Tag: Japan - Page 46
News Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Fails to Chart in Week of Poor Sales in Japan
Xenoblade Chronicles X clears 100,000 sales
In recent weeks there have been some decent game and hardware sales in Japan, so a tumble was always on the agenda. Even with that in mind, it's nevertheless been a rather lousy week of sales for Japanese retailers according to the latest Media Create results. Kicking off with the software charts, Final...
News This 3DS Carry Case Has A StreetPass Window, Because Those Puzzle Pieces Won't Find Themselves
Say hello to the Signal Pouch
Is there a better feeling in life than pulling your beloved 3DS out of your bag and seeing that reassuring green glow which indicates that StreetPasses await within? No, no there is not. And now thanks to the industrious guys and gals at Keys Factory, you can protect your console yet still see quite clearly when there's...
News Japan Is Suiting Up For Another Super Robot Wars Title On 3DS
Robot rock
Super Robot Wars is a massive series in its native Japan and brings together many classic Mecha series into one convenient package. The latest entry in this long-running franchise has just been revealed by Famitsu, and goes by the title Super Robot Wars BX. It launches in Japan on August 20th for 6,640 yen. According to the report, the...
Plays Sega, Nintendo and NEC games
We reviewed the RetroN 5 a while back and found it to be an excellent way of playing your original retro game cartridges in glorious HD. However, Hyperkin's wonder-console has a challenger in the shape of Cyber Gadget's Retro Freak - a clone system which out-does the RetroN 5 by offering support for PC Engine...
News Fashionable Japanese 3DS Owners Can Strut Their Stuff In Nico ☆ Petit Girls Runway This Winter
There's a brand new dance, but I don't know its name
During Nintendo's recent Financial Results Briefing, president Satoru Iwata explained that the company was hoping to maintain the commercial momentum of its ageing 3DS system in Japan by targeting female players. We've already seen the likes of Girls Mode / Style Savvy and Animal Crossing: New...
News These Adorable Splatoon Squid Cushions Are Headed To Japan
Look at those eyes!
Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U squid shooter, Splatoon, features many cute, cuddly and also streetwise sea creatures in it. Arguably the most adorable is the Inkling’s squid transformation. The way these characters effortlessly swim, slide and splash about in ink is mesmerising. With this in mind, Japan will receive the above...
News Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition Leads in Japan as 3DS Tops Hardware Sales
Xenoblade Chronicles X holds firm in fourth
It's the week after Golden Week in Japan, which typically brings a drop-off in sales as the public holiday becomes a fading memory. With that in mind, and in the absence of new releases, the latest Media Create sales for the country bring positives for Nintendo. Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros...
News Nintendo Reveals Pushmo: Hippa Land For 3DS eShop, Out Now In Japan
Sample the game for free, and pay to unlock more
Intelligent Systems’ Pushmo series for the 3DS eShop has been well received since the original game – known as Pullblox in Europe – was first released on the 3DS eShop in 2011. Since then, fans of Mallo and company have seen the release of the 2012 sequel Crashmo – Fallblox in Europe – and...
News Square Enix Announces Dragon Quest VIII For The 3DS
Launches in Japan on 27th August
The 3DS is four years old now and Nintendo knows sales momentum of the system is important to maintain. At a recent Financial Results Briefing, Iwata reiterated this, explaining the 3DS could use with a boost in its homeland of Japan. With this in mind, Square Enix has announced Dragon Quest VIII – originally...
Matters Of Import Take A Guided Tour Of Super Potato, The Ultimate Retro Gaming Paradise
Japan-based Brit David Coyles explains the appeal of this legendary shop
"I don't know where to start! I'm so excited" blurted out in an enclave of retro gaming memorabilia, and a phrase which saved me from my own funk in a number of ways. Japanese store Super Potato has a certain uplifting effect on most of the people who visit – be it one of...
