Machine Guides

Game History

The Sega maimai arcade machine is a distinctive rhythm game known for its unique cabinet design resembling a front-loading washing machine. The series debuted in Japan on July 11, 2012, as part of Sega's Performai lineup of music games.

The gameplay centers around players tapping, holding, and sliding notes on a large circular touchscreen, with notes emanating outward in expanding rings that evoke water ripples. This design emphasizes intuitive, full-body engagement through arm movements that mimic dance or washing actions.

The series evolved through several iterations, with maimai Finale (2018) being the last version of the original cabinets. In July 2019, Sega released maimai DX (Deluxe), featuring completely redesigned second-generation cabinets with enhanced features like a secondary screen and improved audio.

How to Play

Objective

The main goal of maimai is to hit notes in synchronization with music to achieve the highest possible score. You must successfully interact with various note types as they appear on the circular touchscreen. The game simulates the experience of creating music through interactive patterns that radiate from the center of the screen. The ultimate objective is to achieve perfect timing on all notes and achieve the highest rating possible on each song.

Controls

• Circular Touchscreen: The primary input device is a large circular touchscreen divided into eight button areas
• Touch Buttons: Tap the corresponding button areas when notes reach the outer ring
• Side Buttons: Eight physical buttons positioned around the edges of the screen for peripheral notes
• Start Button: Located on the arcade cabinet, used to start the game and navigate menus

Gameplay

• Starting the Game: Insert credits and press the Start Button to begin your rhythm experience.

• Song Selection: Choose from a variety of songs across different difficulty levels. Each song has its own unique note patterns and visual presentation.

• Note Types: The game features several types of notes:

  • Tap Notes: Tap the corresponding button area when notes reach the outer ring
  • Hold Notes: Hold your finger on the button area for the duration of the note
  • Slide Notes: Follow the path on the screen while maintaining contact with your finger
  • Break Notes: Special notes that require precise timing for maximum points

• Scoring System: Your performance is evaluated based on timing accuracy:

  • PERFECT: Perfect timing
  • GREAT: Slightly off timing
  • GOOD: Noticeable timing error
  • MISS: Failed to hit the note

• Combo System: Successfully hitting notes consecutively builds your combo, with higher combos yielding more points.

• Rating Evaluation: At the end of each song, you receive a rating based on your performance, with SSS being the highest and D being the lowest.

• Game Completion: Successfully complete songs to unlock additional content and progress through the game's various modes.