maimai (video game series)

The Pink Plus version of the game was location tested in the United States at Dave & Buster's in Irvine, California in December 2016,{{Cite web |date=2016-11-05 |title=maimai Pink Plus Localized Cabinets Spotted at Dave & Buster's Irvine! |url=http://www.bemanistyle.com/2016/11/04/maimai-pink-plus-localized-cabinets-spotted-at-dave-busters-irvine/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2016-11-05 |website=bemanistyle ♪ |archive-date=11 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111002952/http://www.bemanistyle.com/2016/11/04/maimai-pink-plus-localized-cabinets-spotted-at-dave-busters-irvine/}} and was also tested at Round 1 in Puente Hills, California in January 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Round1USA/status/820397316917972992|title="New arcade rhythm game maimai Pink Plus is available now at only Puente Hills Mall store for a limited time!" -Round1USA Twitter|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}

In July 2019, Sega released Maimai DX, a reworked version of the game which featured new, second-generation cabinets. After the pre-DX 'classic' cabinets were taken offline in September 2019, many made their way to Europe and North America running the Finale version as imports.{{Cite web |title=Arcades |url=https://zenius-i-vanisher.com/v5.2/arcades.php |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=ZIv |language=en}} In the US, several of these cabinets were installed at Round 1 locations in 2021,{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} while in Europe, arcades such as Arcade Club began to install them starting around 2020.{{Cite web |title=maimai Finale |url=https://www.arcadeclub.co.uk/games/maimai-finale/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020110933/https://www.arcadeclub.co.uk/games/maimai-finale/ |archive-date=2020-10-20 |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Arcade Club |language=en-GB}}

The international version of Maimai DX BUDDiES has undergone location tests in the United States, with appearances at Round 1 in Puente Hills, California (from 24 May to 14 July 2024),{{Cite web |first=Adam |date=2024-05-25 |title=Maimai DX By Sega Placed On Test In The USA |url=https://arcadeheroes.com/2024/05/24/maimai-dx-by-sega-goes-on-test-in-the-usa/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Arcade Heroes |language=en-US}} Dave & Buster's in Dallas, Texas (From 6th August to 24 November 2024),{{Cite web |first=Adam |date=2024-08-06 |title=Maimai DX Hops Over To Dave & Busters For Testing |url=https://arcadeheroes.com/2024/08/06/segas-maimai-dx-hops-over-to-dave-busters-for-testing/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Arcade Heroes |language=en-US}} and Velocity Esports in Schaumburg, Illinois (from 20 December 2024 until the store's closure on 5 March 2025).{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDziikqtg57/# | title=Instagram }}

Following these tests, Sega showcased Maimai DX at Amusement Expo International 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 19 and 20,{{Cite web |title=SEGA Amusements launches maimai DX at Amusement Expo! {{!}} READ MORE {{!}} Sega |url=https://segaarcade.com/news/sega-amusements-ignites-us-rhythm-game-scene-with-maimai-dx-at-amusement-expo |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=segaarcade.com}} acting as the game's official Western debut with a North American release window for the latter half of 2025.{{Cite web |first=Adam |date=2025-03-05 |title=Sega Details More On Maimai DX USA Release |url=https://arcadeheroes.com/2025/04/23/arcade-recap-maimai-dx-sega-amusements/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Arcade Heroes |language=en-US}}File:Maimai murasaki amusement.jpg

The defining feature of Maimai's arcade cabinet is its striking resemblance to a front-loading washing machine.{{Cite tweet|title=Register|url-access=limited|user=performai|number=233731733365858304 |url=https://twitter.com/performai/status/233731733365858304 |language=ja}} Early advertisements and promotional materials contained different joke catchphrases, such as 'It's not a washing machine!' and 'No water.' At its first deployment test, Maimai had 'No washing' written on its cabinet. Early in development, the original concept was actually a music player instead of a rhythm game. Up to 2 players can play per cabinet, and up to 4 players can play together with more cabinets. The motherboard can be accessed using the back door on the right side. The original design was revealed to have been made in collaboration with Sharp in Sega's Maimai LIVE 2014 Washing Festival event.{{Cite web |title=セガとシャープが、またやらかした!? 洗濯機が『maimai』の中に…今後の展開にも要注目 |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2015/02/17/85089.html |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=インサイド |date=17 February 2015 |language=ja}}{{Cite web |last=Inc |first=Aetas |title=maimai収録楽曲のアーティストが熱唱！ 6時間のライブで燃えあがった「maimai LIVE 2014 洗濯祭～」をレポート |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/259/G025987/20140902102/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=4Gamer.net |language=ja}}{{Cite web |title=セガとシャープがまさかのコラボ！maimai仕様の「プラズマクラスター洗濯機」がついに実現 |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2014/08/04/79153.html |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=インサイド |date=4 August 2014 |language=ja}}

