Tag: Japan - Page 42
News Here's How Much Space Star Fox Zero And Star Fox Guard Will Consume On Your Wii U
"Hey, what's the big deal?"
Digital download cards released in Japan have revealed the file size data for forthcoming Wii U titles Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard. Star Fox Zero gobbles up 6.2GB of storage space, while the spin-off title - which began life as Project Guard - occupies a more slender 2.1GB. Both launch at the end of the month -...
News Yo-Kai and Dragon Quest Still Lead for 3DS in Japan Following Modest Disney Art Academy Launch
Wii U sales climb a little as hardware struggles
The latest Media Create results are in to show what's hot and what's not in Japan, and they reflect a relatively stagnant hardware market and fairly predictable brand power, with a couple of new releases struggling to impress. The top two games are both on 3DS this week, with Yo-kai Sangokushi still...
News Yo-kai Watch 3 Coming To Nintendo 3DS In Two Fishy Flavours
Sushi or Tempura, anyone?
The latest issue of Japanese magazine CoroCoro has revealed that 3DS title Yo-Kai Watch 3 will come in two different versions: Sushi and Tempura. Both launch on July 16th in Japan. At retail, each version will come with an exclusive medal. The Sushi editon has the KK Brothers (the US version of Komasan and Komajiro) while...
Feature How One Man Saved Kyoto - And Video Games - From The Atomic Bomb
Nintendo fans have a lot to thank Henry Stimson for
As we all know, Nintendo's history stretches back quite some time - over 125 years, in fact. The Kyoto-based firm started out manufacturing playing cards and moved into other forms of entertainment - including toys and eventually video games - much later on. However, Nintendo might not have...
Rumour Voice Acting Audition Hints At Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Sequel
Could we be getting a new game, or just add-on content?
Avex - the company which produced the music for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE - is holding auditions in Japan to look for "new talent", a move which has sparked rumours that we could be getting more content for the game, either in the form of a sequel or DLC. Kaori Fukuhara - who provided the...
Video Nobody Sells The Appeal Of Terraria Quite Like The Japanese
Building hype
Terraria, like Minecraft, has made quite a splash with players who like to create entire worlds out of seemingly simplistic building blocks. It came out on 3DS last year thanks to 505 Games, but in Japan, Spike Chunsoft is handling the publishing duties. Perhaps sensing a Minecraft-style smash hit, the publisher has produced a 15...
News Yo-kai Brand Power Strikes Again in Japan as Pokkén Tournament Passes Sales Landmark
Wii U hardware sales continue to toil, however
It's the middle of the week, which means it's time to look over what's hot and what's not in Japan with the Media Create charts. Level-5 will be rolling around in bundles of cash once again, while there are both positives and negatives for Nintendo. Kicking off with software, Yo-kai Sangokushi on 3DS...
News Nintendo Is Ending DS Phat Repairs In Japan
Spare parts running out, says NCL
It's the end of an era. Not only have we recently had the news that DSiWare is shutting down and Nintendo is bringing DS cart production to a close, but we've now heard that NCL is stopping Nintendo DS console repairs in its homeland. Repair support for all colours of the very first DS (model number NTR-001, also...
Video Japanese Miitomo Commercial Shows How The Social App Breaks Down Barriers
Helping you to discover more about your friends
Miitomo launches today in the west, but has been available in Japan for a short while. However, Nintendo has decided to release a few TV commercial in its homeland to mark the worldwide launch, and it does an effective job of capturing the aim of the app - to enable friends to share information in a...
News Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 Makes Impressive Sales Debut in Japan
Wii U hardware sales drop significantly, however
As we're in the middle of another week we have the Media Create Japanese charts to consider, and this time around there's a new release on 3DS that's stealing the headlines. It's Square Enix's 3DS RPG Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3, the latest entry in the spin-off series, that's stormed to the top...
News Pokkén Tournament Beats Digimon to Number One in Japan and Boosts Wii U Sales
Splatoon is still rocking it in fifth place
It's time once again for the Japanese Media Create charts, and this week is particularly fascinating as it pitches the Pokémon and Digimon brands against each other. The good news for Pokémon fans is that the franchise came out on top in the head to head, with Pokkén Tournament seizing top spot for Wii...
News Miitomo Passed One Million Downloads in Just Three Days
Lots of mii-tings are happening in Japan
Miitomo has started rather well in Japan, we know this due to the fact it's still (as of 21st March) the leading free app on iPhone, and number two on Android. A number of keen Nintendo fans online may be rolling their eyes at the social app, but Nintendo won't mind too much if the wider public continues to...
