Tag: Japan - Page 32
News Japanese Analyst Predicts Switch Sales To Surpass Nintendo's Forecast
A positive outlook
Japanese analyst, Hideki Yasuda, from the Ace Economic Research Institute in Osaka, has released his latest forecast for Nintendo’s full fiscal year - predicting the company will shift 25 million Switch units and 140 million software units. According to DualShockers, this would put the total amount of Switch sales at 42.79...
News Every Single Pokémon Starter Is Getting A Brand New Official Plush Toy
Gotta buy all of these, too
Continuing the recent trend of Pokémon plush mega releases, a new wave of toys featuring every starter Pokémon in the series is about to be released in Japan. Recently, we've seen every generation one Pokémon be included in a line of miniature plushes - although only the first 30 have released so far - and then some...
News Switch Continues Its Hardware Dominance In Japanese Charts, Games Fill 16 Of Top 20 Spots
Didn't get the number one spot, though
Nintendo's Japanese chart success has continued once again this week, with the Switch being the most popular consoleand its games filling sixteen of the top twenty places. It wasn't a Switch or 3DS title sitting on top of the pile this time around, as the newly released Yakuza 3 soared to the top...
News Japanese Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu And Eevee Pre-Orders Include Figures And Exclusive Art Book
No such luck in the west
With Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!'s release date coming ever closer, the official Japanese Pokémon Twitter account has shared information on the pre-order bonuses available in the region. Needless to say, they happen to be much more extravagant than the western counterparts. As you can see,...
News Super Monkey Ball Was A Budget Project Transformed Into A Quality Game
Absolutely bananas
If Super Monkey Ball on GameCube ever felt to you like a quality game on a budget, that’s because it was according to Sega’s CCO, Toshihiro Nagoshi. In an extensive EDGE feature, he spoke about company’s years during the GameCube generation, reflecting on how the CEO was always being changed - with the newest one, at the...
News Sega Wanted To Impress Nintendo With F-Zero GX, Despite Losing The Hardware War
"We were able to achieve something"
In the same EDGE feature about Toshihiro Nagoshi's long career at Sega, the development cycle of the GameCube-hit F-Zero GX was addressed. Nagoshi explained how during this period he realised Nintendo and Sega operated in a similar manner, but it was finer details that set them apart. He further elaborated...
News Nintendo Didn’t Want Yakuza Series, According To Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi
Denied
Sega’s Yakuza games have been associated with Sony’s consoles for a long time now. There was a brief Japan-only trial of the series on Wii U with the 2013 release of Yakuza 1 & 2 HD, but sales bombed with the bundle shipping less than 2000 copies in its debut week. In a recent interview with EDGE, Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi...
Feature Let's Go On A Parade With Pikachu And Eevee In Yokohama, Japan
Spectacular summer festival of Pokémon
The annual Pikachu Outbreak event held in Yokohama, a Japanese city south of Tokyo, had extra significance this year with the release of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! coming up on Nintendo Switch in November. It should come as no surprise then, that the games' mascots Pikachu and Eevee were...
News Cyber Gadget Reveals New Third-Party Switch Controller With Customisable Macro Buttons
It's wireless, too
Japanese accessory maker Cyber Gadget has revealed a new wave of controllers for the Nintendo Switch. Launching in Japan later this year, these controllers will support gyro controls and some very tasty customisation options. Available in both wired and wireless variants, these controllers can be purchased in either black, blue,...
News Masahiro Sakurai's Arcade Days Taught Him To Be Mindful Of All Types Of Players
Life lessons
Masahiro Sakurai - the director and public face of the Super Smash Bros. series - is known for his tireless efforts when it comes to making video games. In a recent interview with The Guardian about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the 48-year-old Tokyo-based developer discussed how his gaming experiences growing u
News Hap Inc. Developer Explains Translation Troubles Tied To Mom Hid My Game Series
Google Translate to blame
Hap Inc. (known for the title Mom Hid My Game! on Switch) recently spoke with The Verge via email about translation troubles tied to the small series. According to the creator, Yuusaka Ishimoto, the title of the first game on Nintendo DS (Hidden My Game By Mum) was the result of Google Translate.
News Xenoblade Chronicles Developer Monolith Soft Has Hired More Employees
Bigger and better
As each Xenoblade release grows in size, so does the series' developer, Monolith Soft. According to a post on ResetEra, the Japan-based company recently updated its website - with the employee headcount now at 171. Back in May, there were three fewer people at the company. Monolith is now also reportedly recruiting 'business...
