Tag: Japan - Page 2
Random Super Nintendo World Japan Gets Festive Makeover For The Holiday Season
Let's-a Snow
At this point, we were pretty sure that there was nothing which Universal Studios Japan could do to make us want to go to Super Nintendo World more. Alas, the park is now full decorated with a festive makeover and we have once again been proved wrong. As shared by Chris in a recent TDR Explorer video, the Nintendo theme park has been...
News Sprigatito Is Pokémon Scarlet And Violet's Most Popular Starter, According To Famitsu Survey
First Grass
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has released worldwide today, with many getting their hands on the game for the first time and being immediately faced with that franchise-old question: which starter will you pick? We asked you lovely lot this very same question of the Generation IX starters back when they were first revealed (the results of...
Japanese Charts Tactics Ogre Debuts Strong, Outselling God Of War: Ragnarok
Tactical advantage
The latest Japanese Charts data is in and there are a lot of new entries this week, albeit made up of multiple SKUs for just three games: Tactics Ogre: Reborn, Sonic Frontiers, and God of War: Ragnarok. Aside from Splatoon 3 (we're almost certain at this point that the only games to knock it off the top spot will be Scarlet an
News Level-5's Mech RPG Megaton Musashi Is Going Free-To-Play On Switch This December
Update: A slight delay for the Japan exclusive
Update #2 [Wed 16th Nov, 2022 05:15 GMT]: Level-5 has delayed the game's release by a week. Instead of launching on December 1st in Japan, it'll now arrive on December 8th. It's all timed in with the release of the anime's second season (via Gematsu). Update [Sun 18th Sep, 2022 02:45 BST]: Level-5 has...
News Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Get A Five-Minute Overview Trailer
Update: Now available in English
Update [Tue 15th Nov, 2022 14:30 GMT]: Well, it has been a few weeks coming but the five-minute overview trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is now available in English. We have subbed it in for the Japanese original, and you can watch it above to check out all of the gameplay footage before the games release on...
News Nintendo Switch Sports Ad Tees Up Golf For November Release Date
Confirmed for Japan
We have known that golf was going to be swinging its way onto Nintendo Switch Sports at some point soon for a while now (ever since it was delayed to the holiday season in September's Nintendo Direct, to be precise), what we didn't know was exactly when it would be arriving. According to a new Japanese advert for the game (found...
News Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Overtakes Zelda In Famitsu's Most-Wanted Games List
I choose you!
The latest most-wanted games list has been published in Famitsu, measuring the most hotly-anticipated titles according to the Japanese site's readership. The most recent edition (using votes cast between 27th October and 1st November) saw a new frontrunner as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet overtook the consistent podium-topper The Legend...
News Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Join The 3D Video Game Billboard Trend In Japan
Which starter will you pick?
As part of the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet next week, The Pokémon Company is doing all sorts of advertising. One of the more eye-catching ones - located outside Shinjuku Station in Japan - is a 3D billboard of the new starter Pokémon Sprigatito (grass), Fuecoco (fire) and Quaxly (water). Here it is in...
Random After 25 Years, Ash Ketchum Is Now The Very Best, Like No One Ever Was
Pokémon protagonist finally becomes world champion
Well folks, it finally happened. After 25 years, the protagonist of the Pokémon TV series, Ash Ketchum, has finally achieved his dream of becoming a Pokémon World Champion. Since the very beginning of the series back in 1997, our lovable trainer has tried countless times to become the very best,...
Random Doug Bowser Takes A Trip To Nintendo's Kyoto Headquarters
"Good to be back"
Nintendo of America's president Doug Bowser appears to be catching up with his bosses over at the main headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. He recently shared a shot of the office in a post on social media and followed up with photos of the new Osaka store, which is now open. The Osaka store opened in the Daimaru Umeda building today...
Japanese Charts Harvestella Blooms Into Second Place In A Huge Week For OLED Sales
Queen of the crop
After last week saw almost every game in the Japanese charts being a new release, things looks to have settled down a little more in this week's software sales. It should come as no surprise that Splatoon 3 continues to ink its name at the top spot, but this week also sees the charting debuts of Harvestella and Doraemon Story of...
News Animal Crossing: New Horizons Becomes Japan's Best-Selling Game Of All Time
Nintendo consoles take up 19 of the top 20
You might have heard of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. That cute little life sim which came out at the prime time of the global pandemic had us all picking weeds, catching fish and paying bills (extortionately priced, we might add) when we weren't able to be outside picking weeds, catching fish or payi-...
News Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Pre-Orders Are Already Breaking Records In Japan
"This game is going to be a monster"
We're just weeks out from the global release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on Nintendo Switch. If you've been wondering about the interest in the lead-up - here's a small sample of data from a local chain of video game stores in Japan's Niigata prefecture. As highlighted by the Twitter account @Pierre485,...
News Pokémon Dev Job Listing References R&D For Next-Generation Hardware
What is Creatures Inc. up to?
It seems the Pokémon developer Creatures could already looking toward the future of the long-running series. A new job listing at the Japanese company for a 3DCG modeler references "research and development for other next-generation hardware". The same application also mentions the use of Unity and Unreal Engine for...
Japanese Charts Bayonetta 3 Debuts In Second As PlayStation 5 Outsells Switch
Like witchcraft
It's been a busy week in the latest Japanese charts from Famitsu! And while the top spot remains unchallenged — with Splatoon 3 still clinging on firmly — nearly every other game in this week's software chart is a new release. The big new game for Switch owners in the week of 24th to 30th October was Bayonetta 3. PlatinumGames'...
News Sega Wants To Know What Mini Console Fans Would Like To See Next
Mega Drive Mini 2 customers asked in new survey
Mini video game consoles might not be quite as popular with publishers as they were a number of years ago, but one company that's still a fan of this idea is Sega. As you might have heard, it's just released its second Mega Drive Mini / Genesis in limited stock around the world. If you are interested...
News Square Enix Releases Second Official Trailer For Octopath Traveler II
A new RPG adventure begins February 2023
Perhaps one of the more surprising announcements in the recent September Direct was the reveal of Octopath Traveler II - a follow-up to Square Enix's successful HD-2D role-playing game from 2018. If you are eager to see more, you're in luck - with Square Enix today releasing an extended five-minute look at...
News The First Review For Square Enix's Farming RPG Harvestella Is Now In
Reaping and sowing
Update [Fri 4th Nov, 2022 14:35]: Reviews for Harvestella should be dropping from today, but we're still working on the NL verdict here. So we'll be just a few more days while we finish off the game and polish up our thoughts. Keep checking back here until our review sprouts! <related ids="140446" label="Further Reading">...
News Dragon Quest X Offline Switch eShop Demo Goes Live In Japan
Can we get a western release now Square Enix?
Last month, Square Enix rolled out Dragon Quest X: Rise of the Five Tribes Offline for the Nintendo Switch. The downside for fans of this epic role-playing series is that there's been no mention of the game being localised. If you are still eager to see what this offline version of the MMO Dragon Quest...
News Sega Veteran And Industry Legend Rieko Kodama Has Passed Away
Known for RPGs like Skies of Arcadia & Phantasy Star
There's some incredibly sad news coming out of Japan today - with Sega confirming the legendary game developer Rieko Kodama passed away earlier this year in May. She was just weeks out from her 59th Birthday. No other details have been shared out of respect for her family's privacy. Sega producer...
Random Princess Peach Sure Looks Different In This Officially Licensed Picture Book From 1986
Totes adorbs
While we're expecting Princess Peach to look the same as she always has in the upcoming movie, throughout the years her design hasn't always been consistent. As highlighted by the Supper Mario Broth blog on social media recently, there was a moment in history when the princess had basically no resemblance to her modern counterpart...
News These Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Plushies Will Make Choosing Your Starter Even Harder
I choose you! Wait, no, you! Wait...
As if picking your starter Pokémon wasn't already a difficult enough decision, Sanei Boeki has announced a line of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet plushies modelled on the game's leading trio, making that all-important choice a whole lot harder. The Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly plushies join the company's 'All...
Random Kirby's Dream Buffet To Become A Literary Classic With Book Adaptation
A smörgåsbord of words
Here's the video game-to-book adaptation you never knew you wanted — Kirby's Dream Buffet, 2022's adorable, snack-based party game featuring the pink puffball, is getting its own novel in Japan, Automaton Media reports. Yep, really. We know that Kirby games can get wild with their lore, but Dream Buffet certainly isn't...
News Granzella's R-Type Tactics I & II Remakes Are Coming To Switch In 2023
Update: Worldwide release confirmed
Update #2 [Thu 27th Oct, 2022 09:10 BST]: It's been officially confirmed that R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos will be launching worldwide next year in Summer 2023. Granzella has also opened an official Twitter account for the game, and made the following post. There's a teaser trailer, too: Update [Wed...
News My Nintendo Japan Adds Themed N64 Merch - Shirts, Mugs & More
An Expansion Pack subscriber exclusive
Alongside the Switch Online Expansion Pack update - revealing Mario Party and Mario Party 2 would be added to the N64 library next month, Nintendo has also announced a bunch of themed merchandise for Japan. Switch Online Expansion Pack members located in this region will be able to get their hands on a themed...
