The Idolmaster SP
Three versions of idol training for the PlayStation Portable.
The Idolmaster SP is a series of three Japanese raising simulation video games in The Idolmaster series, developed and published by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation Portable. Released on February 19, 2009, as Perfect Sun, Missing Moon, and Wandering Star, the games are a port of The Idolmaster and feature changes including an additional promise system. The three versions collectively sold 129,088 units in their first week, ranking as the second best-selling video games in Japan that week.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Namco Bandai Games
- Director
- Akihiro Ishihara
- Producer
- Yōzō Sakagami
- Writer
- Tomoyo Takahashi; Emi Tanaka
- Series
- The Idolmaster
- Platforms
- PlayStation Portable
- Released
- February 19, 2009 (JP)
- Genre
- Raising simulation, Rhythm
Facts from the source article.
Development and release
The Idolmaster SP was developed by Namco Bandai Games and directed by Akihiro Ishihara. The staff aimed to reach players beyond those who had played the original arcade game or its Xbox 360 port. Ishihara wanted the games to have a line in Akihabara and to attract spontaneous buyers, so no limited editions were sold. The decision to split SP into three versions allowed players to purchase the version featuring their favorite idols.
Regarding the PlayStation Portable's graphic capabilities, Ishihara noted that the idols look better in motion than in still images, and many facial expressions were changed from previous games. The development team had to completely rebuild the game for the portable console. Ishihara described the story produce mode as similar to a strategic simulation game, with a large development after clearing each story part. The team included substantial story content within each idol rank and smaller scenarios between ranks.
Ishihara felt that simply adding arcade functionality would not work, so the story produce mode adds tension around rank increases, making the story generally tense. He stated that while the mode was developed to be relatively severe, any player who puts in effort can clear the game.
Reception
The three versions of The Idolmaster SP sold 129,088 units collectively in their first week, ranking as the second best-selling video games in Japan that week. The following week, an additional 26,931 units were sold, bringing the total to 156,019 units. On release day, several stores in Akihabara sold out by late afternoon, partly because many buyers purchased all three versions. Famitsu gave the games a combined score of 31 out of 40.
The games were voted one of the most anticipated future games at the 2008 Japan Game Awards. Reviewer Sekai Sandai Miyokawa noted that splitting SP into three versions might deter beginners, but found the game friendly to newcomers with worthwhile content. The lesson minigames were called surprisingly difficult, especially when aiming for a perfect score, and the need for continuous lessons was likened to the plots of Star of the Giants and Aim for the Ace!.
Despite a perceived drop in graphical quality compared to Xbox 360 Idolmaster games, the idols' performances and facial expressions were praised as high quality. The story produce mode was described as skillfully done with interesting developments, and the variety of musical genres was praised, with many songs leaving an impression.
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