Tokimeki Memorial
Genre(s)Dating sim, social simulation
Developer(s)Konami
Publisher(s)Konami
First releaseTokimeki Memorial
1994
Latest releaseTokimeki Memorial: Girl's Side 4th Heart
2021

Tokimeki Memorial (Japanese: ときめきメモリアル, Hepburn: Tokimeki Memoriaru, lit. "Heartbeat Memorial") is a dating simulation series by Konami. It consists of six main games in addition to many spin-offs. The games are notable in the dating sim genre for being highly nonlinear. Their nickname amongst their fans is the contraction TokiMemo.

The gameplay in Tokimeki Memorial focuses on scheduling, dating, and stat-building. The player has limited time to allocate between asking out members of the opposite sex and developing the playable character's abilities at school and sport (with the long-term goal of becoming more seductive, not out of any intrinsic value). Dates are frequent but very brief, with usually only one multiple-choice question to determine whether the partner's love meter will increase or decrease. One playthrough lasts for a fixed period of three years of high school (on the order of 5–10 hours of play), at the end of which the character with the highest love meter confesses their love.

Game list

Original title
First
release
Platforms
Tokimeki Memorial 1994 PC Engine, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Super Famicom, Windows, Game Boy Color, Mobile phones, PSP
Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Puzzle-Dama 1995 Arcade, Windows, PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Tokimeki Memorial Private Collection 1996 PlayStation
Tokimeki Memorial Oshiete Your Heart 1997 Arcade, PC
Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Tokkae Dama 1997 PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Tokimeki Memorial Selection: Fujisaki Shiori 1997 PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Tokimeki Memorial Drama Series Vol. 1: Nijiiro no Seishun 1997 PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Tokimeki Memorial Drama Series Vol. 2: Irodori no Love Song 1998 PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Tokimeki no Hōkago 1998 PlayStation
Tokimeki Memorial Drama Series Vol. 3: Tabidachi no Uta 1999 PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Tokimeki Memorial 2 1999 PlayStation, Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial 2 Substories: Dancing Summer Vacation 2000 PlayStation
Tokimeki Memorial 2 Taisen Puzzle Dama 2001[1] PlayStation
Tokimeki Memorial 2 Substories Vol. 2: Leaping School Festival 2001 PlayStation
Tokimeki Memorial 2 Substories Vol. 3: Memories Ringing On 2001[2] PlayStation
Shiori Jan 2001 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial 3: Yakusoku no Ano Basho de 2001 PlayStation 2
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 2002 PlayStation 2, DS, DSi
Tokimeki Memorial 2: Music Video Clips—Circus de Ai Imashō 2002[3] PlayStation 2
Tokimeki Memorial Typing 2003 PC, Macintosh
Tokimeki Memorial 2 Typing 2003 PC
Tokimeki 2 Shotto 2003 Mobile Phones
Tokimeki Memorial LIVE 2003 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 1st Love Typing 2004 PC
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side Taisen Puzzle-Dama 2004 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Factory Vol.1: Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 2005 PC
Tokimeki Factory Vol.2: Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 2005 PC
Tokimeki Memorial Online 2006 PC
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side: 2nd Kiss 2006 PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS
Tokimeki Factory : Tokimeki Memorial 2 2006 PC
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 2nd Kiss Typing 2007 PC
Tokimeki Memorial OnlyLove ~ Tokimeki no Partner ~ 2007 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side -Love Stories- 2008 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial Mail Drama 2008 Mobile phones
iW Toki Memo 2009 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 2nd Season: Novell Communications 2009 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial 4 2009 PSP, Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side: 3rd Story 2010 Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side Mobile 2010 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial 4: Communication Comic 2010 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial 4 Chu! 2010 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Memorial 4: Communication Comic 2010 Mobile phones
Tokimeki Restaurant 2013 iOS, Android
Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side Battery Widget 2014 iOS, Android
Tokimeki Idol 2018 iOS, Android
Tokimeki Memorial: Girl's Side 4th Heart[4] 2021[5] Nintendo Switch

