Tag: Japan - Page 8
Japanese Charts Princess Peach: Showtime Wears The Crown Once Again
Well isn't that just peachy?
This week's Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and Nintendo's latest release once again finds itself sitting on the throne. Yes, Princess Peach: Showtime! is number one again this week, though its additional 27,258 sales are nothing compared to its 77,562 debut. The PS5's Rise of the Ronin has, uhh, risen...
News Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo Threat Suspect Arrested
Event was planned for January
According to the Japanese daily newspaper Kyoto Shimbun, police have arrested a suspect tied to the threats that led to Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo's cancellation (via 4Gamer & Nintendo Everything). The weekend-long event was set to take place this January and would hold
News Takaya Imamura's New Switch Game Is Launching In Japan In July
No English option available, though
Ex-Nintendo employee Takaya Imamura, best known for his work on Star Fox and F-Zero, is just about ready to unleash his new Switch game, with Omega 6: The Triangle Stars heading to Japan on 25th July, 2024 (thanks, VGC). Published by City Connection in Japan and confirmed via a
Random McDonald's DSi Console Pulled From Second-Hand Sale In Japan
Ronald got mad
Well, this isn't something you see everyday. Over in Japan, a McDonald's-branded Nintendo DSi briefly went on sale in a second-hand hardware store before being promptly delisted (thanks, Automaton). For those who may be unaware, McDonald's had produced specialised DSi consoles containing software called 'eCrew Development Program'...
Japanese Charts Princess Peach: Showtime Rules Over The Competition
Congrats, your majesty
Japan saw a number of new game releases last week, including Nintendo's latest title, Princess Peach: Showtime!, which enters the top ten charts at number one, securing a total of 77,562 sales. It's a solid start for the game considering its closest competitor was the critically acclaimed action RPG from Capcom, Dragon's...
News DSiWare Puzzler 'Hakokoro' Scores A Switch Follow-Up In Japan
Launching next month
Unless your knowledge of Japanese DSiWare titles from the 2010s is really strong, it is likely that Hakokoro will have passed you by. Well, this box-based puzzler is getting a follow-up, Hakokoro V, which lands on the Japanese Switch eShop on 4th April. Developed and published by AMZY, this is a puzzle game where you are tasked...
Random Japan Is Getting A Scrumptious Looking Splatoon 3 Bento Box
Nom nom nom
If you happen to find yourself in Japan from 1st April, 2024 onwards, then you might want to keep an eye out for a special Splatoon 3 bento box on offer from Kyushu Railway Company/JR Kyushu. As spotted by Siliconera, the bento box will cost 1,750 yen (around $11.55) and is effectively a lunch box that will be sold at train stations and...
Random Japanese Police Officer Gets Slapped Wrist For Playing Switch On Duty
“I played games when there were few incidents”
We all know how easy it can be to lose ourselves in our Nintendo Switch from time to time. You might find yourself picking up something like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or the recently launched Balatro and have the genuine intention to only play for around 10 or 15 minutes. Suddenly, it's 2am and...
News Nintendo's Museum Apparently Won't Be Finished In March
According to a site construction notice
Back in 2021, Nintendo announced that it was building a museum-style facility, then called the “Nintendo Gallery”, on the site of its Uji Ogura Plant in Kyoto, with expectations that construction would be finished in March 2024. The building work on the site — since given the official title Nintendo...
Japanese Charts Unicorn Overlord Maintains Its Lead Over Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Oh lord
The latest Japanese charts are in courtesy of Famitsu (thanks, Gematsu) and it's another victory for Atlus' Unicorn Overlord, which comes in at number one again after selling a further 16,012 copies. Not bad considering how difficult it's been to picked up a physical edition recently. It's another resounding success for the Switch as a...
News Fire Emblem Engage "Limited Edition" Soundtrack Out Now In Japan
Featuring a stunning replica ring
Calling all Fire Emblem fans! Nintendo and Intelligent Systems have just released the official Fire Emblem Engage "limited edition" soundtrack in Japan including a sizable collection of discs. The regular edition (priced at about $49.00 USD) comes with seven CD featuring the soundtrack from the main game and DLC,...
News 'Tales' Series Artist & Character Designer Mutsumi Inomata Has Passed Away
Known for her work on Tales of Destiny, Graces, and more
Manga, anime, and video game artist Mutsumi Inomata — best known for her work on multiple games in the Tales series — has passed away at age 63 (via VGC). The announcement of her passing was shared on her official Twitter earlier today, written by Inomata's younger sister. Tributes have...
