Tag: Japan - Page 22
News The Japan Retro Game Association Offers Super Famicoms To Avoid Lockdown Boredom
Donkey Kong Country saves the day
Despite all the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation has also brought out some amazing acts of human kindness. Now we can add the Japan Retro Game Association to our list of lovely people, as they have offered to loan out 100 slightly yellowing Super Famicom consoles to Japanese residents...
Japanese Charts Animal Crossing: New Horizons Overtakes Pokémon Sword And Shield's Lifetime Sales
And it only took a single month
Sometimes you just have the perfect image waiting to be used in your database. Today's one of those days. Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 13th - 19th April, revealing that Animal Crossing: New Horizons once again dominated weekly sales. The game shifted an estimated 286,586 copies in Japan last week,...
Random A Fresh Line Of Pokémon Lingerie Is Coming To Japan Next Month
"Pokémon Girls" line goes on sale soon
Pokémon is one of those brands that is so insanely successful that it finds its way onto pretty much any product, and in Japan, that includes lingerie and nightwear. Underwear maker Peach John – which also has One Piece trollies in its catalogue – is launching a new range of Pokémon-themed undergarments...
Random Mario And Bowser Get Reimagined As Tokusatsu Characters
Say hello to "MA-NULTRA" and "KOOBALA"
Japanese toymaker Bid Toys is famous for its pop-culture mash-ups and bizarre figures, and the company's next project uses two of Nintendo's most famous characters in a slightly different way to what we're used to. Super Mario and his nemesis Bowser (or King Koopa, as he's known as in Japan) have been...
News Nintendo Just Launched Two Special Fire Emblem Game Variants On Switch In Japan
'Triangle Attack' and 'Climax'
On 20th April 1990, the world was given its very first Fire Emblem game in Japan and to celebrate, Nintendo has released two new Fire Emblem offerings for Nintendo Switch Online users in the country. Intelligent Systems and Nintendo's R&D1 group co-developed Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light...
News Brand New My Nintendo App Lets You Buy Games, Watch Directs And View Your Playtime
Now live in Japan
Nintendo has released a brand new 'My Nintendo' app which offers a number of handy services to those who own a Switch, 3DS or Wii U. Currently available exclusively for Android and iOS users in Japan, the app delivers news on Nintendo and its products, will let you watch videos - including Nintendo Direct presentations, and allows...
News Lack Of Switch Stock In Japan Is Driving Up The Value Of Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Second best is better than nothing?
The arrival of Animal Crossing: New Horizons has triggered a surge in demand for the Switch in Japan, but, thanks to the recent coronavirus outbreak, demand has increased to the point where consoles are incredibly hard to come by. With everyone talking about the new entry, interested players in Japan are having...
News Production Of The Pokémon Anime Has Been Put On Hold, Reruns To Be Shown In Japan
It's currently unclear when it'll return
Production of the Pokémon anime series has been temporarily put on hold due to the current global pandemic's impact in Japan. TV Tokyo, the Japanese network which broadcasts Pokémon in the region, has updated its upcoming schedule, removing already-planned episodes and replacing them with reruns (thanks,...
News HAL President Shares His Thoughts On The Company's History And Future
"HAL Laboratory is a company where everyone is a creator"
In celebration of HAL Laboratory's 40th anniversary, Famitsu recently sat down with HAL Laboratory president, Kawase Shigefumi. Surrounded by familiar sights and sounds in the Kirby Café, President Kawase shared his thoughts on the history and future of the beloved game developer. First...
News Pokémon Sword And Shield Wins Famitsu Dengeki 2019 Game Of The Year
And takes out best role-playing game award
Pokémon Sword and Shield has taken out the game of the year award and best role-playing game of 2019 during a livestream award ceremony held by Famitsu and Dengeki. Apart from this, Nintendo's exercise game Ring Fit Adventure tied with Square Enix's mobile title Dragon Quest Walk for the Special Award,...
Japanese Charts Nintendo Switch Sales Plummet As Shipments Get Put On Hold
Animal Crossing drops to second
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 6th - 12th April, revealing that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has missed out on the first-place spot for the first time since it released. The game sold an estimated 292,876 copies in the region last week, which is still an impressive total considering it's now been on...
News Nintendo Switch Shortages Are Driving Up The Price Of 3DS In Japan
There's still some demand
The coronavirus outbreak has created a lot of chaos since it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. On the gaming front, it's made certain systems like the original model Nintendo Switch near impossible to buy. In Japan last week, we heard how one local retailer ran an online lottery to simply purchase...
