Kotaku: Japan

PSP Can't Stop, Won't Stop Sellin' In Japan

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:30:17 MDT

There is no cure for PSP fever in Japan, what with all those massive marquee releases happening overseas. Like... um God of War: Chains of Olympus maybe? Is this just Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G after shocks or are folks just falling in love all over again with the Sony handheld? Regardless of the reason, the PSP comes out on top on this week's Media Create sales chart. Nintendo DS and Wii hold strong, but certainly aren't selling as well as they are in the States.

Even the 360 is holding on to a larger slice of the pie than normal. It's all so confusing!

PSP - 56,998
Nintendo DS - 48,540
Wii - 41,768
PlayStation 3 - 12,458
PlayStation 2 - 10,405
Xbox 360 - 3,807

Persona 4 Takes Japanese Software Competitors To School

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:30:54 MDT

Everything old is new again, as PlayStation 2 release Persona 4 rockets to the top of the Japanese sales charts, with the Wii remake of Resident Evil 0 seeing a rather unimpressive, but still top ten debut. Probably a good call on Capcom USA's part not to release the title stateside. RE4 Wii Edition this is not.

A handful of new, notable releases chart, including a new Stafi DS adventure, as well as two Western born releases, God of War: Chains of Olympus and Kane & Lynch: Dead Men. Those two appear after the jump.

01. Persona 4 (PS2) - 193,000 / NEW
02. Wii Fit (Wii) - 30,000 / 2,353,000
03. Densetsu no Stafi: Taiketsu! Dire Kaizokudan (DS) - 29,000 / NEW
04. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 25,000 / 1,560,000
05. Daigasso Band Brothers DX (DS) - 23,000 / 190,000
06. Resident Evil 0 (Wii) - 21,000 / NEW
07. Derby Stallion DS (DS) - 20,000 / 206,000
08. Hanayori Dango: Koi Seyo Onago (DS) - 20,000 / NEW
09. Gegege no Kitarou: Youkai Daigekisen (DS) - 16,000 / NEW
10. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP) - 16,000 / 2,277,000

11. God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP)
12. DS Bimoji Training (DS)
13. Mario Super Sluggers (Wii)
14. Initial D Extream Stage (PS3)
15. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)
16. Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk (Wii)
17. Nanashi no Game (DS)
18. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 3 (PSP)
19. Custom Beat Battle: Draglade 2 (DS)
20. Wii Sports (Wii)
21. Naruto Shippuuden: Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu - Gekitou! Naruto vs. Sasuke (DS)
22. Hisshou Pachinko * Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series DS Vol. 12: CR Neon Genesis Evangelion - Shito, Futatabi (PS2)
23. Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (PS3)
24. Meccha! Taiko Drum Master DS: 7-tsu no Shima no Daibouken (DS)
25. Wii Play (Wii)
26. Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono (PSP)
27. Super Robot Taisen A Portable (PSP)
28. Mario Kart DS (DS)
29. Pokémon Diamond (DS)
30. Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Kizuna: Dai-Ichi-Kan - Tatari (DS)

Media Create Weekly Software Sales [Gpara]

PSP: 10 Million Sold (In Japan)

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:00:00 MDT

While it's enjoyed various ups and downs in the West, in Japan, the PSP has been emerging as something of a colossal hit. Over the first six months of 2008 it's been the best-selling console in Japan, and Sony have now announced that (based on Enterbrain figures), since the unit's launch in Japan in 2004, over ten million PSPs have been sold in the country. To anyone getting visions of a tortoise and a hare, it's OK, you're not alone.

Tokyo, July 15, 2008 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that the cumulative sell-in units of PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system (PSP-1000 and 2000 series) reached a total of 10 million units(*1) in Japan as of July 15, 2008.

Since the launch on December 12th 2004 in Japan, PSP has evolved as an innovative handheld entertainment system, having a wide array of exciting software titles and by introducing peripherals as well as upgrading system software through continuous firmware updates. Inheriting the basic functions and the design philosophy of PSP-1000, slim and light PSP (PSP-2000) made its debut on September 20th 2007 and in the first half of 2008(*2), it has become the best selling system in the game console market in Japan. Many color variations have also been introduced, now having PSP available in a total of seven different colors. Features such as “1 Seg” viewing(*3), “Skype”, Kotaku press releases and many other fun accessories that expands the joy of entertainment on PSP, including “Microphone” and a multi-functional “Cradle” in addition to a strong line-up of attractive software titles are also accelerating the expansion of the platform.

