Tag: Japan - Page 34
News The Snack World Scoffs Its Way To Number One In The Japanese Charts
The Switch port does the numbers
The Japanese charts are in, with The Snack World Trejarers Gold Nintendo Switch port filling its belly with sales (and the top spot, just for good measure). It did so well it's knocked Kirby Star Allies off the number one position, although Splatoon 2 holds fast at three for another week. Elsewhere, Mario Kart 8...
News Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion Is Getting Its Own CD Soundtrack
Octotune up
Splatoon 2's upcoming Octo Expansion DLC is getting its own soundtrack album in Japan, it has been revealed. The album - which launches on July 18th in Japan - will come with two CDs. One will contains tracks from Octo Expansion, in addition to new songs which have been added to the core game via software updates. The second CD...
Feature Exploring Japan's Undying Love For Arcade 'Candy' Cabinets
Sweet stuff
Arcades may have all but died out in the west, but in Japan they remain big business. I write a website about arcades in Tokyo, and sometimes forget it’s not normal to live in an arcade daydream. I‘m prone to using obscure arcade terminology and I neglect readers who don’t click joysticks in the noise so often. I’m frequently...
News Success And City Connection Confirm Psyvariar Delta For August Release On Switch
Coming in digital and physical forms, too
Recently, we reported on the news that Switch was getting a revised edition of the vertically-scrolling shooter Psyvariar, originally created by Success Corporation. It has now been revealed in Weekly Famitsu that the game will be called Psyvariar Delta, and it launches on Switch and PS4...
News Japan Is More Excited About Nintendo Labo Than God Of War
Cardboard Kratos
God of War may be enjoying a triumphant return to relevance with its latest instalment on PS4, but that doesn't mean that critical success in the West translates into equal popularity on the other side of the world. In fact, if the sales charts on Amazon Japan are anything to go by, Nintendo Labo is proving a far more enticing...
News Just How Is Nintendo Making All The Cardboard Kits For Nintendo Labo?
Japanese packaging firm Rengo to the rescue!
The release of Nintendo Labo for Switch is right around the corner now, with Toy-Con 01 - Variety Kit and Toy-Con 02 - Robot Kit becoming available on 20th April in the US and Japan, and later on the 27th in Europe. Now you might be wondering how Nintendo is going to manage producing all of...
Video Take A Quick Peek Inside Nintendo HQ In Japan
Where dreams are made
Many of us are familiar with the half beautiful, half corporate-looking appearance of Nintendo's Japanese headquarters from the outside; this huge, white, cube-like building has likely been the subject of thousands of online searches and probably the first place many of us tried when opening up Google Earth for the first time...
News AtGames Confirms It's Making The Mega Drive Mini, Then Deletes Tweet
The plot thickens...
Yesterday, it was revealed that Sega is bringing its own "classic edition" system to market in the form of the Mega Drive Mini. A micro-console pre-loaded with classic titles, the system was shown off during an event in Japan, instantly triggering speculation that AtGames - a US firm which has been making officially-licensed...
News Sega Announces AGES For Nintendo Switch, Mega Drive Mini Console
AtGames confirms it's making the mini console
During a live Twitch presentation in Tokyo this morning, Sega announced that a download-only selection of 15 titles under the name SEGA AGES will be making their way to Switch in the summer. These include company mascot platformer Sonic the Hedgehog, Thunder Force 4, Phantasy Star and more to be...
News Kirby Star Allies Gobbles Up The Top Spot Again In The Japanese Charts
And Switch sells four times as many units as PS4
It's been another big week for Nintendo in the Land of the Rising Sun as Kirby Star Allies storms back into first place following a drop to number four last week. Splatoon 2 jumps back into the top three now that the PS4 and PS Vita versions of Super Robot Wars X have dropped further down the charts...
News Treasure Teases Both Ikaruga And Nintendo Switch Fans
Will this GameCube classic ever come to Switch?
Hardly a day goes by at Nintendo Life Towers when we don't daydream about Ikagura one day appearing on Nintendo Switch. Smooth 60fps in both docked and portable mode? Check. Optional TATE mode for both modes? Double check. We do like to daydream around here, but looks like we might not be the only...
News Disgaea Refine Launches On Switch Later This Year In Japan
A remake of Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
The latest issue of Dengeki PlayStation has revealed that the previously-mooted remake of Disgaea: Hour of Darkness is called Disgaea Refine, and it will be hitting Switch this July in Japan. The original game was released on the PlayStation 2 way back in 2003, and established a series which continues to...
News Etrian Odyssey Is Mapping Out One Final Adventure On Nintendo 3DS
The 3DS isn't dead yet
The Switch may be Nintendo's main focus now but that doesn't mean the 3DS is on the way out - in fact, the console is continuing to get software throughout 2018. Atlus has just confirmed that Etrian Odyssey X will launch on the Nintendo 3DS on August 2nd, with a price of ¥6,998 in Japan. It is being billed as the final...