Japanese Charts Unicorn Overlord Dominates In Its Debut Week
Lord of the charts
We're back with another look at the latest Japanese charts from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and once again, the ranking is overpowered by a new RPG. Yes, after enjoying a week in the spotlight last time, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has made way for Vanillaware's Unicorn Overlord which tops this week's chart on Switch, lands in third on...
News The Pokémon Company Sets Up A New Subsidiary Called 'Pokémon Works'
Though its purpose is unknown
The Pokémon Company has seemingly set up a new subsidiary in Japan called 'Pokémon Works' after the company was registered on 4th March, 2024. As spotted by Serebii's Joe Merrick, the exact purpose of the subsidiary is unknown at this time, though it appears as though its location is in the same building as ILCA, the...
News Nintendo's Free Super Mario Bros. Movie Guidebook Is Now Available In English
"Discover all the secrets"
As part of this week's Super Mario celebrations, Nintendo has now released an English version of its Super Mario Bros. Movie digital guidebook. In case you missed our original post, this guide allows Mario Movie fans to "enhance" their viewing experience with all sorts of "Easter eggs and fun facts". Although the guide...
News Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama Has Passed Away
He also worked on games like Dragon Quest
There's some incredibly sad news coming out of Japan today, with the official Dragon Ball social media account revealing the legendary manga creator and character artist Akira Toriyama has passed away at the age of 68. He died on 1st March 2024 from acute subdural hematoma. Toriyama was an icon of the manga...
News The Switch eShop Sensation Suika Game Is Getting Official Merchandise
Watermelon themed items come to Japan next month
The eShop hit and viral sensation Suika Game (Watermelon Game) will be getting its very own merchandise in Japan next month on 24th April 2024. As highlighted by Siliconera, this new range of items will include a watermelon cushion (featuring a built-in pocket to place your arm in, so you can rest...
Japanese Charts Mario vs. Donkey Kong Drops To Second As Final Fantasy Makes A Splash
Back with a bang
This week's Japanese charts are now in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and it is no surprise that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's debut has shaken things up a little. Square Enix's latest take on the iconic RPG has stormed to the top of the charts in its first week, with a whopping 262,252 units sold. The rest of the chart is dominated by...
News Mother 3 Switch Icons Out Now, But They're Only Available In Japan
Like the game, they're not available locally
Last month, Nintendo surprised fans by adding Mother 3 to the Switch Online's GBA library in Japan. Now, to add to the suffering here in the West, it's also made Mother 3 icons available to Switch Online subscribers in Japan. The character icons cost 10 Platinum Points each and the borders and...
Japanese Charts Mario vs. Donkey Kong Takes Gold For The Second Week In A Row
Mmm, bananas
The latest Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and this week sees Nintendo's newest puzzle platformer hold onto pole position once again. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is the Japanese chart-topper for the second week in a row, grabbing an additional 27,113 sales and beating newcomers Shin chan: Shiro of Coal Town and
Random Nintendo Updates The Domain For Its Japanese Site
One additional key press required
Nintendo has announced that it has updated the URL for its Japanese website, meaning those who wish to pay a visit will need to hit an additional key on their physical/virutal keyboard (the horror!). All jokes aside, the firm states that the change is down to "server environment improvements", though as pointed out...
News The Denpa Men Return In New Free-To-Play Switch Game
Announced for Japan only
Japan's Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, which aired yesterday, had a fair few differences from ours. And one of the biggest of them was the announcement of The New Denpa Men RPG Free!, a brand new free-to-play game from Genius Sonority (thanks, Gematsu!). This is the first game to feature the Denpa Men since 2017's The...
Guide How To Change Your Nintendo Account Region And Play Mother 3 On Switch
O Mother, where art thou?
Mother 3, the celebrated final part of the EarthBound trilogy (as it's known in the West), is available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers in Japan. As of 21st February 2024, the 2006 Game Boy Advance title is available as part of the Switch Online service's library to anyone with a subscription at the Expansion Pack...
Japanese Charts Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Takes Its Fight To The Top
Over 60,000 copies sold
Mario vs. Donkey Kong has made its debut over in Japan to great success, shooting to the top of the charts with a total of 61,930 copies sold. This puts the plumber's flagship platformer, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, at number 2 with a total of 13,036 copies sold, cumulating in 1,745,124 since its release last October. The...
News Hori Unveils Guitar Controller And 'Guitar Life: Lesson 1' For Switch
Another announcement exclusive to Japan's Direct
Nintendo's latest Partner Showcase featured a lot of different announcements and some of them weren't even in the local broadcast. One surprise during Japan's stream was accessory maker Hori announcing a new educational game called Guitar Life: Lesson 1. It's a bit different to the arcade-style...