Manga

Tokimeki Memorial (Konami Parody Comics)
ときめきメモリアル
Manga
Published byKonami
Original runMarch 10, 1998 – present
Volumes2
Tokimeki Memorial ONLINE: Comic Anthology for Girls
ときめきメモリアルONLINE アンソロジーコミック for Girls
Manga
Published byB's-LOG COMIC
Original runJuly 2006 – present
Volumes21
Tokimeki Memorial: Only Love
ときめきメモリアル Only Love
Manga
Written byIZUMI, Makoto, KONAMI, Konami Digital Entertainment, SETA Kaito
Published byMedia Works
MagazineDengeki Comic Gao!
Original runMay 27, 2006July 27, 2007
Volumes2
Tokimeki Memorial 4: Stand by Me
ときめきメモリアル4
Manga
Written byPairan
Published byASCII Media Works
Published2010
Volumes3

Several manga based on the series have been released:

  • Tokimeki Memorial (ときめきメモリアル) is a manga based on the first game, was released on March 10, 1998, and is part of Konami Parody Comics.
  • Tokimeki Memorial ONLINE: Comic Anthology for Girls (ときめきメモリアルONLINE アンソロジーコミック for Girls) is a manga based on the game of same name, was released for manga on July 1, 2006, in Japan and published by B's-LOG COMIC.
  • Tokimeki Memorial ONLINE: Tokimeki Gakuen Dai Panikku (・ときめきメモリアルONLINE -ときめき学園☆大パニック-) is a three digital comics based on the video game Tokimeki Memorial ONLINE. It was released for Digital Mobiles Mangas in February 2008 in Japan only. It is part of Konami Weekly Magazine.
  • Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side: The Sleeping Beauty (・ときめきメモリアルGirl's Side -The Sleeping Beauty-) is a digital comic based on the game Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side. It was released for Digital Mobile Manga on March 29, 2008, in Japan. It is part of Konami Weekly Magazine.

Anime

Tokimeki Memorial
ときめきメモリアル
(Tokimeki Memoriaru)
GenreHarem
Original video animation
Directed byHajime Kamegaki
Produced byKōji Ikeda
Kōichi Mikami
Written byYōsuke Kuroda
Music byYuzo Hayashi
StudioStudio Pierrot
Released June 17, 1999 October 8, 1999
Runtime51-52 minutes
Episodes2

In 1999, a two-episode anime OVA based on the first game was produced by Studio Pierrot.[6]

In 2006, Tokimeki Memorial Online was adapted into a 25-episode anime television series, Tokimeki Memorial Only Love, produced by Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. and Anime International Company (AIC) and based on Tokimeki Memorial Online, which premiered across Japan on October 2, 2006.

In 2009, an OVA adaptation of Tokimeki Memorial 4 called Hajimari no Finder, directed by Hanyuu Naoyasu, was produced by Asahi Production.

Live-action film

Tokimeki Memorial is a live-action film loosely inspired by Konami's long running dating simulator franchise of the same name. It was released on August 9, 1997 and was distributed by Toei. It is the final film produced for Fuji TV's "Our movie series".[7]

Spin-offs and merchandise

Tokimeki Memorial spin-offs and merchandise include:

