Tag: Japan - Page 24
News Nintendo Applies For Five Poké Ball Plus Patents In Japan
Gotta file some more
The Poké Ball Plus arrived as an accessory alongside the release of the Pokémon Let's Go games last year. It was created to enhance the overall experience of catching 'em all – by allowing players to take their pocket monsters with them on the go, and could also be used as a single-handed controller in both entries. In...
News Old Japanese Magazine Reveals "New" Details About Nintendo's Axed Project, EarthBound 64
Step back in time
Nintendo's cancelled project EarthBound 64 – also known as Mother 3 – began its life in the mid-'90s as an N64 title, and was eventually released as a Game Boy Advance game in 2006. Although the Nintendo 64 title never saw the light of day, there's still a lot of interest in this axed project. In June this year, new footage of...
Please understand
Ring Fit Adventure - Nintendo's latest attempt to get gamers off the sofa and into shape by gamifying your exercise regimen - has been on shelves for nearly a month-and-a-half now and it seems to have gone down very well indeed with Switch gamers. That's certainly the case in Japan where it has released a statement on its website...
News Capcom Still Has At Least One Unannounced Surprise Up Its Sleeve In 2019
But what could it be?
Capcom's going to be attending Jump Festa 2020, which runs from December 21st to the 22nd at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. The company has already confirmed that it will be showing off Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection (available on PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC) and PS4 title Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, but it has...
News Fantasy Zone Is The Latest Sega Ages Game To Hit Japan
Better than ever
This week, Sega released the shoot 'em up Fantasy Zone on the Japanese Switch eShop. So, if you don't feel like waiting ages for the local release, you can grab it right now. The Sega Ages version of the game comes with a 'Coin Stock' assist feature to help less experienced players, extra bosses from the Sega Mark III version,...
News Pokémon Sword And Shield Outsell Let's Go Pikachu And Eevee In Just 10 Days (Japan)
Just... wow
A little while ago, we shared our regular Japanese chart update, revealing that Pokémon Sword and Shield have now amassed a whopping 1,740,084 estimated physical sales in their first nine days on sale. Amazingly, this total is already higher than the lifetime physical sales of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Japanese Charts Pokémon Sword And Shield Is Still Flying Off Shelves As Switch Dominates
Tremendous opening sales
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 18th - 24th November, revealing that Pokémon Sword and Shield is still dominating sales in the country. The two titles sold an estimated 1.3 million copies in their opening week, becoming the fastest-selling Switch game in Japan. This week was naturally much lower than that,...
News Pokémon's New Anime Series Just Got Region Locked On YouTube
It was accidentally shared to users outside of Japan
Alongside the launch of Sword and Shield recently was the release of the new anime series (once again) starring Ash and Pikachu as they explore the world of Pokémon. When the first episode premiered earlier this month, The Pokémon Company also released it on the official YouTube channel in...
News Glorious Scans Of A Forgotten 1992 F-Zero Novel Have Surfaced Online
Pages and pages of lovely artwork
If you've missed F-Zero as much as we have for the last 15 years-or-so, then wow do we have a great find for you today. The images you see before you are reportedly from an F-Zero novel which was released back in February 1992. They were shared online by Twitter user @step70s earlier this year (you'll have to...
Feature We Paid A Visit To Nintendo TOKYO On Opening Day, And Here's What We Found
Let's-a-go check out some amazing merch!
Nintendo TOKYO officially opened in the renovated Shibuya Parco in Tokyo last week, and despite it being both rainy and the coldest day of the year, that didn't stop Nintendo fans from lining up by the thousands to get in. The store officially opened up at 10:00, but you first had to line up to get a...
News PlayStation Reaches The Semi-Finals Of Japanese Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament
Update: Watch the tournament highlights here
Update [Mon 25th Nov, 2019 11:30 GMT]: It has been revealed that Taisho Pharmaceutical won Famitsu's corporate Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament, which secures a full-page advertisement and article in a future issue of the popular Weekly Famitsu magazine. But how did Sony Interactive Entertainment's...
News Pokémon Sword Is The Most Popular Version In Japan
Digital sales not included
It's safe to say the new Pokémon entries on Switch have been a huge success. Sword and Shield broke records across Japan, Europe, and North America on release, and experienced more than six million sales in the first week while becoming the fastest-selling games on Switch. Focusing on Japan, Famitsu earlier this week
News Pokémon Sword And Shield Is The Fastest-Selling Switch Game Yet
Update: Over 6 million sales, the 'highest-grossing' Pokémon launch in the US
Update: Pokémon Sword and Shield certainly got off to an excellent start in Japan (see the original story below), and the country's official Pokémon Twitter account has now tweeted that sales have been very good elsewhere, too. According to the tweet and an official...
