Tag: Japan - Page 55
News Now You Can Gawk at New Nintendo 3DS Demo Units and Packaging from Japan
Let's all move to Japan
While it may pain millions of Nintendo fans around the world to hear it again, the New Nintendo 3DS arrives in Japan on 11th October — it then makes its way to Australia and New Zealand on 21st November. As a result Nintendo is stepping up its marketing efforts, including some particularly colourful and charming TV...
News Super Smash Bros. Slams the Competition Yet Again, 3DS Sales Drop
Wii U sales remain steady
Once again Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS tops the Japanese software charts, boosting the physical sales well on the way toward 1.5 million units. Elsewhere in the charts we can see that Fatal Frame: Oracle of the Sodden Raven (known as 'Fatal Frame: The Black Haired Shrine Maiden' outside of Japan) has had a...
Video Volga Unleashes Flames of Justice in Hyrule Warriors Trailer
Another freebie playable villain in Japan
Just recently we outlined some of the details for the upcoming Master Quest DLC in Hyrule Warriors, which will include a new scenario playable with Cia, along with Epona as a 'weapon', a new Adventure Mode area and clothing. A new video released by Koei Tecmo now shows the villain with the deadliest goatee...
News Koei Tecmo Europe All But Confirms Fatal Frame Wii U As Japan-Only
Spirit selfies still a long way off
Grab those tissues, because Koei Tecmo Europe has practically confirmed that Wii U exclusive Fatal Frame: The Black Haired Shrine Maiden won't set foot outside of Japan. In response to Twitterers requesting news of a potential western release of this latest instalment of the Fatal Frame series using the...
Video Japanese Commercial For New 3DS Highlights Those Fetching "Kisekae Plate" Covers
Dressing up time
The Japanese launch of the New 3DS is just around the corner, and Nintendo is running commercials in its homeland to promote the customisable nature of the system. The standard New 3DS — not the New 3DS XL — features interchangeable "Kisekae Plate" covers which are sold separately and come in a wide range of eye-catching...
News Almost 50 Different System Themes Revealed Prior To New 3DS Launch
Third party themes included in the first batch
The New 3DS launches in Japan next month, and along with it we'll be seeing a firmware update which will allow all 3DS consoles to implement custom themes. Nintendo of Japan has posted a selection of themes online, along with prices which range from 100 yen ($0.90 / £0.55) to 200 yen ($1.80 / £1.20)...
News Super Smash Bros. Continues Chart Domination in Japan as Bayonetta 2 Grabs Third Place
3DS rules again as Wii U enjoys a minor boost
It's that time once again for the Media Create chart results in Japan, which brought good news for Nintendo last week with the launch of Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS bringing nearly one million sales — Nintendo's figure had it passing the landmark by including eShop downloads. The latest results...
News Nintendo Region Locks Consoles To Get More Hardware Sales, Says Mitchell Corp Boss
"They want more people to buy their hardware"
Mitchell Corp founder Roy Ozaki thinks that Nintendo's region locking policy has more to do with shifting additional units than it does with controlling releases in different territories. While Nintendo has always exercised some kind of regional lock in its home systems, its portable devices have...
Video New Bravely Second Trailer Sets The Scene for Gorgeous 3DS Sequel
Wait a second...
In some respects the 3DS is representative of rapidly ageing technology, with low resolution screens and modest processing power necessitating the 'New' model upgrades to make a Xenoblade Chronicles port possible, for example. Some developers clearly struggle to make the hardware sing, yet there are numerous examples of games that...
News Mitchell Corp Is Keen To Bring Strider's Spiritual Sequel To Home Formats
Along with many of its other arcade titles
Mitchell Corp might not be a household name with most gamers, but the more astute among you will recognise the name from such hits as Pang, Puzz Loop and Polarium. Founded by former Data East staffer Roy Ozaki, the firm has enjoyed a very close relationship with Nintendo in recent years, with its last title...
News Animal Crossing Content Is Coming To Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Yeah, we have no idea either
Capcom has revealed during this year's Tokyo Game Show that Animal Crossing content is coming to Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate on the 3DS. The series is no stranger to crossovers — it's already mixed it up with Zelda, and Sonic
News Work On Your Taiko Drumming Skills While Beating Creatures In Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
No bemani required
Not to leave the humans in the dark when it comes to new equipment options, Capcom has announced a Taiko: Drum Master-themed hunting horn for Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. This friendly-looking smacker of things has been confirmed for American and European versions of the game: And also has its own typically restrained themed...