  • Numerous related video games:
    • Two puzzle games based on the first game: Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Puzzle Dama (released in arcades, for Windows 95, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn) and Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Tokkae Dama (released for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. The former was released on the PlayStation Store on January 13, 2010.[8]
    • One puzzle game based on the second game: Tokimeki Memorial 2 Puzzle Dama (released for the PlayStation).
    • The Tokimeki Memorial 2 Substories series, consisting of three games (each game focuses on three of the girls from Tokimemo 2 with the exception of the last game which focuses on four girls). The games are highly regarded for the mini-games in each game. The first game in the series, Dancing Summer Vacation focuses on Miyuki Kotobuki, Kaori Yae and the series' first (and so far, only) set of twins, Miho & Maho Shirayuki. The mini-game for this game revolves around one of Konami's other famous game series, Dance Dance Revolution using remixed Tokimeki Memorial 1 and 2 songs. The second game ("Leaping School Festival") focuses on Ichimonji Akane, Akai Homura and Ijuuin Mei. Unlike the other two Substories games there are three mini games in this game (one for each girl). The final game in the series, "Memories Ringing On" focuses on Hikari Hinomoto, Kasumi Asou, Kotoko Minazuki and Kaedeko Sakura. There are two mini-games in this game (Bowling and Billiards). Most girls appear in each game and can also be won but the characters that are not at the center of the game do not get as much story as the main heroines of the corresponding game.
    • Tokimeki Memorial 2 Music Video Clips: Circus de Aimashou ("Let's Meet At The Circus") was released on the PlayStation 2. The game concentrates on 5 girls from the Tokimeki Memorial 2 game (the girls being Sumire Nozaki, Hikari Hinomoto, Kasumi Asou, Kaori Yae, Homura Akai and Mei Ijuuin). Essentially being a collection of mini-games revolving around Sumire, players are able to choose one of the aforementioned girls before competing in the mini-games and if they play through and win the mini-games they are treated to an animated music video set to one of the chosen girl's image songs.
    • Tokimeki Memorial Private Collection (for the PlayStation), features a mini-game where the player pick one of the girls from Tokimemo 1 as a partner and she asks questions based on TokiMemo 1 (the questions would revolve around the girl—i.e.: her birthday, phone number, favorite items etc.). If the users correctly answer ten questions they are able to go to the beach with her and see her in her outfit.
    • Tokimeki no Houkago, a quiz game for the PlayStation where the players pick one of the other female characters from Tokimemo 1 as own partner and try to win her. Unlike the Private Collection game this game contains questions on general real life topics (and not the actual Tokimeki series) of the time (sport, manga, books etc.). This is the only time in the game's series (for Tokimeki Memorial 1–3) where the players can also win with a male character. They can pick Yoshio Saotome (the info otaku where they get all the information on the girls) as own partner. There is an ending with him where is possible both make a promise to each other to find a girlfriend. Essentially this is like the "Bad Ending" from Tokimemo 1 only with pictures added. Also this game expands on the endings from Tokimemo 1 somewhat in that the players get to see pictures of them (with some slight animation) corresponding to their endings. For example, Ayako Katagiri wants to go to Paris to go to an art school. Her ending involves the players seeing her off at the airport (accompanied by a picture).
    • Tokimeki Memorial Selection—Fujisaki Shiori is a game devoted to Shiori Fujisaki, the main heroine from Tokimemo 1. There is not much gameplay involved, as the game consists of an image gallery, two animated music videos and a mini game where the players can play Rock, Paper, Scissors with Shiori.
    • A series of three romantic drama/adventure games, or visual novels, were also released for the PlayStation and the Sega Saturn, each one focusing on a specific girl from TokiMemo 1. The first was Nijiiro no Seishun ("Rainbow-colored Youth"), featuring Saki Nijino, who cheers the player on as the latter spends the game trying to make it on the school soccer team's main line up. The second game, Irodori no Love Song ("The Many Hues of a Love Song"), focused on Katagiri Ayako with the player trying to compose a new song in time to win the school festival's band contest. The third and final drama game was Tabidachi no Uta ("Poem of Journeys") and featured both Shiori Fujisaki and Miharu Tatebayashi sharing a similar story about the player running a marathon just before graduation that branches off into different directions depending on which girl the players choose to pursue. The Drama series was developed by Hideo Kojima (of Metal Gear fame).[9]
    • A music game Tokimeki Idol was released for iOS and Android in early 2018.
  • Several Konami crossover games have included characters from the series:
    • The 2006 mobile phone game Konami Wai Wai Sokoban features Shiori Fujisaki as a playable character.
    • Bombergirl and Mahjong Fight Girl features Shiori Fujisaki as a playable character.
    • Super Bomberman R includes Shiori Fujisaki Bomber and Ayako Katagiri Bomber as playable characters.
  • In episode #13 of GameCenter CX (known as "Retro Game Master" outside Japan), Shinya Arino, the host of the show, played through the PlayStation version of the game and successfully cleared it.

See also

  • Akari Uchida, a game designer who directed and/or produced multiple titles in the Tokimeki Memorial series.
  • LovePlus, a similar dating sim series also from Konami and Akari Uchida.

References

  1. "Tokimeki Memorial 2 Taisen Pazurudama for PS". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  2. "Tokimeki Memorial 2 Substories 3: Memories Ringing On for PS". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  3. "Tokimeki Memorial 2: Music Video Clips: Circus de Ai Imashou for PS2". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  4. "Tokimeki Memorial: Girl's Side 4th Heart confirmed for Switch". Gematsu. 19 October 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  5. "Tokimeki Memorial: Girl's Side 4th Heart launches October 28 in Japan". Gematsu. June 12, 2021.
  6. Jones, Tim (November 6, 2006). "Tokimeki Memorial". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  7. "Fuji TV website: Tokimeki Memorial Movie page".
  8. ときめきメモリアル 対戦ぱずるだま (in Japanese). Konami. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  9. "Hideo Kojima Speaks". IGN. December 12, 2000. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
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