News Xenoblade Chronicles X and Dragon Quest Help Wii U to Top Spot in Japan
Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition tops software results
In recent weeks the Media Create Japanese charts have shown Sony systems and its releases nicking ahead of Nintendo's offerings, so with that in mind this week brings happier news for the big N. The company and supportive third-parties have topped the software and hardware results to...
News Imageepoch CEO Remains Absent With Removal of Twitter Account
Still no official word, though Stella Glow still on course
Developer Imageepoch is well known by fans of the Japanese gaming scene and recently completely 3DS exclusive Stella Glow, which is being published by SEGA in Japan and Atlus in North America. Unfortunately, news around the developer took a troubling turn in early April with the...
News Nintendo Celebrates Japanese Launch Of Fire Emblem If With Themed Cover Plate & Bundle
Another week, another cover plate
Since the launch of the New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo has allowed users to accessorise their system with a wide selection of cover plate offerings. This trend won’t be stopping any time soon, with the latest cover plate reveal celebrating the upcoming Japanese launch of Fire Emblem If. The special Fire Emblem If...
News Bravely Second: End Layer Passes 100,000 Sales in Its Launch Week in Japan
Wii U has a small boost as 3DS remains static
There's some cheer for Square Enix and 3DS fans in the latest Media Create charts from Japan, with a fresh release sealing top-spot and six-figure sales. Despite that, there's still an overwhelming volume of new releases on Sony systems hogging the top 10. It's Bravely Second: End Layer that claims top...
News Fire Emblem's Two Versions Will Offer Very Different Challenges
More difficult "Black Kingdom" edition aimed at veterans of the series
The next entry in the Fire Emblem series - dubbed Fire Emblem If in Japan - is coming in two different packages: White Kingdom and Black Kingdom. While it's tempting to assume that these two versions boast only subtle differences, Intelligent Systems' Masahiro Higuchi and...
News Science Museum in Tokyo Aiming for Super Effective Education With The Pokémon Lab
Disclaimer may clarify that no real Pokémon are featured
Here's another event to file under the "wish I was in Japan" category, as Pokémon fans within travelling distance of Tokyo could potentially learn a little about science and also have fun with one of their favourite franchises. From 8th May onwards, The Pokémon Lab exhibit at the Miraikan...
Video Gengar Confirmed as a Fighter in Pokkén Tournament
Fingers crossed for a Wii U release
Pokkén Tournament is an intriguing new project from Bandai Namco. A game that aims to blend the Pokémon series with traditional fighter action; it has so far only been confirmed to release in Japanese arcades, with no word of a Western launch to be found. Given the console-like controller that will feature on...
News Girls Mode 3 Struts to Number One in Japan, Though Hardware Sales Stumble Again
Worth it for the Kirby bag
It's easy to be dismissive of Style Savvy / New Style Boutique, with its focus on fashion, designer coffees and neat apartments, but it's a rather fun and entertaining title on the 3DS. The release of the latest entry in Japan has given some life to the country's charts this week, too, though overall sales are still...
News Bravely Second Offers Over 100 Hours Of Gameplay, Producer Already Has Plans For Third Game
"We’ve packed it with all the ideas we can think of"
Bravely Second: End Layer launches this week in Japan, and Famitsu has been speaking to producer Tomoya Asano and assistant producer Shinji Takahashi about the game ahead of release. Both seem to be pretty pleased with how the sequel has turned out, with Takahashi stating: I feel like there's...
News Thousands Of Pikachus Will Be Taking Over Yokohama This August
Mark it in your diary
This August sees the annual Pikachu Tairyou Hassei Chu - or "An outbreak of Pikachus" in English - which takes place in the Japanese city of Yokohama. Thousands of Pikachus will be in attendance, and they'll be marching around the city from August 8th to August 16th. Other activities celebrating the world's most famous Pocket...
