Tag: Japan - Page 7
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...
Random Nintendo Stores In Japan Sprout New Pikmin Merch With Adorable Wind-Up Bulborb
Not a want, but a need
We are used to seeing the range of sweet merchandise that launches as a Japan exclusive, and today's reveal is yet another item to add to the pile of things we are desperately in love with but will probably never have the chance to buy. It's a wind-up Bulborb. Look, is this the most life-changing piece of Pikmin merchandise...
News Koei Tecmo Releases Streaming & Content Creation Guidelines For Fate/Samurai Remnant
Don't spoil the experience for others!
Following in the footsteps of Atlus, Koei Tecmo has shared the Japanese streaming and content creation guidelines for the action-RPG Fate/Samurai Remnant, due out later this week on Switch. It doesn't want fans spoiling the experience for others when streaming, uploading videos or posting about the game. This...
News Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy Physical Switch Release Confirmed
Launching the same date as the eShop version
Earlier this week, Capcom confirmed the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy would be launching on the Nintendo Switch early next year on 25th January 2024. Now, in an update, it's been confirmed a physical release is coming to Japan and other Asia regions on the same date. The good news is that you can...
Japanese Charts Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Gets Slight Boost From DLC Release
But there's no stopping Pikmin 4
It's time to cover the weekly Japanese charts once again. The latest figures from Famitsu (via Gematsu) have come in, and the Switch is back to filling out all spots in the top ten. Pikmin 4 is incredibly still at number one, selling another steady 23,489 units in the week of 11th to 17th September. It's now just...
News The Famicom Just Won An Award At The Tokyo Game Awards 2023
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak wins Game of the Year
At this year's annual Tokyo Game Awards, which are held during the Tokyo Game Show, the Family Computer — known as the Famicom or NES (to us) — won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (thanks VGC). That's a rather long title for an award that recognises someone or something that...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's DLC Physical Release In Japan Includes A Game Card
Base game included but Wave 6 must be downloaded
It seems Nintendo will be offering an alternative DLC physical release for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in Japan. As highlighted on social media, the Japanese physical release will apparently include a copy of the base game and the Booster Course Pass (featuring Waves 1-5) all on a single game card. The only...
News Double Dragon Advance, Super & Collection Announced For Switch
Update: New trailers released for Super & Advance
Update #2 [Wed 20th Sep, 2023 04:05 BST]: Arc System Works has released new trailers for Super Double Dragon and Double Dragon Advance. Both games will launch on 9th November 2023 for $6.99 USD or the regional equivalent. "After 30 long years, the retro powerhouse Super Double Dragon is now on...
News Level-5 Premieres Multiple Trailers For Its Upcoming Switch Games
Inazuma Eleven, Fantasy Life and more
Update [Sat 16th Sep, 2023 12:00 BST]: Level-5 has now released these trailers for the new Fantasy Life game, the new Inazuma Eleven, and also DECAPOLICE. You can see them all below: Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - 1st Trailer Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time arrives on Switch in 2023...
News Hatsune Miku Is Getting Her Very Own Fitness Boxing Game On Switch
Update: Arriving in Japan next March, new Direct footage
Update [Sat 16th Sep, 2023 02:00 BST]: During the latest Nintendo Direct broadcast in Japan, Hatsune Miku fans got another look at her upcoming Fitness Boxing Switch game. It's scheduled to arrive in this region on 7th March 2024. There's no word on localisation at this point in time. Here...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Continues To Dominate The Competition
Don't stop me now
The latest Japanese charts are in and it's another successful week for Pikmin 4, which once again beats out the competition to claim the top spot after selling an additional 31,013 units. Otherwise, we've got a couple of new additions to the top ten, while Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon continues to perform well on PS4 and PS5...
News Atlus Mobile RPG 'Megami Ibunroku Persona: Ikuu no Tou Hen' Coming To Switch
Update: Releases later this week
Update [Mon 11th Sep, 2023 20:30 BST]: G-MODE Archives+: Megami Ibunroku Persona: Ikuu no Tou Hen, which is based on the original PlayStation Persona title, has a launch date in Japan. The game will be available on the Japanese eShop on 14th September (thanks,
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Lays Down Roots At The Top Spot, Once Again
Re-bloom
The latest Japanese physical charts are now in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and after a short stint down in third place last time, this week sees the almighty Pikmin 4 once again plant itself at the top spot with another 34,240 copies sold. Last week's victors of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon on the PlayStation 5 and 4 have now
News Retro Game Challenge 1 & 2 Are Getting Switch Ports In Japan
No word on a Western release yet
Bandai Namco has announced Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay, a remastered collection of two DS cult classics for Switch (thanks, Famitsu). At the moment, the collection has only been announced for Japan, and a release date hasn't been confirmed. Retro Game Challenge is a series of video games based on the Game...
News Sega & Atlus Airing Special Broadcast At The Tokyo Game Show This Month
Update: Here's the games lineup for TGS 2023
Update [Tue 5th Sep, 2023 05:05 BST]: Sega and Atlus have now shared a lineup of the games they'll be showing at TGS 2023. Here's the full rundown (via Gematsu) which will feature playable demos, trailers, live stream spotlights and more. As a reminder, the special broadcast stream will take place later...
News Nintendo's New Employee Retention Rate Is 98.8% In Japan
That's well above the average of other companies
Being able to work with some of the biggest IPs in the world like Mario and Zelda is probably a dream for many aspiring game developers, but how many people actually stick with a career at the video game giant Nintendo? According to new data from Biz Journal (via a translation by Tokyo Game Life),...
Japanese Charts Pikmin 4 Uprooted From The Top By Armored Core VI
Pik your robot
The latest Japanese charts have come in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon has managed to pluck Pikmin 4 from the top spot and end the Switch's dominance of the top ten. Pikmin 4 has had strong little legs since its launch in July, and it's taken until FromSoftware's return to mecha to take i
News Taito Milestones 3 Revives More Retro Classics In 2024
Taito Milestones 2 launches today
In line with the release of Taito Milestones 2, Taito has announced it will be launching a third retro game collection in 2024. Taito Milestones 3 is currently confirmed for Japan, but no platforms have been announced. Given the fact both the first and second collections got local releases on the Switch, there's...
News Japan's Upcoming Live-Action Pokémon Series Is About Falling For The Classic Game Boy Title
Airing on Tokyo TV this October
The Pokémon Company has today announced that a brand-new live-action series about Pokémon is set to air in Japan from 19th October — however, it may not be the show that you would expect (thanks, Serebii). Unlike the ace 'live-action' animation of the Detective Pikachu film, this upcoming series — titled...
News Nintendo Live 2024 Is Heading To Tokyo In January
Featuring live Zelda and Splatoon music
Right before Nintendo Live's North American debut kicks off this weekend, Nintendo has announced its first event listing for 2024, which will see Live head back to Tokyo. The event is set to run for two days from 20th-21st January and will be held in the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre. As we have come to...
