Tag: Japan - Page 3
News Zelda Voted 'Favourite' Tears Of The Kingdom Character In Recent Famitsu Survey
Who is your pick?
From time to time, Japanese publication Famitsu will run a survey about a certain game asking readers all sorts of questions. The latest one focused on Nintendo's 2023 game of the year contender The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, asking readers who their favourite character is in Link's latest outing and Princess Zelda...
News Coleco's Failed Negotiations With Nintendo Apparently Resulted In The Birth Of The Famicom
"The rest is history"
Time Extension recently got the chance to speak to Coleco exec Bert Reiner about the history of the American toy and console maker. According to his account, there was a time when Nintendo almost ended up buying and marketing the 1982 video game system 'ColecoVision' for Japan but negotiations fell through. The former Coleco...
Japanese Charts Super Mario Bros. Wonder Absolutely Smashes Its Debut
Over 600K units shifted
The latest Japanese charts are here courtesy of Famitsu (thanks, Gematsu) and it showcases an absolutely stellar debut from Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Nintendo's latest flagship platformer has managed to shift an astonishing 638,634 units since its launch on October 20th, 2023, managing almost a full 600K more than Marvel's...
Video Masahiro Sakurai Shows Off His Retro Game Skills In "Special" YouTube Collab
Competing against Game Center CX
Update #2 [Fri 20th Oct, 2023 03:30 BST]: Masahiro Sakurai is back for one final special with Retro Game Master. The games on show this time included Space Harrier (1985), Fantasy Zone (1986), Nekketsu Koha Kunio-kun, The Genji and the Heike Clans (1986), Darius, Contra,
Japanese Charts Detective Pikachu Returns Comes Out On Top, Once Again
PI(kachu)
The latest Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and while not quite as impressive a surge as last week, Detective Pikachu Returns once again finds itself at the top of the physical software pile with another 16,248 copies sold. Pikmin 4 just misses out on reclaiming the gold medal this time as it edges ever closer to the one...
Guide How To Download And Play Suika Game (Watermelon Game) On Nintendo Switch
Here's how to play Japan's viral watermelon puzzle game
Update: The game is now out on the North American and European Switch eShops for $2.99 / £2.69, and we’ve reviewed it. Feel free to pick up some eShop credit below if you'd like to download it, and read our review to learn more about the game. <products group-id="25791"> <related...
News 'Mario Red Edition' Switch OLED Launch Doubles System Sales In Japan
"It's the same device with a different plastic cover"
It seems the launch of the new 'Mario Red Edition' Switch OLED last week has doubled system sales in the company's homeland. As highlighted by data from Famitsu (via Bloomberg), Mario fans in Japan purchased 110,241 units at launch, which was twice the number of systems purchased in the previous...
Japanese Charts Detective Pikachu Cleans Up For His Switch Debut
Over 80,000 units sold
Famitsu has revealed this week's physical charts for Japan (thanks, Gematsu) and, unsurprisingly, Detective Pikachu Returns has come out on top with an impressive 85,639 units shifted in its first week on sale. Elsewhere, we've got a handful of other new arrivals, with The Game of Life for Nintendo Switch coming in at number...
News The First Review For Sonic Superstars Is Now In
Can it possibly live up to that superstar key art?
We're less than a week away from Sonic's return to the second dimension (well, not really, but it's a side-on platformer in the classic mould, okay?) in Sonic Superstars. After spending some hands-on time with it back at Summer Game Fest, this throwback to the classic 2D games was showing a lot of...
News Nintendo Shows Off Its New Kyoto Store Ahead Of Grand Opening This Month
Good lord, it looks nice
Nintendo has showcased some fresh images of its new Kyoto store in Japan, with the grand opening set for October 17th, 2023. Joining Nintendo Tokyo and Nintendo Osaka, the new Kyoto store will be situated on the 7th floor of Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. department store, and will sell all sorts of unique goodies that Nintendo...
Random Switch Exclusive "Watermelon Game" Goes Viral, eShop Downloads Skyrocket
You can purchase "Suika Game" from Japan's eShop
A Japanese Switch eShop exclusive known as Suika Game (Watermelon Game) has recently gone viral thanks to its popularity among streamers and VTubers. Earlier this year it started gaining traction with Japanese influencers, and now it's caught on here in the West. T
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Holds Its Own Against Multiple New Releases
It's the only returning game in the top ten
It's time to check out the latest physical charts from Japan, and this time, there are a whole bunch of new releases making up the top ten (well, technically just four split across various platforms, but you get it). Nevertheless, Pikmin 4 is still holding its own at number 5, selling a further 18,307...
