THE iDOLM@STER SideM Announced for Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, Its First Console Release Ever

Bandai Namco subsidiary D3 Publisher has officially announced a new THE iDOLM@STER SideM game for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The reveal, paired with a teaser trailer on the official iDOLM@STER YouTube channel, marks the first time the male-idol-focused branch of the iDOLM@STER franchise will appear on home consoles.

Described as an "idol production and scheduling adventure," the game puts players in the role of a producer at 315 Production. Across 16 units, they will manage 49 idols, all working toward individual goals that build up to a major concert performance scheduled for one year in the future. Bandai Namco says the new console project will ship with an original storyline and a volume of content expected of a full console release, but the studio is keeping the official title, release window, and pricing under wraps for now.

Unlike the main iDOLM@STER series, where players produce female idols, SideM centers on male idols recruited from a variety of prior professions, including athletes, professionals, and ordinary workers who turn to second careers on stage. The console project is being developed by D3 Publisher under the Bandai Namco umbrella, with further information promised at a later date.

The reveal lands in the middle of an unusually busy stretch for the broader iDOLM@STER brand, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and was the subject of a dedicated press push earlier this year. SideM itself has so far lived on mobile platforms, with the most recent service title, THE iDOLM@STER SideM: Growing Stars, ending service in 2023 after launching on October 6, 2021. SideM has also been adapted into anime by A-1 Pictures, airing from October to December 2017.

For Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 owners, the announcement is the most significant new direction for the franchise since the iDOLM@STER series began branching out beyond its original PlayStation and arcade roots. The simultaneous Switch and Switch 2 commitment, rather than a Switch 2-only announcement, is the clearest signal yet that Bandai Namco wants the new SideM game to reach as broad a console audience as possible from day one.

A launch window has not been shared at this point. Players can follow the official iDOLM@STER channels for the next update.