Tag: Japan - Page 5
News Nintendo Reveals "Most Downloaded" Switch eShop Games In 2023 (Japan)
Suika Game tops the charts
Back in July, Nintendo revealed Japan's "most downloaded" Switch games in the first half of 2023. It was no surprise The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was in the lead at the time. Now, in an update, it's been revealed Suika Game has officially surpassed it - earning the title of the "most downloaded" Switch eShop...
News Konami Remastering 'Tokimeki Memorial' Dating Sim DS Trilogy For Switch
Releasing in Japan on Valentine's Day
Konami has made a name for itself with all sorts of franchises over the years, but one you might not know about is its high school dating simulation title Tokimeki Memorial. The original game made its debut back in the early 90s and since then has spawned an entire series as well as spin-offs. During the...
Video Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Expansion Commercials Released
Opening in Spring 2024
Earlier this month, Universal Studios revealed the Super Nintendo World 'Donkey Kong Country Expansion' would be opening in Japan in Spring 2024. At the time, there was a brief look at what to expect in an official teaser trailer featuring Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Now, in an update, a few commercials have surfaced online...
Japanese Charts It's A Wonderful Life For Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Switch scores a full house in the top 10
Famitsu has revealed the latest box charts from Japan (thanks, Gematsu) and it's another resounding triumph for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which scored an additional 94,682 units sold. It's also a full house for the Switch once again, with every space in the top ten taken up by Nintendo's hybrid console...
News Bandai Namco Announces New Dev Studio For Commissioned Projects
Nintendo appears to be a big part of the plans
Update [Wed 20th Dec, 2023 00:55 GMT]: New job listings for Bandai Namco Studio 2 & Studio S have reportedly surfaced on the official company website. One, in particular, is believed to be linked to a Nintendo project that first made headlines in April last year. It could supposedly be a...
Review Dodonpachi DaiOuJou Blissful Death Re:Incarnation (Switch) - Poetic Bullet-Hell Perfection
Get Hyper
Cave, a shoot-'em-up developer assembled from the ashes of Toaplan, was preparing to fold in 2001. The arcade scene was moving in new directions, relying on increasingly ostentatious Taikan cabinets to compete with the emerging technology of home consoles. For Cave, the 2D shoot 'em up, no matter how unerringly creative, was struggling to...
News A New Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Distribution Event Has Been Announced For Japan
Appearing in next month's issue of CoroCoro
Updated: There's already been a distribution event for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet announced earlier this week, and now to add to this, it seems another one has been confirmed for Japan. This one is a little bit different! As explained by Serebii.net, the codes for this particular distribution will be...
News Hideki Kamiya Reveals Why He Left PlatinumGames
"Without that element of trust, I couldn’t continue working there"
Earlier this year, Hideki Kamiya shocked his fans by announcing that he would leave PlatinumGames. Now unemployed, he's spent much of his time watching streaming content and creating YouTube videos, but after sitting down with IGN, we now have a clearer picture of why he left the...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Passes One Million Physical Sales
Mario Wonder reclaims the lead, once again
The latest Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and despite making a monster debut last week, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince has slipped down into third place, leaving Super Mario Bros. Wonder to once again jump into the top spot with another 82,470 copies sold. The only new entry this...
News A New Pokémon Theme Park Is Launching In Japan
Welcome to PokéPark Kanto
The Pokémon Company has announced that it will be launching a new attraction called 'PokéPark Kanto' within the amusement park Yomiuriland in Inagi, Tokyo. While there are no details on exactly when the new park will open, it's thought that this will be a full-fledged attraction with rides and other amusements, not too...
Japanese Charts Dragon Quest Makes Its Monster Debut On Switch
Over 300K sold
Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince has landed in Japan with a bang, shifting a total of 346,583 copies since its launch on December 1st, 2023. Its impressive performance shifts everything else down the charts, with Momotaro Dentetsu World settling for silver with 64,946 copies sold and Super Mario Bros. Wonder...
News Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo Has Been Cancelled
Splatoon and Mario Kart events postponed too
Nintendo has today announced that the first Nintendo Live event of 2024, which was set to take place in Tokyo, has been cancelled. Alongside this, several competitive events including the 'Splatoon Koshien 2023 National Finals,' the 'Splatoon 3 World Championship 2024' and the 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Online...
News Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Power-Up Bands Revealed
Part of the Donkey Kong Country expansion
Yesterday, Universal Studios announced the Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country expansion would be opening in Spring 2024. As part of this, it's also revealed two brand new Power-Up Bands, featuring amiibo functionality. There's one for Donkey Kong and the other is based on Diddy Kong. These special...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Is Yahoo! Japan's "Most Searched" Video Game Of 2023
Pokémon games were in second and third place
It's now the time of year when websites round up their overall stats for 2023, and the latest one to share something is Yahoo! Japan. In case you didn't realise, it's still going, and in Japan, it's got quite the following. The search engine has rounded up its "most searched" game of 2023 in Japan and...
News Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Expansion Opening Spring 2024
Check out the announcement video
Remember when Nintendo confirmed Super Nintendo World in Japan would be getting a Donkey Kong-themed expansion? In the latest development, it's now been announced 'Donkey Kong Country' will be opening at Universal Studios in Spring 2024. As highlighted by Universal Parks News Today, this announcement was made during...
News Switch Online Expands The N64 Library With Another Game (Japan)
Rare's Jet Force Gemini is back
Nintendo has now added the N64 classic Jet Force Gemini to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. The catch is, it appears to only be available in Japan right now. If there's an update, we'll let you know, but right now it's locked in for a "December" release here in the west. Jet Force Gemini is a third-person...
Japanese Charts Super Mario RPG Slips Into Third As Wonder Jumps Ahead
But neither can grab the top spot
The latest Japanese charts are in courtesy of Famitsu (via Gematsu) and it has been yet another strong week for Switch, with nine out of the top ten coming from Nintendo's hybrid console. Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario RPG continue to be big hitters, landing in second and third place this time around with...
News Nintendo Updates Switch Online's N64 Release Schedule
Multiple titles are still scheduled for 2023
Earlier this week, Nintendo announced Jet Force Gemini would be coming to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service this December. In Japan, Star Twins (Jet Force Gemini) will be released alongside GoldenEye 007 on 29th November. If it's got you wondering what's next for the Expansion Pack's N64...
Japanese Charts Super Mario Bros. Wonder Passes 1 Million Physical Sales
Wonderful!
The latest Japanese charts are in and there are several newcomers to take note of this week, but first, Super Mario Bros. Wonder has officially passed 1 million in physical sales. Wahoo! It marks another significant milestone for a game that is seemingly showing no signs of slowing down. With that said, it misses the top spot this week,...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Ganondorf Statue Unveiled In Japan
Down, boy
During Nintendo Live 2022, a life-size statue of Link from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was unveiled for photo opportunities, and now it looks like Ganondorf has received the same treatment. As revealed in a post from the official Zelda X (formerly Twitter) account, fans can now visit the city of Fukuoka in Japan and take...
News Charles Martinet Will Make A Special Guest Appearance At Nintendo Live 2024
Mario's former voice actor is now an ambassador
Earlier this year, Nintendo announced Charles Martinet would no longer be the voice of Mario, but would stay on as a Mario ambassador. Martinet even admitted at the time he wasn't even sure what it exactly this meant. With this mind, Nintendo has now shared an update about the events to feature at...
News Nintendo Is Launching An 18+ N64 Switch Online App In Japan
GoldenEye and Jet Force Gemini will debut on the new app
Earlier today, we learnt that Rare's Jet Force Gemini would be headed to the N64 Nintendo Switch Online service next month. While Western audiences will be able to play the game via the normal app, Nintendo has revealed that things will be slightly different in Japan, as the region will soon...
News Hori Unveils New Dragon Quest Slime-Themed Switch Controllers
Just in time for Dragon Quest Monsters
Ahead of the release of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince next month, Japanese accessory maker Hori has announced a new range of Dragon Quest themed Switch products. This new range includes two new Split Pad Compact controllers covered in Dragon Quest's famous Slime monster. There's a traditional blue...
Random Super Nintendo World Japan Breaks Out Some Cute Festive Displays
Snow-mama mia!
The folks over at Super Nintendo World Japan are beginning to feel the festive spirit and have introduced a range of displays, food, and products for visitors to enjoy over the Winter period. Beginning on November 21st, 2023, the 'Superstar Plaza' entrance to Super Nintendo World will include a delightful Christmas tree, a...
Random Nintendo Is A "Wonderful" Place To Work If You're A Genius, According To Former Employee
But admits it was difficult as "an average person"
Former Nintendo employee and 45-year-old video game artist Miura Koichi, who has previously worked on Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom as a landscape artist, recently provided some insight about his time at the famous Japanese company. He describes Nintendo as a "wonderful" place but admits it was...