News Project X Zone 2's Development Made Possible By The Original's "Good Global Reputation"
"I think there will be surprising announcements in the future"
Project X Zone 2's shock announcement is welcome news for fans of the original game - and is perhaps a little unexpected, too. Following the news, Japanese magazine Famitsu caught up with Kensuke Tsukanaka (producer, Bandai Namco), Ichirou Morizumi (Monolith Soft, development director)...
News Fire Emblem: If Special Edition Bundle Sold Out In Japan, Sparks Second Shipment for Pre-Orders
If only it was out in the West this year
It seems Intelligent systems has pulled it out of the bag with its latest release. The brand new game in the Fire Emblem series has sold out of its pre-orders for the Special Edition pack, resulting in a second shipment being ordered for Japan. Some people may call this an ironic twist of fate, after Fire...
News Nintendo Has Released This Fabulous 3DS Theme In Japan To Celebrate The Launch Of Girls Mode 3
Stunning, darling!
The latest entry in the Girls Mode series (known locally as Style Savvy or New Style Boutique depending on where you live) is now out in Japan.To celebrate the special occasion, Nintendo has released a Girls Mode 3: Kira Kira Code 3DS theme. The new theme, which can be viewed on the catwalk in the trailer below, is available for...
News Sales Fall Away in Japan as Xenoblade Chronicles 3D Drops to Ninth
New Nintendo 3DS continues battle with PS4 and Vita
It's Media Create Japanese charts time again, and we suspect the results have been greeted with a united sagging of shoulders among the bean counters of publishers and developers. When the number one game sells just 20,494, we'd suggest stiff drinks are required. That number one is Dark Souls II:...
News Clear Display Cases Show Off amiibo in Style
Trophy collection
All Amiibo collectors looking for a good way to store their trophies are in luck. Play Asia has posted a listing for an amiibo Clear Case. The HORI created case is comprised of a shallow stand, deep enough to fit the Amiibo disk, and a clear, square covering case to show off the various fighters in style. The case is available in...
News 3DS eShop Title Titan Run Is Attack On Titan In Bite-Sized Form
Smash up a city for the highest score
D3Publisher's Japan-only Simple Series has been running for quite a few years now, offering engaging experiences for reasonable prices. The latest entry - developed by E-Trek - is inspired by the anime and manga franchise Attack on Titan and sees you dashing through the crowded city of Tokyo causing as much...
News Xenoblade Chronicles 3D Takes Third Place in Japanese Charts, Lifts New Nintendo 3DS Sales
Unsurprisingly sells less at launch than Wii original
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D launched in Japan last week, giving a welcome new release on Nintendo hardware in the company's homeland. It performed reasonably well, if not brilliantly, and helped the New Nintendo 3DS LL to climb back up to second in the hardware charts. The software top 20 has the...
News Nikki Lives On in Latest Batch of 3DS HOME Themes in Japan
Sesame Street! Steel Empire! Doraemon!
Japanese 3DS owners are never short of options with 3DS HOME menus, and this week's new arrivals are typically diverse and large in number. A few of the fresh options certainly caught our eye, either because of the brand involved or simply because they look neat. First of all we have Nikki's ongoing survival...
Video Feast Your Eyes On The Brand New Bravely Second Cinematic Trailer
We'll have that Western release date any time, right Square Enix?
If you're a huge JRPG fan, then you will likely be looking forward to the arrival of Bravely Second: End Layer. As the release date for the Japanese version becomes ever closer, fans in the West are going crazy for more details. We already know that fan favourite Agnes Oblige will be...
Game expected to arrive in 2016
We already knew that Yo-Kai Watch was coming to the west thanks to Hasbro's deal to create toys for the popular Japanese cross-over franchise, but it wasn't until today - and Level-5's Japanese Vision 2015 conference - that a publisher (Nintendo) and solid release window (2016) came to light. Nintend
News The Snack World Is Level-5's Next Cross-Media Project, And It's Coming To Nintendo 3DS
Toys use NFC to interact with the game
As if announcing three new Yo-Kai Watch titles wasn't enough, Level-5 has today revealed its next big "cross-media" venture, The Snack World. A multimedia effort which will see Level-5 collaborate with Takara Tomy, TV Tokyo and CoroCoro Comics, The Snack World will cover movies, manga, toys and video games...
