Happy 12th birthday, Hatsune Miku, and happy 10th anniversary to the Project DIVA series.
It’s been about two years since we last saw any Project DIVA titles released — arguably three, as the last title released was an HD port of the previously digital-only game Project DIVA: Future Tone, with a few new tracks. Now, Hatsune Miku is finally taking the stage again in a new title celebrating the series’ 10th anniversary. Announced at Day-1 of the Tokyo concert event, Hatsune Miku -Magical Mirai-, Sega’s official Facebook, and a new teaser site, was the western release of Hatsune Miku Project DIVA -Mega 39’s- for the Nintendo Switch. Mega 39’s will also serve as the first game released on Nintendo hardware, for the franchise, in 5 years.
Being an anniversary title, Mega 39’s is stated to feature 101 songs, many of which will be reanimated Promotional Videos (PVs) from tracks featured in past Project DIVA titles, as well as several new ones. Being on the Nintendo Switch, long-time fans can expect there to be new note patterns and gameplay features applied to older tracks, enhancing their replay experience. In addition, all PVs are being re-imagined in a more moe anime art style.
It goes without saying, and from the tracks already confirmed, that Miku will once again be joined by Kagamine Rin and Len, Megurine Luka, KAITO, and MEIKO as she has in previous titles. While it’s to be expected that 75% percent of all tracks will feature Miku, it wouldn’t be an anniversary without the other Vocaloids that fans have grown to love just as much.
Returning songs include, but are not limited to…
- 39s みゅーじっく！ – MikitoP
- Clockwork Clown – 40mP
- Envy Cat Walk – Tohma
- Just Be Friends – Dixie Flatline
- Nostalogic – yuukiss
- ODDS&ENDS – supercell
- Remote Control – Jesus-P
- Rolling Girl – wowaka
- Snowman – halyosy
- Sweet Devil – HachiojiP
- Unhappy Refrain – wowaka
With new controls possible, Mega 39’s will feature a brand new game mode. In Arcade mode you’ll be able to play songs normally on PVs. While in Joy-Con Mix players will be able to enjoy a brand new rhythm game featuring the Joy-Con’s motion controls. Players will also be able to create playlists of their favorite PVs and watch PVs without rhythm notes.
Over 300 outfits are planned, the trailer showing several belonging to past PVs’ whose inclusion in the game hasn’t been officially announced. Such outfits included Hatsune Miku’s Secret Police (Buriru-P) and Acute (Kurousa-P) outfit. The last new feature announced is that players will be able to customize all Vocaloid models with their own accessories using the new T-Shirt Maker function.
For Japan, details of a special limited edition bundle were also announced. Those who can’t wait for the western release and choose to drop 9,990 yen to import it will get their hands on extra goods such as a KEI-illustrated special box (who has been Miku’s official illustrator for Crypton since 2007), a “Catch the Wave” SONOCA card, an art book, and five-disc CD collection featuring the soundtracks of the first five main titles of the series (Project DIVA, DIVA 2nd, DIVA -extend-, DIVA F, and DIVA F 2nd).
The Japanese edition is set for release on February 13th, 2020. The western release is slated for the same year, but no exact date has been confirmed.
Is there a song, new or old, you’d like to see among the 101 in the game? Let us know in the comments below.