News Atlus Releases New Trailer For Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth
Boxart also revealed
Atlus recently revealed the 3DS title Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth would be released in Japan on 29th November. The reveal was made in a commercial during an episode of the Persona 5 animation. Although there's still no word regarding a western release, more news about the Japanese version is starting to surface...
Random You'll Soon Be Able To Buy An Edible Sega Logo In Japan
Obviously
Adding to the ever-growing list of weird and wonderful things available in Japan is this edible Sega logo, a product set to be available starting from next week. Earlier in the year, Sega launched its own taiyaki stand - a Japanese fish-shaped cake which you would usually find filled with a red bean paste made from sweetened...
News SEGA's Latest Financial Report Reveals Slump In Sales
Digital struggles
SEGA’s latest financial report reveals it will continue to revive older and existing IP while also capitalising on external and new franchises: With regard to the Entertainment Contents Business, the Group will continue to advance the launch of new titles in the field of digital game software. In addition, the Group will...
A surprise catch
Take a moment to reflect on the Nintendo Wii generation and you’ll likely remember Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii and perhaps even Wii Fit. One title made available early on in the system's life that didn’t get as much attention was the scuba diving game Endless Ocean. Originally released in Japan as Forever Blue
Video Relive The Thrill Of The Arcade With The Most Bonkers Nintendo Switch Stand Yet
Sticky floors and cigarette smoke optional
Gamers of a certain age will know all too well the thrill of amusement arcades; the glare of the screen, the unique - erm - 'smells' and the challenge of sitting down next to a potentially unknown opponent and taking them down in your favourite game. Those truly were the days. If you're hankering for a...
News Former Tiny Metal Staffer Retracts Accusation Of Kickstarter Embezzlement
"Please allow me to apologize again for my actions"
Towards the end of last year, there was controversy surrounding the funding of the Advance Wars-esque turn-based strategy title Tiny Metal. The issues stemmed from Project
News Latest Octopath Traveler Restock In Japan Sells Out Again
Incredibly popular
Since the release of Octopath Traveler on the Switch, there have been plenty of positive headlines about how well the game has sold. It's performed so well, in fact, developer Square Enix previously issued two apologies after underestimating the game's popularity in Japan. Many local JRPG enthusiasts were unable to secure a...
News One In Two Japanese Switch Owners Have A Copy Of Splatoon 2
Tremendous popularity
Splatoon 2's popularity in Japan is going from strength to strength, with new reports suggesting that the game is owned by one in every two Japanese Switch buyers. According to Dengeki Online, Splatoon 2's attach rate is standing at 53.5% as of July 2018. This means that the game has sold just over half the amount of copies...
Random Say Hello To The Officially Licensed Pikachu USB 'Butt Charger'
Shocking
Another week is now upon us and it only feels right to kick things off in style with this officially licensed Pikachu USB charger, offering a slightly different way to charge your favourite devices. Yes, Nintendo has announced that it will be releasing a brand new, officially licensed Pikachu USB charger that essentially looks like its...
News Hori Taiko Drum Controller Won’t Be Released In The West, But Here's Where You Can Get One
Missing a beat
Last week, Bandai Namco finally confirmed Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! would arrive on Switch in Europe and North America this November. This followed a series of hints over several months the game would be localised. One burning question that remained was whether or not the Hori Taiko Drum Controller would make its way...
News Switch Reignites Video Game Console Market In Japan After 10-Year Slump
Sales success
It appears the success of the Nintendo Switch in Japan has had an impact on the wider video game console market locally, with key statistics released by Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association revealing there’s been a peak in overall sales. In 2017, when the Nintendo Switch was originally released, the console market...
News Animal Crossing’s Isao Moro Has Left Nintendo
All the best
News has surfaced Nintendo director Isao Moro has left the Japanese company. Best known for his work on the Animal Crossing series, Moro has taken on a variety of roles over the years. Arriving at Nintendo in 2001, he started out as assistant director on The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and has since covered the Animal
News Atlus Teases Next Stage In Etrian Odyssey Series
Beyond 3DS
As we found out in April, Atlus would be releasing Etrian Odyssey X for 3DS in Japan on 2nd August. Billed as the final outing for the 3D portable system, the company has now revealed the series won't be ending any time soon - with the next stage in the dungeon-crawling RPG series receiving a special teaser trailer. The...
News Nippon Professional Baseball Launching Splatoon 2 eSports League
The future is now
It's not uncommon nowadays to hear about a domestic sports competition starting up its own eSports league. Plenty of famous clubs and teams worldwide have also jumped on the bandwagon of acquiring well-known cyber teams in the hope they can broaden their reach and earn some extra revenue on the side. In Japan, it's no...