News Yo-Kai Watch 4 Coming To The Nintendo Switch This Year In Japan
Super high-grade power up
In what should come as a surprise to basically no-one, the next instalment in the Yo-Kai Watch series, simply known as Yo-Kai Watch 4 for the time being, will be coming to the Switch rather than the 3DS. This will be welcome news to many Nintendo gamers who only want to play games on the latest and greatest hardware. This...
Feature Game Bar Space Station - Osaka's Gaming Paradise
Cocktails and controllers to cater for all tastes
While Tokyo may be the first stop on many gamers' lists due to its numerous arcades and the famous Akihabara area, other parts of Japan also have their own little pockets of gaming heaven for locals and tourists alike. Located in Amemura - just a few minutes walk from the Dotonbori river and...
News No, Sega Is Not Returning To The Home Console Arena
It's a lot less exciting than that
In a recent interview with Yahoo! Japan, Sega Games COO Kenji Matsubara got chins wagging by pointing out that the Japanese giant is considering releasing a new console in Japan - but it's not quite what you think, or what some other sites have reported, either. Matsubara is in fact talking about importing the...
News Nintendo Switch Continues To Dominate The Hardware Charts In Japan
The Switch reign continues
Last week's Japan charts are in, and they show Nintendo Switch holding onto the top spot in hardware sales with over 44,000 units sold. Even with a drop over 6,000 from the previous week, Switch sold almost three times as many machines as PlayStation 4, its nearest competitor. Sales in Japan have now topped 4 million...
News Nintendo Switch Has Now Sold 4 Million Units In Japan
4,037,144, to be precise
In just over a year on sale, the Switch has pushed past the 4 million units sold marker in its homeland, according to Famistu. As of 25th March 2018, 4,037,144 Switch consoles are now safely in the hands of Japanese players. When you consider that's the total for a single territory after a little more than 12 months, it's...
Random There's A New Game On The Japanese Switch eShop That's Definitely NSFW
Cover your children's eyes now, please
While Nintendo has long been associated with family-friendly fun, that hasn't stopped a fair share of 'adult' titles making their way onto its consoles. Since most of these have either been ultra-violent (hello, DOOM) or uber scary (hi there, Outlast 2), we've rarely batted an eyelid, but what about adult games...
News Detective Pikachu Has A Much Better Launch In Japan While Kirby Remains On Top
There's still love for Pokémon spin-offs in the East
While Detective Pikachu had a lackluster debut last week in the UK, the 3DS-based spin-off fared far better in Japan with a respectable 42,013 units sold. That puts it in fourth place with Kirby Star Allies performing well enough to hold off two big releases on PS4. Hyrule Warriors: Definitive...
News That Japanese "Dragon Quest Law" Is Actually An Urban Myth
The creators behind the franchise spill the beans
Those of you versed in video game history will be aware of a story relating to the astonishing popularity of Dragon Quest, one of Japan's most beloved RPGs. Back when the series was just starting out on the Famicom, kids and adults alike would bunk off school or work to buy it and spend an entire day...
News Your Prayers Have Been Answered, Hori Is Making A Joy-Con With A Proper D-Pad
Retro gamers rejoice!
Japanese peripheral maker Hori is creating a left-hand Joy-Con with an old-school D-pad, it has been revealed by Famitsu. The timing is fortunate, as PlatinumGames' Hideki Kamiya only tweeted last week (with his tongue firmly in-cheek, of course) that he might lose motivation for developing
News Kirby Star Allies Gobbles Its Way To The Top Of The Japanese Charts
Splatoon 2 also sees a resurgance
The Media Create data for the Japanese multiformat charts is in, hot off the digital presses, and it shows Kirby Star Allies arriving on Japanese shores with quite the impressive debut. It enters the charts at number one, with 222,031 copies sold in its first week. Splatoon 2 has also had a great week, surging back...
Video Nintendo Releases Infectiously Upbeat Switch Spring Line-Up Video In Japan
Mario Tennis Aces! Splatoon 2 DLC! Donkey Kong! Kirby!
Nintendo's got a lot of forward momentum right now, but if 2018 is going to be anywhere near as successful as 2017, the company needs to keep hammering home the key "play anytime, anywhere" message of the Switch. That's precisely what it's doing in Japan with this new spring line-up commercial,...
Video Take A Tour Of The Now Closed Final Fantasy "Memories of You" Museum
A Perfect Memory
From 22nd January to 28th February, Square-Enix hosted a special art and multimedia exhibition in Tokyo to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Final Fantasy game series. It isn’t the only way Square-Enix will celebrate these thirty glorious years, and this event follows the other big role-playing game series...