News Hamster's Arcade Archives Release Record Might Be Disrupted By CERO Ratings Suspension
160 weeks and counting
Earlier this week, the Japanese video game rating organisation CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Agency) announced a temporary closure, which at the time was expected to have a significant impact on the release schedules of many upcoming games – including Nintendo ones. It seems the first company that could be affected by...
News Demand For The Switch And Ring Fit Adventure In Japan Is Absolutely Crazy Right Now
Even lotteries to buy the products are causing chaos
As you've likely heard, there have been Nintendo Switch and Ring Fit Adventure shortages around the globe for months on end. Over in Japan, though, the situation sounds like it's got even worse. As highlighted by Niko Partners Senior Analyst Daniel Ahmad, the Japanese retailer Yamada Denki...
Japanese Charts Animal Crossing: New Horizons Surpasses Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Lifetime Physical Sales
3 million in three weeks
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 30th March - 5th April, revealing that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is still having a wonderful time at the top. The game sold an estimated 423,367 copies in the region last week, taking its Japanese physical sales total to just over 3 million. Amazingly, this means that -...
News Ace Angler's Fishing Rod Accessory Is Giving Us The Dreamcast Feels
The 'Get Bass' successor the world needs in 2020?
Fishing fans who were hoping to get a western release of Bandai Namco's Fishing Spirits will be delighted to hear that it's on its way under the new name of Ace Angler. The game is also getting a re-release in Japan along with a quirky Hori-made peripheral called the 'Ace Angler Dedicated Joy-Con...
Talking Point We Should Brace For A Huge Games Industry Knock-On Effect Following The CERO Shutdown
Down to CERO
Today's news that Japanese video game rating organisation CERO--that's the 'Computer Entertainment Rating Organization'--is closing temporarily in response the COVID-19 pandemic will likely have far longer lasting repercussions on the video games industry than recent cancellation of annual events such as E3 and GDC. Japan's response to...
News Pokémon Staff Will 'Stay Connected' During Tokyo's Emergency Lockdown, Says Masuda
Encourages fans to stay home
Today, the Japanese government issued a state of emergency across its Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures, urging people to practice social distancing to fight the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Junichi Masuda, director of Pokémon developer Game Freak, has now commented on the situation...
News Wave of Closures And Possible Development Delays Follow CERO Shutdown In Japan
The safety and health of the gaming community is the highest priority
Following the issuance of a state of emergency in seven of Japan's prefectures due to the Coronavirus outbreak – including the game development hubs of Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka – many video game developers and affiliates have announced temporary closures. As we mentioned in...
News New Games Could See Delays As Japanese Rating Organisation CERO Temporarily Shuts Down
State of emergency declared in Tokyo
Japanese video game rating organisation CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Agency) has today announced a temporary closure, potentially having a significant impact on the release schedules of upcoming games. The closure has been revealed in response to the Japanese government's decision to issue a state of...
News Nintendo Switch Stock Concerns Grow As Shipping Gets Temporarily Halted In Japan
Only pre-existing reservations will be fulfilled
Nintendo has issued a notice to fans in Japan this morning regarding the current status of Switch console shipments, revealing that shipping will be temporarily put on hold. The message, which was shared on Nintendo's official Japanese Twitter account, says that both the Switch Lite and standard...
News Sakurai To Work On Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Remotely Due To Coronavirus
Japan poised to declare state of emergency
With Japan set to announce a state of emergency for seven prefectures – including the gaming hubs of Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka – Masahiro Sakurai has announced via Twitter that he will be picking up the development of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate remotely. He goes onto say that security su
News Here Are The Switch eShop's Best-Selling Games Of March 2020 (Japan)
Animal Crossing and Pokémon top the list
Earlier today, we shared a list of the top 15 most-downloaded Switch games in Europe last month and now have yet another list, this time from Japan. Below, you can see a list of the 20 best-selling games on the Switch eShop in Japan throughout the month of March, 2020. Also included are each game's release...
Japanese Charts Animal Crossing: New Horizons Looks Unstoppable With Mighty Second Week On Sale
This could become Switch's best-seller
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 23rd - 29th March, revealing that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is going from strength to strength. The game has managed to shift another 727,791 physical copies in Japan alone in its second week on sale, down from last week's tremendous 1.8 million-strong debut...
News Nintendo's Servers Haven't Been Hacked, It Was All An April Fool's Joke
Another fake identified
Update: Like the Flipnote Studio rumour, this one also appears to be an elaborate fake. You can listen to the eight fan-created tracks on Video Game Music Resources (the YouTube channel behind the joke). On the plus side, it means Nintendo's internal development servers haven't been breached. Phew! Original Story [Wed 1st...
