Tag: Japan
News Nippon Ichi Software's President, Tetsuhisa Seko, Has Passed Away
Executive joined the company in 2002
Nippon Ichi Software has announced that its president and CEO, Tetsuhisa Seko, has sadly passed away at the age of 54. Born on 21st January, Showa 46 (1971 which, despite NIS stating his age as 55, would make him 54 at the time of his death), Seko joined the company back in March 2002 after previous stints at...
Japanese Charts Fans Go Bananas For Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
King of Swing (and of the charts)
We've got an updated look at the Japanese software charts courtesy of Famitsu and, given the arrival of a new Nintendo joint, there was never any doubt about who was going to be in first place. Yes, much like in the UK, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has swung its way to gold in its debut week after shifting an...
News Super Technos World: River City & Technos Arcade Classics Announced For Switch
Update: Worldwide release confirmed
To kick off the new year, Arc System Works has announced Technos The World: Kunio-kun & Arcade Collection for the Nintendo Switch and multiple other platforms. This information was shared in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu. This new collection will launch in Japan on 24th April 2025 and first-print...
News Nintendo Joins 'Fuji TV' Commercial Boycott Following Sex Scandal
One of many companies pulling ads
Nintendo is pulling commercials from airing on the Japanese station Fuji Television (Fuji TV) following an ongoing sex scandal centred around Masahiro Nakai, one of the station's biggest hosts. As reported by Nikkei (thanks, Automaton), in December 2024, a 90 million yen ($569,000) out-of-court settlement followed...
News Nintendo's Average Salary Crowned The Second-Highest In Western Japan Last Year
Despite the annual salary falling a little
A new report from Japanese business journal Diamond Online has provided a rundown of companies with the highest average annual salaries in Western Japan for FY2024, and Nintendo is right up there with the best of them (thanks, Automaton). According to the report, Nintendo paid an average annual salary of...
Japanese Charts Freedom Wars Remastered Makes Its Top Ten Debut
Though Mario Party Jamboree is still the king
Famitsu has posted the latest boxed sales charts for Japan, and this time, Freedom Wars Remastered makes its debut on the Switch and the PS5. Rather predictably, the Switch version sold more copies at 8,277 (4,829 on the PS5) but couldn't quite manage to climb the ranks and claim the top prize. It's the...
News Nintendo's New Japan-Exclusive Donkey Kong Merch Range Goes Hard
You'll either love it or hate it
Nintendo has just unleashed its second DK rerelease on the Switch with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a game that's seemingly taken a few cues from Emperor Palpatine on how to cheat death ("Somehow..."). To celebrate, the firm has also launched a range of Donkey Kong-themed merchandise in Japan and, well, it goes...
Japanese Charts Super Mario Party Jamboree Surpasses 1 Million Units Sold
Keeping the party going
We're back with the latest Japanese charts folks; the first of 2025! It's a little bit different for this first go around, too. Famitsu has posted software sales figures for the two weeks of 23rd-29th December and 30th Dec - 5th January, but no hardware figures. We'll collate the top ten games for both weeks here, and...
Feature A Trip To Machida, The Real-Life 'Pallet Town' That Inspired Pokémon
Pokén around
The first generation of Pokémon games features some of the most iconic locations in the entire franchise. The eerie Lavender Town, the winding Viridian Forest, and the quaint Pallet Town where all players start their journey. Pallet Town isn’t just a fanciful creation, but draws real-life inspiration from Pokémon creator Satoshi...
News SNK Announces ACA NEOGEO Selection Vol. 3 And Vol. 4 For Switch
Update: Pre-orders go live
SNK has announced new ACA NEOGEO Selections for Nintendo Switch - including Vol. 3 and Vol. 4. These new volumes will be launching exclusively in Japan on 10th April 2025, with each collection featuring 10 games previously released as ACA NEOGEO games on the Switch eShop. Here's a look at each collection (via Gematsu):...
News Freedom Wars Remastered Japanese Switch Box Art Revealed, Here's A First Look
Update: English language support confirmed
In September, Bandai Namco surprised fans with the announcement of Freedom Wars Remastered for the Nintendo Switch. It will be arriving in January 2025 and is a remaster of Japan Studio's PlayStation Vita exclusive which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Fans have now been given a first look at the...
News Nintendo Reveals Japan's "Top 30" Most Downloaded Switch eShop Games Of 2024
Suika Game takes out the top spot
As we approach the end of 2024, Nintendo has revealed the most downloaded Switch eShop games of the year in Japan. As you might expect, the usual titles and series are on there like Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Dragon Quest and Monster Hunter. There are also a few surprises, indie representatives and viral...
