Tag: Japan - Page 28
News Wonder Boy Returns Remix Arrives Later This Month On The Japanese eShop
Boy is back
After a remixed version of Wonder Boy Returns was confirmed by the Korean Game Ratings and Administration Committee in March for the Nintendo Switch, a listing on the Japanese eShop has now confirmed the game will be arriving later this month on 23rd May for ¥1,620. As previously noted, this is a remake of the original game with...
News Nintendo Announces Mario Kart Tour Closed Beta Test For Android Devices
Starts next month
Nintendo's Mario Kart Tour website has revealed the upcoming mobile game will be receiving a closed beta test on Android devices. This test period will run from 22nd May to 4th June in both North America and Japan. The website is currently accepting closed beta test participant applications until 7th May. The test is being held to...
Reminder You Can Download Sega Ages Virtua Racing Right Now From The Japanese eShop
New gameplay video released to celebrate
Virtua Racing has arguably been one of the most anticipated Sega Ages games since it was announced. The title includes 8-player split-screen, online multiplayer and a built-in replay mode not included in the original arcade release. While there's still no word on a launch date here in the west, the game is...
Japanese Charts Switch Console Sales Reach 8 Million, Will Soon Overtake PS4 Lifetime Sales
After just two years on sale
Japanese chart figures are now in for 15th - 21st April, revealing that the Nintendo Switch has now surpassed 8 million sales in the region. Before we jump into console sales, let's quickly take a look at this week's top ten. Famitsu reports that this week's new release, Langrisser I & II, shifted 9,031 copies on...
News Japanese My Nintendo Users Are Being Treated To Adorable Physical Goodies
We miss Club Nintendo
Once again, we find ourselves looking at the Japanese My Nintendo rewards service with an almighty amount of jealousy. While the western variants of My Nintendo have given up on the practice of offering physical rewards, Japan's reward system is still going strong and these latest gifts are very lovely indeed. Down below, you...
News Splatoon 2 To Receive Update Tomorrow According to Japanese Twitter
Version 4.7.0 incoming, but don't get too excited
Splatoon 2 has seen an impressive amount of content added since it launched back in 2017, from the substantial Octo Expansion paid DLC to a wide variety of new weapons, gear and arenas. In addition, Nintendo has been keeping a watchful eye on balance within the game and has been making minor tweaks...
Japanese Charts Nintendo Labo VR Constructs A Second Place Debut
Beating Final Fantasy
Japanese chart figures are now in for 8th - 14th April, revealing that Nintendo Labo VR has managed to enter the charts in second place in its opening week. The game managed to sell more units that this week's other big Switch release, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, with Famitsu's estimates reporting a total of 26,634 sales...
Japanese Charts Super Dragon Ball Heroes Kicks Yoshi Off Top Spot
Nine Switch games in top ten
Japanese chart figures are now in for 1st - 7th April, revealing that Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission has knocked Yoshi's Crafted World off top position. The game debuted with an estimated 70,990 sales on Switch, which is comfortably higher than the figure Yoshi achieved in its debut last week. As you may...
News Fans Will Get The Chance To Name A New Move In Pokémon Sword And Shield
It's contest time!
It already feels like forever ago since the Pokémon Sword and Shield reveal, but if the build-up to the release of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! is anything to go by, we can expect to see lots more footage and information ahead of the games' release later this year. Before The Pokémon Company showers us with...
News Octopath Traveler Is Getting Its First Live Concert This July
'Break, Boost and Beyond'
Square Enix has announced that Octopath Traveler's first live concert will be taking place on 28th July at the Olympus Hall Hachioji in Tokyo. The show, called Octopath Traveler: Break, Boost and Beyond, will feature music from 'Octopath Traveler Arrangements – Break & Boost', a soundtrack album which was released in...
News Sega's Yakuza Games Are Not In Consideration For The Switch Right Now
Don't expect the protagonists to appear in Ultimate, either
Sega's Yakuza games don't really have much of a history with Nintendo's platforms, but somehow questions continue to be asked about the possibility of the series coming to the Switch. During an interview with IGN Japan recently, series producer Toshihiro Nagoshi said the third-person...
Japanese Charts Yoshi's Crafted World Secures Another Number One
An impressive launch
Japanese chart figures are now in for 25th - 31st March, revealing that Yoshi's Crafted World has secured another number one position following on from its UK success reported earlier this week. The game sold 53,327 copies in its first week on sale in the region, knocking last week's number one, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, down...
