July2017
News Acclaimed Isometric Adventure Lumo Is Coming To The Nintendo Switch
Basically the same as the PS4 version, says developer
Lumo creator Garth Noyce has revealed that his critically-acclaimed isometric adventure is coming to the Nintendo Switch. Inspired by the likes of Knightlore and Equinox, Lumo has already met with a rapturous reception on Steam, PlayStation 4, PS Vita and Xbox One, and will make another welcome...
May2017
News Harvest Moon: Light of Hope to Brighten Up the Nintendo Switch
Natsume promises 'depth' and a 'robust story'
The launch of the Nintendo Switch brought a bit of land management-sim gameplay to the eShop with New Frontier Days: Founding Pioneers, but fans of the genre will no doubt want more extensive retail options. Perhaps Natsume and Rising Star Games will deliver that, as they've released a joint press...
News Harvest Moon: Skytree Village Gets New Trailer Ahead of June EU Release
Summer lovin'
Sometimes localisation to Europe can drag out a little longer than we'd like, but Harvest Moon: Skytree Village has almost arrived. Released by Natsume in North America in 2016, this '20th Anniversary' entry in the series was picked up by Rising Star Games for the EU and has evidently almost crossed the line. Now given a firm release...
February2017
News Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop Will Be Open For Business On 3DS This April
Over 160 mini games, yum
Rising Star and Office Create have announced the next entry in the popular Cooking Mama series, Sweet Shop. The title is expected to launch on the 3DS eShop and at retail this April, and includes more than 160 different mini-games to master - with the focus this time around being sweets and puddings. Here's the official PR:...
October2016
News SteamWorld Collection Physical Retail Release Slips to Early November in North America
eShop version of Heist still targeting October arrival
SteamWorld Heist is out now as a download and retail release (as part of SteamWorld Collection in the latter case) in Europe, with the region's Nintendo subsidiary publishing the disc version. Those awaiting the HD version in North America are still waiting, however, and those planning to grab...
June2016
Video Take a Good Look at Harvest Moon: Skytree Village
Rising Star Games confirms European release in Spring 2017
We've known for some time that Natsume is showing off new 3DS title Harvest Moon: Skytree Village at E3, and now it's released an extended trailer. It helps to visualise a lot of the details that were recently confirmed, as this one clearly aims to get the series back on the front foot...
February2016
Interview Sadame and Its Quest to Bring Exciting Action and Japanese History Together
"We wanted to give the game a unique look and feel"
When considering the broad range of gaming experiences to be found, a common topic can be Japanese releases full of potential and promise that never get localised. The costs and logistical challenges often require that Japanese and Western companies team up, especially in the case of download...
News Rising Star Games Is Bringing 3DS Action RPG Sadame To Europe And North America This Month
"Sadame's release is the perfect example of what we've always done well"
Rising Star Games has branched out in recent years to become a prolific publisher of indie titles, but it began life as a company which focused on bringing the best Japanese games to western players. It's going back to its roots with Mebius' action RPG Sadame, which it's...
November2015
News Get Ready to Shred Some Solos in Hello Kitty & Friends Rock 'n' World Tour
Rock on you crazy cats
Hello Kitty is a hugely successful brand - yes, it really is! So it's not surprising that there are numerous spin-off games and, due to the family focus of Nintendo hardware, they can often be found on Wii U and 3DS. This week Bergsala and Rising Star Games teamed up to release both Hello Kitty Kruisers and Hello Kitty and...
July2015
News Poncho Will Bring Some Robotic Style to the Wii U eShop This September
Try to restore humanity - no pressure
Rising Star Games will be bringing another title to Nintendo hardware soon, confirmed that Poncho - developed by Delve Interactive - will head to the Wii U eShop and other platforms this September. This is a puzzle platformer in which you jump between layers of depth in order to find your maker and save...
October2014
News Rising Star Games' New Online Shop Now Open
No oddly numbered watches available at time of writing
As part of Rising Star Games' tenth anniversary celebration, the company's own online shop is now open, offering a selection of Rising Star's games and some new merchandise including company logo pins, T-shirts, and mugs. This current selection of products is available as a thank-you to early...
September2014
Europe may have just won this round
To mark 10 years in the business, Hertfordshire-based game publisher Rising Star Games is celebrating with events and announcements every month until the end of 2014. On 11th September, “the home of Japanese games,” is holding a sale on the 3DS for select titles, and on this rare occasion Europe appears to be...