News Level-5 Announces Yo-Kai Watch 3 For Nintendo 3DS, Action Takes Place In USA
Third time's a charm
Level-5 has just revealed the third entry in its best-selling Yo-Kai Watch series, due to launch on the Nintendo 3DS. Yo-Kai Watch 3 will take place in North America, in keeping with the storyline of the ongoing anime series. A new character is introduced called Inaho Misora, who has her own Yo-kai named USApyon. Level-5 has...
News Yo-Kai Watch Busters Hitting 3DS This Year, Main Franchise Coming To The West In 2016
Busting makes me feel good
Level-5's Vision 2015 event is happening right now, and the company's CEO Akihiro Hino has just announced a new entry in its popular Yo-Kai Watch franchise. Yo-Kai Watch Busters is an 3DS action title based on a mini-game featured in Yo-Kai Watch 2. The title will come in two versions - Red Cat Troupe and White Dog Unit -...
News Fantasy Life 2 Is Skipping 3DS In Favour Of Smartphones
Phone home
Level-5 has just revealed that the sequel to the 3DS title Fantasy Life is coming to smartphones, ignoring Nintendo's handheld entirely. Fantasy Life 2: Two Moons And The Village of God will contain all the usual character-building RPG goodness - with a focus on exploring different "lives" or jobs - but the catch this time around is that...
News New Fire Emblem on 3DS Takes Shape as Two Separate Releases in Japan
Western details for 2016 release unclear
We think it's fair to say that, at the moment, the Fire Emblem series is in the position to go from strength to strength, following the success of Fire Emblem: Awakening. Intelligent Systems and Nintendo SPD continue to impress their Fire Emblem fans, and with a new addition to the series on the horizon Fire...
News The President Of Stella Glow Developer Imageepoch Has Gone Missing
Sites also down, office apparently up for rent
Japanese RPG developer Imageepoch has been in the press this week thanks to the confirmation that its 3DS title Stella Glow is coming to the west, but not all of the news relating to the firm is positive. Kotaku is reporting that Imageepoch's president Ryoei Mikage has gone missing, and tha
News Xenoblade Chronicles X's Soundtrack Is So Epic, It Needs 4 CDs To Contain It
55 songs, coming to Japan May 20th
With Xenoblade Chronicles 3D release date fast approaching, it's hard not to yearn for the brand new title from the series, Xenoblade Chronicles X. However far away the (still undecided) western release date might be, new information for the game has been arriving in spades leaving fans wanting more. Recently we...
News Theatrhythm Dragon Quest Battles Bravely Against Wave of Sony System Releases in Japan
3DS 'family' still performing reasonably well
In recent weeks Nintendo has seen the long-established dominance for the 3DS and its games strongly tested in Japan. There's been an influx of popular new releases on PS4, Vita and PS3, helping the first two systems in particular achieve improved hardware sales. No doubt it's a trend Nintendo hopes to...
Video Marvel At The Fabulous amiibo Unlocks In Style Savvy Sequel, Girls Mode 3
Accessorise with a Kirby handbag, darling
The latest entry in Girls Mode series (known locally as Style Savvy or New Style Boutique depending on where you live) will strut its stuff on the catwalk later this month when it debuts in Japan on 16th April. As with all of Nintendo’s current releases, Girls Mode 3: Kira Kira Code will receive the...
Video Something's a Bit Off About this New Trailer for The Great Ace Attorney
I mean, they made Watson a little girl?! (Oh wait, not that)
With The Great Ace Attorney, the next installment in Capcom's Ace Attorney series, slated for a 9 July release in Japan, the company is drumming up hype with a new trailer featuring a bold new design choice. Taking the setting back to Meiji era Japan and throwing Sherlock Holmes and Watson...