News The Original Final Fantasy Is Getting The 3D Classics Treatment In Japan
Owners of Final Fantasy Explorers will receive the game for free
While western gamers are still waiting on a possible announcement from Square Enix regarding the release of its latest 3DS RPG Final Fantasy Explorers in both Europe and North America, Japanese gamers are currently bracing themselves for the title’s release towards the end of this...
News Sonic-Themed Felyne Drag Races into Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Tails armour still just a rumour
Not to be upstaged at the den of weird and wonderful that is the Tokyo Game Show 2014, Capcom has announced a Sonic the Hedgehog-themed suit of armour for the felyne fighting compadres (also known as Palicoes) of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, complete with Sonic's legendary sword Caliburn. To properly accessorise the...
News Super Smash Bros. for 3DS Thrashes the Competition in Japan – 3DS Sales Increase
Sells more than ten times second placed Destiny
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS hit Japanese shops late last week – some even released it before the agreed date – and it's safe to say that no one is surprised by seeing it at number one in the charts today; Nintendo has already announced over one million launch weekend sales when downloads are...
Video We Take A Look At Super Smash Bros. 3DS' Exclusive Smash Run Mode
Smash Run races for victory!
Recently we showed off twenty-five minutes of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS Classic mode, so today we're going to focus on the all-new and 3DS-only Smash Run mode. This mode is a little different from anything that's gone before, with a five minute prep time on an oversized stage filled with random adversarie
News Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Sells Over One Million Copies in Launch Week
Super Smash!
While we've been waiting for the Media Create chart results in Japan to see just how smashing the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS sales have been, Nintendo has been unable to contain its excitement and has announced launch week results. They're rather good, to put it mildly. The portable's first entry in the series has sold over one...
Video Here, Have A Generous Helping Of Super Smash Bros. 3DS Minigame Mania
Bombs, bats, and brawls!
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS players that fancy a change from the usual brawling have always been able to take a break from the action with some compelling minigames, and the latest game is no different. From the familiar Home-Run Contest to the all-new Target Blast, join us as we take you on a whirlwind tour of Super...
At least the West has these nice pictures to enjoy
There is a clean-freak hiding away within everyone, and this includes Nintendo fans. So if you like your game systems to remain in pristine condition, don’t even consider putting your grubby mitts on these New 3DS consoles with suede Pokémon-themed faceplates – if they do somehow wash up on...
News The GameCube is 13 Years Old
Happy Birthday to the handled innovator
The GameCube, the system with a look like no other, is now 13 years old. Released in Japan on 14th September 2001, it holds a special place in the hearts of many Nintendo gamers, and was memorable not just for the fact it had a handle, but due to its line-up of exceptional games. While it holds the...
Weirdness Playing as Peach Online is Triggering Auto-Bans in Japan
Would be autobahns in Germany (Google it)
In a special Smash Bros. Direct earlier this year Masahiro Sakurai announced a feature that made as gaze skywards to praise the divine idea — moderating in online play. If players are constantly rage-quitting, playing with an awful connection, targeting a particular player or being naughty in any other way...
Weirdness Here Is A Super Famicom On Top Of Mount Fuji
Reaching new heights since the '90s
The Super Nintendo goes down in history as one of the greatest video game systems of all-time, for a variety reasons – be it the at the time revolutionary controller design, the cutting edge graphics and audio, or the stunning library of games. So how do you make one of the most legendary Nintendo consoles to...
Video We Battle Through Our First Twenty-Five Minutes Of Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS
Smash hit, or a (Ninten)dog?
In our first video with the retail version from Japan, Kerry jumps straight into Classic Mode, completing a run and tackling a recently leaked new character. Don't watch if you want to avoid spoilers. The latest version of Nintendo's epic brawler finally hits 3DS — in Japan. Luckily Nintendo Life is on the case and...
News Impending Japanese Launch Of Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS Brings New Character Reveals
If you don't want the surprise to be ruined, look away now...
The 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. launches in Japan later this week, but as you might expect some lucky players already have their copies of the game and have been putting the hours in to unlock all of the lovely secrets contained within. Predictably, the full roster of characters is...
News Yokai Watch 2 Back at Number One in Japan - Wii U Sales Remain Average, 3DS Drops
Microsoft adds a third home console to the mix
The Japanese charts show that Yokai Watch 2 can't be put down for long as it rises back to the coveted number one position. Even with the release of the Xbox One in Japan, the game simply cannot be shaken, it seems. Elsewhere in the software charts things are looking a bit grim for Nintendo, only two...