News Mother 3 Is Coming To Nintendo Switch Online, But There's A Catch
In Japan only
It's the news that Mother fans have waited for for years, and as revealed in the Japanese version of today's Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, Mother 3 is coming to Switch. HOWEVER, the game didn't feature in the Western version of the Nintendo Direct, so it appears to be a Japan-only release right now. The 2006 Game Boy Advance...
News Digimon Game Producer Kazumasa Habu Has Left His Role After 12 Years
"I have been quietly passing the baton"
Kazumasa Habu, game producer for the Digimon franchise, has announced that he has left his role after 12 years. Starting with Digimon Story: Lost Evolution, he went on to produce a number of entries in the series before finishing with Digimon Survive in 2022. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) and...
News Nintendo Is Currently The Richest Company In Japan
Rolling in yen
According to new data from Toyo Keizai, an economics magazine company based in Tokyo, Japan, Nintendo is currently the richest company in the country. As spotted by Install Base forums and X user Pierre485, Nintendo currently boasts a cash and cash equivalent value of roughly $11.44 billion when converted from Japanese yen. According...
Random Japan Is Getting Another Mother-Themed G-Shock Watch
Earthbound celebrates 30th anniversary this year
The cult hit EarthBound (Mother 2) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, so naturally, that means that Japan is getting another collaboration between Mother and watch manufacturer Casio. Due for launch on 14 March, 2024 via a lottery purchase system, the 'Mother Red's GW-6900' follows a...
News Kirby Happy Meal Promotion Announced For McDonald's Japan
Would you like Kirby with that?
McDonald's will be running a new Happy Meal promotion in Japan featuring a bunch of new plush-like Kirby toys. This promotion will begin later this month on 23rd February 2024 and features two waves, with four plush in each one. Fans of the pink puff will have a chance to grab different versions of Kirby (including a...
Japanese Charts Super Mario Bros. Wonder Jumps To The Top Spot, Once Again
Jump up, Superstar
The latest Japanese charts from Famitsu (via Gematsu) are now in and it has been a pretty quiet week — though that hasn't stopped a familiar face from returning to the top spot. Yes, everyone's favourite plumber and occasional elephant (as niche of a group as that is) is back at number one as Super Mario Bros. Wonder has sold...
News Yoshitaka Murayama, Creator Of The Suikoden Franchise, Has Passed Away
Also served as director on Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
We have just learned that Yoshitaka Murayama, creator of the Suikoden franchise and director/scenario writer on Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, has sadly passed away due to complications with an ongoing illness. The news comes via Rabbit & Bear Studios, the development team...
News Nintendo To Stop Repairing 2DS, New 3DS & 3DS XL In Japan
Goodbye, old friend
The 3DS has had a good run over the years, but it's at the end of its life now that Nintendo has concluded eShop sales and announced the shutdown of online play. Ahead of the shutdown of online play in April, Nintendo's customer support service has also revealed repairs for the system will be ending in Japan. Even though this...
News Sega Reports 'Sluggish' Sales Of Sonic Superstars And Other Major Titles
But Pachislot is doing well
Sega has released its financial results for Q3 of FY2024, and it paints a somewhat disappointing picture for the company as it reports 'sluggish' sales of premium titles, including Sonic Superstars (thanks, IGN). In its Notice of Revision of Operating Results Forecast letter, the company states "In the Consu
Japanese Charts Persona 3 Reload Dominates In A Quiet Week For Switch Software
Please sir, can I have some Switch games?
This week's Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and things are looking rather PlayStation-heavy compared to what we are used to seeing. It's the new releases that are dominating the competition this time around. Persona 3 Reload's PS5 version tops the charts with 76,368 copies sold, while its...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe & Splatoon 3 World Championships Get Rescheduled
Now taking place in April
Nintendo has finally announced brand new dates for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the Splatoon 3 World Championships, which were both originally meant to take place at Nintendo Live 2024 in Tokyo. Nintendo shared the new dates on Twitter, with the championships for both games now taking place on 13th April (for Splatoon 3)...
News It's Official, Nintendo Switch Is The Best-Selling Hardware In Japan
Goaaarn, son
Update [Tue 6th Feb 2024 11:45 GMT]: Well, it seems like Famitsu's total hardware count may have been a bit short, because according to data from Nintendo's own financial report, Japan's total hardware count for the Nintendo Switch is now 33,340,000, making it the best-selling console of all time in the region. This puts the console...
News Square Enix Is Reportedly Overhauling How It Makes Games
Further announcement coming this Spring
During its latest financial briefing, Square Enix reportedly informed analysts in a conference call that it is undergoing a drastic review of its development system to improve its products' quality and increase revenue. This news comes via Bloomberg, which reports that Square Enix's President, Takashi Kiryu,...