News Legend Of Zelda Master Sword Replica Announced For Tamashii Nations "Proplica" Line
Here's a look at the prototype
If you've ever fancied wielding a real-life version of the Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda, Tamashii Nations has announced it's currently developing its own stunning replica. There are not many details at the moment, but we do know it will be part of the company's "Proplica" line. The prototype of this sword has...
Japanese Charts Strong PlayStation Sales Can't Knock Mario Wonder From The Top Spot
Taking the throne for the fourth week in a row
The latest Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and it has been yet another strong one for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which once again out-jumps the competition to land in the top spot with another 65,017 copies sold. While Mario's latest 2D adventure closes in on the one milly mark in...
News Persona Developer Atlus Is Raising Its Average Employee Salary By 15%
New graduates will also benefit
Atlus, the developer behind the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises, has announced that it is raising the average annual salary for its employees by 15%. In a stark contrast to the seemingly endless lay-offs hitting the industry of late, new graduates at Atlus will see their starting salary rise by 300,000 yen...
News Super Mario RPG's Switch Release Gets A Five-Minute Overview Trailer
Update: Now in English!
Update [Thu 9th Nov, 2023 18:30 GMT]: Nintendo of America has now shared an English version of the overview trailer for Super Mario RPG, which launches on Nintendo Switch on 17th November, 2023. The five-minute trailer goes over all of the game's features, cast, and new additions. Check it out above, and let us know how...
Japanese Charts It's Onwards And Upwards For Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Reigning champ dominates
The latest Japanese Charts are in, courtesy of Famitsu and Gematsu, and it's another resounding victory for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The platformer has shifted a further 108,449 copies to make up a cumulative 910,259. It's not unreasonable to assume that the game will cross the 1,000,000 threshold by this time next week...
News Nintendo Confirms Delay Of New Development Building
Expansion plan knocks it back to 2028
Back in August, there was a report from Nikkei claiming Nintendo's new development building had been delayed due to an "expansion plan". Nintendo didn't officially comment about this at the time, but now within the slides of its latest financial results briefing, it's confirmed construction has been up-scaled...
News Super Mario RPG Switch Is Getting A Physical SNES Style Instruction Manual
Will be available in Japan at launch
Physical game manuals have been phased out over the years, but as part of the return of Super Mario RPG on the Switch next week, Nintendo is releasing a new one. As highlighted by Game Watch, Nintendo has revealed an authentic SNES-style manual based on the original 1996 instruction booklet. It will be available...
Japanese Charts Metal Gear Solid Can't Sneak Past Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Another Mario-tastic week
The latest Japanese charts are in via Famitsu (thanks, Gematsu) and it's another stellar week for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which remains at the top of the pile after selling a further 163,176 copies. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 makes its debut this week, and despite the frame rate issues, the Switch version...
News Shinji Mikami And Hideki Kamiya Set To Host Talk On Careers And Future Plans
The start of a new venture?
Shinji Mikami and Hideki Kamiya, who both left their respective companies in 2023, are set to host a joint conversation on their careers and future plans at the Archipel Caravan Festival in Tokyo on December 16, 2023. As reported by VGC, the talk, simply dubbed ‘Shinji Mikami x Hideki Kamiya’, will also see the...
News The Nintendo Museum's Sign Has Been Officially Revealed
Construction will completed by next year
Back in September, Nintendo teased the 'Nintendo Museum' in the latest Direct broadcast. Now, in a new update, the company has officially unveiled the building's logo. This was originally highlighted by Famitsu. You can get a better look at it on the company's Japanese Instagram page which shows the logo at...
Review The Mysterious Murasame Castle - The Legend Of Zelda's Action-Focused Sibling
The mystery is why this took so long to be released outside Japan
This review was originally published in June 2014. We're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online NES library. Although not originally released outside Japan, chances are that longtime Nintendo fans in the West have noticed nostalgic...
News Zelda Voted 'Favourite' Tears Of The Kingdom Character In Recent Famitsu Survey
Who is your pick?
From time to time, Japanese publication Famitsu will run a survey about a certain game asking readers all sorts of questions. The latest one focused on Nintendo's 2023 game of the year contender The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, asking readers who their favourite character is in Link's latest outing and Princess Zelda...
News Coleco's Failed Negotiations With Nintendo Apparently Resulted In The Birth Of The Famicom
"The rest is history"
Time Extension recently got the chance to speak to Coleco exec Bert Reiner about the history of the American toy and console maker. According to his account, there was a time when Nintendo almost ended up buying and marketing the 1982 video game system 'ColecoVision' for Japan but negotiations fell through. The former Coleco...