Video Take A Look At The Debut Trailer For Dragon Quest: Your Story
Due out in Japanese cinemas this August
Video game movies, television series and animations are all the rage right now. Following this recent trend is Dragon Quest. If you're a fan of Square Enix's long-running JRPG series which started out on the Famicom in 1986, you may or may not have heard the news earlier this year about a 3D animated film...
News Doraemon Story Of Seasons Launches On Switch This June In Japan
An unusual crossover
Story of Seasons (or Harvest Moon, as the series used to be called) is getting a crossover release with Japanese manga series Doraemon on Nintendo Switch. Currently only confirmed for Japan, the game will fittingly be called Doraemon Story of Seasons. Set to be published by Bandai Namco, the game has just been confirmed to be...
News Fan Releases English Translation Patch For Namco's Famicom Game Youkai Douchuuki
Fight through Hell
Long before Level-5 launched its Yo-Kai Watch video game series on Nintendo hardware, there was an old school Famicom game released in 1988 about the supernatural monsters, creatures, spirits, ghosts and demons commonly found in Japanese folklore. The game we're referring to is Youkai Douchuuki. It starred a young boy named...
Random Japan's Kirby Merchandise Never Fails To Make Us Smile
A new Kirby lottery is on the way
We often find ourselves banging on about how jealous we are of those living in Japan, and at least 70% of that jealousy comes from the nation's incredible range of Kirby merchandise. If you don't believe us (or just want to see some of it for yourself) feel free to check out any of the following. In recent times,...
Japanese Charts Smash Bros. Ultimate Overtakes Splatoon 2 As The Best-Selling Switch Game
Super Robot Wars T debuts in 3rd
Japanese chart figures are now in for 18th - 24th March revealing that, as we predicted last week, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has now overtaken Splatoon 2 as the best-selling game on Nintendo Switch in the region. The game sold another 21,008 copies this week, taking its total physical sales in Japan to 2,974,153.
Random Store Your Cardboard Creations In This Official Nintendo Labo Box
This box rocks
As fun as it is making Nintendo Labo cardboard creations, finding a place to store them can be a real hassle. If you haven't already found a space for these kits inside your home, Nintendo is releasing an official Labo-themed box for 800 yen in Japan. If you're wondering what the catch is, there isn't one. It's a standard box you use...
News The Switch Famicom Controller's Microphone Actually Works, Just Like The Original
Could future Joy-Con have a mic built-in?
As you may well remember, to coincide with the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online - Nintendo Entertainment System collection, both NES and Famicom-style wireless controllers were released for the Switch for online subscribers only. The Famicom versions are exclusive to Japan - just like the system on which...
Japanese Charts Smash Ultimate Is Now Less Than 10,000 Copies Away From Outselling Splatoon 2
Smash could take over next week
Japanese chart figures are now in for 11th - 17th March, revealing that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is on the brink of becoming the best-selling Switch game in the region. This week saw another 20,706 copies be sold at retail (making it the best-selling Switch game this week), taking its total sales to 2,953,145...
Chillout time, offline
Nintendo of Japan has released four new advertisements showcasing the many strengths of the Nintendo Switch. As usual, the marketing message is on point and these will likely play quite well with their target demographics. The first advertisement focusses on Nintendo's unique games on the Switch, such as Pokémon: Let's Go,...
News The Arcade Version Of Pokkén Tournament Is Terminating Its Online Services
Gone but not forgotten
Bandai Namco's Pokkén Tournament might be known as one of the more exciting games during the Wii U generation that got a new lease of life when it was re-released on the Switch, but it actually started out as an arcade exclusive in Japan. In sad, but inevitable news, it's now been announced via the official website, that the...
News Super Real Mahjong PV Temporarily Removed From Switch eShop Due To Accidental Nudity
Not safe for the eShop
Super Real Mahjong PV has only been available on Nintendo Switch for a matter of days, but the game has already been pulled from the eShop after several scenes of nudity were spotted by players. Super Real Mahjong is a series of arcade mahjong titles made by SETA Corporation, with many of its games being ported to the Sega...
News Media Create Will No Longer Share Japanese Sales Data Publicly
Behind closed doors
Recently, the head of Media Create Atsushi Hosokawa told Bloomberg the practice of releasing Japanese hardware and software sales data publicly may not continue. Now, after a review, the team has decided to no longer share weekly sales figures with the general public. Starting next month, companies requiring sales data will need...
News Square Enix Shares More Info About The Story In The Octopath Traveler Mobile Game
Choose a pathway
Earlier this month, Square Enix announced it was releasing a prequel to the Switch title, Octopath Traveler, on mobile devices in Japan this year. Although we've already got a few details about this upcoming free-to-play single-player RPG, a bit more information about the story side of the game has now been revealed via Japanese...