Gallery The Pokémon Cafe Is Just Too Cute For Words
Japan gets all the best stuff
A few weeks ago we reported on a new Pokémon themed cafe in Tokyo which was due to open later in the month. Now that it's finally open Japanese website gamer.ne.jp paid a visit to check it out, and it certainly looks to be a rather special place indeed. Here are some of the things which caught our eye from the visit...
News Lode Runner Legacy Dashes Onto Switch This Spring In Japan
Complete with a first-person mode
Tozai Games is bringing Lode Runner Legacy to Switch in Japan, it has been revealed. An update of the classic Brøderbund title from '80s, Lode Runner Legacy launched on PC last year and comes with a whole host of modes, including a level editor and character editor. You can even choose to experience the...
News Switch's Stellar First Year Helps Nintendo Bag Itself An AMD Excellence Award
AMD another thing
Nintendo Switch pulled off quite the first year - just check out our extensive coverage to see just how well it did - but that success hasn't gone unnoticed. Earlier today, at the 23rd AMD Awards, the Big N took to the stage at the Meiji Kinenkan venue in Tokyo and received the prestigious AMD Excellence Award. Some big names...
News Bandai Namco's Taiko no Tatsujin Is Coming To Switch In Japan
With songs from Super Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2
During last night's Japanese Nintendo Direct it was announced that Taiko: Drum Master - known as Taiko no Tatsujin in its homeland - is coming to the Nintendo Switch, complete with songs from Super Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2. Two-player support is included thanks to the fact that...
News Zelda's Link Is Gatecrashing A Phantasy Star Title, But Only In Japan
Breath of fresh (wild) air?
While us westerners were getting all excited about Smash on Switch, Okami HD and Dark Souls amiibo, our Japanese friends were - well, getting excited about those things, too. However, there were some Japan-exclusive pieces of news, the
Video This New Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition Trailer Is Full To The Brim
HD fairies ahoy
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition may be a triple-dip for Nintendo and Koei Tecmo, but we're nevertheless quite interested in playing it for a third time in portable HD. To drum up interest ahead of launch, Koei Tecmo has released a fresh trailer which is literally bursting at the seams with content. There's action, fairies and...
News Looks Like 3DS Title Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido Is Getting A Switch Upgrade
Leak also confirms Mario Tennis Aces release date
Japanese online retailer Rakuten has leaked information regarding two Switch titles ahead of today's Nintendo Direct broadcast. Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido - previously confirmed for release on 3DS - has been listed by Rakuten on Switch. Both it and the 3DS...
News Jump Aboard This Enormous 'Absolutely Ridable Lapras' Pokémon Toy
Yes please!
Poké-fans may well lovingly remember the huge Snorlax plush from a couple of years back which could double up as a bed if you wished, instantly becoming one of the must-have items of the time, and now we have another one to join the crew, too. Introducing the wonderfully named 'Absolutely Ridable Lapras': The Absolutely Ridable...
News Dragon Quest Builders Leads A Switch Takeover Of The Japanese Charts
And Switch sold the most units, too
Last week's Media Create chart data for Japan is in, and it shows Nintendo Switch making an all-out assault on the top five with no less than four titles jostling for control. And while Monster Hunter World continues to hold the top spot, Dragon Quest Builders debuted a mere 10,000 units behind Capcom's behemoth...
Gallery Tokyo's Latest Pokémon Cafe Is Full Of Delicious Poké-Treats
We'll have one of everything, please
We know, we know - Japan gets all the cool stuff! Nintendo-centric stores and restaurants aren't all that rare in Japan, with Pokémon in particular being the focus of a number of stores in the country's capital, but this new Pokémon cafe has definitely risen towards the top of our 'must visit' list. Opening...
Random Nintendo Labo Isn't The Only Way To Combine Cardboard With Your Switch
That's handy, if you like Mahjong
Some days you do just have to chuckle to yourself when covering the latest gaming news. While some were skeptical of Nintendo Labo when it was first revealed, the concept seems to have won a lot of people over and the use of cardboard alongside the Labo games is genuinely innovative. And then we have the photo...
News Nintendo Is Shutting Down StreetPass Relay Stations In Japan
A passing craze?
StreetPass is one of the coolest elements of the 3DS hardware and was encouraging people to venture outdoors long before Pokemon GO turned up. Sadly, Nintendo chose not to continue the service on Switch, and we're slowly but surely seeing it fade into history as the 3DS winds down. A sign of things come to has just been announced...
News Takara Tomy Is Building A New Zoids Game For Switch
Let's hope it doesn't lose all those little rubber bits
Hey, remember Zoids? Well they're back, in Nintendo Switch form! That's right, the popular '80s toy line is getting a brand-new interactive outing on Nintendo's console, thanks to Takara Tomy. It will be based on the new anime series Zoids Wild, which airs this year in Japan. While Zoids hit...