News Japanese Game Creators Reveal Their "Top 20" Video Games Of 2024
Here's the full list
It's the end of the year and as we round up the best games and all sorts of other interesting facts and figures, Weekly Famitsu's latest issue (released on 26th December 2024) has revealed the "most popular games played in 2024" according to 181 industry figures and "game loving celebrities" in Japan. As explained by Persona...
News Night Slashers: Remake Is Getting A Physical Switch Release In 2025
Japan only, but English language support is included
Following the release of the beat 'em up Night Slashers: Remake in September, a physical release has now been confirmed. The catch is it's Japan only for now. Fortunately, it does include English language support. It's around the $30 USD mark (or your regional equivalent) on sites like Play-Asia...
Japanese Charts What Successor? Switch Hardware Sales Top 100,000
Spare a thought for PS5 and Xbox
Nintendo's gamble to save its 'Switch 2' announcement for the New Year has seemingly paid off - at least in Japan, anyway. Starting with software, Super Mario Party Jamboree has once again topped the boxed charts, selling a further 133,542 copies and inching ever closer to a total of 1 million lifetime sales. Dragon...
Reminder New Mario Kart And Animal Crossing Lego Sets Launch Next Month
Here's another look
Earlier this year, LEGO announced it was extending its Nintendo range with the addition of a new Mario Kart line and more Animal Crossing sets. Nintendo's Japanese website has now issued a reminder that three new Animal Crossing sets and six new Mario Kart sets will be launching on 1st January 2025. The six Mario Kart sets...
Feature "It's Fun, So It's Okay!" - Celebrating Takashi Tezuka's Astonishing 40-Year Nintendo Career
A look back at a glittering catalogue
Takashi Tezuka seems like a good laugh, the kind of chap who knows how to have fun. Despite all the Master-Sword-waving and PR-related hijinx from fellow Nintendo luminary Shigeru Miyamoto over the years, you still get the impression he's merciless in the workplace — an exacting, intimidating,...
Japanese Charts Super Mario Party Jamboree Is On A Roll
You Got A(nother) Star!
Sigh. Another week, another Jamboree win. Yes, the latest look at the physical software charts from Japan is in (thanks, Famitsu), and Super Mario Party Jamboree has rolled yet another winner, putting an additional 95,817 sales on top of its already impressive total. Overall, things look very same-y this week, with the...
Japanese Charts FANTASIAN Sneaks Into The Top 10 As Mario Party Rolls Another Winner
Lucky dice
Well, this is becoming something of a trend, isn't it? After retaking the throne last week, Super Mario Party Jamboree has stuck around at the top of the Japanese charts in Famitsu's latest look. In fact, the top three are unchanged this week, with Jamboree, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe all maintaining their...
Round Up The First Reviews For Super Nintendo World: Donkey Kong Country Are In
Here's what the critics had to say
Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Country expansion has officially opened its doors in Japan and the first reviews are now rolling in. This new area in Super Nintendo World comes packed with new activities, exclusive food and merchandise, and a new Mine Cart Ride. Generally, the impressions seem to be quite...
News Man Caught Selling Hacked Pokémon Sun Save Data Arrested By Japanese Police
Gotta catch 'em all
If you cast your mind back to earlier this year, you might recall that a man was arrested in Japan for selling modded data from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Well, it's clear that not everyone was paying attention to the repercussions, as last week, Japanese police announced that they had arrested a man on similar charges for...
News Looks Like Fire Emblem & Paper Mario Dev Intelligent Systems Is Hiring
Multiple positions available for "popular game titles"
Nintendo subsidiary Intelligent Systems — best known for developing the Fire Emblem, Paper Mario, and WarioWare series' — is currently hiring. Spotted by reader Leaf Garrison, the job is open for (via Google translate) "developing popular game titles" and has been open since 8th November...
News Shmup Fans Rejoice! 'DoDonPachi True Death' Is Coming To Switch In Japan This Month
It's true!
Off the back of last year's exquisite Dodonpachi DaiOuJou Blissful Death Re:Incarnation, publisher Live Wire has announced that it's bringing DoDonPachi True Death to Switch in Japan on 19th December. True Death (or 'DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou', in Japan) is the sixth entry in Cave's vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up series, initially...
Update: Coming to all platforms in 2025
If you played the Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles video game and were wondering when Tanjiro and his demon-slaying buddies would be returning, we've got an update. Aniplex has announced the second chapter of this game - officially titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami...
Japanese Charts Mario Party Jamboree Ends Dragon Quest III's Reign
Back for another star
After two big weeks of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake dominance, Famitsu's latest look at the Japanese physical software charts has a new champion. Super Mario Party Jamboree has rolled back into the top spot, with an additional 56,032 sales pushing the latest board game bonanza past 500,000 total sales and ahead of Dragon...
