Japan News, Japan Features - Page 16 of 28

Is that a Monolith in your pocket or..?

Xenoblade Chronicles developer Monolith Soft is recruiting for an unannounced 3DS project. The Japanese developer has several positions available, including motion designers, 3D CG designers and motion designers. The title doesn't have a name, but considering the jobs specifically mention monsters, maps and...

Big names, secret game

SEGA, Capcom and Namco Bandai are collaborating on a secret Nintendo 3DS project. The game, which Namco Bandai will publish, has no name or genre so far, just a teaser site available. What do you think these three giant companies could be cooking up for 3DS?

Are we far behind?

The Japanese 3DS Virtual Console service will get its first Game Gear games next month. Andriasang reports the service will get its next new system on 14th March, launching with Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble, Dragon Crystal and Shinobi. The games will cost ¥300 each — that's about £2.40 or $3.75. Ho

Most wanted?

In case you were still in any doubt that Code of Princess is the spiritual sequel to legendary SEGA Saturn co-op fighter Guardian Heroes, here's some quick footage of the game's battles in action. Featuring four of the cast of playable characters the movie gives you a short introduction to the chaos of battles, with combos, magic, bombs...

Nothing fishy here

Bizarre Japanese fish conversation simulator Seaman is coming to 3DS, according to Andriasang. The Dreamcast original boasted a microphone that let you talk to the titular fish-with-a-face, giving him commands and building a relationship; in the English version, the voice over was provided by none other than Spock himself, Leonard...

Why tomorrow..?

Nintendo Japan will host another of its Nintendo Direct internet broadcasts tomorrow at 8pm Japan time (11am GMT / 6am EST / 3am PST). Nintendo president Satoru Iwata will discuss the latest Wii and 3DS developments, so you never know what we might see. The last broadcast, on 27th December, showcased Fire Emblem: Kakusei and Kid...

We're not sure what

Game Freak director Junichi Masuda has brushed off a fan question about a sequel to Pokémon Black & White with a hint to watch out this Sunday. Asked at a public Q&A for information on a follow-up to Black and White — likely the inevitable Pokémon Grey — Masuda said: I can't answer that yet. Well, I can say to...

Tracks of his tears

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is released in Japan tomorrow, combining rhythm action with — you guessed it — Final Fantasy. Long-time series composer Nobuo Uematsu just played the game for the first time, and it certainly seemed to strike a chord (sorry) with the legendary musician. Uematsu tweeted: I played Theatrhythm Final...

It's up to you

The Fire Emblem series is probably best known for its "when it's gone, it's gone" approach to units: if they die in battle, they're gone for ever. That's not the case in every Fire Emblem game though: Japan-only DS remake Fire Emblem: Hero of Light and Shadow let you turn this feature on or off, and that option returns in...

Stealing Theatrhythm's thunder

After Nintendo's announcement last year that DLC would arrive on 3DS, it looked like Theatrhythm Final Fantasy — due for release in Japan on 16th Feburary — would be the first title with paid extra content on the handheld. Not to be upstaged, Nintendo has jumped ahead and released three small download packs for a...

Sweet dreams

Kirby's Dream Land is one of the best-selling Virtual Console games on 3DS, so it's no surprise Nintendo is preparing 1995 follow-up Kirby's Dream Land 2 for Japan's eShop next week. The portable platformer heads to Japan's store on 15th February, and will hopefully bound its way over to Europe and North America before too long. In the...

Nearly 4 million served

Nintendo's Christmas trio of top titles continues to sell in Japan into January, with Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land and Monster Hunter 3 G still topping the country's sales charts. Between them the games have sold 3.94 million copies in Japan, an incredible figure as the most recent hardware sales put the machine at 3.6m units in Japan. We're guessing there's either..

Neo Geo support continues

Japan is getting three more Wii Virtual Console games this month. The scale is clearly tipped in the favour of the Neo Geo once more, as it will see yet another two games. If only we'd see some more Neo Geo games in the West. Japan's full list for this month is as follows: Super Famicom Kunio-Kun no Dodge Ball Dayo Zenin Shuugo! — Essentially the SNES version of Super..

Cute, though

Japanese developer Genius Sonority — best known for its work on various Pokémon spin-offs over the years — has revealed its next title, due out in the Japanese eShop next week. Called Denpa Ningen RPG — or Electric Wave Person RPG, believe it or not — is an augmented reality RPG where you use the 3DS's cameras to reveal hidden...

Trials underway in Japan

The DS, in its various forms, has not only been the biggest selling handheld console of all time, but has also played a role beyond that of a simple gaming machine. As we reported last year, Art Academy has helped students with their creative skills, while there are plenty of educational software options available. Reports in Japan are now suggesting that the role of the DS..

OK?

NES pugilist title Punch-Out!! is the next game coming to Japan's 3DS Virtual Console. Due next week for 500 Yen, it's the third NES game to join the service but the first that wasn't released to 3DS Ambassadors: both Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda are available to buy in Japan. Looks like hopes for a 3D Classics: Punch-Out!! just...

Sad times

Nintendo senior managing director Nobuo Nagai has died aged 66 after a battle with stomach cancer. Nagai joined Nintendo in 1967, becoming a director in 2000 before moving up to managing director, eventually becoming senior managing director and representative director in 2004. Among Nintendo's board of directors, Nagai had worked at...

Getting better all the time

3DS action RPG Code of Princess — from the same team behind SEGA Saturn stunner Guardian Heroes — is set to get online multiplayer, according to 7net (via Andriasang). The site states up to four players — two fewer than on Saturn — can engage in the battle mode, with cooperative quests on offer for those who like to team up to throw down. There'll also be free..

In Japan at least

Kid Icarus: Uprising will be bundled with an arm-saving display stand for the 3DS. The folding stand sits on a desk and cradles the console itself while you use the stylus and face buttons to control Pit. Uprising supports the Circle Pad Pro for left-handed players but don't worry if you're not planning to pick up the peripheral...