News New Capcom Survey Points to Potential Future Plans for the Mega Man IP
Hang in there, Mega Man!
Ever since Keiji Inafune – the creator of Mega Man – left Capcom, the Mega Man series has more or less been put on ice. Though we technically got another entry in the classic series with the Capcom-approved fan game, Street Fighter X Mega Man, it still isn't much of a stretch to say that the series hasn't been at its...
News Miitomo Continues Strong Run in Japan
Tops iPhone overall chart and climbs to second on Android
Just recently we reported on the first two days of download results for Miitomo in Japan. It made a storming debut across iOS on 17th and 18th March, and now we have information on more results and the earliest Android chart placings. Once again we've been checking up on App Annie, and what...
News Miitomo Makes Storming Debut on iOS in Japan
"Should remove any doubts" about Nintendo brand power on smart devices
Miitomo, as many reading this will know well, launched on 17th March in Japan. Nintendo and DeNA's social app is certainly under pressure to deliver big download numbers, while shareholders will be watching closely to see what kind of revenue it and future apps will generate. A...
News Stretchy And Sticky Splatoon Squid Toys Are Coming To Japan, Thanks To Taito
Easy squeezy
Video game veteran Taito is producing a series of stretchy, goo-filled Splatoon squid toys. Now there's a sentence we didn't think we'd be typing when we woke up this morning. Due for release in Japan (where else?) on April 5th, the toys can be seen in action in the teaser video below. You can squeeze 'em, splat 'em and throw 'em in a...
News The My Nintendo Rewards 'Missions' Show What's Needed to Earn Freebies and Discounts
Miitomo naturally plays a big early part
Earlier today we shared the My Nintendo rewards that are on offer in Japan, with plenty of coins required to unlock exclusive downloads, discounts and DLC. The question is, how easy is it to earn these coins? Well, the graph below shows that the options for Platinum Coins are certainly varied, with Nintendo...
News My Nintendo Has Gone Live in Japan, Introduces Exclusive Content and a DS Download on 3DS
The start of something new
Nintendo's upcoming loyalty program – My Nintendo – may still have yet to launch in the west, but it just recently went live in Japan along with the new Miitomo app. The news doesn't come as much of a surprise, but it's interesting to see the kind of goodies that are being given away over the new service. Here's the...
News Twilight Princess HD Loses Out to The Division on Japanese Launch
Outperforms equivalent Wind Waker HD sales, however
It's Japanese charts time thanks to Media Create, and we have a major Wii U release joining in to try and start the party for Nintendo. The results are ok, but not spectacular. Kicking off with software we have the first week for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, which arrived seven days...
News Admit It, You Want This Splatoon Splattershot Water Pistol
Available for pre-order "soon"
The guns in Splatoon take a lot of inspiration from real-world water pistols, so it's perhaps a little surprising that Nintendo hasn't taken more advantage of this fact - an entire range of themed water shooters should have been available at launch; it would have been a licence to print money. Thankfully, the company...
News My Nintendo Rewards Start on 17th March in Japan, Alongside Miitomo Launch
As expected, though DLC and HOME Themes don't earn coins
It's always been the case that the new My Nintendo loyalty scheme - for those that have setup a Nintendo Account - would launch alongside Miitomo. With Nintendo's social app launching in Japan on 17th March the loyalty scheme will also arrive on the same day, and Nintendo's official website...
Taisuke Kanasaki is at the helm
It's going back quite a number of years now, but the DS and its dual-screen format helped deliver some intriguing narrative-driven gaming experiences. Fans of interactive storytelling with a grown-up approach may recall three particular DS releases that provided some notably stylised narratives on the portable - Trace...
Only in Japan, obviously
Volcanion & The Ingenious Magearna is the latest Pokémon movie to surface in Japan, and those who pre-book tickets for this cinematic event will get a Volcanion to use in Pokémon X & Y or Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. As revealed in CoroCoro magazine, pre-booking runs from April 16th through July 15th,...
News Nintendo Hardware Sales Climb in Japan Despite Limited New Releases
Vita and PS4 lead the way
It's Media Create Japanese charts time once again, with 3DS and Wii U facing off - as always - with Sony systems. The software results bring new releases in the top three, once again with a dual release across Vita and PS4 (sometimes there are triple releases that also include PS3) leading the way - Gundam Breaker 3. The...
Random Check Out This Japanese Transformable Skell Toy
More than meets the eye
One of the interesting new additions to Xenoblade Chronicles X is the introduction of Skells (or Dolls, for Japanese players), which are basically giant, drivable mechs that make traversing the colossal world of Mira that much easier. While it may be that it takes a large chunk of game time to actually reach a point where you...