August2014
News Win a Hometown Story T-Shirt Signed by Yasuhiro Wada
This is a story of the sprite Pochica
The ever-generous Rising Star Games is giving you the opportunity to win one of five Hometown Story T-shirts featuring a pattern of Hometown Story characters, Brady Bunch grid-style, set off in the center with the genuine by-hand signature of Yasuhiro Wada, the father of the Harvest Moon series: [tweet...
July2014
News Win a Hometown Story Blue Ember Plushie Signed by Yasuhiro Wada
They're leaving Hometown
Rising Star Games wants to add some adorable to the blue in your Monday by giving away three of Hometown Story's Blue Ember plushies, signed by Yasuhiro Wada. [tweet 491149147299262464] To try getting your hands on one of Hometown Story's cutest characters accessorised with the father of Harvest Moon's very own...
News Rising Star Games Is Now Ten Years Old
Celebrates with new brush logo and a promise
Hertfordshire-based game publisher Rising Star Games, the “home of Japanese games,” is celebrating its ten-year anniversary. The company’s announcement page features a splashy minute-long montage video and details how Rising Star is celebrating with events and announcements on the tenth of every...
April2014
News Rising Star Games Confirms Hometown Story European Release Date and Enhancements
Improvements detailed inside
Hometown Story, the charming 3DS title from Yasuhiro Wada — best known for the Harvest Moon series — and his team at Toybox arrived in North America last October, with Europe having to wait a little longer for its own localisation. Rising Star Games is handling the release in the latter territory, and after previous...
February2014
News Hometown Story Prepares to Open Its Doors In Europe This April
Yasuhiro Wada shares his hopes of bringing happiness
Hometown Story's pedigree is easy to identify — it's the creation of Yasuhiro Wada, the man who masterminded the Harvest Moon franchise before starting his own small company, Toybox. His studio's title arrived in North America last October, and a recent video interview confirms that publisher...
September2013
News Hands-On: Why Beyblade Evolution Could Be The Best RPG You've Overlooked This Year
You spin me round
With the growing interest in games like Skylanders SWAP Force and Disney Infinity, core gamers have learned to look a little harder at cartoony offerings before writing them off. There are plenty of clangers to avoid, but discerning the chaff from the wheat is becoming somewhat harder. Beyblade Evolution on 3DS is coming this year...
August2013
Spinning onto 3DS
The Beyblade toy craze, where you can battle customisable spinning tops in an arena, has varied in popularity over the years and in different countries. Along with the TV show and toys there has been a range of video-games dating back to the GBA. With a new TV series and range of Beyblade “Shogun Steel” toys hitting the...
July2013
News Rising Star Games Is Bringing Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi To Europe
3DS romantic visual novel is the first of two new titles from the publisher
Rising Star Games has revealed that it will be publishing Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi in Europe, following news that Aksys would be bringing the title to North American shores. Developed by IDEA FACTORY, Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi is billed as a "romantic...
News Some Hometown Story Pre-Orders Coming with Plush Embers
Let them warm your heart
If you enjoy your games accompanied by soft, squishable companions, then Natsume has been quite the friend to you. Its pre-order deals in the past have included plush cows, yaks and a range of other critters and it looks set to continue that tradition with more plushie pals. For Hometown Story, the upcoming game from
April2013
News Beyblade: Evolution Spinning Its Way Onto The 3DS This Year
Takes advantage of the 3DS' capabilities
Rising Star Games has announced Beyblade: Evolution, an all new exclusive game for the 3DS which is scheduled to spin across Europe and North America later this year. D3Publisher will distribute the game across the US. The title, an interesting take on the TV series Metal Saga, allows players to launch their...
March2013
News Project Happiness is Now HomeTown Story
Developer reveals more details on the game
During E3 last year, Natsume teased the world with its next game, known only as Project Happiness. The official name has now been revealed, it'll be known as HomeTown Story - though we're sure there's still a lot of happiness involved. Yasuhiro Wada, creator of the Harvest Moon series, is the man behind...
November2012
Nintendo Download 15th November 2012 (Europe)
Falling blox, hotshots, ninjas and a magical whip
It's Monday, but it's also time to turn that frown upside down. The European Nintendo Download update news is here, and it's full of handheld goodies for you to enjoy. Wii misses out, unfortunately, but we do have a highly anticipated sequel on the 3DS eShop, a teeth-grindingly difficult NES...
August2012
News Rising Star Games To Publish Zero Escape In PAL Regions
OFLC rating breaks cover
999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors sequel Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward is coming to PAL territories courtesy of Rising Star Games. The news has been confirmed by an OFLC rating, w
