Ahhh! You guys! I am giddy right now.

Over two years ago, I created a Google Alert for “hatsune miku switch” – and for two years, it has not paid off. That is, until a few minutes ago. Officially announced for a release in Japan in 2020 – Miku’s back, baby!

I’ve done some writing about my totally out-of-character love for Hatsune Miku games a few times, and while I’ve had some fun playing other rhythm games on the Switch, none of them have come close to the excitement I felt while playing Project Diva F 2nd on my Vita several years ago. The combination of the electric pop and incredible songs, paired with the aesthetic, unlockables, and of course the incredible music videos, somehow just ticked every box for me. It definitely felt very at home on the Vita, not just because it’s a Japanese game machine at it’s absolute best, but because the controls felt perfect.

Eventually, after clearing as much as I possibly could, I picked up Project Mirai DX on the 3DS and did the same – burning through songs at an alarming rate, in both tap and touch mode, enjoying the bonus features and decorating diva rooms. If I had to explain why I found this so entertaining, I’d be hard-pressed to do so. But again – my whole love of Hatsune Miku is already out of character enough.

To answer the question of why I’ve been looking forward to it so much on the Switch – well, I think we may finally have a control scheme that’s better than the Vita, and it’s the Switch Joycons. If you look very closely at the left Joycon, you will notice that it’s missing something: the D-pad. Which means Hatsune Miku games, played with the controller as opposed to the touch screen, would be ideal, as timing is far stricter than in any other rhythm game I’ve ever played.

The official title is Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega39, from what I understand – although all of the media surrounding it is in Japanese, and I left my pocket conversational Japanese dictionary in the bookstore.

I have not played Arcade Future Tone as it was only available on the PS4, but from my understanding it contained nearly all of the songs from the previous Project Diva games. It seems Mega39 will have 101 songs initially – though hopefully more can be added in at a later point, or with (hopefully free) DLC. Of course, at this stage in the game, hoping for a Western release is the next step. Hoping for a western physical release is even more important to me. Otherwise, I will import this in a heartbeat, assuming it makes it into physical form in Japan. Knowing Japan’s obsession with Miku, it probably will.

Come to think of it, it’ll probably come in a $200 Special Edition complete with wall scrolls, steel cases, keychains, and mousepads.

I can’t wait to see how this plays on what I consider to be a perfect fit of a console – I’ll keep this post updated though with any news that comes up!

Are you a fan of the Miku? Looking forward to this title? Let me know in the comments below!

UPDATE: And I almost forgot to attach my two newest additions to my collection of gaming stuff! (with cameos from two Rush members):

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