News This Massive Snorlax Plush Doubles As The Perfect Pokémon Bed
59 inches long, weighs 12kg, costs $430
The Pokémon Snorlax is famous for being a bit sleepy, so you can forgive Bandai for taking advantage of this trait by creating what is best described as a giant cushion based on the character. Available in Japan for 52,000 Yen (around $430 / £300 / 390 Euros), Snorlax (or Kabigon has he's known in his...
Video Unleash The Monster Inside With These Japanese Pokkén Tournament Commercials
Father and son bonding
Pokkén Tournament is almost upon us, and Nintendo has published two light-hearted commercials in Japan to build up interest in the crossover brawler. Both spots feature a father and his son huddled around the television, happily duking it out in the game. This tranquil scene is interrupted by comical turns to camera and...
News Mega Man Legacy Collection Busts Into Japanese Charts as Nintendo Hardware Sales Climb
Slow and steady
It's Media Create charts time for Japan once again, and this week brings some smaller new releases and some modest (but still welcome) gains for Nintendo hardware. The big winner this week is Kamen Rider: Battride War Genesis, which claimed top spot on PS4 along with 3rd and 4th on Vita and PS3. The retail release of Mega Man Legacy...
News Etrian Odyssey V Finally Has A Release Date, And Yes, It's Coming To 3DS
August in Japan
Atlus has been somewhat quiet on Etrian Odyssey V since teasing that the game was in development. However, the company has now broken that silence to not only give us a solid Japanese release date of August, but to also confirm what we all hoped was the case - the game is indeed coming to the 3DS. An upcoming issue of Japanese...
News 3DS Hardware Sales Dip in Japan, Though Mario & Sonic at the Rio Olympics Gets Off the Blocks
Sony hardware dominance with popular new releases
It's the middle of the week, which means it's Media Create results time, showing us what's hot and what's not in Japan. The results show key releases on Sony hardware having an impact, while one new arrival on 3DS does its best to compete. Kan Colle Kai has started strongly on Vita, while Attack on...
News Super Famicom Satellaview Title Golf Daisuki! O.B. Club Translated To English
Birdie from Outer Space!
The Nintendo Satellaview was a visionary achievement - attaching a satellite modem to your Super Famicom and having scheduled game downloads was certainly something out of science fiction back in 1995. It achieved a moderate amount of success in Japan and has gathered a cult following among diehard Super Famicom...
News We Squid You Not, Japan Really Is Getting Splatoon Candy
Dentists won't be happy
Those of you who value your tooth enamel, look away now - Japanese candy maker Nobel is releasing official Splatoon sweets. These will be available in two varieties. The squid-shaped gummy sweets are melon and orange-flavoured, with the occasional octopus making an appearance. The other sweets are hard candy in a wide range...
News Puzzle & Dragons X Hitting Japan This July In Two Versions
Check out the new trailer
Puzzle & Dragons is one of the few mobile franchises to have successfully made the transition to console, with Puzzle & Dragons Z and a Super Mario-themed crossover proving to be commercial hits for developer GungHo. The firm is now following up with the 3DS sequel Puzzle & Dragons X, which hits Japan on July...
News Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final Storms to Number One in Japanese Charts
3DS nearly catches PS4 as Wii U toils
It's the middle of the week, which means it's time to look at the Media Create chart results for Japan. After a tough couple of weeks for Nintendo hardware things are a little more positive this time around - a new release is the key, of course. Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final arrived last week in Japan and has...
News Cube Life: Island Survival Climbs the eShop Charts in Japan
Edging ever closer to Minecraft's coveted no.1 spot
We recently reported that indie developer Cypronia found success in Japan with its Minecraft-inspired title Cube Life: Island Survival. Since that time it has now sky-rocketed to third place in the Japanese charts, even sneaking past Super Mario
News Mega Man's Creator Outlines The Rules Used To Shape One Of The Most Brutal Games Ever Made
"The way the enemies act [is] totally unfair and absurd"
Mega Man is one of the most beloved series to emerge from the melting pot that was the Japanese 8-bit development scene, and also ranks as one of the toughest. At a time when most NES games were happy to adopt a simplistic approach to suit younger players, Capcom's action platformer seemed...
Video Why We Want Detective Pikachu Translated for North America & Europe
Go west, young Pika
Detective Pikachu: Birth of a New Duo is the latest in the line of Pokémon spin-off games that The Pokémon Company have produced, but for the moment at least it's only available in Japan. We're sure every Pokémon fan and their Houndoom is frothing at the gob over this title due to its lustrous visuals, charming animation and...