Random Child Holding Famicom Controller The Wrong Way Causes Outrage Online In Japan
We live in dark times
If you ever want to cause mass outrage in Japan, apparently all you need to do is hold a Famicom controller upside down, get someone to take a photo of it and then wait until it goes viral on the internet. This is what happened earlier this week when a photo of a child holding a Famicom controller the wrong way supposedly...
Japanese Charts Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn Debuts In Sixth, Can't Compete With Switch Titles
Smash still in second place
Japanese chart figures are now in for 4th - 10th March, revealing that new 3DS title Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn has debuted in sixth position. The game shifted 10,607 copies at retail, putting it below four evergreen Switch titles which all managed to outsell the newcomer this week despite having been on sale for multiple...
News Yo-Kai Watch 4 Finally Gets A Solid Release Date, In Japan At Least
Another slight delay
Level-5 has revealed the Japanese release date for the upcoming Yo-Kai Watch 4 in the latest issue of Corocoro magazine. Those in Japan, or anyone with a Japanese eShop account, can get their hands on the game from 6th June. No pricing has been revealed for the region just yet, but having a solid release date is definitely...
News Square Enix Opens Octopath Traveler Smartphone Demo Applications In Japan
A first look at the new game
Last Friday, Square Enix revealed that Octopath Traveler will soon be making the jump to mobile with a brand new smartphone game, simultaneously confirming that a new console experience is also in the pipeline. It looks like we might be hearing first impressions of the mobile game from players pretty soon, as Japanese...
News Here Are The Top 20 Best-Selling Switch Retail Games In Japan (As Of February 2019)
Sales figures included
Earlier this month, Nintendo Switch celebrated its second anniversary and, to celebrate, Japanese publication Famitsu has shared a list of some of the best-selling games released on the console so far. To be more specific, this is a list of the top 20 best-selling Switch retail games in Japan since the console launched in...
Random Were Banjo And Kazooie Named After A Nintendo President's Grandchild And Son?
Rethinking history
If you're a fan of Nintendo trivia, you may or may not have heard this one before. Apparently, Banjo and Kazooie from Rare's 1998 Nintendo 64 game Banjo-Kazooie are (at least partly) named after the grandchild and son of former Nintendo president, Hiroshi Yamauchi. This is according to some "amazing trivia" game writer and...
Japanese Charts Smash Ultimate Returns To Number Two, Dead Or Alive 6 Takes Top Spot
Switch hardware sales as strong as ever
Japanese chart figures are now in for 25th February - 3rd March, revealing that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has managed to climb back up to number two this week. The game narrowly beats New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe to that position, with just over 1,000 sales between them, but it's Dead or Alive 6 which has...
Random Let's Find Kirby, A Where's Waldo?-Style Book, Announced For Japan
Kirby's no wally
Is it possible to have too much Kirby? We're not convinced so, and a new book announced in Japan has taken that sentiment to the next level. In addition to the mountain of merch already devoted to the pink one, Let's Find Kirby is an official book in the vein of Where's Waldo? (or Where's Wally? for UK readers) where you must find a...
News Nintendo Switch Has Been The Best-Selling Console In Japan For 12 Months In A Row
It's pretty popular, then
If you follow our weekly Japanese chart updates, you'll probably be aware that the Switch almost always finds itself at the top of the hardware sales chart by a comfortable margin. The console can often be found selling upwards of 50,000 units per week, and it seems that this constant success has earned it another...
News Nintendo Reveals Average Salary, Age And More Of Its Employees In Japan
Let's be nosy, shall we?
For most fans of the company, working at Nintendo probably sounds like a dream come true. Being surrounded by your heroes on a daily basis, working on incredibly exciting projects and - of course - the potential for free games all sounds pretty lovely, but what is it actually like working in the house of Mario? Well, while...
Japanese Charts Phoenix Wright Sells Best On Switch, Anthem Steals Mario's Thunder
Switch still ahead in hardware sales
Japanese chart figures are now in for 18th - 24th February, revealing that EA's Anthem has swooped in at number one, keeping New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe in second place for another week. Mario has been sitting high at the top of the Japanese charts ever since it released, often finding itself at number one...
News Game Freak Thanks Pokémon Fans For Continued Support Over The Past 23 Years
"We as a company are deeply moved by this day"
The reveal of Pokémon Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch also marks 23 years since the release of Red and Green on the Game Boy in Japan. One company that's been along for the ride since the very beginning is Game Freak. Without it, who knows if the pocket monster franchise would have lasted for...
