Chunithm
| Developer(s) | Sega Fave |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Sega Fave |
| Release date | July 16, 2015 |
| Genre | Vertical Scrolling Rhythm Game |
Chunithm (stylized as CHUNITHM) is a vertical scrolling arcade rhythm game developed and published by Sega. It was initially released in Japan, but more wide releases of newer versions have since also released. In North America, Chunithm is only officially playable at Round1 locations, which use an offline patch of Paradise Lost.
Gameplay
Chunithm is a vertical scrolling rhythm game, with different kinds of notes sliding down from the top of the screen for players to hit. Its control scheme is what makes Chunithm unique, implementing a 32 key touch surface, arranged in a 16x2 rectangle, allowing for easy slide and swipe mechanics. As well, a motion sensor above the touch surface allows specific notes to requires players to release their hands from the touch surface.
Note Types
- Tap Notes: The standard note type, visually a red bar, only requires players to tap on time with when the note arrives at the judgement line.
- Ex Tap Notes: Same gameplay as the standard tap note, however will score the extra JUSTICE CRITICAL when tapped, ignoring the standard hit window.
- Hold Notes: Hold notes, visually shown as a gold strip connecting two Tap notes, requires players to hold down on the touch surface throughout the duration of the note. Chunithm doesn't have release timings, so players don't need to worry about releasing on time.
- Slide Notes: Slide notes are identical to Hold notes, however they can move, grow, and shrink, across the playing surface. Visually they are shown as a blue strip connecting Tap notes.
- Flick Notes: Flick notes, shown as a gray bar, are exclusive to the Master and World's End difficulties, and requires players to quickly flick their hand off the note to score properly. Simply tapping on the note will result in an Attack score.
- Damage Notes: Exclusive to World's End difficulty, Damage notes are the opposite of taps, requiring players to not hit the notes in order to score.
- Air Modifiers: Each kind of note (excluding holds) can be modified to require an air action as well, whether that be requiring players to raise their hand after hitting (shown as a green arow pointing upwards) or to slam their hand down to hit (shown as a purple arrow pointing downwards).
- Air Holds: Like normal hold notes, Air Holds requires players to keep their hand in the motion sensor to hit. Air Holds can also slide across the screen, however doesn't actually change the gameplay due to how Chunithm's motion sensors work.
- Air Action Notes: Like normal Tap notes, Air Actions requires players to quickly wave their hand in air to hit. Multiple Air Action notes can be stacked on top of each other, called an Air Crush.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay showing Chunithm Sun Plus
Releases
Chunithm's release schedule gives two releases to each game. The first major release with the new content, graphics, features, etc., and the second with polish and changes if need be. Events, songs, and collabs get added over time, and don't release with each game version.
Japanese Releases
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| July 16, 2015 | CHUNITHM |
| February 4, 2016 | CHUNITHM PLUS |
| August 25, 2016 | CHUNITHM AIR |
| February 9, 2017 | CHUNITHM AIR PLUS |
| August 24, 2017 | CHUNITHM STAR |
| March 8, 2018 | CHUNITHM STAR PLUS |
| October 25, 2018 | CHUNITHM AMAZON |
| April 11, 2019 | CHUNITHM AMAZON PLUS |
| October 24, 2019 | CHUNITHM CRYSTAL |
| July 16, 2020 | CHUNITHM CRYSTAL PLUS |
| January 21, 2021 | CHUNITHM PARADISE |
| May 13, 2021 | CHUNITHM PARADISE LOST |
| November 4, 2021 | CHUNITHM NEW |
| April 14, 2022 | CHUNITHM NEW PLUS |
| October 13, 2022 | CHUNITHM SUN |
| May 11, 2023 | CHUNITHM SUN PLUS |
| December 14, 2023 | CHUNITHM LUMINOUS |
| June 20, 2024 | CHUNITHM LUMINOUS PLUS |
| December 12, 2024 | CHUNITHM VERSE |
Worldwide Releases
The worldwide releases of Chunithm aren't really "worldwide", but are more for general Asian releases.
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| November 26, 2020 | CHUNITHM SUPERSTAR |
| September 2, 2021 | CHUNITHM SUPERSTAR PLUS |
| March 3, 2022 | CHUNITHM NEW |
| August 18, 2022 | CHUNITHM NEW PLUS |
| March 2, 2022 | CHUNITHM SUN |
| September 28, 2023 | CHUNITHM SUN PLUS |
| March 21, 2024 | CHUNITHM LUMINOUS |
| October 17, 2024 | CHUNITHM LUMINOUS PLUS |
Trivia
- Despite not having an official Worldwide release, Paradise Lost is the version of Chunithm that North American audiences have at Round1 arcade locations.