Tag: Japan - Page 2
Hardware Classics The Super Famicom Is 30 Today
Still super after all these years
Originally published way back in March 2013, we thought we'd re-share this feature on the Super Famicom to commemorate its 30th birthday today. To many, it's the greatest video game console ever made. The Super Famicom — or Super Nintendo Entertainment System as it is more commonly known outside of its native...
News Nintendo's Official Online Magazine Gets A New Winter Edition
And it's free!
The latest issue of Nintendo's official magazine has arrived, this time boasting a winter theme. The free magazine follows the summer edition which launched back in August, featuring plenty of advertisements for Switch's biggest games and handy little features for some of the most popular titles. Just like before, the entire thing is...
Japanese Charts Switch Sales Remain Strong As Next-Gen Systems Hit The Market
Hardware sales narrowly beaten by PS5
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 9th - 15th November, revealing that the Switch has had a very solid week despite the next-gen arrivals from Sony and Microsoft. In the software charts, Switch titles accounted for half of the top ten, with two new PS4 entries gobbling up the top spots. New entry...
News This Animal Crossing Loungewear Is The Perfect Chill-Out Collaboration
Tom Nook slippers? Count us in!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has to rank as one of the most chilled-out video games ever – so it makes sense to align the series with the kind of clothing you wear when you're lazing about the house, busy doing nothin'. With that in mind, Gelato Pique has just revealed that it is producing a range of loungewear...
Video Check Out These Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Ads Now Airing On Japanese TV
Only one week to go!
The launch of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is drawing ever nearer – we're exactly one week away, in fact – and Nintendo's marketing for the title is starting to ramp up. Two TV commercials that have begun airing in Japan are currently available to view on YouTube, and you can check them both out for yourself below...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 3 Stays Top, Pokémon Sword And Shield Expansion Pass Makes Top Five
Switch takes nine of the top ten
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 2nd - 8th November, revealing that Pikmin 3 Deluxe has managed to keep hold of its first-place position The game shifted another 67,925 physical copies in its second week on sale, extending its lead at the top for another week. Ring Fit Adventure leapt up the charts...
News A Second Zarude Form Will Soon Be Distributed To Pokémon Sword And Shield Fans In Japan
'Dada Zarude'
Pokémon Sword and Shield players in Japan will soon be able to get their hands on a new form of Zarude, a Mythical Pokémon that appears in this year's animated movie. The new form, called 'Dada Zarude', will reportedly be distributed to fans who attend viewings of Pokémon the Movie Coco at Japanese cinemas starting next month. The...
News Nintendo Will Remain "King" Of Japan Over The Next Years, Says Game Industry Consultant
Widespread appeal of Switch makes it an unstoppable force
Bloomberg recently published a story about Microsoft setting its sights on Japan as the next console battleground. Fortunately, according to one game industry consultant, it's not expected to have any impact on Nintendo - at least in the near future. As noted by Bloomberg, Nintendo's...
News Two Of Grasshopper's Older Games Are Being Released On Switch Next Year
No word on a western release just yet
Earlier this year in May, the legendary video game designer Suda51 mentioned how he would be interested in releasing some of Grasshopper Manufacture's older titles on the Nintendo Switch. One of the games he mentioned at the time that had a "more realistic" chance of coming to the hybrid system was...
News Hori Releases Accessibility Controller For The Nintendo Switch
Everyone can play
Following in the footsteps of Microsoft's Xbox Adaptive controller, Japanese accessory manufacturer Hori has released its very own accessibility controller designed for the Nintendo Switch. Introducing the Nintendo licensed "HORI Flex" Switch and joystick interface. As you can see, it's got all sorts of inputs, and can be wired to...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 3 Deluxe Takes Top Spot As Switch Sales Reach 13 Million
Another impressive week
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 26th October - 1st November, revealing that Pikmin 3 Deluxe has debuted at the top of the pile. The game sold an estimated 171,349 physical copies in its opening week which – according to Astris Advisory Japan founder, David Gibson – puts it ahead of the Wii U original for...
News Sega Sammy Set To Sell Majority Of Sega Entertainment
Game over, man
It's been a rough year for Sega Sammy, and as a result of some "extraordinary losses" due to the impacts of coronavirus, it will sell the majority of its shares in Sega Entertainment to Japanese amusement rental firm, Genda - a company with a "strong desire" to expand the arcade sector in Japan. Speaking to shareholders earlier...
