Game Details
| Size | 900 MB |
| Region | Japan |
| Genre | Rhytm |
| Format | 7z / ISO |
| Release Year | July 2, 2009 |
| Console | PSP |
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA (2009) is the game that launched a global phenomenon. Developed by Sega and Dingo, it was the first title to feature the Vocaloid software characters in a dedicated rhythm game format, transforming Hatsune Miku from a piece of music software into a virtual superstar.
Gameplay: The Floating Note System
The Project DIVA series is famous for its “Melody Icons” that fly from the edges of the screen toward stationary targets.
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The Basics: You press the corresponding PlayStation buttons (Cross, Circle, Triangle, Square) when the flying icon overlaps the target.
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Accuracy Grades: Your timing is rated as Cool (Perfect), Fine, Safe, Sad, or Worst.
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Difficulty: Unlike later entries that use the D-pad and “Hold” notes, the original game is relatively simple. Easy mode often uses only one button (Circle), while Normal and Hard introduce more buttons and faster patterns.
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Song List: Features 36 main tracks, including legendary early Miku songs like “The World is Mine,” “Melt,” and “The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku.”
Key Features
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DIVA Room: Between songs, you can visit Miku in her room. You can decorate it with items unlocked through gameplay and watch her interact with the environment.
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Edit Mode: One of the most robust features of the era. It allows you to create your own rhythm game patterns and music videos using the game’s assets or even your own MP3 files stored on the PSP’s Memory Stick.
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Modules (Costumes): There are 39 different “Modules” (outfits) to unlock. These range from school uniforms to swimsuits and specialized costumes like the “Gothic” or “Princess” dresses.
Secrets & Unlockable Characters
While the game is titled Hatsune Miku, you can unlock the rest of the Vocaloid family to play as:
| Character | How to Unlock |
| Kagamine Rin/Len | Clear specific “Yellow Tag” songs on Normal. |
| Megurine Luka | Clear specific “Bonus” songs or achieve high scores. |
| KAITO / MEIKO | Clear songs on Hard or specific character-themed tracks. |
| Akita Neru / Yowane Haku | These “Fan-made” characters are unlocked by clearing a set number of songs or specific difficulty challenges. |
⭐ Short Review: The Birth of a Legend
The Good
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Iconic Soundtrack: It’s a time capsule of the late 2000s Vocaloid “Golden Age.” Almost every song is a classic.
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Visual Presentation: For a 2009 PSP game, the 3D music videos (PVs) are incredibly vibrant and well-animated.
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High Replayability: Trying to “Perfect” a song on Hard difficulty provides a genuine challenge that keeps players coming back.
The Bad
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Simplified Mechanics: Compared to Project DIVA 2nd or Extend, the lack of D-pad inputs and “Double” notes makes the gameplay feel a bit thin for rhythm game veterans.
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Impenetrable Menus: Since the game never saw a Western release, the menus are entirely in Japanese. While icons help, “Edit Mode” is nearly impossible to use without a translation guide.
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Difficulty Spike: The final song, “The Intense Voice of Hatsune Miku,” features a speed increase that is significantly harder than anything else in the game.
Screenshots
