Tag: Japan
Feature "It's Fun, So It's Okay!" - Celebrating Takashi Tezuka's Astonishing 40-Year Nintendo Career
A look back at a glittering catalogue
Takashi Tezuka seems like a good laugh, the kind of chap who knows how to have fun. Despite all the Master-Sword-waving and PR-related hijinx from fellow Nintendo luminary Shigeru Miyamoto over the years, you still get the impression he's merciless in the workplace — an exacting, intimidating,...
News Nintendo Japan Reveals New Range Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Merch
And we want it all
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is no stranger to a tasty bit of merchandise (just check out that new Uniqlo range, for crying out loud) and it looks like a whole lot more is now available. The catch? It's only available in Japan. Yes, a fresh batch of Hyrule-inspired goodies is fresh out of the oven on the Japanese My...
News Inti Creates Announces Gold Collection, Three Games On One Physical Switch Cart
Coming to Japan this August
If you are a fan of Inti Creates or simply want to catch up on some of its game releases, you might want to read on... The game company has announced the Inti Creates Gold Archive Collection for the Nintendo Switch. It's a physical package featuring Mighty Gunvolt, Mighty Gunvolt Burst, and PuzzMiX on a single game...
News Eighting Is Working On A New Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Update: Here's a look at the gameplay
Update #3 [Fri 26th Apr, 2024 02:30 BST]: We've finally got our first proper look at Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact and it's a 2D fighter starring all of the cast from the series. You can check it out above (thanks, Gematsu). Update #2 [Sat 20th Apr, 2024 23:45 BST]: In a new update from Bushiroad Games,...
Japanese Charts Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Takes Pole Position As Game Sales Falter
Switch continues to dominate
Over in Japan this week, it's been a pretty quiet time for the video game industry, meaning that the evergreen titan Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has managed to speed past the competition and claim pole position with 11,585 units sold. It's a good week for the Switch, mind, with tentpole first-party Nintendo games (and...
Video Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Gets A Five-Minute Overview Trailer
Update: Now in English!
Update: The English trailer is now live! Plus, we've also managed to spend some time with the game ahead of its launch next month: <related ids="164990"> <products group-id="26305"> Original article: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is out on the Switch next month and Nintendo has now released a new overview...
News Nintendo Event Cancellation Suspect Charged For Sending Threats Via Contact Forms
Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo was planned for January
As reported by the daily Japanese newspaper Kyoto Shimbun (via VGC), a man suspected of sending threats to Nintendo has been charged after the company cancelled two of its events last year. The Splatoon
News Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Patch Updates Are Already Rolling Out
Update: 505 Games issues statement
Update [Wed 24th Apr, 2024 10:30 BST]: 505 Games has issued a press statement to directly acknowledge the performance issues for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on Switch while reassuring fans that developer Rabbit & Bear Studios is working on ironing out the problems. It said the following: We are aware...
News Mother 3 Is Getting An Adorable New Set Of Plushies
To hug while we wait for our English localisation
Update [Sun 21st Apr, 2024 05:00 BST]: As part of the Mother 3 18th anniversary celebrations this week, the Mother Project website has now confirmed these plushies will go on sale next week on 25th April 2024. Once again, the set includes Lucas, Claus, Duster and Kumatora. Original article [Wed...
News Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Country Park Delayed To Late 2024
Swinging away from Spring
It was right at the end of 2023 that Universal Studios announced the opening date for its Donkey Kong Country park at Super Nintendo World Japan. It was supposed to be this Spring (any day now, we would assume), but instead, the studio has announced that the opening has been pushed back to "late 2024". The delay was...
News Hatsune Miku's Fitness Boxing Game Is Getting A DLC Update
Free costume and music also confirmed
Following local classifications for Hatsune Miku's Fitness Boxing game, Imagineer has now announced the Japanese release will be adding an "Editor Mode" in a new DLC update next week. This DLC will go live on 25th April 2024 and is priced at 990 yen (around $6). This new mode will allow players to create...
Japanese Charts New Japan-Only Visual Novel Takes The Crown From Princess Peach
And... Mario Kart?!
