Tag: Japan - Page 5
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...
Japanese Charts Super Mario Wonder Blows The Competition Away... Again
A quiet week, overall
In this week's Famitsu boxed charts for Japan (courtesy of Gematsu), Super Mario Bros. Wonder has once again beaten the competition to claim the top spot (only just, mind, with 359 units separating the top two entries), selling an additional 25,523 copies. Elsewhere, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince has dropped out of...
News Nintendo World's New Donkey Kong Ride Will Literally Send You Off The Tracks
Well, in a totally fake kind of way
Toward the end of 2023, it was revealed that a Donkey Kong expansion would be making its way to Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan. Now, thanks to some keen investigation from CoasterTalk (thanks, Gizmodo), some more information has been discovered regarding the site's new rollercoaster ride. The...
Random Nintendo Japan's 'Pyon Zuba Basha' Song Is Back And It's Still Ridiculously Catchy
The big four return
Nintendo Japan has released its first 'Pyon Zuba Basha' video of 2024 and yes, it is still stuck in our heads (thanks, @Stealth40k). It's the same track the company's YouTube channel has released a few times (with some updated game footage following 2023's releases), but that doesn't make the repeated chorus line any less...
News Nintendo Donating 50 Million Yen To Aid Japan's Earthquake Victims
It's also offering free product repairs
Following in the footsteps of The Pokémon Company, Nintendo has announced it will donate 50 million yen to the Red Cross Society after a devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Noto Peninsula earlier this month. As part of this, Nintendo has announced it will also provide free repairs to anyone...
News Nintendo Games Have Now Dominated Japan's Sales Charts For 19 Consecutive Years
The top 10 in 2023 were all on Switch
Nintendo has been a huge part of Japanese video game culture over the years and with this in mind, it's now topped the sales charts for the 19th consecutive year in its homeland. This information comes from Famitsu's 2023 sales report, which also happens to reveal all top 10 video game software sales in 2023...
News Pokémon Developer Game Freak Trademarks 'PAND LAND'
What could it be for?
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet might not be the only project Game Freak has been busy with in recent times. As highlighted by Gematsu, the Japanese developer recently filed logo trademarks for "PAND LAND". Two variations of the logo have been trademarked. According to the source, "PAND LAND" was originally trademarked late last...
Japanese Charts Mario Wonder And Switch OLED Finish 2023 In Style
Combining the final two weeks of the year
The final Japanese charts for 2023 are now in from Famitsu (via Gematsu) and show that in the final two weeks of the year, Super Mario Bros. Wonder managed to hold onto the top spot. The plumber's latest adventure managed to shift another 221,738 units between 18th-31st December 2023, putting it comfortably...
News The Pokémon Company Donates 50 Million Yen To Aid Japan's Earthquake Victims
"We would like to express our deepest sympathies"
The Pokémon Company has donated 50 million yen (about USD 345,770) to Japan's Red Cross Society after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the country's Noto Peninsula earlier this week. Here's the official statement from the Pokémon Foundation (via social media): Pokemon With You Foundation: We...
Due to "popular demand" in Japan
Update [Fri 5th Jan, 2024 03:30 GMT]: When Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince arrived in Japanese stores last month, it quickly sold out. Square Enix at the time advised anyone who wanted to play the game to consider purchasing the digital version instead. So, what's the latest? As highlighted by social media...
News Hideki Kamiya Hopes To Return To The Video Game Industry In 2024
"I want to get a job making games"
Last year, the famous Japanese video game developer Hideki Kamiya decided to leave PlatinumGames, mentioning at the time how he felt the company was heading in a different direction from his own beliefs as a developer. If you're wondering what's next for the developer of series like Bayonetta, he's now provided an...
News Square Enix To Be "Aggressive In Applying" AI Going Forwards
Must... Consume... Content
Ah, what a lovely way to kick off 2024, eh? Square Enix's President Takashi Kiryu has revealed that the company will be "aggressive in applying" AI in its content development and publishing divisions in the future after he praised the technology in a New Year's Letter (thanks, VGC). Published on January 1st, 2024, the...
News Meowscarada Wins Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Popularity Poll In Japan
Here are the top 20 picks
Everyone has a favourite Pokémon and recently in Japan, the strategy guide website 'GameWith' ran a poll asking trainers to vote for their top Pokémon from Scarlet and Violet's Paldea region. "Close to 152,700 people" apparently put their vote in and in the end, the new-generation grass/dark-type evolution Meowscarada...
News Granzella's R-Type Tactics I & II Remakes Are Coming To Switch In "Fall 2024"
Update: Now scheduled to release next year
Update #3 [Sat 30th Dec, 2023 08:30 GMT]: Earlier this year in July, it was announced the release date of "Summer 2023" for R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos had been pushed back to 2024, with the aim to launch the game at the "earliest possible date". Now in an new broadcast this week, Granzella has narrowed...
News Nintendo Releases Free Super Mario Bros. Movie 'Strategy Guide' (Japan)
Discover all the hidden secrets
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is now rolling out on more streaming services around the globe, and to celebrate this, Nintendo has released a free "strategy guide" which shares all the hidden secrets and easter eggs in the movie. All you have to do is log in to Nintendo's Japanese website to access it. The catch is that...
Feature A Visit To '84 Hashi', Tokyo's Secret Nintendo Staff Bar Now Open To You
Eiji Aonuma? “Drinking buddy.” Shigeru Miyamoto?...
There’s no shortage of fascinating Nintendo-related places to visit in Tokyo. You could explore shops for boxed Famicom games, sit down and eat a Kirby burger, or play Punch-Out!! in its original cabinet at a retro arcade. Yet one attraction was hidden from Nintendo diehards for years. A...
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...
