The Macross franchise is set to revisit its rhythm game roots as AUGUST Inc. announced a new project to bring Uta Macross: Smartphone De Culture back as an offline experience. The revival is slated for a spring 2027 release across iOS, Android, and Steam, with the developer confirming that the title will support both Japanese and English languages.
To facilitate the transition from its previous live-service model, which concluded in 2022, the team is launching a crowdfunding campaign on the Japanese platform Campfire. The campaign aims to raise 30 million yen—approximately US$190,000—over a 54-day period. These funds are earmarked for expanding the song library, optimizing the game for its new platforms, and developing additional content. The developers have redesigned the original mobile-exclusive controls to accommodate mouse and keyboard inputs for PC players.
The base version of the revived game will launch with 50 tracks, over 1,000 high-rarity Plate illustrations, and more than 20 outfits for each featured singer. While the game will utilize a free-to-play gacha system for collecting Plates, the developers plan to release additional songs and cosmetic items through subsequent DLC packs. This project aims to preserve the legacy of the original title, which first debuted in 2017 and featured iconic characters and music from across the franchise, including Macross Frontier and Macross Delta.
Why it matters: This revival marks a rare shift for a mobile-native rhythm game, moving from a temporary live-service model to a permanent, offline-capable library. With the original game having shuttered in 2022, it remains to be seen how much of the original song list will be available at launch versus how much will rely on the success of the crowdfunding campaign.
