvious perceived health of the system is if Namco is going to the trouble of making the Idol Master a PSP release. I have my doubts about how many systems this will wind up selling, but then again you never know...

In either case a major third-party which had largely abandoned PSP development is now bringing one of its next-gen franchises to the system. That's pretty huge. And it speaks to what developers may be seeing as a "second chance" with a handheld market nearing saturation on the Nintendo side of things.

Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic

@nightshade_zero: Great, PSP is not region locked, now we can play it here in Europe ... only we cant import it.
(but why do I even care? its not like I would understand single word)

uzivatel

@quen: It has nothing to do with the region encoding (or lack thereof), simply the language barrier. This seems like the type of game where a modicum of Japanese is required for better enjoyment.

Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic

@fuchikoma: I think the idea of the PSP closing a 30+ million gap is more than a little far fetched. On the other hand, there's no denying that my favorite portable has proven that "late bloomers" can occur in the videogame industry...which seems to fly in the face of popular belief that the first year or so will tell you everything.

I do believe that if Sony committed themselves to dropping the price of the unit into the sub-$150 range and threw a bit more advertising revenue behind it in North America we could potentially see worldwide numbers push past the 50 million mark by the end of its life.

Still, as long as it stays this strong in Japan the likelihood of seeing more "Western-friendly" titles produced (and most importantly: localized) becomes much greater. Who knows? We may yet see Devil May Cry or Resident Evil on the system. DKS3713 and TGS '08 should reveal quite a bit about where the system is heading in Japan. (Which is really all that matters to me since Japan is still the Mecca for handheld development.)

Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic

@Daisuash: Yep, I'm sure Idolmaster will drive PSP sales to the top for months! Just like it did for 360!

...oh, wait.

seriously my guess is the game will sell a lot the first couple of weeks (especially when half the people getting it buy three copies) and make only a small difference to hardware sales (this only sells to male geeks, male geeks already have PSPs)... then nothing.

@Geminosity: @Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic: According to Wikipedia, most PSP games aren't region-locked, so you can just buy it anyway (Japanese proficiency permitting).

quen

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

Puchi

Missing Moon version for me.

<3 IM@

DiabloTerrorGF

idolm@ster for the PSP should be great fun. Also I wonder when Namco will bring the 360 version to North America. May be if people are3 really good at the same time the PSP version comes out in NA. I can't wait to see how many more PSP get sold because of this game.

BlackIceJoe

REGION-FREEEE!. I'm overjoyed that iDOLMA@STER's coming to the PSP (and I will be buying all three copies on day one or so), but it's too bad the character's were split up into 3 games. That's a lot of money.

On the other hand, I bought the limited edition of iDOLM@STER 360, which is much more money.

Do Kesubei

FUCK YES FUCK YES FUCK YES

sorry about that

tsukasa1288

ps3 version is next, im curious what are these games like?(gameplay)

JackDaniels19

Day one. No Miki though? And where's the PS3 version? =(

y2kenjination

i dont know anything about this game, but it looks like something I could totally get into. and it looks easy. and cute. do you get to dress them up?

KingKevin

dress them up?

FUCK THAT BABY I"M DRESSING THEM DOWN! WOOOHOOO! ON YOUR KNEES YOU SLUTS, now DANCE!

isobelle

@BlackIceJoe: I don't see it ever happening. They only have two choices:

(1) Leave the original language and just subtitle everything. Prediction: The game would sell 100 copies.
(2) Redub everything, redo all the songs, and release it all in English. Prediction: The game would sell 100 copies.

Does Not Equal

I would've honostly perfered a US release of for the 360, but I'll settle with the PSP version.

Goldframe