To save their personal play data, players can use an 'Aime' IC card with the machine to log into their account.{{efn|name=CHN|Except for mainland China, where players are required to log in with a QR code generated by the official WeChat account.}} From 25 October 2018 onward, other IC cards from other developers such as 'Project DIVA' and 'BanaPassport' cards will also work with Maimai.

Using a computer or smartphone, a player can use MaimaiNET (now Maimai DX NET) to access detailed information on their account like scores and earned achievements as well as change their account name. It was possible to link a niconico account to upload a recording of the play from the camera built into the arcade machine. In July 2019, this integration was removed with the release of Maimai DX, and video recording was replaced with a static camera to save commemorative photos at the end of a game.

Since the cabinet uses only one computer for both players, if a player is already playing on a machine, the second player's input will not work at all until the end of the game. The background image during this time states 'Please wait until the play is finished' alongside the music video of the currently playing song if there is any.

Various kinds of notes will appear at the centre and approach the outer rim of the circular touchscreen. The player must tap, hold or slide on the touchscreen or surrounding buttons in time with the music, depending on the type of note.

There are 5 types of input-timing judgements (ranging from least to most accurate to timing): 'Miss', 'Good', 'Great', 'Perfect' and 'Critical Perfect', as well as showing if they are 'Late' or 'Early'. In-game settings{{Efn|The default setting shows only four judgements: 'Miss', 'Good', 'Great', 'Perfect'. It does not show if the input was 'Late' or 'Early'.|name=judgement}} can be toggled to enable different displays to show the different types of judgements based on the player's preference.

The types of notes in the game include:{{cite web|url=http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2013/08/13/69473.html |title=【徒然ゲーム音楽語り】第5回 反射ゲーなら怖くないもん ！音ゲースペシャル ― 各音ゲーの特徴を紹介 |publisher=インサイド |date=2013-08-13 |accessdate=2015-02-12 |language=ja}}

• Tap: A pink circular ring, requiring a single tap when it reaches the edge of the screen.
• Hold: A pink hexagonal bar, requiring holding for the entire length. Releasing early, or releasing midway and pressing down again will result in lower score/accuracy and a 'Fast/Late Perfect', 'Great' or 'Good' rating. Worth two Taps.
• Slide: A star followed by a path. The star counts as a Tap and is always followed by a slide path worth three Taps often starting one beat after the star is tapped. The player must trace along the path and finish it when the star reaches its end.
• Paired:{{efn|name=each|Named Each in Japan.}} A combination of two (or more) Tap, Hold, or Slide notes, which are colored yellow in order to signify them being needed to be activated at the same time.
• Touch:{{efn|name=dx|Introduced in DX (でらっくす).}} A blue note (yellow when two or more notes) that sits on the screen and requires a single tap when the outside arrows close in. Worth one Tap.
• Touch Hold:{{efn|name=dx}} A multicolored note on the middle sensor of the screen that requires holding for the entire length. Worth one Hold.
• Break: A red-yellow ring/star that requires a single tap and is worth five times as much as a Tap, requiring a 'Critical Perfect' for the full score of the note. Breaks can be paired with a normal Pair note or another Break note. As of Maimai DX FESTiVAL, charts can also include Hold notes and Slide paths that have the Break attribute, and they too are weighted fivefold.
• EX:{{efn|name=dx}} Non-Touch/Slide path notes (including break notes) that glow brighter than other notes. Any non-'miss' judgment is a 'Critical Perfect', unless it is an EX Hold note that has been released early, which results in lower accuracy as per usual.