Japanese Charts Super Mario Bros. Wonder Absolutely Smashes Its Debut
Over 600K units shifted
The latest Japanese charts are here courtesy of Famitsu (thanks, Gematsu) and it showcases an absolutely stellar debut from Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Nintendo's latest flagship platformer has managed to shift an astonishing 638,634 units since its launch on October 20th, 2023, managing almost a full 600K more than Marvel's...
Video Masahiro Sakurai Shows Off His Retro Game Skills In "Special" YouTube Collab
Competing against Game Center CX
Update #2 [Fri 20th Oct, 2023 03:30 BST]: Masahiro Sakurai is back for one final special with Retro Game Master. The games on show this time included Space Harrier (1985), Fantasy Zone (1986), Nekketsu Koha Kunio-kun, The Genji and the Heike Clans (1986), Darius, Contra,
Japanese Charts Detective Pikachu Returns Comes Out On Top, Once Again
PI(kachu)
The latest Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and while not quite as impressive a surge as last week, Detective Pikachu Returns once again finds itself at the top of the physical software pile with another 16,248 copies sold. Pikmin 4 just misses out on reclaiming the gold medal this time as it edges ever closer to the one...
Guide How To Download And Play Suika Game (Watermelon Game) On Nintendo Switch
Here's how to play Japan's viral watermelon puzzle game
Update: The game is now out on the North American and European Switch eShops for $2.99 / £2.69, and we’ve reviewed it. Feel free to pick up some eShop credit below if you'd like to download it, and read our review to learn more about the game. <products group-id="25791"> <related...
News 'Mario Red Edition' Switch OLED Launch Doubles System Sales In Japan
"It's the same device with a different plastic cover"
It seems the launch of the new 'Mario Red Edition' Switch OLED last week has doubled system sales in the company's homeland. As highlighted by data from Famitsu (via Bloomberg), Mario fans in Japan purchased 110,241 units at launch, which was twice the number of systems purchased in the previous...
Japanese Charts Detective Pikachu Cleans Up For His Switch Debut
Over 80,000 units sold
Famitsu has revealed this week's physical charts for Japan (thanks, Gematsu) and, unsurprisingly, Detective Pikachu Returns has come out on top with an impressive 85,639 units shifted in its first week on sale. Elsewhere, we've got a handful of other new arrivals, with The Game of Life for Nintendo Switch coming in at number...
News The First Review For Sonic Superstars Is Now In
Can it possibly live up to that superstar key art?
We're less than a week away from Sonic's return to the second dimension (well, not really, but it's a side-on platformer in the classic mould, okay?) in Sonic Superstars. After spending some hands-on time with it back at Summer Game Fest, this throwback to the classic 2D games was showing a lot of...
News Nintendo Shows Off Its New Kyoto Store Ahead Of Grand Opening This Month
Good lord, it looks nice
Nintendo has showcased some fresh images of its new Kyoto store in Japan, with the grand opening set for October 17th, 2023. Joining Nintendo Tokyo and Nintendo Osaka, the new Kyoto store will be situated on the 7th floor of Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. department store, and will sell all sorts of unique goodies that Nintendo...
Random Switch Exclusive "Watermelon Game" Goes Viral, eShop Downloads Skyrocket
You can purchase "Suika Game" from Japan's eShop
A Japanese Switch eShop exclusive known as Suika Game (Watermelon Game) has recently gone viral thanks to its popularity among streamers and VTubers. Earlier this year it started gaining traction with Japanese influencers, and now it's caught on here in the West. T
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Holds Its Own Against Multiple New Releases
It's the only returning game in the top ten
It's time to check out the latest physical charts from Japan, and this time, there are a whole bunch of new releases making up the top ten (well, technically just four split across various platforms, but you get it). Nevertheless, Pikmin 4 is still holding its own at number 5, selling a further 18,307...
News Pokémon Live-Action TV Series Gets Its First Trailer
Premiering in Japan this month
The first trailer for the upcoming live-action Pokémon series has been released, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect when PokéTsume (or 'Pocket Filled with Adventure' in English) premieres in Japan later this month on October 17th, 2023. The series will tell the story of Madoka Akagi, a young girl who moves to...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 1+2 Join Pikmin 4 As The Top Pikmin
Pikmin?
This week in Japan, Pikmin 1+2 came out on top with a total of 23,941 units sold in its physical debut. Following closely is, of course, Pikmin 4 with a further 22,894 copies sold. There's not a lot between the two, which potentially suggests that many will have opted for a digital copy of Pikmin 1+2 earlier in the year. Elsewhere, the...