Third draft and hopefully final. I'll post it in OT tonight at 10:30PM my time which is in about an hour and a half.
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The iDOLM@STER series started as an arcade game released in 2005 where you as the producer took your budding popstars from nothing to stardom. It was followed later on in 2007 with a home console (360) port of the game with later a three version PSP port titled iDOLM@STER SP which added Takane and Hibiki as producable idols. Since then iDOLM@STER has seen two direct sequels: iDOLM@STER 2 and iDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL.
THE GAMES
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iDOLM@STER - Arcade/360
http://idolmaster.jp/
The original iDOLM@STER first released in arcades and was later ported in 2007 to 360 which added the first additional idol to the series. Hoshii Miki. Everyones much beloved lazy kinpatsu idol.
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iDOLM@STER SP - PSP
http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/sp/
iDOLM@STER SP was a PSP port of the original arcade game and was split into three seperate releases. Each having a bigger focus on communication than the previous port and added a multiplayer mode playable up to three players locally. It also saw the series debut of Takane and Hibiki alongside the previously added MIki in the rival unit Project Fairy.
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iDOLM@STER 2 - PS3/360
http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/im2/ps3/
iDOLM@STER 2 was a huge step up compared to the first game. It added Miki, Takane and Hibiki as playable idols, but it also removed Ritsuko, Iori, Azusa and Ami by introducing the creation of Ritsuko produced rival idol group Ryuugokomachi. It also saw the series introduction of 961s all Male unit Jupiter.
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iDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL - PS3
http://ofa.idolmaster.jp/
iDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL |OT| -
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=819112 (although this community thread will be the main point of access now)!
The series has also spawned
ONE FOR ALL which was more an updated version of iDOLM@STER 2 readded the ability for the player to produce Ritsuko, Ami, Azusa and Iori while revamping to some for the better and to others for the worse the vocal, dance and image training. Alongside changing the games focus to be more about each idol or idol groups skillsets and performances, ONE FOR ALL was all about the production aspect.
It had mixed reviews amongst fans with some liking the fact they removed some RNG and others finding it removed too much. To decide for yourself, give it a play!
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iDOLM@STER Deary Stars
http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/ds/
In 2009 Namco released iDOLM@STER Dearly Stars for the Nintendo DS which changed the focus from the first game in which you played as one of three idols Ai Hidaka, Eri Mizutani and Ryō Akizuk in as Namco calls it a life simulation game. This spin-off games events take place canonically before iDOLM@STER 2.
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iDOLM@STER Gravure For You
http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/im2/ps3/gfu/
The next set of spinoffs come in the shape of iDOLM@STER Gravure For You which were a 9 volume fan disk series where you take photos of your favourite idols in various themed outfits. All of these are now available digitally on the Japanese PSN store and if you're a diehard fan, it's worth picking them up. As with everything else iDOLM@STER though you'll need to get another job to afford it all.
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iDOLM@STER Shiny Festa
http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/festa/
Next we have the three PSP and later iOS titles which released as three titles. Groovy Tune (Miki, Takane, Yukiho, Makoto), Funky Note (Ami, Mami, Yayoi, Iori) and finally Honey Sound (Haruka, Chihaya, Azusa, Ritsuko).
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Then last but not least we have the two Mobile series. Cinderella Girls which is available on Mobage and Million Live which is available to play on GREE.
iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
http://www.project-imas.com/wiki/THE_iDOLM@STER:_Cinderella_Girls
http://www.mbga.jp/_game_intro?game_id=12008305
ios
android
iDOLM@STER Million Live
http://www.project-imas.com/wiki/THE_iDOLM@STER:_Million_Live
http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/million_live/
ios
android
Both added many new idols, some voiced, some not but all amazing none the same. It also has some of the best iDOLM@STER art there's ever been so you should atleast go check it all out. It's cute as hell.
iDOLM@STER Side M
Finally you have iDOLM@STER Side M which is another mobile game featuring an all male cast. which has you working with the soon to be and idols of 315 Production who now boast ex 961 Production's Jupiter who defected after realising Kuroi-shachou tricked them into believing 765, Namco Pro was corrupt.
http://www.project-imas.com/wiki/THE_iDOLM@STER:_SideM
http://www.mbga.jp/_game_intro?game_id=12017647
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THE ANIMATION
iDOLM@STER 2 recieved an anime adaptation titled iDOLM@STER in 2011 and later a movie which released in 2014 titled THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE 輝きの向こう側へ!
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i
DOLM@STER Anime
http://www.idolmaster-anime.jp/tv/index2.html
THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE 輝きの向こう側へ!
http://www.idolmaster-anime.jp/
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Puchimasu! / Puchimasu!!
http://puchimas.com/
Last but not least the 4koma manga Puchimas! Petit Idolmaster which runs in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Maoh has recieved two amazing anime series both of which are avaliable to watch on Niconico (unless they've been taken down now) and I'd recommend them to anyone.
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iDOLM@STER Anime Cinderella Girls
http://imas-cinderella.com/
Coming soon on the anime front as of January 2015 is the anime adaptation following the lives of some of the popular (including the best, Ranko)'s lives which will follow a style similar to the anime adaptation of iDOLM@STER 2.
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ALBUM LIST
(need to populate with help if possible)
SONG LIST
(need to populate with help if possible)
NEW FIGURE RELEASES
(same as above)
Let's worship them iDOLS. Are you ready?
I'm ready/
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EDIT: Btw, need a catchy thread title!