News Nintendo Files Patent For The Switch Lite
Better late than never
Companies are always filing patents for new product designs, but this time it's a little different. Nintendo Co., Ltd. recently registered a design at the Japanese patent office for the Switch Lite – a handheld system which launched in September last year. The description notes how the device is "an electronic computer...
News Bandai Namco Announces The Namcot Collection For Nintendo Switch
Launching in Japan this June
During the Japanese Nintendo Direct, Bandai Namco revealed it would be releasing the Namcot Collection for Switch on 18th June 2020. No, it's not a typo, 'Namcot' was the name Namco used for its console publishing business between 1984-1995. This upcoming collection will be available as a physical release and as a free...
News Switch Has Now Surpassed Wii's Lifetime Sales In Japan
But Wii's worldwide total remains on top
The Nintendo Switch had a hugely successful week in Japan last week, shifting a massive 392,576 units according to Famitsu data. This places the console at an estimated 12.8 million sales over its relatively short lifetime, which means Nintendo's latest machine has just hit a new, significant milestone. As...
Japanese Charts Switch Sales Soar As Animal Crossing: New Horizons Dominates
Records broken left, right and centre
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 16th - 22nd March, reconfirming Animal Crossing: New Horizons' huge debut success. As had been reported earlier today, the game has managed to sell a phenomenal 1,880,626 physical copies in its first three days on sale in Japan. It's the strongest launch for any...
New Horizons is a hit
The success Nintendo has seen thanks to the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is truly off the charts, with new data now revealing that more Switch consoles were sold in Japan last week than at the console's launch. The game, which has just had the most successful launch of any Switch title ever in the region, has...
News Animal Crossing: New Horizons Sold A Whopping 1.88 Million Copies In Three Days In Japan
Switch's best ever launch
Update (Wed 25th Mar, 2020 09:45 GMT): The reports were true, as new Famitsu data (thanks, VGC) confirms that Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold a phenomenal 1.88 million copies in just three days in Japan alone. As mentioned in our original article below, this means New Horizons has had the best l
News Animal Crossing: New Horizons Is Already Selling Out In Japanese Stores
Crazy scenes
With all of the crazy stuff going on in the world right now, it's perhaps unsurprising to hear that even video game stores are seeing unusually high levels of demand. Early reports coming in from Japan suggest that a number of retail stores have experienced particularly lengthy queues during midnight launches for Animal Crossing: New...
Japanese Charts Pokémon Games Land In Second And Third As Nioh 2 Debuts On Top
My Hero One's Justice 2 debuts in fourth
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 9th - 15th March, revealing that Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX has slipped down to second place after topping the charts in its opening week. The game managed to shift an estimated 46,391 units this week, not managing to fend off the brand new PS4...
News New Pokémon Anime Appears On YouTube In Japan For A Limited Time
As self-isolation takes over
For a limited time, the new series of the Pokémon anime currently airing in Japan is being uploaded for free viewing on YouTube. The episodes are reportedly being shared online in response to the coronavirus outbreak, giving all of those stuck inside the opportunity to check out the show in their spare time. At...
News Trials Of Mana Demo Releases On Japanese eShop Tomorrow, Will Include English Language Support
Update: It's now available!
Update: The demo has gone live across all regions. Once again, it includes English Language support (voice and text) and your save data will transfer across from the demo to the full version. There's also a few limitations: You can only level up to Level 7 and can only access the beginning of the story. Enjoy! Original...
News New Splatoon Artwork Celebrates White Day In Japan
A gift from the Squid Research Lab
Nintendo wrapped up its regular Splatfests in Splatoon 2 some time ago, with Team Chaos (led by Pearl) taking out the grand finale. Since then, there have been some minor patches for the game, and from time to time, new official artwork has released on the Splatoon social accounts. Today is one of those days: To...
Japanese Charts Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Debuts In First, Switch Sales Go From Bad To Worse
A mixed week for Nintendo
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 2nd - 8th March, revealing that Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX has managed to debut in first place. The game managed to shift an estimated 138,548 units in its opening week, comfortably leading the way in a week otherwise lacking new releases. Fellow Pokémon titles...
News Amazon Japan Is Doing Its Part To Defeat Coronavirus By Offering Free Pokémon Anime
Binge while you self-isolate
Like other countries worldwide, Japan is entering a period of lockdown at the moment to combat the spread of the coronavirus – and Amazon Japan is doing its part to help this effort. Lots of Japanese residents are currently undergoing a period of self-isolation to prevent the virus from spreading, and that means...