Like other touch-based rhythm games, such as Chunithm and Wacca, many players wear gloves during gameplay in order to dampen the impact of hitting buttons and allow for easier sliding on the screen's surface, as well as to minimize injuries caused by friction, especially at higher playing intensities.{{cite web |date=2013-08-02 |title=夏なのにゲームセンターで手袋！？AC「maimai GreeN」スムーズでスピーディな動きを実現させるための手袋が活躍中 |url=http://www.gamer.ne.jp/news/201308020029/ |accessdate=2015-02-05 |publisher=Gamer |language=ja}}

The game's song library is regularly updated. Each song has a unique background image or music video. Currently, songs in Maimai are sorted into categories based on where they originated from, with the main categories being:

• POPS&ANIME: J-pop songs and anime soundtracks released under mainstream labels.
• Niconico&VOCALOID: Songs originally uploaded to the site Niconico, or using a voice synthesizer such as Vocaloid, CeVIO AI, or Synthesizer V.
• 東方Project (Touhou Project): Arrangements of Touhou Project soundtracks.
• GAME&VARIETY: Songs originating from other games, as well as independently released music.
• Maimai: Songs exclusively commissioned for Maimai.
• ONGEKI&CHUNITHM: Songs originating from Ongeki and Chunithm, rhythm games also developed by Sega.

All songs may also be sorted into another category at a time, such as release version, numerical difficulty level, and alphabetical order.

Each song in Maimai DX has four or five playable difficulty levels for its charts. The four regular difficulty levels are Basic, Advanced, Expert, and Master (a fifth 'Easy' difficulty was removed entirely in version DX).{{cite web |date=2012-06-02 |title=SEGA 新遊戲機台 mai mai 場測前夜祭現場報導 |url=http://news.aniarc.com/news/28127/sega-%E6%96%B0%E9%81%8A%E6%88%B2%E6%A9%9F%E5%8F%B0-mai-mai-%E5%A0%B4%E6%B8%AC%E5%89%8D%E5%A4%9C%E7%A5%AD%E7%8F%BE%E5%A0%B4%E5%A0%B1%E5%B0%8E |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210203032/http://news.aniarc.com/news/28127/sega-%E6%96%B0%E9%81%8A%E6%88%B2%E6%A9%9F%E5%8F%B0-mai-mai-%E5%A0%B4%E6%B8%AC%E5%89%8D%E5%A4%9C%E7%A5%AD%E7%8F%BE%E5%A0%B4%E5%A0%B1%E5%B0%8E |archivedate=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10 |publisher=aniarc news 動漫新聞 |language=ja}} Some songs have an additional Re:MASTER chart which may be added either on release or in a later version. A song's Master (and Re:MASTER if applicable) difficulty chart is only unlocked upon achieving an S rank (97% and above) on its Expert chart or harder (in multiplayer, if one player has unlocked the Master charts, the other may choose to play it even if they have not reached its unlock conditions). An exception to this is songs added before Maimai DX, which have their Master and Re:MASTER charts unlocked by default.

Every chart is also assigned a numerical level from 1 to 15. With the exception of level 1-6 and 15, there is also a harder '+' equivalent for each level (e.g. 7+, 9+, 11+,...).

Maimai's scoring system includes alphabetical ranks and a percentage score up to 101.0000% calculated based on the player's cumulative note judgements.

In order to CLEAR a song, players must score at least 80% on a song. In Maimai PiNK, the ranking system changed from D-SS to F-SSS. In Maimai MiLK PLUS, 3 new ranks, namely S+, SS+ and SSS+, were added to the ranking system, thus changing the system to F-SSS+. In Maimai DX, ranks F and E were removed, and the B rank was split into B, BB and BBB, making the system D-SSS+.

Players can also earn the following additional achievements if certain conditions are met:

In addition to individual song achievement rates and ranks, each player account also has a numerical rating attached called 'DX Rating', which serves as an indication of the player's overall skill level.

Every play is assigned a rating value, which is calculated using the following formula:

$song\backslash \; rating\; =\; \backslash lfloor\; level\; \backslash cdot\; achievement\; \backslash cdot\; rank\backslash \; coefficient\; \backslash rfloor$ {{Cite web |title=でらっくすRATING -maimai 攻略wiki |url=https://maimai.gamerch.com/%E3%81%A7%E3%82%89%E3%81%A3%E3%81%8F%E3%81%99RATING |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=maimai 攻略wiki - Gamerch Wiki |language=ja}}

Within the 1 to 15 difficulty scale, each level is also assigned an internal decimal number, with 𝑥.6 to 𝑥.9 being rounded to 𝑥+ in-game. This internal level is used for the rating calculation.

While the achievement rate scale goes up to 101.0000%, the rate used for rating calculation is capped to 100.5000%, with all rates above being rounded down to 100.5000%.

