Until now, nerds who wanted to play Namco's pop idol sim THE iDOLM@STER had two choices: Play the arcade versions or play the Xbox 360 versions. But not every owns an Xbox 360 in Japan. (Shocking, we know.) Good news! There's a new option as Namco Bandai is releasing the game on the PSP. Dubbed THE iDOLM@STER SP, this one player game almost looks like a port of the arcade version with PSP-tweaked graphics. There is a new "mail check" system where players have to check the idol's email from magazine writers, stylists and fans. Since Namco Bandai won't be able to make a killing on DLC like it has with the Xbox 360, the company is releasing three versions of the game with three characters spliced into each one. Maximum profits! The three versions (with characters) are:
THE iDOLM@STER Perfect Sun
• Haruka Amami
• Yayoi Takatsuki
• Makoto Kikuchi
THE iDOLM@STER Wondering Star
• Yukiho Hagiwara
• Iori Minase
• Ami and Mami Futami
THE iDOLM@STER Missing Moon
• Chihaya Kisaragi
• Azusa Miura
• Ritsuko Akizuki
Though, people who buy at launch this winter are mostly likely going to buy all three. But, if you are going to buy only one version, buy the Wondering Star one, 'cause you'll get four characters. That's added value, people.
Thanks for the tip, Muu!
DISCUSSION
@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.)