News Pokémon Live-Action TV Series Gets Its First Trailer
Premiering in Japan this month
The first trailer for the upcoming live-action Pokémon series has been released, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect when PokéTsume (or 'Pocket Filled with Adventure' in English) premieres in Japan later this month on October 17th, 2023. The series will tell the story of Madoka Akagi, a young girl who moves to...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 1+2 Join Pikmin 4 As The Top Pikmin
Pikmin?
This week in Japan, Pikmin 1+2 came out on top with a total of 23,941 units sold in its physical debut. Following closely is, of course, Pikmin 4 with a further 22,894 copies sold. There's not a lot between the two, which potentially suggests that many will have opted for a digital copy of Pikmin 1+2 earlier in the year. Elsewhere, the...
Random Nintendo Stores In Japan Sprout New Pikmin Merch With Adorable Wind-Up Bulborb
Not a want, but a need
We are used to seeing the range of sweet merchandise that launches as a Japan exclusive, and today's reveal is yet another item to add to the pile of things we are desperately in love with but will probably never have the chance to buy. It's a wind-up Bulborb. Look, is this the most life-changing piece of Pikmin merchandise...
News Koei Tecmo Releases Streaming & Content Creation Guidelines For Fate/Samurai Remnant
Don't spoil the experience for others!
Following in the footsteps of Atlus, Koei Tecmo has shared the Japanese streaming and content creation guidelines for the action-RPG Fate/Samurai Remnant, due out later this week on Switch. It doesn't want fans spoiling the experience for others when streaming, uploading videos or posting about the game. This...
News Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy Physical Switch Release Confirmed
Launching the same date as the eShop version
Earlier this week, Capcom confirmed the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy would be launching on the Nintendo Switch early next year on 25th January 2024. Now, in an update, it's been confirmed a physical release is coming to Japan and other Asia regions on the same date. The good news is that you can...
Japanese Charts Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Gets Slight Boost From DLC Release
But there's no stopping Pikmin 4
It's time to cover the weekly Japanese charts once again. The latest figures from Famitsu (via Gematsu) have come in, and the Switch is back to filling out all spots in the top ten. Pikmin 4 is incredibly still at number one, selling another steady 23,489 units in the week of 11th to 17th September. It's now just...
News The Famicom Just Won An Award At The Tokyo Game Awards 2023
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak wins Game of the Year
At this year's annual Tokyo Game Awards, which are held during the Tokyo Game Show, the Family Computer — known as the Famicom or NES (to us) — won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (thanks VGC). That's a rather long title for an award that recognises someone or something that...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's DLC Physical Release In Japan Includes A Game Card
Base game included but Wave 6 must be downloaded
It seems Nintendo will be offering an alternative DLC physical release for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in Japan. As highlighted on social media, the Japanese physical release will apparently include a copy of the base game and the Booster Course Pass (featuring Waves 1-5) all on a single game card. The only...
News Double Dragon Advance, Super & Collection Announced For Switch
Update: New trailers released for Super & Advance
Update #2 [Wed 20th Sep, 2023 04:05 BST]: Arc System Works has released new trailers for Super Double Dragon and Double Dragon Advance. Both games will launch on 9th November 2023 for $6.99 USD or the regional equivalent. "After 30 long years, the retro powerhouse Super Double Dragon is now on...
News Level-5 Premieres Multiple Trailers For Its Upcoming Switch Games
Inazuma Eleven, Fantasy Life and more
Update [Sat 16th Sep, 2023 12:00 BST]: Level-5 has now released these trailers for the new Fantasy Life game, the new Inazuma Eleven, and also DECAPOLICE. You can see them all below: Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - 1st Trailer Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time arrives on Switch in 2023...
News Hatsune Miku Is Getting Her Very Own Fitness Boxing Game On Switch
Update: Arriving in Japan next March, new Direct footage
Update [Sat 16th Sep, 2023 02:00 BST]: During the latest Nintendo Direct broadcast in Japan, Hatsune Miku fans got another look at her upcoming Fitness Boxing Switch game. It's scheduled to arrive in this region on 7th March 2024. There's no word on localisation at this point in time. Here...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Continues To Dominate The Competition
Don't stop me now
The latest Japanese charts are in and it's another successful week for Pikmin 4, which once again beats out the competition to claim the top spot after selling an additional 31,013 units. Otherwise, we've got a couple of new additions to the top ten, while Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon continues to perform well on PS4 and PS5...