News Pre-Booking Tickets For Pokémon The Movie: Coco In Japan Will Get You 2 Mythical Pokémon
Sword and Shield codes for Japanese moviegoers
We've already been introduced to the 'Rogue Monkey Pokémon' Zarude in the trailer for the upcoming Pokémon movie and it seems that Japanese movie fans who pre-book tickets for the Pokémon the Movie: Coco will be able to get their hands on the beast, in addition to an old favourite. The movie is set...
News The First Animal Crossing: New Horizons Review Is In, And It Might Surprise You
Japanese magazine Famitsu gives its verdict
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is days away now, and the wait is proving to be unbearable for some fans. Will this latest instalment in the long-running series live up to the incredible hype? Can it possibly top the superb New Leaf on the 3DS? Will it be the Switch's must-have title for 2020? We can't...
Random It's OK, We Didn't Know There Was An Animal Crossing Movie Either
You learn something new every day
Animal Crossing fever has gripped the world of Nintendo thanks to the impending arrival of New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch. But did you know that an animated Animal Crossing movie is a thing that exists? We're ashamed to admit we didn't know either until today; we'd better hand in our 'Diehard Nintendo Fan'...
News Darius Cozmic Collection 2 Confirmed, Existing Collection Getting New Games Today
New content is approaching fast!
Taito has revealed that it is working on Darius Cozmic Collection 2, with a release expected this winter. No games have been confirmed at present (one would assume 1997's excellent G-Darius will make the cut), nor has it been specified which consoles it will be launching on. The company has also revealed that the...
Japanese Charts Pokémon Sword And Shield Return To The Top, Switch Sales Still Suffering
Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection takes sixth
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 24th February - 1st March, revealing that Pokémon Sword and Shield have returned to the top of the pile. The two games shifted an estimated 24,886 units between them this week, overtaking last week's number one, Persona 5 Scramble. Mega Man Zero/ZX...
News Japan Picks Its Favourite Final Fantasy Game And Character
FFX and Cloud win
Japan's National Broadcaster NHK recently ran some fan polls focused on Square Enix's long-running and much-loved Final Fantasy series. One asked participants to name their favourite game and received a total of 468,654 votes, and the other asked them to pick their favourite Final Fantasy character of all-time. The best game award...
News Sora Named "Most Wanted" Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC Fighter In Recent Japanese Poll
Dante was the runner-up
Earlier this month, there was a rumour Nintendo had previously approached Disney about adding the Kingdom Hearts protagonist Sora to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and was rejected by the American company's Japanese branch. Even if Disney isn't necessarily keen on the character's inclusion in Ninten
Video Heartwarming Animal Crossing: New Horizons Trailer Shows How The Game Brings Friends Together
Go island-hopping with pals
Nintendo has just released a new promotional trailer for Animal Crossing: New Horizons in Japan, which is aimed at showing how the game can bring together busy friends. In the clip, a quartet of schoolfriends is shown working, training and studying, all of which is making it hard for them to find time for one another in...
News Here's Your First Look At The Mythical Zarude In The Upcoming Pokémon Movie
Introducing the 'Rogue Monkey Pokémon'
After teasing the silhouette of the new mythical Pokémon for weeks on end, yesterday The Pokémon Company finally revealed the new Dark/Grass-type pocket monster Zarude in the Nintendo Switch games, Pokémon Sword and Shield
News Picross Developer Jupiter Reveals Working Zombies, A New Non-Picross Project
Update: "Coming Soon" according to reveal trailer
Update: And here's the trailer! Original Story: After years of being chained to their desks churning out Picross game after Picross game after Picross game, developer Jupiter has teased and subsequently revealed a new game that doesn't involve steadily solving puzzles to reveal pixel art pictures...
News The Pokémon Company Cancels Multiple Store Events In Japan As Coronavirus Cases Rise
Confirmed cases in Japan now number more than 200
As news emerges that Japanese schools are to close until April due to the recent coronavirus outbreak, The Pokémon Company has stated that it will be cancelling a series of live events at its Pokémon Stores across the country. As of February 29th, 2020, the following events have been called off...
News PlatinumGames' Third Piece Of Big News Is A New Tokyo Studio
"At PlatinumGames, everyone’s a creator"
2020 is shaping up to be a big year for Japanese studio PlatinumGames. The company has already successfully crowdfunded a remaster of The Wonderful 101, and yesterday announced Project G.G., a new IP which it aims to publish itself. Those were the first of four
