Japanese net users marvel at the evolution of The Idolmaster’s graphics over the past 10 years

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Longtime fans of video game franchise The Idolmaster celebrate over 10 years of musical idol-rearing fun with comparison pictures of the series’ graphics over time.

The Idolmaster, stylized as THE iDOLM@STER, is a series of rearing/rhythm video games originally released as an arcade game in 2005. Though the franchise has spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, anime adaptations, and other media tie-ins over the past decade, all of them revolve around the central plot of training prospective pop idols to become stars.

Perhaps it was the release of a still from the upcoming The Idolmaster Platinum Stars game, slated to be released later this year for the PS4, that got fans feeling a bit nostalgic and sharing comparison pictures of the older and newer games online, as in the following tweet.

▼ Arcade (top left), unlabeled (top right), 2・ One for All (bottom left), and Platinum Stars (bottom right)

アケ無印 2・OFA プラチナスターズ比較 https://t.co/4UcLRImwmk
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アイテル@ずっとずっとその先へ (@doya72) January 26, 2016

It’s particularly astounding to see the difference in graphics between the very first arcade game and the 2016 game. Take a closer look at the evolution of main character Haruka, for example.

稼働当時は1年どころか半年先には消えてるだろうと言われたゲームが、10年以上かけてここまで進化できたって本当にすごい https://t.co/eHD0YmPOA4
—
はるはる (@knrgt) January 26, 2016

Net users shareed their thoughts about the change in graphics and excitement for the upcoming game in the following comments:

“Haruka’s gotten cuter!”

“It’s impressive enough that the game has lasted for 10 years.”

“Development started almost 15 years ago, so of course the graphics have evolved since then. But it’s still awesome to see a side-by-side comparison.”

“My Xbox 360 is still on active duty! Release the new game for the Xbox 360, please!”

“I suppose the PS4 is too expensive to buy for just Platinum Stars…”

“Haruka’s changed so much that she’s become a different person.”

Assuming that The Idolmaster franchise continues to flourish in the years to come, perhaps we’re not being unrealistic by envisioning a virtual reality pop idol game ten years down the road.

Source: My Game News Flash
Top image: Twitter/@knrgt