News Switch Retail Game Sales In Japan For This Year Have Surpassed The Five Million Mark
Ongoing demand
The Nintendo Switch is an unstoppable powerhouse right now. It’s not only the system itself, though, it’s also the retail games - such as the recently released Octopath Traveler - receiving much love, to the point suppliers literally couldn’t keep up with the demand. In Japan, the system has already reached another milestone...
News Yet Another Wave Of Lovely Pokémon Plushes Is On Its Way To Japan
International shipping available
As if the recent announcement that all 151 Pokémon are being released in an adorable line of miniature plush toys wasn't enough, another new range of cuddly monsters is set to launch in Japan this November. These new toys make up a new section of the 'Pocket Monsters All Star Collection', including a whole host of...
Long-time misconceptions
During a recent interview with DenFamiNicoGamer, the president of Nihom Falcom - Toshihiro Kondo - revealed how the company has dealt with “online flaming” for many years due to the misconception the Japanese developer did not like Nintendo. Even prior to the release of Ys VIII on the Nintendo Switch, the president...
News Taiko: Drum Master Charges Straight To Number One In The Japanese Charts
Without missing a beat
Taiko: Drum Master (known as Taiko no Tatsujin: Nintendo Switch Version! in Japan) has drum-rolled its way right to number one in the Japanese charts. It's been yet another strong week for Nintendo on the whole in the region, with the top 12 chart entries all being either Switch or 3DS games. Octopath Traveler,...
News Sega To Publish The Former Sony Exclusive Crash Bandicoot On Nintendo Switch In Japan
End of an era
Despite the fact that Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy has been available for a while now in western territories, and absolutely dominating the UK sales charts in the process for good measure, the game is still yet to release on Switch in Japan. In a weird turn of events, Sega will be taking over publishing duties for the region,...
News Action-Platformer Iconoclasts Arrives At Start Of August On Japanese eShop
Bring it on!
Earlier this year it was revealed Joakim Sandberg's indie title, Iconoclasts, would be ported to the Switch following the game's positively received release on PC and multiple other platforms. Now, Famitsu is reporting the long-awaited title will arrive on the eShop in Japan on 2nd August with the help of Dangen Entertainment...
Gallery Splatoon 2, Super Mario And Nintendo Switch Take Over A Balmy Tokyo
Hot town, summer in the city
The Nintendo Switch has been doing gangbusters all around the world, but none more so than in the console's backyard, Japan. Furthermore, 'pop up' stores are very popular among prominent franchises and dedicated fans alike, with Kirby and Pokémon regularly having exclusive goods available for a limited time, as well as
News The Japanese Version Of Sonic Mania Plus Comes With A Gorgeous Mega Drive Reversible Cover
An exclusive alternative
Last week, we showed you a lovely secret message that Sega had hidden on the back cover of Sonic Mania Plus' artbook, thinking that it would definitely be the coolest thing we see from the deluxe bundle. Now, though, we've discovered that the Japanese version has its own exclusive Mega Drive-inspired reversible...
News Square Enix Issues A Second Apology As Octopath Traveler Restock Sells Out In Three Hours
A lot of love for the game in Japan
You may remember that, just last week, Octopath Traveler developer Square Enix issued an apology after underestimating the game's popularity in Japan (a region in which the company is also acting as publisher). Many Japanese fans were unable to secure a physical copy of the game thanks to stock shortages,...
News A Range Of Splatoon 2 Trading Cards Is Hitting Japan Next Month
With edible wafers inside
In today's episode of 'Japan gets all the cool stuff and we're incredibly jealous', we present to you this new set of Splatoon 2 trading cards that are set to launch next month. The cards feature beautiful, standalone pieces of artwork on one side, with written chunks of information on the reverse, and even come with...
News Octopath Traveler Shifted 90 Percent Of Its Initial Stock In Japan
A story of hope and success
Tanabata (also known as Star Festival) is an annual Japanese event where people celebrate by writing their wishes on a piece of paper called tanzaku, and then hang them on bamboo or other types of decorations. This year, Acquire Studios’ president, Takuma Endo, took part in the celebrations and shared a photo of his...
News Japanese Man Arrested By Police For Selling Modified Pokémon GO Plus Accessories
Says he didn't realise it was illegal
Japanese authorities have reportedly arrested a 37-year-old man from Japan's Chiba prefecture for selling Pokémon GO Plus modification services. Despite claiming that he didn't know his activities were illegal, the man was arrested for violating Nintendo’s trademark by offering a Pokémon GO Plus...