News Atlus Mobile RPG 'Megami Ibunroku Persona: Ikuu no Tou Hen' Coming To Switch
Update: Releases later this week
Update [Mon 11th Sep, 2023 20:30 BST]: G-MODE Archives+: Megami Ibunroku Persona: Ikuu no Tou Hen, which is based on the original PlayStation Persona title, has a launch date in Japan. The game will be available on the Japanese eShop on 14th September (thanks,
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Lays Down Roots At The Top Spot, Once Again
Re-bloom
The latest Japanese physical charts are now in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and after a short stint down in third place last time, this week sees the almighty Pikmin 4 once again plant itself at the top spot with another 34,240 copies sold. Last week's victors of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon on the PlayStation 5 and 4 have now
News Retro Game Challenge 1 & 2 Are Getting Switch Ports In Japan
No word on a Western release yet
Bandai Namco has announced Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay, a remastered collection of two DS cult classics for Switch (thanks, Famitsu). At the moment, the collection has only been announced for Japan, and a release date hasn't been confirmed. Retro Game Challenge is a series of video games based on the Game...
News Sega & Atlus Airing Special Broadcast At The Tokyo Game Show This Month
Update: Here's the games lineup for TGS 2023
Update [Tue 5th Sep, 2023 05:05 BST]: Sega and Atlus have now shared a lineup of the games they'll be showing at TGS 2023. Here's the full rundown (via Gematsu) which will feature playable demos, trailers, live stream spotlights and more. As a reminder, the special broadcast stream will take place later...
News Nintendo's New Employee Retention Rate Is 98.8% In Japan
That's well above the average of other companies
Being able to work with some of the biggest IPs in the world like Mario and Zelda is probably a dream for many aspiring game developers, but how many people actually stick with a career at the video game giant Nintendo? According to new data from Biz Journal (via a translation by Tokyo Game Life),...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Uprooted From The Top By Armored Core VI
Pik your robot
The latest Japanese charts have come in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon has managed to pluck Pikmin 4 from the top spot and end the Switch's dominance of the top ten. Pikmin 4 has had strong little legs since its launch in July, and it's taken until FromSoftware's return to mecha to take i
News Taito Milestones 3 Revives More Retro Classics In 2024
Taito Milestones 2 launches today
In line with the release of Taito Milestones 2, Taito has announced it will be launching a third retro game collection in 2024. Taito Milestones 3 is currently confirmed for Japan, but no platforms have been announced. Given the fact both the first and second collections got local releases on the Switch, there's...
News Japan's Upcoming Live-Action Pokémon Series Is About Falling For The Classic Game Boy Title
Airing on Tokyo TV this October
The Pokémon Company has today announced that a brand-new live-action series about Pokémon is set to air in Japan from 19th October — however, it may not be the show that you would expect (thanks, Serebii). Unlike the ace 'live-action' animation of the Detective Pikachu film, this upcoming series — titled...
News Nintendo Live 2024 Is Heading To Tokyo In January
Featuring live Zelda and Splatoon music
Right before Nintendo Live's North American debut kicks off this weekend, Nintendo has announced its first event listing for 2024, which will see Live head back to Tokyo. The event is set to run for two days from 20th-21st January and will be held in the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre. As we have come to...
Japanese Charts Switch Games Dominate As Pikmin 4 Can't Be Plucked From Top
A pik-ture of perfection
This week's Japanese hardware and software charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu), and Pikmin 4 continues to astound as it spends its fifth week at the top of the charts. The fourth mainline entry in the adorable RTS-style series has shifted another 54,904 copies in the week of 14th to 20th August, taking the total sales...
News Edia Crowdfunding Cosmic Fantasy Collection 2 For Nintendo Switch
Here's what's included
After a number of successful crowdfunding campaigns, publisher Edia has now announced a new one - Cosmic Fantasy Collection 2. This latest crowdfunded effort for Switch will be handled via another Makuake campaign. This latest one is seeking three million Yen (about $20k USD). At the time of writing, it's almost reached the...
Round Up Pokémon World Championships 2023 - The Best And Most Controversial Yet?
Pokémon came home
After the Pokémon World Championships made its long-awaited return in London last year, it was announced that the 2023 Championships would be taking place at the Pacifico Yokohama in Japan. This would be only the second time the tournament has been held outside of North America, making this truly a monumental announcement —...
News Bandai Reveals New Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Figures Coming To Japan
Go figure
Adding to its already impressive lineup, Bandai has today revealed the latest figures to join the Candy collection, all of which come from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Paldea region (thanks, Go Nintendo). This news was shared on Bandai Candy's official @pokemonkids_of Twitter/X account, which revealed that the six sets in this upcoming...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Comfortably Holds Onto Its Throne
While Switch continues to sell lots 'n' lots
The latest Japanese charts are in courtesy of Famitsu (thanks, Gematsu) and it's once again Pikmin 4 that takes home the crown with an additional 69,989 in unit sales. This takes the game's total sales to a rather ominous-looking 666,377. Following this, we've got Mario Kart 8 Deluxe taking second place,...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Has Reportedly Helped Boost Japan's GDP
No tears here
Preliminary figures released by the Japanese Cabinet Officer today report that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom may well have helped boost Japan's GDP (gross domestic product), Japanese outlet Mainichi Shinbun reports. (via Forbes). Nintendo's highly-anticipated first-party title launched back in May 2023 and broke sales...