News Loop8: Summer Of Gods Confirms Japan Release Date In New Trailer
Targeting a "Spring 2023" launch in the west
XSEED Games upcoming release AI RPG Loop8: Summer of Gods was previously confirmed for a Spring 2023 release here in the west on the Nintendo Switch. It's now been confirmed the game will be arriving in Japan on 16th March next year on all consoles including the Switch. Marvelous has confirmed the game...
News Splatoon 3 Is Already The Best-Selling Video Game Of 2022 In Japan
That's a lot of squid
Splatoon 3 just continues to splatter ink over all sorts of records, especially in Japan where the IP is huge. And it's just surpassed another one — with the release of the Japan Monthly Report for September 2022, it's now been confirmed that Splatoon 3 is the best-selling video game in Japan in 2022. The data from the...
News Nintendo Updates Repair Regulations To Protect Staff From Customer Harassment
Hint: It's good to be a decent person
Unless you are the kind of person to read through all updated terms and conditions with a fine-tooth comb, the below tweet from the Nintendo Japan's customer support team my have passed you by (don't worry, it did for us too). However, as pointed out by Sora News 24, the latest update actually makes some pretty...
News Hori Reveals New Pokémon-Themed Designs For The Switch Split Pad Fit
Update: Pre-orders now open
Update: Pre-orders for the two new Hori Split Pad controllers are now live on Amazon. You can grab them below. <products id="21002,21003"> Original Article (Fri 23rd Sep, 2022 02:55 BST): Accessory-maker Hori has revealed it's teaming up with The Pokémon Company to release Pokémon-themed Split Pad Fit. In case...
News Pokémon Scarlet And Violet To Release Three Different Guide Books In Japan
Make space on your shelves
We have known about the possibility of guide books for the Japanese release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet for a while now - in fact, at this stage in the franchise it has almost become a dead certainty. Today we have received further details on the form that these guides will take and, indeed, their quantity. In an...
News A Closer Look At The Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Statue From Nintendo Live 2022
Link returns in 2023
At Nintendo Live 2022 on the weekend, Zelda fans and various media outlets were quick to spot a large statue of Link from the upcoming release, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Now, a few days on, Nintendo has given Zelda fans who weren't able to make the event in Japan have been treated to a closer look via social...
News Splatoon 3 Made Up Almost 70% Of All Boxed Game Sales In September (Japan)
Spla-BOOM
To cement Splatoon 3's remarkable success in Japan after its launch on September 9th, it's been confirmed that the title sold 2.7 million boxed copies last month, making up nearly 70% of all physical games in the country. As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, Splatoon 3 topped the top ten charts for the month of September, speeding ahead of...
Random Splatoon 3 Streamers Sneak Adult Content Into Online Matches
Group apologises and Nintendo issues content reminder
A Japanese VTuber streaming group has issued an apology after its members projected adult content into online Splatoon 3 matches. The stream in question was held on October 8th by the streaming group 'Sinsogumi', subsequently causing “AVスプラ” (adult video Splatoon)' to trend on Twitter...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Link Statue Spotted At Nintendo Live 2022
Take a closer look
Nintendo Live is taking place this weekend in Tokyo, and it seems a statue based on Link in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is present. It gives fans perhaps their best look yet at Link's new character model and the mysterious new changes to one of his arms. This shot was taken at a promotional section of Nintendo Live,...
News A New Life-Size Pokémon Plush Has Been Announced, And This One's The Fluffiest
Altaria, I choose you (for hugs)
Alright, you know the drill. The Pokémon Center Japan has just announced a new life-size Pokémon plush, and this one's really cute. Everyone get in line, and start emptying out your pockets. The newest addition to the giganto-plush line is Altaria, the Gen 3 fluff-bird that is literally described as being...
News You Can Now Download A Demo Of The New Doraemon Game On Switch eShop
Farm life returns this November
In case you missed it, there's a new Doremon farming sim sequel arriving on the Nintendo Switch this November. If you are interested in trying out Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom prior to its release, there's now a free demo you can download from the Switch eShop in Japan and it includes...
Random Fans Make Kirby Card Game Featuring Chef Kawasaki In A Micro Bikini
But it has now been removed from sale
We never really expected to write about anything like this, but Automaton Media has reported on a rather unusual fan-made Kirby card game. That seems relatively harmless on its own — despite the fact that it's a card game featuring Kirby, a pretty huge Nintendo property, that was being sold on the Japanese...