News Get Christmas And New Year Wrapped Up With Goodies From The Japanese My Nintendo Store
Platinum points at the ready, Japan!
The abundance of cool little physical things turning up on the Japanese My Nintendo store is certainly nothing new. While it rarely contains things to truly make us consider how many platinum points we've got sitting on our mostly dormant Japanese Nintendo account (let alone work out how we'd get them shipped to...
Congratulations Microsoft
Microsoft has had a tough time in Japan on the video game front. The latest iteration of its Xbox system shifts a handful of units per week within the region and the company's first-party offerings often struggle to appeal to Japanese players. While it's not going so well for the Xbox or its library of games, one...
Japanese Charts Pokémon Sword And Shield Debut In Top Spot, As Switch Sales Continue To Rise
And Minecraft reaches one million sales
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 11th - 17th November, reconfirming the strong start for Pokémon Sword and Shield. As previously revealed, the new entries have now sold more than 1.3 million copies, making it the fastest-selling Switch title within this region. Luigi's Mansion 3 has now d
News Bandai Namco's Latest Switch Game Will Turn Your Joy-Con Into A Fishing Rod
But it's only coming to Japan at the moment...
Remember that wacky Bakuchou Bar Hunter title Bandai Namco released on the 3DS in Japan, complete with bolt-on fishing rod accessory? Well, the series is now making the leap to Nintendo Switch in the form of Bakutsuri Hunters, which launches in Japan next month. The game is a fishing RPG which comes...
News Nintendo's Tokyo Store Is Set to Open This Friday, And It's Looking Amazing
More merch than you can toss a Pikmin at!
The Parco Store in Shibuya, Tokyo has been closed for renovations since spring of this year. However, that will change this Friday, November 22nd. With its grand reopening, the public will finally have access to the Nintendo Tokyo Store. Journalists in Japan have recently had the opportunity to go in and...
Video Watch Google Lens Bring The Pokémon Sword And Shield Japanese Box Art To Life
The future is here
The Pokémon Company is promoting the release of Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch in Japan with the assistance of Google Lens. In case you didn't know, this is a mobile application that allows you to "search what you see" and "understand the world around you" using just a camera or a photo, according to the official...
Japanese Charts Luigi's Mansion 3 Still Can't Grab Number One As Death Stranding Takes Over
Ring Fit Adventure surpasses 200,000 sales
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 4th - 10th November, revealing that Luigi's Mansion 3 has missed out on finishing in top spot once again. Despite selling more than 150,000 copies in its opening week last week, the game couldn't compete with the new launch of Persona 5 Royal. This week it's...
News Pokémon Sword And Shield's Japanese Launch Event Has Been Canned
All down to "operational reasons", apparently
Pokémon Sword And Shield is shaping up to be one of the biggest launches of the year, and nowhere is that truer than in Japan, where the series enjoys so much fame that 'mon are given positions of authority and no one blinks an eye. Taking this into account, any and all launch events relating to the...
News Nintendo Releases The Stretchers, A New Co-Op Rescue Game For Switch
Update: Now available in Europe
Update: The game is now available in Europe, too (which has brought with it new info and screenshots)! You can download it now for £17.99. Original Article: Out of nowhere, Nintendo has released a brand new game on the Switch eShop in Japan. It's called The Stretchers and is a two-player game where you must drive...
News Here's Our First Look Inside Nintendo's New Tokyo Store
Such clean, much wow
Nintendo's first official store in Japan is set to open its doors later this month, and we've finally been treated to our first look inside its magical, glistening halls. Located in Tokyo's new Shibuya Parco shopping centre, the store will officially open on 22nd November. We've already seen some of the merchandise you'll be...
Japanese Charts Luigi's Mansion 3 Sells 150,000 Copies But Can't Beat Persona 5 Royal
Mario & Sonic debuts in 5th
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 28th October - 3rd November, revealing that Luigi's Mansion 3 couldn't quite make it to the top spot. The game sold more than 150,000 copies in its opening week, but even that total couldn't defeat Persona 5 Royal which claimed just over 200,000 sales on PS4. Ring Fit...