News Konami Announces Yu-Gi-Oh! Classic Collection For Switch, Launching This Year
Update: Confirmed for the West
Update: Konami has confirmed that Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is coming to the West. Here's a rundown of what to expect from the developer: Duel back in time with the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection Revealed at the “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters: The Legend of Duelist QUARTER CENTURY” special event in Tokyo,...
Random Japanese Celebs Reportedly Told "Not To Mention" Palworld To Avoid Damaging Pokémon Relations
Talent agency doesn't want to put future collaborations at risk
The survival crafting game and overnight sensation Palworld has now successfully established itself with over 19 million players globally, but it seems there are still some concerns about this new monster game in Pokémon's homeland, Japan. After The Po
News Metal Gear And Momotaro Dentetsu Contribute To Strong Revenue For Konami
Profits rise by 53%
Konami has released its latest financial earnings report for the nine months ended December 31st, 2023, in which it details strong sales, boosting its overall revenue by 11% and its profits by 53%. As detailed by GamesIndustry.biz, Konami has cited two launches that appear to have significantly contributed to the firm's strong...
Japanese Charts PS5 Newbies Dampen Apollo Justice's Opening Statement
Releases ahoy!
The latest Japanese charts are in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and a week of new releases has shaken up the top ten. Sony's PS5 has seen a fair bit of love this week, with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth debuting at number one with 102,940 sales (the PS4 version landed in third place). On top of this, Tekken 8 fought off the competition...
News Cult GBA RPG 'Riviera: The Promised Land' Is Getting An HD Remaster
Update: Switch and Japanese release date confirmed
Update [Wed 31st Jan, 2024 13:30 GMT]: According to the latest issue of Famitsu, Riviera: The Promised Land will be launching on Switch on 28th February 2024 in Japan (via Gematsu & Ryokutya2089). A Western release is still yet to be confirmed. It seems that the upcoming port of the GBA and...
News Square Enix Has Absorbed 'I Am Setsuna' Developer Tokyo RPG Factory
It worked on three RPG games for Switch
There's some industry news coming out of Japan today that Square Enix has absorbed the developer Tokyo RPG Factory. As part of this, Tokyo RPG Factory will be immediately dissolved and "will cease to exist as an individual entity" (thanks, Gematsu). Tokyo RPG Factory was a subsidiary of Square Enix and was...
News Don't Expect A Remake Of Final Fantasy 6 Soon, If Ever
Development time would "double" that of FF7
Cast your minds back to June 2023, you might remember that internal staff at Square Enix were quite keen on the idea of a remake for Final Fantasy VI. According to a recent interview with French Youtuber Julien Chièze, however, it seems that such a project would hypothetically require almost double the...
Random Splatoon 3 Hanko Stamps Are A Thing, Because Why Not
We'll take three, thanks
There have been countless weird and wonderful products relating to Nintendo's IP, and Splatoon 3 is no different. Indeed, if you've been itching to get your hands on some Splatoon 3-themed hanko stamp figures, then you're in luck (well, sort of, because they're exclusive to Japan) because the folks over at Bandai are...
Japanese Charts Another Code Debuts In Fourth While Spidey Returns To Web The Gold
He's a menace!
Update: Hardware sales (from Famitsu) have now been added to the bottom of the article. Original article: After a slight delay, Famitsu (via Gematsu) has published the week's estimated physical game charts for Japan and things are looking a little different this time around. Yes, after dominating the competition for weeks on end,
News Fire Emblem Engage Celebrates First Anniversary With 'Emblem Ring' Capsule Toy Line
12 rings unveiled for Japan
Alongside the first anniversary celebrations of Fire Emblem Engage for the Nintendo Switch, Takara Tomy Arts has unveiled its very own 'emblem ring' capsule toy line. As highlighted by Siliconera, this line features the 12 rings from the base game and will be available across two separate runs this month and in February...
News Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Is Getting A New Official Art Book, Stunning Cover Illustration Revealed
Coming to Japan this April
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 post-launch development has pretty much wrapped up at this point, but it's not completely over just yet. Apart from an update today introducing amiibo support to the game, it seems a brand new art book has just been revealed. Earlier before Kadokawa unveiled the 'Xenoblade 3 Official Artworks:...
News Square Enix To Slim Down Its Gaming Lineup To Ensure Higher Quality
Cutting the fat
It's safe to say that over the last few years, Square Enix has been pumping out games faster than Marvel sends its Disney+ shows out to die. Heck, we even tackled the company's insane cadence back in 2022 to try and figure out what on earth was going on at the Japanese firm. As we head into 2024, however, a Q&A from Square...