News This New Fatal Frame Trailer Highlights the GamePad's Functionality
Send those ghouls packing
We've known for a long time that the new title in the Fatal Frame series would be using the GamePad as though it were a real camera, but this is the first good look at how it plays out within gameplay. The trailer shows the player battling numerous ghosts and spirits with the GamePad by taking photographs of them, rotating...
Video Watch Us Crack Some Skulls In The 3DS Super Smash Bros. Demo
Looks like we're in for a Smashing time
3DS owners across Japan — as well as those international Nintendo fans dedicated enough to import Japanese hardware — are currently abandoning their friends, family, and careers while they get busy with the Super Smash Bros. demo that has just been released on the Japanese eShop. Of course being a demo,...
News Square Enix Temporarily Pulls 3DS Dragon Quest X From Sale Due To Unexpected Success
Sales of both physical and digital versions suspended
Dragon Quest X came to the Japanese 3DS recently, and as expected, the game sold very well — in fact, the first shipment of physical copies went in the space of a single week. However, such success has caused serious headaches not only for Square Enix, but for the hordes of existing Dragon...
News NicoNico Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Broadcast Confirmed for 12th September
New character and mode in line for reveals
Japanese 3DS gamers have cause for excitement ahead of this weekend's launch of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, as a broadcast has been confirmed for the game on NicoNico — it's taking place on 12th September at 3am Pacific / 6am Eastern / 11am UK / noon CET / 7pm Japan; that's just hours before the...
News Diggin' In The Carts Aims To Give Japanese Video Game Music The Exposure It Deserves
Chip tune greatness
Red Bull might be an energy drink, but the company is going all kinds of other cool stuff that doesn't involve beverages — and the Red Bull Music Academy is one of them. Diggin' In The Carts is a new web series which aims to explore the rich — and some would say under-appreciated — history of the Japanese video game music...
News The Japanese New 3DS Packaging Is Both Cute And Colourful
The wait is killing us
Nintendo has revealed what the packaging for the Japanese version of the New 3DS will look like, and we're sure you'll agree that it's pretty sweet. The box is colourful and stylish, and very, very different from the kind of packaging design we've seen for the 3DS range so far. It hints at the bright and fun Cover Plates...
News Yokai Watch 2 Finally Stripped of its Top Position – 3DS & Wii U Sales Steady
It'll probably be back up there next week
Yokai Watch 2 has finally lost its crown, dropping down to third place behind two Sony exclusives. It's a shame that it's been bested, but a game cannot stay at number one forever. Elsewhere in the charts Mario Kart 8 still holds its own whilst Hyrule Warriors drops down to number 14, but still with...
Video This Japanese Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Commercial Takes Things Literally
Smashing
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS arrives in Japan on 13th September, which means that we're rapidly running out of time for Nintendo to formally finalise the roster and other features. Another perspective is that advertising and hype around the title is currently moving into full gear, and TV adverts will be a part of that. The most...
News Harvest Moon and PoPoLoCrois Fantasy Farming RPG Heading to 3DS in Japan
Dances with turnips
The name Harvest Moon (now Story of Seasons in western territories because of licencing issues) will be familiar to most Nintendo gamers as it's a longstanding series with many titles and spin-offs. The more obscure PoPoLoCrois – originally a fantasy manga series that was later adapted as two anime series and five strategy RPGs...
News Xenoblade Chronicles Coming to 3DS in Japan
Surprising is not the word
During its most recent Direct livestream, Nintendo announced that the critically acclaimed Xenoblade Chronicles will be heading over to its handheld system. After a huge number of surprises, Nintendo still had bombshells to drop on us. This surprise came at the end of the presentation after the announcement of Shulk's...
Nintendo Direct Watch the Japanese 3DS Direct Presentation - Live!
We expect RPGs
Nintendo Japan is hosting a Nintendo 3DS Direct, which should paint a picture of key titles coming to the portable in the company's homeland. We'll watch in interest as there could be some intriguing projects that'll make their way to the West in the future...
News Square Enix Announces Limited Edition of Final Fantasy Explorers in Japan
Onion knight gear also available, chive knight is chuffed
Square Enix has just announced a limited edition of Final Fantasy Explorers, available though the company's own online e-STORE in Japan. The bundle features the 3DS game, the mini-soundtrack Final Fantasy Explorers Suppin Tracks, an art book with illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano, Gen...
News Hyrule Warriors Update to Bring New Game Mode
What could it be?
The official Japanese Hyrule Warriors Twitter account has announced the release of a new game mode delivered through a patch that will also tackle minor bugs in the game. [tweet 502761679235469312] Translated: An update is coming that addresses bugs and glitches and also includes a new mode. Development is near to completion,...