News Nintendo's New Tokyo Store Is Looking Great, Here's A New Range Of Super Mario Merch
Store opens this month
On 22nd November, Nintendo is set to open a brand new official store in Tokyo, Japan. Amazingly, it's the first ever official shop to arrive in the company's home country, but the merchandise on offer is looking better and better every time a new announcement comes our way. Today, we've been treated to a look at some of the...
News This New Line Of Animal Crossing Home Merchandise Is As Adorable As You'd Expect
To appear at Nintendo's new Tokyo store
Don't forget, Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrives in March! When you have a franchise as charming and adorable as Animal Crossing, it's only fitting that any related products should be equally cute and heartwarming. Thankfully, this latest range of merchandise for the series is just that. The new line will...
News PUBG Clone Knives Out Gets A Free-To-Play Release On The Switch eShop In Japan
And you can download it right now
Think of all the big games that have come to the Switch so far – there's Rocket League, Fortnite and more recently we even got Overwatch. One game, though, that's not made the transition across to Nintendo's hybrid device yet is the original battle royale game, Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (commonly abbreviated...
News Shinobi Is The Next Sega Ages Game To Hit Japan
Update: Check out the launch trailer
Update: The Sega AGES release Shinobi is out today (31st October) on the Japanese Switch eShop. To celebrate, the publisher has uploaded a clip. Check it out above. Original Story (Thu 17th Oct, 2019 00:35 BST): The action side-scroller Shinobi has been confirmed for the Sega AGES line since March, so when is...
Japanese Charts Ring Fit Adventure Has Strong Second Week But Can't Fend Off Call Of Duty
Dragon Quest X sells best on Switch
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 21st - 27th October, revealing that Ring Fit Adventure has dropped down to second place following its recent debut number one. The game sold another 64,045 copies this week, almost equalling its opening total of 68,497 copies last time around. Those 64,000 sales...
News Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto To Be Recognised As A Person Of Cultural Merit In Japan
A top honour
You're probably more than aware of his name, and you'll definitely be more than aware of his work, so it seems fitting that Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto is set to be recognised as a Person of Cultural Merit in his home country of Japan. The Super Mario and Legend of Zelda creator is one of the most famous developers to ever walk...
News Pokémon And Super Mario Collide In This Subtle, Pixel Art Merchandise Crossover
Japan-only genius
Nintendo has come up with an ingenious way to fly your fandom flag for both the Pokémon and Super Mario franchises in one piece (or various pieces) of quality swag. Next month the Nintendo Tokyo store will be opening with a host of exclusive merchandise for lucky shoppers in the Japanese capital to fritter away their hard-earned...
News Physical Luigi's Mansion 3 Goodies Appear On The Japanese My Nintendo Store
Don't worry, we get wallpapers
It's no secret that Japan gets all the neatest stuff, whether it's Kirby cafes, Pokémon phone cable clips or, you know, all the cool video games and hardware. The Japanese My Nintendo Store is chock-full of lovely physical merch to spend your platinum points on. There's
News Atlus Is Releasing Persona 5 Scramble In Japan Next February
New trailer also shared
A number of months ago, Atlus confirmed Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers was coming to the Nintendo Switch. Now, after a prolonged period of silence, it's announced the game will arrive in Japan on 20th February next year. Fans will be able to select from the standard edition or Treasure Box edition – containing a...
News Japan's Finally Getting Its First Ever Nintendo Store Next Month, Here's What You Can Buy
Exclusive merch and hands-on experiences
First revealed at the start of the year, Nintendo's first ever store in Japan (nope, we can't believe it either) is set to open its doors next month. Ahead of the grand opening, the house of Mario has shared just some of the exclusive items shoppers can hope to pick up. Fittingly called Nintendo Tokyo, the...
Japanese Charts Ring Fit Adventure Goes Straight To Number One As Switch Dominates
With Story of Seasons close behind
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 14th - 20th October, revealing that Ring Fit Adventure has managed to score a number one in its opening week. The game sold 68,497 copies in its first few days on the market, beating other Switch newcomer Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town to the top prize. It...
Random Japan's Favourite Nintendo Character Devours The Competition Once More
Mario who?
Nintendo Dream is the name of Japan's official Nintendo publication, a magazine that began in 1996 and last year overtook the mighty Nintendo Power in terms of issues published. It's still going strong, too, with the latest issue being December 2019. Yes, we know it's still October. Ah, how we miss the steady acceleration of print...
News Uncensored Version Of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Becomes Best-Selling Wii U Game On Amazon Japan
Who needs the Switch release?