Random My Nintendo Store Japan's New Splatoon 3 Range Includes Empty Shoe Boxes
Think inside the box
There's a lot of cool Splatoon 3 merchandise out there from clothing to decorations, but the recently-released shoe boxes might be among the strangest that we've seen. Yes, it's just a shoe box. These cardboard boxes are currently exclusive to the Japanese My Nintendo Store and will set you back 880 yen (around £5 / $6) if you...
News Super Mario Bros. Live-Action Movie Getting 4K Anniversary Screening (Japan)
Celebrating 30 years
Long before Nintendo and Illumination's record-breaking Super Mario Bros. animated movie, there was the infamous live-action film starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, which has since gone on to become a cult hit. Now, to celebrate this movie's 30th anniversary on 15th September 2023, a 4K theatrical re-release of Super...
Hell Wing
M2’s garage doors are open for business again, continuing to pay homage, and in fastidious attention to detail, to the shoot 'em ups of yesteryear. Zero Fire, a portmanteau of collected titles Zero Wing (1989) and Hellfire (1989) represents Toaplan during the height of its glorious arcade tenure. Although released just four months...
News Pokémon World Championships Disqualifies Scarlet And Violet Pros Using Hacked Monsters
"Stricter checks" have reportedly caught out a lot of trainers
As you might have already seen, the Pokémon World Championships is taking place this weekend in Yokohama, Japan. While it's the same format to previous years, it seems there's actually been a bit of drama in the new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet competition. In a story on Kotaku, it's...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Retains Its Crown For The Third Week In A Row
No Tears for Olimar & co.
This week's Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and we are once again seeing Nintendo's latest big release top the competition, as Pikmin 4 lands in first place for the third week in a row. The plant-plucking RTS game sold another 78,838 copies this time around, comfortably beating Tears of the Kingdom in...
News Another Earth Defense Force Spin-Off Is On Its Way To Switch
Update: Here's a first look at 'World Brothers 2'
Update [Thu 10th Aug, 2023 05:00 BST]: A week after its initial reveal in Famitsu, D3Publisher has now uploaded its first trailer of Earth Defence Force: World Brothers 2. Check it out in the video above. Original article [Wed 2nd Aug, 2023 05:35 BST]: The Switch has already played host to a...
News Nintendo's New Development Building Reportedly Delayed Due To "Expansion Plan"
"Expected to be completed in 2028 or later"
Last April, Nintendo announced it had acquired new land next to its Kyoto, Japan headquarters for a new development building. In an update from Nikkei, it seems the building will no longer hit its completion goal date of 2027, with the building now expected to be finished by "2028 or later". The delay is...
News These Snoopy Nintendo Switch Controllers And Pouches Are Absolutely Adorable
But they're exclusive to Japan
The Nintendo Switch gets a lot of themed controllers, cases, and accessories — and a lot of them we love. But we want these Snoopy-themed controllers and cases right now. Two new controllers and two cases are launching in Japan tomorrow, 10th August 2023, and are available from the official Japanese Snoopy website...
News Detective Pikachu Returns Comes With Exclusive Pokémon Trading Card In Japan
Japanese pre-order bonuses detailed
Detective Pikachu Returns was one of the highlights of the Pokémon Presents August 2023 showcase, and with more information about the long-awaited sequel to the 3DS cult favourite, pre-order bonuses in Japan have also been revealed, and we're mighty jealous. Brewing over on the official Japanese Pokémon website...
News "Sonic & Friends" Revealed As Animated TikTok Series
So that's what that trademark was for
Update [Tue 8th Aug, 2023 07:05 BST]: At the end of July, a logo for a "Sonic & Friends" trademark surfaced online. It had everyone wondering what it was for and Sega has now officially revealed it's a series of animated TikTok shorts. This series will be made available exclusively on TikTok, with more...
News Here's Your First Look At The Switch Box Art For Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
Illustrated by the legendary Akira Toriyama
Dragon Quest RPGs have become a staple of the Nintendo Switch and later this year the hybrid system will receive the spin-off Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. This game is a little bit different from traditional entries in the series. Instead of directly fighting opponents, you take on the role of...