News Nintendo Postpones Retail Sales Of Its New Sound Clock Alarmo (Japan)
A late start
Nintendo's new sound clock Alarmo had a limited Switch Online rollout when it originally arrived in October, with the plan to eventually give it a wider retail release around the globe. Unfortunately, it seems this retail release has now been postponed in Japan. While Nintendo originally intended to release the clock to the general...
News Nintendo Store Tokyo's Latest Gacha Goodies Are A Range Of Zelda: TOTK Zonai Devices
You're gunna hear me Rauru
Remember earlier this year when Nintendo revealed its range of controller button fidget toys, sold exclusively in the gacha machines of its Japan stores? Well, it looks like there's a new collection in town to get us envious all over again. As spotted by a whole host of people today on Twitter and BlueSky, it appe
News Nintendo Is Ranked The Third Most Sought-After Employer In Japan
Gee, wonder why?
A new survey conducted by Japanese employment agency Gakujo reveals that Nintendo is the third most sought-after employer in the region. This comes via Otaku Soken (thanks, Automaton) and is based on responses from 5,476 university students across Japan. Nintendo is the highest company from the entertainment sector, and is only...
Japanese Charts There's No Stopping Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Another big one for Square's latest
Famitsu is back with our latest look at the physical software sales chart for Japan, and it's another week in the top spot for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Square Enix's latest pulled in an additional 91,362 copies between Switch and PS5 this week, which is far from its debut's 821,770 total, but it's still...
News Super Nintendo World: Donkey Kong Country Entrance Revealed, Here's A Look
As the "highest tier" guests get an early tour
Earlier this month, Nintendo finally lifted the lid on Super Nintendo World's expansion Donkey Kong Country. It's scheduled to open next month on 11th December 2024 and ahead of the big launch, Universal has revealed the entrance and welcomed the first guests to the park. As highlighted by our friends...
Random Kirby Teams Up With Heinz For A Saucy New Collaboration In Japan
Dededelicious
Everyone's favourite pink puffball, Kirby, is teaming up with Heinz (you know, the tomato ketchup guys) for a new range of sauces in Japan. Well, that's not a sentence we thought we'd be writing today, but we can't say we're surprised. Shared by the official Heinz Twitter account, the Kirby range will be launching in late November...
News Nintendo's Official Magazine For Winter 2024 Gets English Digital Release
Featuring a smouldering Bowser
Whether you like it or not, Winter is finally upon us and Nintendo is waving goodbye to the sunny season with an all-new online magazine. The full 84-page 'zine shared today on Nintendo's official Japanese website is, as you might expect, written in Japanese, but those who haven't been doing their Duolingo need not...
Random Guilty Gear Strive's Latest Update Apparently Censors "Inappropriate Angles"
Naughty, naughty
Ahead of the launch of Guilty Gear Strive on the Switch early next year, Arc System Works has this week rolled out a new update for the game which reportedly makes some notable changes to the title's 'Digital Figure' mode (aka its photo mode). If you now try to view certain fighters from questionable angles, the characters will...
Japanese Charts Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake's Launch Sales Are Astronomical
Approaching 1 million in total already
Famitsu has shared the latest sales data for physical software in Japan, and for Square Enix's Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, it's a monumental success. The game has sold an incredible 641,195 copies on the Switch and a further 180,575 on the PS5, totalling 821,770 during its opening week. This likely makes it...
News After Almost 30 Years, Japan Finally Has A New Best-Selling Pokémon Game
Finally overtaking Red and Green
We knew that it would only be a matter of time, but it seems it's finally official. According to Famitsu, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet has become Japan's best-selling Pokémon game of all time. According to the Japanese outlet, ScaVi has shifted an impressive 8.3 million copies domestically to date, finally pushing...
News We're Really Jealous Of Japan's Incredible New Pokémon Gold & Silver Merch
Gotta buy 'em all
The Pokémon Company has revealed a new range of merch based on Pokémon Gold And Silver in celebration of Gen 2's 25th anniversary. We're going to be honest, we're quite jealous. A lot of merch can look pretty grim and tacky, but the selection on offer here is really quite nice. You've got bomber jackets, heat-changing mugs,...
News EarthBound 30th Anniversary Merch Will Include A Giant Mr Saturn Plushie
Big zoom
Classic SNES RPG EarthBound, known as Mother 2 in Japan, celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year — yes, really, no need to pinch yourself. But Nintendo and Hobonichi will be continuing to celebrate this seminal game later this month with a variety of promotions and merchandise in Japan. Let's start with Hobonichi and a brand...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Japanese Switch Box Art Includes Reversible Cover
It always gets the cool version
Square Enix's long-awaited release Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is out this week on the Switch and if you're planning on picking up a physical copy, you might want to read on... It seems there are some notable differences with the box art and game cartridge. Once again, Japan gets the cool version - with a...