News Splatoon 2 Makes A Splash In The Top Three In This Week's Japanese Charts
But Bayonetta 2 charts outside the top 10
The Japanese chart data is in, and it's a mixed bag of highs and lows for Nintendo this week. Splatoon 2, having hit the two million sales mark last week, crept into the top three behind PS4 remake Secret Of Mana and the ever powerful Monster Hunter World. However, the Switch port of Bayonetta 2 and...
News Retro Shmup Kyogeki Quartet Fighters Blasts Onto The Japanese Switch eShop This Week
Complete with music from famous Japanese composers
Japanese developer Happymeal is bringing retro-style shooter Kyogeki Quartet Fighters to Switch next week, it has been revealed. The news comes in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu, which lists a Nintendo eShop release for February 22nd, with a cost of 1,389 Yen. The game allows up to...
News Splatoon 2 Crosses The Two Million Marker As Nintendo Titles Swamp The Japanese Charts
Monster Hunter World dominates the top spot, however
You have to hand it to Capcom, Monster Hunter World still reigns supreme in the Japanese charts according to the latest Media Create figures. Then of course we have the new entries of Dynasty Warriors 9 and Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet -- two franchises which prove...
News This Face-To-Face Cabinet From Japan Is How Local Multiplayer Should Be Played
It's due out in May
We all know local multiplayer is one of Nintendo Switch's most attractive features - especially while we wait until September for the Online Service to finally go live - so imagine our surprise/excitement when we got wind a firm in Japan is manufacturing a cabinet that houses two Switches and their Joy-Cons and creates the...
Video Meta Knight Is Bossing It In This New Kirby Star Allies Trailer
Knight knight
Here at Nintendo Life, we're more than a little excited for the latest entry in the Kirby series. In fact, we're so hyped for it we even put together 26 of our favourite facts about the upcoming co-op platformer. Well, now Nintendo has released a new Japanese trailer for Kirby Star Allies, this time focusing on long-time series baddie...
News Legendary Nintendo Developer Takehiro Izushi Has Officially Retired
His 43-year-long career had a huge impact on Ninty
Nintendo has waved goodbye to one of its most influential - and longest serving - voices with the news that producer and developer Takehiro Izushi has officially retired at the age of 65. The legendary figurehead joined Nintendo in 1975, where he was involved in the mechanical design of the...
News The Snack World Trejarers Gold Will Scoff Its Way Onto Nintendo Switch On 12th April
It's just for Japan, though
We've known for a little while that a port of The Snack World - a Japan-only RPG that's evolved into a multimedia hit brand with its own film and a line of super popular toys - will be getting a Nintendo Switch port, but now we finally have a date. Developer Level 5 has confirmed the game - called The Snack World...
News This Week's Japan Charts Show Nintendo With Eight Games In The Top 10
Unfortunately, it missed out on the top two
The latest Media Create figures are in for this week's Japanese charts and they show Nintendo holding onto a whopping 80% of the top 10. The only caveat is the two places Nintendo hasn't claimed are slots number one and number two, which went to Monster Hunter World and Dragon Ball FighterZ respectively...
Random The SNES, Famicom And Mega Drive Are Reborn In These Custom Painted Gundam Figures
Mobile suit retro
Often described as the Japanese Star Wars, Mobile Suit Gundam is one of the longest-running sci-fi properties in the Far East and has millions of fans all over the globe. Gamers will of course be intimately familiar with the franchise thanks to the multitude of officially-licensed games that have appeared on practically...
Feature This Ain't A Scene It's An ARMS Race (At EVO Japan 2018)
Switch exclusive has a competitive community to cherish following EVO Japan
Before fighting game regulars Tekken, Street Fighter and Smash Bros took to the stage at EVO Japan last weekend, a select group of a strong, committed and vocal community came together to advocate the inclusion of the newest title on the roster - Nintendo Switch exclusive...
News Almost Half Of The Games In Japan's Charts Are On Switch, Mario + Rabbids Takes Top Spot
Nintendo continues to hold its own in January
The Media Creates figures for week three of January 2018 are in, and they show another strong set of performances for Nintendo Switch in the East. Nine games in the top 20 are on Nintendo's latest platform with Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle continuing to show cross-market appeal as it grabs the number...
News The Creator Of Smartphone Hit Downwell Has Joined Nintendo
We're welling up
Ojiro "Moppin" Fumoto - best known for the award-winning mobile title Downwell - has joined Nintendo. Fumoto made the announcement via his Twitter account, and his profile now features the text "Downwell / Nintendo". While "serious" gamers often look down on smartphone titles, Downwell is one of those rare cases of a mobile game...