It's time for your latest look at the Japanese game charts from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and after three weeks of ruling over the competition, Princess Peach: Showtime! has finally been knocked off the top spot. It's a new Japan-only visual novel, Utakata no Uchronia, that takes the crown this week with a debut of 11,553 sales...
News Nintendo Releases Princess Peach Hair Clip Crown (Japan)
Celebrating the release of Princess Peach: Showtime!
To celebrate Princess Peach: Showtime! Nintendo has today made a new item available to fans located in Japan. It's a hair clip shaped like Princess Peach's crown. You can see it in all its glory in the photos below. It can be obtained at Nintendo's Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto stores or the official...
Round Up All The Games You Missed From Japan's Indie World Showcase (April 2024)
Nine new trailers and announcements
Today's Indie World Showcase gave us a rather delightful little basket of release dates, shadow drops, and ports for games we've been wanting to see on Switch. As is often the case with these presentations, however, Japan's Indie World was a fair bit different from our own. There was some overlap, of course, but...
News Japanese Man Arrested For Selling Hacked Scarlet And Violet Pokémon
He appeared to be caught!
A Japanese man has been arrested for selling modded data from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, reportedly making millions of yen over the course of just a few months. As reported by NHK News and Automaton (thanks, VGC), the individual was selling r
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe And Splatoon 3 World Championships Get Underway This Weekend
Meet the competitors
Following the cancellation of Nintendo Live 2024 in Tokyo, the world championships for both Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had to be rescheduled for a later date. Well, that date is now here as the events get underway today (or tomorrow, depending on your time zone). The championships themselves will be taking place in...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Three More Titles
Including a few Japanese exclusives
Nintendo continues to bolster its Switch Online retro library and today it's added three more titles to the Super Nintendo collection. This line-up is a little bit different as includes a few Japan-only Super Famicom releases. This includes Wrecking Crew '98 - a sequel to the original NES title, and Sunsoft's...
Japanese Charts Princess Peach: Showtime Claims The Throne For The Third Week In A Row
Still holding on
We are back, back, back with a fresh look at the Japanese gaming charts from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and Nintendo's latest is once again at the top of the ladder. Yep, Princess Peach: Showtime! is ruling over the competition for the third week in a row, with an additional 19,612 units keeping it in pole position. If you think those...
News Dragon Quest 12 Reportedly Suffers Delay, Producer "Steps Down" Following Reshuffle
Square Enix has supposedly found a candidate to replace him
Square Enix is currently undergoing a large-scale organisational "overhaul" and it seems Dragon Quest has been impacted. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Dragon Quest's "top producer" Yu Miyake, who is now 56 years of age (and has contributed to "numerous" Dragon Quest titles over...
News Super Nintendo World Footage Showcases A Near-Complete Donkey Kong Expansion
Looking good!
When Nintendo announced that the Super Nintendo World attraction in Japan would be receiving a Donkey Kong expansion in Spring 2024, our hearts nearly leapt out of our chests. Well, it's Spring 2024 uh, now, so it must be nearing completion, right? Right. Judging from the above footage recorded by YouTube channel L.C.A.STUDIOS (USJ...
News Disgaea 7 Complete Is Coming To Switch In Japan
Western release to be announced
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is getting an enhanced multiplatform rerelease later this year in Japan. Titled Disgaea 7: Koremade no Zenbu Iri Hajimemashita, which will likely be translated as Disgaea 7 Complete, the latest Disgaea game's rerelease will launch on Switch on 25th July 2024 in Japan. A Western...
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...
Guide Where To Buy Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop Credit
Here's how to get Japan-exclusive eShop games
The Nintendo Switch eShop is home to thousands of great games at this point, but some are locked away, exclusive to particular regions. If you're wondering how to download Japanese Switch games, you're in the right place. One of the great things about the Nintendo Switch eShop is that you can create...
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...
News Dave The Diver Getting Physical Switch Release With Guilty Gear Collab Content
Announced for Japan, pre-orders now live
Update [Sat 2nd Mar, 2024 05:00 GMT]: Pre-orders for this Japanese physical release of Dave The Diver have now officially gone live on Playasia (thanks, Nintendo Everything). As previously noted, this version of the game is re
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...