The rank coefficients used for rating calculation are as follows:

Songs are split into two categories for the total rating calculation: old songs and new songs. Songs released within the current version of the game are considered new songs, while songs released in past versions are considered old songs (this includes Re:MASTER charts added in the current version for old songs).

The player's total rating is calculated as the sum of the ratings of the top 15 new songs and top 35 old songs. Rating numbers are by default displayed along with the player's username (though this option can be turned off), with unique badges for certain rating ranges, ranging from the default white and blue for 999 and under to rainbow for 15000 and up.{{Cite web |title=Other Elements 1｜maimai DX International ver. |url=https://maimai.sega.com/ |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Other Elements 1｜maimai DX International ver. |language=en}}

Maimai NET (now Maimai DX NET) is Maimai's website for players to access their account. To enable these services, a Sega ID or other IC card with play data has to be linked.{{Cite web|title=Konami Amusement, Sega Interactive, and Bandai Namco Entertainment Agree on Unified System for Arcade Game IC Cards - Planned for Introduction in Summer 2018 |publisher=Konami Amusement Co., Ltd.|url=https://www.konami.com/amusement/corporate/en/news/release/20180209/|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.konami.com}}

In earlier versions, if the game cabinet had a camera installed, players could record one of their played songs and access them on the website MaimaiNET, which could then be downloaded and posted to sites like niconico and YouTube.

Its functions include:

• Changing account username
• Editing user profile that friends can see
• Changing game settings (speed, sound, rating, rank, display rank)
• Registered friends' account status (high scores, achievements)
• Checking recent game and high scores
• Checking rankings (deluxe ranking, friends ranking, prefecture, nationwide)
• Downloading saved photographs taken after a song

By doing certain achievements and actions in the game, the player can earn various badges for their Maimai NET profile, as well as player icons, titles, and wallpapers for the upper monitor. Some are hidden achievements found only through playing the game.

File:Maimai.JPG

File:Maimai pink.jpgFile:Maimai DX Splash Intl.jpg, Australia, April 2021]]File:Maimai arcade.jpg, China, November 2024]]