Random Japanese Clinic Closes To Let Staff Play Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
"All of the staff have changed their Jobs to 'Hero'"
We've all heard some kind of story about the furore that a brand new Dragon Quest game stirs up in Japan. Kids skip school, adults call in sick, and the original Dragon Quest III on Famicom even led to a number of arrests. Well, folks, history repeats itself — kind of — with the release of...
Japanese Charts Mario & Luigi Sail Past The Competition
While the PS5 Pro arrives in style
Famitsu has shared the latest look at the Japanese charts and Super Mario Party Jamboree has finally been kicked off the top spot by... more Mario. Yes, Nintendo's latest, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, hasn't been troubled by its somewhat mixed reception as the new RPG sold a sweet 63,441 cop
News Capcom's Hideaki Itsuno Helms New LightSpeed Development Studio In Japan
There's a Buzz around this LightSpeed
LightSpeed Studios, the team behind PUBG Mobile and survival RPG Undawn, has launched a new game development studio in Japan helmed by none other than Capcom legend Hideaki Itsuno (thanks, GamesIndustry.biz). Itsuno announced that he was stepping down from Capcom back in August, after over 30 years working at...
Gallery Shigeru Miyamoto's Exclusive Tour Of Super Nintendo World: Donkey Kong Country
The doors open this December
Super Nintendo World's new themed area Donkey Kong Country opens this December in Japan, and ahead of this, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has taken fans on an exclusive tour. Here's the full rundown from the latest Nintendo Direct. Enjoy! Entering Donkey Kong Country To enter Donkey Kong Country, you'll need to walk...
News Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Country Park Gets Opening Date
Absolutely bananas
Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo have lifted the lid on the upcoming Donkey Kong Country expansion, coming to Super Nintendo World in Osaka, Japan. And in today's Nintendo Direct, we finally know when the expansion is opening to the world — 11th December 2024. We've had a few teasers sneak peeks at the park over the years, but...
News Nintendo Direct Announced For Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Expansion
Tune in for a 10-minute tour
A Nintendo Direct is on the way, folks. This one, however, won't feature any upcoming Switch games, nor any information on the elusive 'Switch 2'. Instead, Nintendo will be showcasing a 10-minute look at the new Donkey Kong Country expansion for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. The broadcast will take...
Guide Where To Buy Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop Credit
Here's how to get Japan-exclusive eShop games
The Nintendo Switch eShop is home to thousands of great games at this point, but some are locked away, exclusive to particular regions. If you're wondering how to download Japanese Switch games, you're in the right place. One of the great things about the Nintendo Switch eShop is that you can create...
News Square Enix Outlines Streaming Guidelines For Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
No spoilers
Ahead of the arrival of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake next week, Square Enix has shared streaming guidelines in Japan for anyone planning on uploading gameplay or footage to the internet. While you're able to upload images and video footage of the title to social media and streaming platforms for "non-commercial" purposes, Square Enix...
Japanese Charts Mario Party Jamboree Is The Star Player, Once Again
Gold rush
We're back with another look at the Japanese charts courtesy of Famitsu, and while you might think last week's deluge of new releases could trouble the two-time champ, you'd be wrong. Super Mario Party Jamboree has claimed the top spot for the third week in a row, nabbing a further 57,522 copies. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven on...
Japanese Charts Mario Party Jamboree Holds Off A Bunch Of New Releases
Get in
Wow, that's a lot of new releases. Yes, thanks to Famitsu, we now have a view of the latest charts data from Japan, and despite an avalanche of new games (several duplicates, granted), Super Mario Party Jamboree has managed to hold all of them off to claim the top prize. Now of course, if you add together the sales for every SKU for Romancing...
News Mobile Rhythm Game 'Disney Music Parade' Scores A Switch Encore In Asia December 2024
Featuring "English language" support
Earlier this year during a Nintendo Partner Showcase in June, Imagineer lifted the lid on Disney Music Parade: Encore - a Switch version of Taito's mobile rhythm title featuring a whopping 60 songs. At the time, it was mentioned how the Japanese release would include English language support, and in an update...
Random Owners Of A Nintendo Frying Pan Are Being Warned Not To Use It
Not panning out
Owners of a rather fetching Super Mushroom frying pan in Japan are currently being told not to use it by manufacturer Bandai Spirits. This comes from The Gamer via an official announcement provided on 25th October 2024, in which owners have been advised that the frying pan has been found to discolour oil when heat is applied. Bandai...