News Splatoon 3 Players Labelled "Cheaters" For Abusing Special Weapons
Seeing red ink
Splatoon 3 is a game where victory tastes extra sweet, especially when you can take on players online, and it hasn't taken players very long to discover exploits within the game. And in Japan, some players are being called "cheaters" for abusing the 'Tenta Missiles' special weapon. Siliconera has reported on this issue which has been...
News Splatoon's Manga Series Returns For The Third Game
The Inkling and Octoling are back!
As part of the Splatoon 3 rollout, the manga series has returned to cover the third game, out now on Nintendo Switch. The first chapter was featured in the September 15 issue of Coro Coro Comics magazine. Manga artist Sankichi Hidenoya is once again doing the art, but story details haven't been revealed just yet...
News Atlus Has "No Plans" For New Game Announcements At Upcoming Concert
Sorry folks
October is shaping up to be a busy month for the Nintendo Switch with the release of multiple titles including the Atlus game Persona 5 Royal. Atlus will also be hosting a concert for the series next month, featuring various performances. It's got some fans wondering about the possibility of a new game announcement, but it seems not...
News The Pokémon Diamond And Pearl Remakes Just Won A 'Global Award'
And some trainers aren't happy...
During the 2022 Tokyo Game Show today, the winners of the Japan Game Awards were announced. One winner, in particular, that seems to have people talking on social media is the 2021 Switch title Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Not only did it take out the 'best sales award' but it was also recognised...
Japanese Charts Splatoon 3 Physical Sales Splatter All Over The Competition
Nearly two million retail copies sold
If you've been paying attention to the news, this week's Japanese charts from Famitsu will be pretty predictable. Splatoon 3 has inked all over the charts, and — in the week of 5th to 11th September — the third squid-based shooter has sold just under a staggering 2 million copies. These are only physical...
News Switch Online's N64 Library In Japan Is Getting One Extra Game
Harvest Moon 64 returns in 2023
Nintendo's latest Direct was packed out with farming simulators, but somehow we've missed out on one here in the west. During the announcement of more N64 games for the Switch Online service, Japan's segment revealed one extra title. Instead of 9 games between now and 2023 (GoldenEye 007 included), it'll be receiving...
News Square Enix Is Now Part Of A Blockchain
After dipping its toes in NFTs
After months of hints and talking about NFTs, Square Enix has finally become part of a blockchain. Gameindustry.biz reports that the Japanese developer and publisher has partnered with Oasys, which claims to be "an eco-friendly blockchain built for the gaming community, offering the best user experience with fast...
News Splatoon 3 Becomes The Fastest Selling Nintendo Switch Game In Japan
Nintendo releases domestic sales figures
To say the Splatoon franchise has become a breakthrough hit for Nintendo since its debut on the Wii U back in 2015 would be somewhat of an understatement. Although the first entry sold modest numbers, all told, its focus on fast-paced multiplayer with a unique spin resonated with fans worldwide and has since...
News The First Review For The New Action RPG Trinity Trigger Is Now In
Launching in the west "early" next year
One JRPG Switch fans will want to be on the lookout for next year is FuRyu's co-op action title Trinity Trigger. As you might have already read, it's been developed by an all-star cast - with talent that's previously worked on games like Secret of Mana, Xenoblade Chronicles and Octopath Traveler. The other...
Japanese Charts JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Takes The Crown With Modest Sales
Three new entries for the week
The latest Japanese charts are now in and it introduces a few new entries for the week with the likes of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R, The Last of Us: Part 1, and Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure tops the charts with a respectable 19,807 units sold across the...
Random This Splatoon 3 Smallfry Toy Has Stolen Our Squid Kid Hearts
Smallfry is a good guy
The wait has been long, but finally, budding Inklings and Octolings can return to the arena on Friday as Splatoon 3 launches on Switch. And do you know what else comes with new game releases? Envy over all of the cool merchandise that we miss out on! And Nintendo Tokyo has set our hearts on fire by revealing a rather adorable...
News Playasia Celebrates 20 Years With New Video Game Publishing Branch
Expect "amazing indies & games from Japan"
The online independent retailer Playasia turns 20 years old this year, and to celebrate this special occasion - it's launching its own publishing label. Playasia Publishing is officially described as a "new video game software branch" that aims to "further the goal" of providing games for video game fans...
News River City Ransom Director & Miracle Kidz President Passes Away
Worked on multiple classics at Technōs Japan
We've got some incredibly sad news coming out of Japan today. Miracle Kidz president Mitsuhiro Yoshida passed away at the end of last month on August 30th. Yoshida worked at Technōs Japan (known best for the beat 'em up series Double Dragon) - helping create classics like Kunio-kun (Downtown Nekketsu...