Some Nintendo fans located in Japan are seemingly refusing to accept the censorship in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore. This follows on from earlier this week – when it was discovered the upcoming worldwide re-release on Switch would be
News The Hulu App For Wii U Is Being Removed From The Japanese eShop
Pay your respects
The popular video streaming app Hulu will be removed from the Japanese Wii U eShop on 24th July 2020, officially marking the end of the service on Nintendo's troubled system. This follows on from its termination in North America earlier this year. After the app has been removed from the eShop, the service will no longer function...
Japanese Charts Disney Tsum Tsum Festival Fends Off Dragon Quest And Yo-Kai Watch For Top Spot
Sells 30,000+ copies in opening week
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 7th - 13th October, revealing that new Switch entry Disney Tsum Tsum Festival has managed to debut at number one. The game managed to overtake last week's winner Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition and also fought off the threat from...
News Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Will Headline EVO Japan 2020
Top tier
The Super Smash Bros. series has arguably become the king of fighting games over the years and to celebrate its success, the latest entry – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – will headline EVO Japan 2020. This announcement was made at the Nintendo Live Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Challenge Cup grand finals recently. More traditional fighting...
News Super Nintendo World's Construction Is Coming Along Nicely, New Photos Appear
Here's a sneak peek
As you'll likely know already if you keep a regular eye on our site, a 'Super Nintendo World' theme park is planned to open next year at Universal Studios, Japan. Construction started a while ago, but more and more photographs are starting to appear, giving us an early look at how it's all shaping up. The snaps have been taken...
News Start Training For Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 With This Japanese eShop Demo
Solo and local play included
The demos of upcoming Switch games just keep coming this week. Following from Resident Evil and Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD, Sega has now made one available for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
News Nintendo's 'Live 2019' Gaming Expo Will Not Be Cancelled Despite Typhoon Safety Concerns
Fans will be updated
Update (10th Oct, 09:30 BST): Nintendo has provided an update on its 'Live 2019' gaming expo, confirming that the current plan is go ahead with the event as planned. Sunday's opening time has been pushed back to 11am and will therefore have a reduced content schedule, but the event is otherwise unchanged (thanks, Japanese...
News Sega Rolls Out A Demo For Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD On The Japanese eShop
Roll on!
One game that's rolled off our radar from time to time is Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD. This title is due out on the Switch on 29th October and is a high-definition remake of the 2006 Nintendo Wii title. If you're eager to try the game out before its big release later this month, you're in luck. Sega has uploaded an entire demo for...
Gallery You Know, It's Probably For The Best That We Don't Live Near A Kirby Cafe
We'd start to resemble the little guy
This isn't the first bunch of menu items from one of Japan's pop-up cafes that we've laid our eyes on, and it certainly won't be the last, but this latest selection of cute Kirby cuisine has us wondering if there's not some sort of loophole we could use to get Just Eat to deliver these treats to our door. As...
Japanese Charts Dragon Quest XI S Fends Off Ghost Recon: Breakpoint To Stay Number One
Zelda takes third
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 30th September - 6th October, revealing that Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition has managed to secure a second week at the top. The game is estimated to have sold another 57,667 copies this week, down from the 360,871 it sold in its opening week. Tom...
Review Arcade Love: Plus Pengo! - A Unique Bundle Of Japanese Zaniness
Arcade beatings, shooting and Pengos for everyone
Triangle Service's debut title for the Switch is a fairly safe option for the small developer, which compiles three of their previously-published arcade titles – along with a unique 2012 version of Sega's Pengo – into a single package. But is it worth investing in Arcade Love: Plus Pengo!, which...
Random iPhone Charging Cable On The Fritz? Get A Sleeping Pokémon On It
No Snorlax?
We've all been there - you're in bed looking at your phone while it's charging, but if you hold it a certain way the power disconnects. Sometimes dislodging pocket fluff from the port with a pair of tweezers does the job, but more often than not your charging cable is giving up the ghost after being stretched and pulled and twisted too...
News Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Luigi's Mansion 3 And More To Be Featured At Nintendo Live 2019
Demos, photo ops and more
Nintendo has provided further details on its upcoming 'Nintendo Live 2019' event, a gaming expo of sorts that celebrates all things - you guessed it... Nintendo. Initially revealed a couple of months ago, Nintendo Live 2019 will be taking place on 13th - 14th October at the Kyoto International Conference Center. We already...
Japanese Charts Dragon Quest XI S Knocks Zelda: Link's Awakening Off Top Spot
And Switch is still flying off the shelves
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 23rd - 29th September, revealing that The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening has lost the first-place position it held last week. That honour has now been snapped up by Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition. The game is estimated to...