News Octopath Traveler Smashes Its Way To Number One In Japan By A Huge Margin
Captain Toad positions well, too
The Japanese chart figures are finally in for last week and Octopath Traveler has grabbed the top spot without even the slightest bit of concern from competitors, securing 110,111 sales in its opening week. It's been another astonishing week for Nintendo on the whole, with games on Switch and 3DS securing nine...
Video Japanese WarioWare Gold Trailer Is Four Minutes Of Microgame Insanity
Weird, wacky and wonderful
WarioWare Gold is out next month on the 3DS and in preparation for the release, Nintendo’s Japanese YouTube account has uploaded a new four-minute overview trailer of the game. The recent demo made available on the 3DS eShop at the start of this month allowed players to go hands-on with Wario's latest outing, and this...
News Japanese Players Vote Hollow Knight As The Most Recommended Digital Switch Game This Month
The Cherry on the cake
Every month, Nintendo invites Japanese players to take part in random questionnaires to determine which games they would like to recommend - a slightly different form of user reviews, if you will. This is often a great way for smaller, indie titles to reach a new audience, as players often vote for the potentially hidden gems...
News Nintendo's Dominance In Japan Continues, Publishing Over Half Of 2018's Top-Selling Games
Winning the game
Last year was a fantastic one for Nintendo - the Switch launched in March, gaining universal excitement from the off, and a splattering of truly brilliant experiences like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey took the world by storm. As it turns out, despite not feeling quite as dramatic so far, 2018 isn't...
Hardware Review The Shōnen Jump 50th Anniversary Famicom Classic Mini Is Gorgeous, But Pointless
Nintendo loves gold, only gold
Nintendo may have fixed the supply issues which plagued the launches of the NES and SNES Classic Editions, but many will still be haunted by the devilish degree of difficulty they exper
Collector's items
If you like having physical boxes of games to add to your ever-growing, beautiful collection of joy, but also like the convenience of having your games stored within your Switch's internal memory for quick and easy access, you'll likely be pretty jealous of Nintendo's latest offerings in Japan. On the official Japanese Nintendo...
News Nintendo Clamps Down On Risqué Imagery By Censoring Taisen Hot Gimmick Switch Port
Look away now, kids
Zerodiv's mahjong game Taisen Hot Gimmick: Cosplay-Jan has recently made it onto the Switch's Japanese eShop, previously being available exclusively in the country on PlayStation 2. Being the family-friendly company that Nintendo is, however, the game's lead image on the digital storefront has been replaced with a much more...
News Switch Isn't The Right Platform For Yakuza, Says Series Producer
"Yakuza 1 & 2 for Wii U was a significant failure"
Sega's critically-acclaimed Yakuza series has always been associated with Sony consoles, but Nintendo fans got a glimpse of what makes this franchise tick when the first and second games hit Wii U in Japan. Sadly, sales weren't great, but Sega's Toshihiro Nagoshi said the release was
News An Inazuma Eleven Ares Presentation Is Coming, Original Game Releasing For Free To Celebrate
Original Inazuma Eleven to be available as free download
This month’s CoroCoro magazine has revealed that a presentation for Inazuma Eleven Ares will be held on 26th August, potentially meaning that we'll finally find out the game's Japanese release date. The game is currently planned to release in the west sometime next year, but the...
Video See The Voices Behind Pearl And Marina Laying Down Some Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion Tunes
Music to our ears
Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion has been out in the paint-soaked wilds for a few of weeks now and Inklings the world over are enjoying the joys of a proper single-player portion to balance out the game's usual multiplayer offerings. And, as you might imagine, all that extra content also included some brand new music, including a new...
News Pokémon Art Style Gets Fresh Look In The New Movie, Pokémon: Everyone’s Story
What? Pokémon is evolving!
On July 13th, the latest instalment in the long-running Pokémon feature film series will premier in Japan -- along with a fresh animation style for fans to catch. Pokémon: Everyone’s Story takes a dramatic turn towards a more Ghibli-esque appearance, seen in the beautiful new poster tweeted out by the film’s...
News Prepare Your Wallets As All 151 Original Pokémon Are Getting Brand New Plush Toys
Bills or Pokémon toys?
A complete plush toy collection of the original 151 Pokémon is headed to Japanese Pokémon Centers starting this month. According to the Japanese Pokémon website, a first wave of the adorable little creatures will appear in stores this Friday (13th July) and will also be available to order online. This first set will...