News Rune Factory 4 Online Trial Is Now Live Outside Of Japan
Update: Live in the UK now, too
Update: We can now confirm that this trial is now live in the UK as well. Original Story [Sat 31st Oct, 2020 16:30 GMT]: Rune Factory 5 might be coming out next year, but have you played Rune Factory 4 Special on the Nintendo Switch yet? We praised this definitive version of the game, awarding it nine out of ten...
News Mother Is Getting Its Own Pop-Up Shops In Japan
As part of Hobonichi's project
While we've been waiting for the return of the Mother video game series, the Hobonichi Mother Project has been filling the void with all sorts of goodies. To top it off, it's now announced it will temporarily open two shop displays in Japan to sell Mother merchandise. The first shop, in Osaka, will open up later this...
Japanese Charts Nintendo Switch Claims The Entire Top 10 This Week
Top 11, actually
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 19th - 25th October 2020, showing that Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit has slipped down to number 5 as Animal Crossing: New Horizons regains the top spot in time for Halloween. Impressively, Switch games take every one of the top 10 entries, with Minecraft at number 7 and Pokémon Sword...
News More Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel Games Are Coming To Switch
But only in Japan for now
Fans of Falcom's excellent Legend of Heroes series, rejoice – we're getting more JRPG goodness on the Switch next year, thanks to the fact that The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 1 and 2 are both being released on Nintendo's console. These two titles – originally released on Sony systems in 2013 and 2014...
News Koei Tecmo's Buddy Mission: Bond Comes To Switch Next Year
Best buddies
Nintendo and Koei Tecmo have jointly announced during the Japanese version of today's Nintendo Direct Mini that the visual novel-style adventure game Buddy Mission: Bond will launch on Switch next year. Featuring characters designed by Yusuke Murata (One Punch Man, Eyeshield 21), the game combines 2D story sequences with 3D segments...
News Persona 5 Scramble Localisation Not Mentioned In Koei Tecmo's Latest Report
Focused on other offerings
Word about the localisation of Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers has been floating around all year, but now, in Koei Tecmo's latest financial report there's no mention of a western release. In terms of console offerings, it's currently focused on Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and a bunch of other games including
News Nintendo Is Releasing Three Switch Bundles In Japan Next Month
Just in time for the holiday season
Nintendo has announced it will be releasing two Switch controller bundles and a new Switch console bundle in Japan next month. All three will be available on 20th November, just in time for the holiday season. Super Mario Party Joy-Con Bundle: First, we have a Super Mario Party bundle - featuring a copy of the...
News Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 To Be Shown To The Public For The First Time Next Month
Will be playable at Japan's Digital Games Expo
Back in June, during the BitSummit Gaiden online event, Inti Creates announced it would be reviving its flagship 2D side-scrolling series Azure Striker Gunvolt for a third outing. Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is described as a "true blue sequel" to Azure Striker Gunvolt - with action supervisor Keiji...
Random Japan's Former PM Wasn't So Sure About Promoting Tokyo 2020 As Mario
“I waited for over ten minutes in that pipe”
The now-former prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, who retired due to health reasons in September, recently spoke to Nikkan Sports about making an appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympics closing ceremony (as Mario) to promote Tokyo 2020. He admitted he wasn't thrilled with the idea when it was initially...
Japanese Charts Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Speeds Into First Place
As Nintendo takes nine of top ten
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 12th - 18th October, revealing that Nintendo's Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit has debuted in first place. Combined sales of the Mario and Luigi bundles reached an estimated 73,918 units in its opening week, comfortably sitting ahead of the second-place game, Animal...
News Rodea The Sky Soldier Is Being Removed From The Wii U And 3DS eShops In Japan
Following its removal in Europe and NA
Rodea the Sky Soldier, an action-adventure title produced by Sonic lead programmer Yuji Naka, will be removed from the Wii U and 3DS eShops in Japan next month. The game's delisting follows similar removals in Europe and North America earlier this year, meaning the title will soon be unavailable digitally...
News Ring Fit Adventure Has Now Outsold Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Physical Sales In Japan
And sales are still rapidly rising
Ring Fit Adventure is proving to be so popular in Nintendo's home country of Japan that it has now sold more physical copies than one of Switch's biggest releases, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. If you keep up to date with our regular Japanese chart updates, you'll have seen that Ring Fit Adventure...
Video Watch The Grand Opening Of Super Nintendo World's Mario Café And Store
And get a good look inside, too!
As you may already know, the brand new Mario Café and Store located at Universal Studios Japan has now opened its doors, and an opening ceremony took place to welcome the very first visitors inside. You can check out that ceremony in the video above; both Mario and Luigi – yes, the real, living versions that are...
News For The First Time, A Super Nintendo World Promo Image Has Teased A Non-Mario Franchise
Will other series get theme parks, too?