Weirdness Slowpoke Reggae Exists, and it's Terrifying
Kind of catchy, still nightmare inducing
Everyone's Friday jut got a little weirder with the official Pokémon YouTube channel's latest post, a nearly four minute reggae epic of Slowpoke doing Slowpoke things like attempting to swallow other Slowpokes' tails, Busby Berkeley water number-style: One theory states that this video is related to an...
News New Video of Dragon Quest X on 3DS Released by Square Enix
Toriyama trims the buckles, doesn't spare the cel shading
Square Enix is continuing to tease their port of Dragon Quest X to the 3DS with this five-minute epic trailer full of explosions, dramatic poses, interior decoration, boss battering, and other acts of derring-do. To help on-the-go adventurers accomplish these things the 3DS version of the...
News Wii U Sales Continue to Rise with the Release of Hyrule Warriors – 3DS Sales Also Strong
Yokai Watch 2 still top banana
Hyrule Warriors was released in Japan last week, and it appears that the unprecedented level of promotion and advertising the game received has paid off. The crossover game holds second place in Japan's charts this week with just shy of 70,000 copies sold. This is certainly a promising figure, and we can only hope for...
News Touch Detective Funghi Rhythm Could be Delightfully Weird on 3DS
Unlikely to grow in the West
In the earlier days of the DS you could simply put 'Touch' in the title of a game and sales would follow, as the idea of touch screen games was still new and exciting. How times have changed, but we're sure some still have fond memories of Touch Detective and Touch Detective 2½, charming point-and-click — or...
News Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS File Size is 2.1GB, According to Japanese Packaging
Let the battle for space commence!
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is a huge release for Nintendo's portable in October, and it also looks like it'll be a sizeable title in another key respect. If images of Japanese packaging are to be believed this will demand a fair bit of space on many SD cards. According to the images posted on NeoGaf, the...
News Only 3DS Games Sold Over One Million Copies in Japan in 2013
Emphasizes the value of the Japanese market to Nintendo
While Nintendo may have endured some disappointment in hitting its own high targets for 3DS in the past 12-18 months, positive statistics do nevertheless keep coming for the portable system — especially in Japan. Not long ago we saw 3DS titles dominate the charts for the first six months of...
Weirdness How to Order Earthbound-Themed Japanese Old Folks' Undergarments
Headline may be somewhat misleading
They may not be a must-have item for Lolita fashion, but the uniquely Japanese undergarment called haramaki has shed its reputation of being for grandparents only and enjoyed a resurgence of popularity among the young and fashionable in the last decade or so. A haramaki, or belly warmer, is a sweater-like garment...
News Yokai Watch 2 Passes Two Million Sales in Japan as Wii U Sales Increase
3DS hardware also holds momentum
To the surprise of no one, Yokai Watch 2 has once again dominated the Japanese charts, bringing its sales to 2 million, and this figure doesn't even take into account any digital downloads so the total number is bound to be significantly higher than that. Not only this, but Level-5's original Yokai Watch takes ninth...
News New Avengers Game, With Spider-Man, is Swinging Onto 3DS in Japan
For a Japan-only anime, sadly
The Avengers are big business right now, with the high-profile film being one of the greatest box-office successes in history, also directing attention to the existing comics and other media for the superhero team. The heightened interest in the other aspects of The Avengers also brought us a mediocre game, too. In...
News Sega Announces Chopper Action Title Thunder Blade As Its Latest 3DS Classic
Flying your way soon?
Sega's 3D Classic range shows no sign of slowing down, with Japanese gamers still getting to grips with Fantasy Zone II Double's new Link Loop Land mode while looking forward to this latest announcement - 3D Thunder Blade. Originally released in arcades back in 1987, Thunder Blade was another game to use Sega's impressive...
News Nintendo Hardware and Exclusives Hold Firm at Top of Japanese Charts
3DS and Wii U see small increases
It's Media Create Japanese chart results time, once again, and they continue the usual trends — though there are a few talking points to consider. In terms of software, the two iterations of Yokai Watch 2 had another dominant week, now just one week away — in all likelihood — from passing two million physical...
News Etrian Odyssey 2 3DS Remake Confirmed for Japan
They weren't kidding. There is no broccoli.
The "that game" teased by Atlus several weeks ago has finally been revealed, if this was in fact the game it was referring to. The somewhat infamous former "not broccoli" teaser site now presents a lovely smorgasbord of information in Japanese on a 3DS remake of Etrian Odyssey II, replacing somewhat...
