NamcoBandai Games' iDOLM@STER, a rhythm and band management game, is super popular in Japan. Originally an arcade game it is now on consoles, handheld systems and smartphones and tablets in Japan. In addition there are several animes and managas based on the games.
In an attempt to raise the game's profile in the U.S. Namco put out three ports of the game in English on iOS earlier this month. The problem? Each version is $55. Apiece. I would think the market for this kind of game is relatively small at normal iOS prices. At $55 a pop, that market would seem to be drastically reduced.
This is not the first time a Japanese company has put a seemingly ludicrous price tag on an iOS rhythm game. To get every song in Square Enix's Theatrhythm Final Fantasy would cost you around $150. Although at least Square had the decency to give the app away for free.
As TouchArcade points out, the three games are ports of three PSP games that came out last year in Japan. Each game gives you a different set of idols to manage and play along with.