Ever since the moment we first heard about Super Nintendo World, right up until the opening of its new café and store, we've only ever been treated to Mario-themed delights and teases. Now, though, another franchise is finally having its say. Twitter user @journey3310 has shared a photograph of a c
Japanese Charts Animal Crossing Has To Settle For Second As FIFA 21 Tops The Table
Switch sales see slight boost
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 5th - 11th October, revealing that new release FIFA 21 has debuted in first place. The game sold an estimated 39,152 physical copies on PS4 to go top of the charts, narrowly beating this week's boxed sales of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The Switch version of FIFA also...
Japanese Charts Animal Crossing Ends Super Mario 3D All-Stars' Run At The Top
Friendly fire
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 28th September - 4th October, revealing that Super Mario 3D All-Stars has fallen from its lofty first place position. The pesky, evergreen superstar that is Animal Crossing: New Horizons has claimed top spot once again this week, narrowly outselling Mario's new compilation by just over...
News Here Are The Switch eShop's Best-Selling Games Of September 2020 (Japan)
And yes, Mario's on top
Nintendo has released an updated list of its best-selling titles in Japan, revealing which Switch games are currently doing the business on the Japanese eShop. Below, you'll find a list of the 20 best-selling games on the Japanese eShop for September 2020. Only paid downloads are included, and any games that were on sale...
News Super Nintendo World Will Now Open Spring 2021, New Mario Café And Store Revealed
And they open next week!
Nintendo has revealed that its Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal Studios Japan will now open in spring 2021 following delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Universal initially postponed the park's opening this summer; it was originally going to have its grand opening fall in line with Tokyo's 2020 Summer...
News Bandai Namco Brings Family Trainer For Switch To Japan This December
Get a full-body workout across 15 mini-games
Publisher Bandai Namco has revealed the latest entry in its Family Trainer series - a series that's been around now since the Wii era. It's simply titled Family Trainer for Switch and comes with a Switch Joy-Con Leg Strap accessory. The newest entry will be released in Japan on 17th December. The aim is...
News Overwatch Is Going Free-To-Play On Switch For A Week In Japan
A Nintendo Switch Online exclusive
Update: Overwatch's free trial is also heading to the west! Original Article (Tue 6th Oct, 2020 14:00 BST): Overwatch will temporarily be made free-to-play for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers in Japan later this month, as part of an ongoing benefit of the service in Nintendo's home country. Subscribers will...
Japanese Charts Super Mario 3D All-Stars Leads A Very Nintendo-Dominated Top 10
Nine of the week's best-sellers are on Switch
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 21st - 27th September, revealing that Super Mario 3D All-Stars has managed to stay in first place for a second week running. The game sold another 63,803 physical copies in its second week on sale, ensuring that the evergreen Animal Crossing: New Horizons...
News Officially Licensed Keychain Tetris Launches In Japan Next Week
Clear lines wherever you go
Want to become the ultimate Tetris player, but can't always take your Switch with you wherever you go? Then here's the next best thing - Tetris Mini. It's an officially licensed keychain handheld by Gametech. And yes, it's a bit of a revival. It's arriving in Japan next week on 8th October and will come in six different...
News Animal Crossing: New Horizons Wins Big At The Japan Game Awards 2020
Game of the Year
The results of this year's Japan Game Awards have now been revealed, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons standing out as the star of the show. The ceremony – which celebrates Japan's biggest and best games as well as a few international hits, too – saw Nintendo's life sim take home a total of three awards, including the...
Round Up Tokyo Game Show 2020 - Here Are The Nintendo Switch Highlights
Monster Hunter Rise, Hyrule Warriors and much more!
This year's online-only Tokyo Game Show had a lot of Nintendo Switch highlights, so we've decided to throw them all into a single post for your viewing convenience. There are 40 minutes of the new Monster Hunter Rise game, a new trailer and gameplay footage for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and...
News Deathsmiles Collection Brings More Shoot 'Em Up Action To Switch In 2021
Japan only, for now
If you're seeking more shoot 'em up action, Deathsmiles I & II is one to keep an eye out for when it launches in Japan next year. During this year's online version of the Tokyo Game Show, publisher City Connection and bullet hell specialist Cave Interactive announced this supernatural gothic style collection containing Death...
News Phil Spencer Praises Animal Crossing: New Horizons During The TGS Xbox Showcase
Says it's an "iconic" Japanese game
As you're probably aware, this year's online-only Tokyo Game Show is currently underway in Japan. Xbox kicked things off with its very own event, and to begin, head of Xbox Phil Spencer delivered a message praising the Japanese game industry. Alongside series like Final Fantasy, Resident Evil and Persona, he also...