• Maimai – the first version of the first generation Maimai cabinet, released 11 July 2012
• Maimai PLUS – released 13 December 2012
• Maimai GreeN – released 11 July 2013{{Cite web |date=2013-08-09 |title=maimai開発チームのブログ |url=http://maimai.sega.jp:80/blog/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809000128/http://maimai.sega.jp:80/blog/ |archive-date=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai GreeN PLUS – began location tests on 31 January 2014 and was officially released on 26 February the same year{{Cite web |date=2014-03-02 |title=maimai開発チームのブログ |url=http://maimai.sega.jp/blog/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302003220/http://maimai.sega.jp/blog/ |archive-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai ORANGE – released 18 September 2014{{Cite web |date=2015-11-24 |title=過去のお知らせ(2014年)｜【maimai ORANGE PLUS (マイマイ オレンジ プラス)】セガ音ゲー |url=http://maimai.sega.jp/news14.shtml#news140901 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124033029/http://maimai.sega.jp/news14.shtml#news140901 |archive-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai ORANGE PLUS – released 19 March 2015{{Cite web |date=2015-11-13 |title=過去のお知らせ(2015年9月以前)｜【maimai ORANGE PLUS (マイマイ オレンジ プラス)】セガ音ゲー |url=http://maimai.sega.jp/news1509.shtml#news150309 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113040318/http://maimai.sega.jp/news1509.shtml#news150309 |archive-date=13 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai PiNK – released 9 December 2015{{Cite web |date=2015-11-07 |title=お知らせ｜【maimai ORANGE PLUS (マイマイ オレンジ プラス)】セガ音ゲー |url=http://maimai.sega.jp/news.shtml#news151030 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107034502/http://maimai.sega.jp/news.shtml#news151030 |archive-date=7 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |date=2015-12-06 |title=【maimai PiNK (マイマイ ピンク)】2015年12月9日稼働！セガ音ゲー |url=http://maimai.sega.jp:80/index.shtml |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206184138/http://maimai.sega.jp:80/index.shtml |archive-date=6 December 2015 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai PiNK PLUS – released 30 July 2016{{Cite web |date=2016-07-18 |title=maimai PiNK PLUS (マイマイ ピンク プラス)｜セガ音ゲー |url=http://maimai.sega.jp/index.shtml |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718182746/http://maimai.sega.jp/index.shtml |archive-date=18 July 2016 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai MURASAKi – released 15 December 2016{{Cite web |date=2016-12-25 |title=maimai MURASAKi (マイマイ ムラサキ) ｜セガ音ゲー |url=http://maimai.sega.jp/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225234922/http://maimai.sega.jp/ |archive-date=25 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai MURASAKi PLUS – released 22 June 2017{{Cite web |date=2017-06-16 |title=maimai MURASAKi PLUS (マイマイ ムラサキ プラス)｜セガ音ゲー |url=http://maimai.sega.jp:80/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616122735/http://maimai.sega.jp:80/ |archive-date=16 June 2017 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai MiLK – released 14 December 2017
• Maimai MiLK PLUS – released 21 June 2018{{Cite web |date=2018-06-19 |title=maimai MiLK PLUS(マイマイ ミルク プラス)｜セガ音ゲー |url=https://maimai.sega.jp/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619050053/https://maimai.sega.jp/ |archive-date=19 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai FiNALE – the last version of the first-generation cabinet, released 13 December 2018.{{Cite web |date=2018-12-11 |title=maimai FiNALE (マイマイ フィナーレ) 12/13稼働｜セガ音ゲー |url=https://maimai.sega.jp/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211060154/https://maimai.sega.jp/ |archive-date=11 December 2018 |url-status=dead}} Online service has ended since 3 September 2019 in Japan.{{Citation |title=国内外「maimai」シリーズの稼働状況に関して |url=https://maimai.sega.jp/news/2019-08-10/ |language=ja}}
• Maimai DX – the first version of the second-generation arcade cabinet, released 11 July 2019{{Citation |title=maimai大説明会 ｂｙコハＤ | date=10 July 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai7LI-cAwOM |language=en |access-date=2022-04-15}}
• Maimai DX PLUS – released 23 January 2020{{Cite tweet|title=Register|urlaccess=limited|user=maimai_official|number=1220150991909056513 |url=https://twitter.com/maimai_official/status/1220150991909056513 |language=ja}}
• Maimai DX Splash – released 17 September 2020{{Cite web |date=2020-09-21 |title=maimai でらっくす Splash公式サイト｜セガ音ゲー |url=https://maimai.sega.jp/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921042159/https://maimai.sega.jp/ |archive-date=21 September 2020 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai DX Splash PLUS – released 18 March 2021{{Cite web |date=2021-03-23 |title=maimai でらっくす Splash PLUS公式サイト｜セガ音ゲー |url=https://maimai.sega.jp/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323093824/https://maimai.sega.jp/ |archive-date=23 March 2021 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai DX UNiVERSE – released 16 September 2021{{Cite web |date=2021-09-21 |title=maimai でらっくす UNiVERSE公式サイト｜セガ音ゲー |url=https://maimai.sega.jp/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921072234/https://maimai.sega.jp/ |archive-date=21 September 2021 |url-status=dead}}
• Maimai DX UNiVERSE PLUS – released 24 March 2022
• Maimai DX FESTiVAL – released 15 September 2022{{cite web |title=9/15(木) 『maimai でらっくす FESTiVAL』稼働日決定のお知らせ |url=https://info-maimai.sega.jp/3034/ |website=info-maimai.sega.jp |language=ja}}
• Maimai DX FESTiVAL PLUS – released 23 March 2023
• Maimai DX BUDDiES – released 14 September 2023
• Maimai DX BUDDiES PLUS – released 21 March 2024
• Maimai DX PRiSM – released 12 September 2024
• Maimai DX PRiSM PLUS – released 13 March 2025

; Milk

• Born on 25 June (age 10)
• Voiced by: Asuka Ito
• Height: 157 cm

; Shama

• Born on 19 March (age 18)
• Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki
• Height: 157 cm

; Otohime

• Born on 22 August (age 18)
• Voiced by: Yu Asakawa
• Height: 152 cm

; Ras

• Born on 7 December (age 15)
• Voiced by: Ayane Sakura
• Height: 158 cm

; Chiffon

• Born on 4 May (age 17)
• Voiced by: MAKO
• Height: 160 cm

; Salt

• Born on 23 August (age 12)
• Voiced by: Hiromi Igarashi
• Height: 142 cm

; Kame

• Born on 21 April
• Height: 178 cm

; Tai

• Born on 20 March
• Height: 182 cm

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

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