News Nintendo Drops Behind Sony in Japan as Wii U Sales Tumble
Lack of new releases harms momentum
It's the time of the week where we consider the Media Create charts from Japan, and the most recent results bring some interesting numbers. One notable new arrival on PS4, and the lack of fresh arrivals on Wii U and 3DS, set the tone. In the software charts Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 makes its debut...
News Brand New Pokémon To Be Revealed By Japanese Magazine CoroCoro
Meet Magiana
Japanese magazine CoroCoro is teasing the fact that it will announce an entirely new Pokémon in a forthcoming issue. Named "Magiana", the 'mon has been shown off in a trailer for the next issue - in silhouette form, at least. The issue in question hits newsstands in Japan on February 15th, which is next Monday. It's not clear how...
News Mega Man Is Blasting His Way To Nintendo Badge Arcade
Rock on
While the world cries out for a new Mega Man game, Capcom continues to whistle nonchalantly and look the other way - but thankfully the company isn't totally oblivious to the appeal of its famous android. News that Mega Man is coming to Nintendo Badge Arcade should prove that. Starting February 26th, the Blue Bomber will be added to the...
News Famitsu Reveals New Rival for Ace Attorney 6
The "Funeral Prosecutor"
The latest issue of Famitsu magazine will have new information on Capcom's upcoming Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 6, including a first look at Wright and Co.'s main courtroom rival. According to translating fans over at Court Records, the new prosecutor is named Nayuta Sadmadhi, although this name might of course change when...
Review Crystal Beans From Dungeon Explorer (SNES)
Do NOT shoot the food
Gauntlet remains a dear memory among many retro gamers. After all, Atari's revolutionary dungeon crawler was one of the best co-op arcade games ever produced and it certainly was no stranger to Nintendo owners with several conversions making their way to NES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64 and GameCube. You will notice a strange...
News Cube Life Battles Minecraft for Success in Japan
Update 1.2 on its way soon
As you probably know Minecraft: Wii U Edition hit the Wii U in late December, and it's doing particularly well in Japan. It's the number one selling game in the Wii U charts in Japan at the moment. That's not discouraged publisher Cypronia from releasing its Minecraft-inspired title Cube Life: Island Survival
News Pokémon's Ash And Gary Are Getting The Nendoroid Treatment
Plastic fantastic
As we all know, the Pokémon turns 20 this year, and we're seeing plenty of promotional activity to mark this fact - including digital re-releases of the games that started it all on the Game Boy. There's more good news for Pokémon fans, as stars Ash and Gary (or "Red" and "Blue" if you'd prefer) are getting immortalised in...
Video Check Out Pikachu And Lucario's Fancy Moves In This New Pokkén Tournament Clip
Plus a brief look at the next Pokémon movie
A new video has just gone live which shows of the basic movesets of Pikachu and Lucario in the forthcoming Wii U brawler Pokkén Tournament. Due for release worldwide on March 18th, the game is being co-developed by Tekken creator Bandai Namco and will see various characters from the Pokémon universe...
News The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Will Have Its Own Manga
Shackled to a Japanese app for now
Those who like their legends unfolding from right to left might be happy to learn that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be the next game in the Zelda series to receive its own official manga. A pair of artists who go by the combined name Akira Himekawa will take up their inks for the project once again,...
Media Create serves up disappointing Wii U and 3DS results
It's Wednesday, so you know what that means - we're at the half way point of another gruelling week! Actually, it means Media Create Japanese chart results, though it could also mean the first thing; in truth, the results are rather grisly this time for Nintendo, but considering its strong...
News Capcom Is Bringing Mario Party To Japanese Arcades This Summer
Mario Party Mysterious Challenge World to be shown off this month
Capcom and Nintendo are expanding their legacy of coin-op collaboration with a special version of Mario Party, exclusive to arcades. Entitled Mario Party Fushigi no Challenge World - which translates as Mario Party Mysterious Challenge World - the game is a 6-player offering which...
Weirdness 8-Year-Old Writes Nintendo A Letter Of Apology For Getting His 3DS Wet
A grim reminder to check your thermos cap
It's never too pleasant having to deal with customer service and sending something in to be repaired, but for one eight-year-old boy in Japan, the loss of his 3DS seems to have stirred up some surprising feelings of guilt instead of the usual impatience and annoyance. Imagine that! The young boy apparently...
Gallery These Fan-Made Splatoon Weapons Are Pretty Fresh
Tools of the trade
The Game Party Japan 2016 event has just hosted the Japanese National Splatoon Championship, giving fans of the game the chance to test their skill against like-minded individuals. It also gave the truly dedicated the opportunity to show off their creative talents, as there was a booth which showcased fan-made versions of the...