News Read HAL's Translated Blog Post On The Creation Of Kirby Fighters 2
The first in a series
HAL Laboratory has published the first blog post in a series about Kirby Fighters 2, featuring Planning Director Tadashi Kawai. Within this article, they discuss the development of the newly-released title. We have gone ahead and translated the article below. Hello everyone. I'm Tadashi Kawai, the Planning Director for Kirby...
Japanese Charts Super Mario 3D All-Stars Goes Top With 210,000 Boxed Sales In Three Days
Mario's-a-number one!
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 14th - 20th September, revealing that Super Mario 3D All-Stars has debuted in first place. Was there ever any doubt? The new compilation of Mario classics shifted more than 210,000 physical copies in just three days to get there, comfortably beating last week's number one, Ring...
News Nintendo Needs Someone To Fill A Spokesperson Role In Japan
Have you got what it takes?
Nintendo is a big company and is always looking for one person or another to fill a particular role. With this in mind, its Japanese website recently posted a new listing for a spokesperson, who would be based in Kyoto, Japan. Noticeably the position is seeking someone who will formulate and execute a "global" public...
Japanese Charts Ring Fit Adventure Outsells Animal Crossing For Second Week In A Row
Minecraft Dungeons debuts in fourth
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 7th - 13th September, revealing that Ring Fit Adventure is once again sitting pretty at the top of the pile. The game sold another 43,459 copies this week, outperforming physical sales of the retail monster that is Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the second week...
News Flipnote Studio 3D Fan Spends Four Years Making The Ultimate Tribute Animation
Flipping amazing
We've seen some absolutely amazing creations put together using Flipnote Studio 3D over the years, but Japanese animator ミラーパネル3 takes the biscuit with their creation of "Flipnote Warrior", a full 34-minute animation. The clip is centred around a young girl who has a life-changing event on her 3DS. All the animation was...
News Fire Emblem: Mystery Of The Emblem Joins Japan's Switch Online Service This Month
Access it via the Super Famicom app
Next week, Nintendo is releasing the 1994 Super Famicom title Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem on the Switch Online service in Japan. This is the third entry in Intelligence system's tactical role-playing series and the first one to be released on the Super Famicom. It stars Marth, has never been released...
News Pokémon Air Is A Pikachu You Can Ride, And It Launches This November
Dreams really do come true
Pikachu's adorable face is plastered onto practically every type of product you can imagine these days, so why not throw a ridable, rubber seat into the mix, too? Introducing Pokémon Air, a new Pikachu toy designed for people ages three and up. Perfect for riding on around the living room – we've all seen Ash Ketchum...
News Here Are The Switch eShop's Best-Selling Games Of August 2020 (Japan)
Final Fantasy enters in fifth
Nintendo has released an updated list of its best-selling titles in Japan, letting us see which games are proving to be the most popular in the company's home country right now. Below, you'll find a list of the 20 best-selling games on the Japanese eShop last month. Only paid downloads are included, and any games that...
News Nintendo Launches Website For The Original Super Mario Bros. Game
Celebrating 35 years
Mario's 35th anniversary celebrations are well and truly underway. So far Nintendo has announced new games, merchandise, and even events and promotions for other first-party titles like Splatoon 2 and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If that's still not enough Mario-themed goodness for you, Japanese websites for Super Mario Bros...
News Japan Has New Splatoon Merch Including Cookies And Candy, And We're Not Jealous At All
An entire new line appears at Nintendo Tokyo
A whole new wave of Splatoon merchandise has appeared on the Japanese My Nintendo Store and at Nintendo TOKYO today, and yes, we're going to sit here and sulk about it for the rest of the day. Nintendo's Japanese shops don't ship worldwide, meaning you'll need to have a friend living in Japan or take to...
Japanese Charts Ring Fit Adventure Beats Marvel's Avengers To Number One
As Nintendo takes six of top ten
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 31st August - 6th September, revealing that Ring Fit Adventure has managed to fend off the competition to secure a number one spot. The game, which also secured second place last week, sold more physical copies than new PS4 title Marvel's Avengers. Ring Fit's 63,958...
News Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Is Getting A Deluxe 'Treasure Box' Edition In Japan
Update: Images of the box now revealed
Update (Fri 11th Sep, 2020 11:15 BST): Koei Tecmo's website has now updated, giving us our first look at the contents of the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity deluxe edition release in Japan. You can check it out for yourself below. Pre-orders are now live on Koei Tecmo's site for those living in Japan, but you...