News Japanese My Nintendo Users Can Now Spend Points On Physical Yoshi Goodies
And we're incredibly jealous
In today's episode of 'why does Japan get all the cool stuff and why haven't we just relocated already?', we present to you the latest selection of physical goodies added to the region's My Nintendo rewards service. And everything's coming up Yoshi. Yes, these new arrivals all feature our favourite, green, egg-laying...
News Nintendo Opens Up About Relaxing Content Creator Guidelines
Embracing the community
Last November, Nintendo decided to axe its controversial creators program, replacing it with new guidelines intended to make it easier for creators to monetise any videos featuring Nintendo games. A report published by Japanese publication Nikkei has now discussed Nintendo's new stance, explaining why exactly Nintendo...
News Splatoon 2's #GearForAll Social Media Movement Fights Exclusive Japanese Content
Stand up for your in-game rights
Earlier this week, Splatoon 2 players found out the Japanese manga magazine CoroCoro would be offering exclusive in-game gear to readers via a special download code in an upcoming issue. The 'Mecha Gear' as it is known (see above), is tied to a competition to design new accessories for the online multiplayer...
News Prepare To Go Big In Downtown Rantou Koushinkyoku Mach!! For Switch
A super-charged River City Melee: Battle Royal Special
Fans of the Kunio-kun series will no doubt be delighted to hear that a new entry in franchise is headed to Switch. Downtown Rantou Koushinkyoku Mach!! is an enhanced version of River City Melee: Battle Royal Special which throws in some new elements which make for even more heated battles...
News The English Translation of Super Mario RPG Cut Many Japanese Pop References
Explains some of the oddness
That's Mallow Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars was a grand departure from the Mario template when it launched back on Super Nintendo in 1996. Nowadays there's nary a genre the precocious plumber hasn't dipped his toe into, but his first foray with role-playing turned out to be a classic that still stands up...
News Square Enix Trademarks Collection Of Mana In Japan
Is this a sign?
Square Enix has now trademarked "Collection of Mana" in Japan, after recently filing a series of trademarks for Final Fantasy and Secret of Mana in the United States, Canada and Europe earlier this month. According to Gematsu, the odd thing about this is how it sounds like a title for a potential western release of the Seiken...
News The Legend Of Zelda And Famicom Disk System Are 33 Years Old Today
Seems like there's an anniversary every year...
As time marches on inexorably - week after week, year after year - it should come as no surprise that The Legend of Zelda is 33 years old today. No, not the cartridge version - that wouldn't make an appearance until July '87 in North America - we're talking about the Famicom Disk System original. The...
Japanese Charts Jump Force Kicks New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Out Of The Top Spot
Switch sales maintain momentum
Japanese chart figures are now in for 11th - 17th February, revealing New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe has been pushed down to third place. It's been replaced by Bandai Namco's new fighting game Jump Force in first and the PlayStation 4 version of the new Atlus release, Catherine: Full Body. Despite this, Nintendo...
News New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Japanese Sales Prove Plumber Port Profitability
Blimmin' game takes up half the headline!
While the number of Wii U ports Nintendo has bought to Switch might be a bone of contention for some fans - especially the ones that stuck with the company through those lean years and already bought these games once before - it's easy to see why they make sense. Not only do these gems find a new audience...
News Nintendo Secures Trademarks For Dr. Mario World And Dr. Mario
The doctor returns
One game announced at the start of this month that has seemingly been forgotten about after the recent Nintendo Direct presentation is Dr. Mario World for mobile devices. The free-to-download game will be co-developed by LINE and NHN Entertainment and will include in-app purchases. Now, in related news, Nintendo Co., Ltd has...
News Famitsu Report Reveals Japan's Highest-Selling Games And Top-Selling Hardware In 2018
Nintendo dominates the competition
2018 was a big year for Nintendo, with the Switch and the system's library of the games dominating the charts for many months of the year worldwide. Famitsu has now published its own report, revealing the top 10 highest-selling video games and top-selling hardware in Japan last year. According to the estimates...
News New Fan-Made Splatoon 2 Gear Coming In Japanese Mag CoroCoro
Competition-winning 'Mecha' set to appear in April
CoroCoro, the Japanese manga magazine, will be offering some exclusive in-game Splatoon 2 gear to readers via a special download code with an upcoming issue. The 'Mecha Gear' is the result of a competition to design some new accessories for the online shooter, and as you can see from the pics, it's...
News Japanese TV Spot For The Original Link’s Awakening Shows Nintendo's Playful Side
The company's always been experimental with art styles
The announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remaster for Switch has had many gamers revisiting the original and rediscovering the quirkiness of Koholint Island and its inhabitants. The remaster’s new toy-town art style is a plastic-y evolution of the aesthetic we saw in A Link...