News The Racing Days Are Over For SEGA’s 3DS eShop Drifter, Initial D: Perfect Shift Online
Tofu delivery doesn’t last forever
Although SEGA's Initial D: Perfect Shift Online never drifted our way in the end, the 3DS eShop title based on the long-running manga series still experienced a solid performance in Japan, with more than 500,000 downloads. SEGA has now announced it will end the services for Initial D Perfect Shift Online at the...
News Sony Hardware Takes Charge of Japanese Charts With Flurry of Releases
Work to do for New Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
For over two years the Japanese market has been a fortress for Nintendo, with the 3DS in particular dominating the hardware and software charts. Recent times have brought a dip, however, especially since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D provided a welcome boost in mid-February. In...
News New Nintendo 3DS Exploit Makes Japanese Systems Region-Free
Only supports legitimate cartridge games
There are certainly some gamers in North America that only plan to pick up a New Nintendo 3DS when the smaller model is available, as only two variations of the XL iteration are currently available in the region. That limited release was a contentious decision from Nintendo of America, with the smaller...
Japan Weekly Famitsu Discusses Splatoon Weaponry And Gives Details On Style Savvy 3
Two obscure Japanese games are also reviewed
Once again Famitsu has put out a weekly edition light on Nintendo news. It seems both Japan and Western territories are in a lull of significant Nintendo games. However, this edition did give us a bit more information on Splatoon - which is always welcome - and delved into Girls Mode 3 / Style Savvy 3, if...
News Style Savvy Sequel Lets You Accessorize With Your amiibo Figures
19,000 different types of clothing promised, too
If you're a Style Savvy fan (or New Style Boutique, depending on where you happen to reside) then you'll be glad to hear that Girls Mode 3: Kira Kira Code will soon be out in Japan - on April 16th, 2015 to be exact. In case you've never heard of the name, Girls Mode is the Japanese title for Style...
Say goodbye to Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter: Albatross no Tsubasa
Multimedia franchises are all the rage in Japan these days. The market for brands which straddle video games, toys and anime is huge, and it's little wonder that companies like Nintendo, Sega and Capcom have all tried to crack this lucrative market. Square Enix is another veteran video...
News Please Don't Hate Japan For Getting More Amazing Sega 3DS Themes
Dreamcast and SG-1000 join the ranks
Japan has a wider selection of 3DS themes then the west - that much is a given. However, the gulf between the haves and have-nots is getting a little irksome now - especially as Sega has just released two more awesome themes for Japanese fans to download. The Dreamcast and SG-1000 themes cost 200 Yen a piece and...
News Langrisser Re:Incarnation Tensei Is Hitting Japan This July With Limited Edition Goodies In Tow
"Legend Box" contains figures, CDs and an artbook
We recently reported that the classic strategy series Langrisser - known in the west as Warsong - is getting a new entry for the Nintendo 3DS. That title now has a final name - Langrisser Re:Incarnation Tensei - and a solid release window of
News Etrian Mystery Dungeon Just Misses Top Spot in Japanese Charts as New 3DS LL Climbs to Second
Wii U sales improve a little
After a dominant début for Dragon Quest Heroes in its first week on PS3 and PS4 in Japan, the latest Media Create results bring a new 3DS release into the reckoning, even if it can't seize top-spot; hardware, meanwhile, remains steady for another week. New in the software charts is Etrian Mystery Dungeon, the crossover...
News All Theatrhythm Dragon Quest DLC Set to be Free
Not bad at all
Square Enix continues to pull out the surprises for its fan base, and with the Theatrhythm Dragon Quest Japanese launch date of March 26th almost upon us, the surprises are not waning. Square Enix has delighted Japanese fans with free 3DS HOME themes already, and if you haven't heard today is the release of the Theatrhythm Dragon...