14 DAY TRIAL // Gamers play soccer managers, gamers play football managers, yet somewhere along the line developers invented pop-star managers, and where else if not in Japan! During the Tokyo Game Show The Idolm@ster made its first appearance, an upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive console adaptation of Namco-Bandai's original arcade game. The title unveils a cross between musical play and managing your career with the ultimate goal of creating your own pop princess. Idolm@ster will be available starting January 25th, 2007, bearing a 7,140 yen (US $60) price tag in Japan.
The Idolm@ster will guide you through all the necessary steps you need to follow to become a popular star, starting with your discovery, going through musical formation, towards personality development, handling your image and rivalries. It's the definitive guide for a teenage girl to become a glamorous queen of hearts, or at least a shallow substitute. Auditions and TV shows are part of the role playing experience, as wannabe singers must take it seriously strict training schedule including dance, canto and posing lessons. This time the scenarios spans on over a whole year, benefiting from the addition of a new character, singing popular songs and having some innocent fun.
In celebration of the January launch, there's even a collector's edition-type pack. Available for a 20,790 yen (US $176) the special bundle features a faceplate, one DVD with new songs, a visual book and toy stage with eleven different figures to play with.