Ken Kutaragi Offers His International Business Skills

PS3 Siren Game Confirmed Early

Enterbrain: Japan Console Market To Peak This Year

The market is likely to contract as brisk demand for games consoles, such as the Wii from Nintendo Co and the PlayStation 3 from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, will run its course, Enterbrain Inc said.

Resident Evil 5 Interview Confirms Africa Setting, Explains Why

...we really wanted to show the origins of the virus. So for the setting we thought, how about using the place where humankind was born?...we thought we would use Africa, which is now called the birthplace of humanity, as the model.

New DS Coming To E3 2008?

According to Bloomberg Japan, Enterbrain (Famitsu's parent company) honcho Hirokazu Hamamura has said that Nintendo might unveil a new DS model at E3 2008. While Ash is asleep and our Google Translate only takes us so far, there doesn't appear to be any other information of note other than Nintendo declining to comment on the rumor.

Since it took about two years for the DS to become the DS Lite, the timeline for the DS Lite to become the DS Liter seems right on track. What would you like to see in the updated handheld if Hamamura's prediction comes to fruition?

Nintendo DS possibility of a new version [Bloomberg via NeoGAF]

Phoenix Wright Spin-Off Features WALKING

Now that the Japanese financial year is over, we can talk about the Japanese financial year. Hardware and software sales were up in 2007. Biggest selling game console in Japan last year? The Nintendo DS. SHOCKING! Here's how the hardware sales played out:

• Nintendo DS: 6,343,547 units sold in 2007 (22,169,761 units cumulative)
• PSP: 3,427,971 units in 2007 (8,574,026 units cumulative)
• Wii: 3,741,946 units in 2007 (5,695,579 units cumulative)
• PS3: 1,197,418 units in 2007 (2,009,492 units cumulative)
• Xbox 360: 235,318 units in 2007 (602,558 units cumulative)

This list isn't in order, because Famitsu didn't include the PS2, and we're pretty sure that console outsold the Xbox 360 in Japan. Hit the jump for the totally unexpected 2007 software sales. You will be shocked.

Hooray! This April, The King of Fighters XII is getting its first official play test in Japan. As pointed out in Famitsu, it's traditional 3 vs. 3 team match-ups. Also, the screen's edge forms a hard barrier that players will have to balance. What's more, attacks can cancel each other and there's a Guard Attack system that lets players switch from offensive to defensive modes on the fly. SNK says that the game system had gotten too complex and they were aiming showing that would be more approachable and put emphasis on "reading the opponent's mind." Famitsu scans below — which do the 100 percent hand drawn game no justice whatsoever.

KOFXII Info [mmcafe via Arcade Renaissance]

This week's Famitsu magazine arrives in Japan with tons of information about Persona 4, the next installment of the quirky Atlus RPG series for the PlayStation 2. The sequel to one of the best RPG experiences on the PS2 so far moves the action from the city to the countryside, with the story taking the form of a murder mystery, chock full of twists and turns that will leave you guessing. The game includes a weather forecasting system that indicates when a murder is going to occur. Atlus is packing tons of gameplay into the new title, with 60-70 hours of gameplay and over 180 Personas (Personae?) for you to play with. Persona 4 is slated for a July 10th release in Japan, with a North American release almost a no-brainer, considering the reception of P3 in the states. Follow the link beneath the gallery to Akayuki for more scans from the latest Famitsu.

Weekly Famitsu Info & Scans [Akayuki]

And Famitsu's Top 25 Games For 2007 Were...

New Street Fighter IV Character Leaked!

A photo of this week's pre-newsstand Famitsu shows new SFIV character "El Fuerte." Not much is known about him other than he's a Lucha Libre wrestler. Hit the jump for a closer look.

Famitsu Confirms Disgaea DS

The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu has been poked and prodded by the folks at Akayuki.com, revealing a game that's been rumored since the middle of last year, Disgaea for the Nintendo DS. According to the translator the game is titled Disgaea DS: Prince...and that's all we've got. Simply an announcement that the game exists. No screens, no interesting tidbits, and no telling if the prince in question is Laharl or the aging pop sensation. I'm sure that most Disgaea fans are with me when I say that just knowing it's coming is enough...for now.

Weekly Famitsu info and scans [Akayuki.com via CVG]

On the basis of little clue, plain gauze dollar - the young person who continues to chase the remnant. The troop you train and you use the comprehensive grapple technique which seems. At first glance is not sociable, but the person we do not dislike, being raw serious, polite character. Past memory is lost.

You may have seen some of the newest screen shots from Famitsu magazine earlier this week, but the Famitsu web site finally has clear—if not huge—pics that outnumber what the print version showed. They show off thankfully legible details on all eight classic street fighters plus newbie Crimson Viper's special moves.

As an added bonus, it looks like the Famitsu staff got to go hands-on with the arcade version of Street Fighter IV, with pics of themselves playing it as proof. Those can be seen here and include off monitor screens showing alternate costume colors.

Street Fighter IV [Famitsu]

Regarding our earlier Mario Kart Wii post, here are the images from Japanese game magazine Famitsu. It confirms earlier rumblings about the 16 tracks, 12 person Wi-Fi battles and Mii racing. This should certainly helps bring credibility to that April 10th Japan release date!

Mario Kart Wii Images [Jeux France]

The latest issue of Famitsu, scheduled to hit newsstands on Friday, will scoop the official Street Fighter IV web site in revealing additions to the fighting game's cast of characters. Leaked scans of the newest issue have already hit 2ch, by way of Korean gaming site Ruliweb, showing off the original eight from Street Fighter II will return. Guile, Blanka, Zangief, Dhalsim, E. Honda and Chun-Li join Ken and Ryu, all of whom look very familiar—perhaps a bit too familiar.

While the gameplay shots are tiny, we get a look at Street Fighter IV's attention to detail. Touches like Dhalsim's bandages and bracelets spreading over the Indian fighter's stretched arms make 3D more welcome. We also get a chance to see newcomer Crimson Viper in-game, plus a peek at some familiar Street Fighter moves.

Four pages of pics are in the gallery below. Be sure to check them out full-sized.

Gaming Magazine Totally Snubs Xbox 360!?

The one-thousandth issue of game mag Famitsu went on sale in Japan. Congrats! The front cover illustration features Famitsu mascot (his name is "Necky") in various costumes. Wait, there's also a Wii and a PS3. Two consoles, huh. Something's missing, and we wonder if Japan even notices.

Full image after the jump. Perhaps you can spot it, because we really can't.