On the games front, there are over 580 (*4) titles now available in Japan alone. More and more exciting new software titles of different genres are scheduled for release towards the end of year from third party licensees as well as from SCE Worldwide Studios (WWS) Japan Studio, including GUNDAM BATTLE UNIVERSE by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc., The Legend of Heroes: SORA NO KISEKI the 3rd by Nihon Falcom Corporation and PHANTASY STAR PORTABLE by SEGA CORPORATION as well as SCE WWS Japan Studio titles including BLEACH Soul Carnival, LocoRoco2, PATAPON2(Working Title), SECRET AGENT CLANK and Yusyanokuseni Namaikidaor2.(*5) In conjunction with the powerful line-up of upcoming software titles, two new bundle packs, “PSP Metallic Blue Value Pack” and “PSP Metallic Blue 1 Seg Pack”, featuring a new “Metallic Blue” PSP bundled with popular accessories and peripherals, will become available on July 17th in Japan as a limited offer.

SCE will vigorously promote PSP as a new handheld entertainment system to enjoy a variety of digital entertainment content by enhancing network capabilities and interoperability with PLAYSTATION®3.

Tokyo Game Show 2008 Tickets Go On Sale July 17th!

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:00:00 MDT

Even though E3 is next week, it's never too early to talk about the Tokyo Game Show. So! For those interested in attending TGS 2008, good news: You'll be able to buy tickets beforehand. That's right, convenience stores across the country will be selling them via Electronic Ticket Pia for ¥1,000 (¥1,200 with tax). That's ten bucks plus tax in U.S. money. But what does that matter? You'll have to be in Japan if you want to buy tickets early.

TGS tickets go on sale starting July 16th.

前売入場券は2008年7月16日より販売 [Famitsu] [Pic]

Wii Fit Gets Sweaty Japanese Porn Homage

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:00:00 MDT

Well! If Brain Age gets a naughty movie, then one would correctly assume that Wii Fit must get one as well. Japanese adult video maker Gekidan Carnival has just released Geki Fit, which features the tagline "Fitness Is Erotic!" Geki Fit features 115 minutes of young ladies in various stretching and yoga poses against an all-white background. While there are no Wii-motes, Wiis or Balance Boards, the movie does feature font and packaging "homages." (Gekidan Carnival probably doesn't want to get sued back to the stone age by Nintendo!)

Hit the jump for the cover. The distasteful sweat might be NSFW.

And below, the Japanese Wii Fit box art.

GekiFit [NSFW via Hatimaki]

Band Bros. Replaces Derby Training As Current Japanese Obsession

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:30:11 MDT

It may have settled for a third place showing last week, but with less fierce competition the week after Daigasso! Band Bros. DX gets a chance to shine in the top spot. Media Create's Japanese software ranking shows drifting drama Initial D Extream Stage relegated to second. Not bad for a PS3 game (still), but a low key week across the board.

Little in the way of new debuts makes for a rather dry chart. Still, if you want to see how the PS2 port of Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters fared, it's after the jump.

01. Daigasso! Band Bros. DX (DS) - 47,000 / 167,000
02. Initial D Extream Stage (PS3) - 43,000 / NEW
03. Derby Stallion DS (DS) - 38,000 / 186,000
04. Wii Fit (Wii) - 31,000 / 2,323,000
05. Nanashi no Game (DS) - 30,000 / NEW
06. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 28,000 / 1,535,000
07. Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk (Wii) - 27,000 / 164,000
08. Mario Super Sluggers (Wii) - 20,000 / 108,000
09. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) - 18,000 / 585,000
10. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP) - 18,000 / 2,261,000

11. DS Bimoji Training (DS)
12. Hisshou Pachinko * Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series DS Vol. 12: CR Neon Genesis Evangelion - Shito, Futatabi (PS2)
13. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 3 (PSP)
14. Super Robot Taisen A Portable (PSP)
15. Wii Sports (Wii)
16. Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Kizuna: Dai-Ichi-Kan - Tatari (DS)
17. Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono (PSP)
18. Bleach: The 3rd Phantom (DS)
19. Wii Play (Wii)
20. Meccha! Taiko Drum Master DS: 7-tsu no Shima no Daibouken (DS)
21. Mario Kart DS (DS)
22. Boura wa Kaseki Holder (DS)
23. Sengoku Basara X (PS2)
24. Bokura no Telebi Game Kentei (DS)
25. Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! (DS)
26. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters (PS2)
27. Pokémon Diamond (DS)
28. Pokémon Ranger: Batonnage (DS)
29. Family Trainer: Athletic World (Wii)
30. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)

Media Create Weekly Software Sales [Gpara]

Pokemon Platinum Dated For Japan

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:00:00 MDT

DS title Pokémon Platinum details are divulged in the August issue of CoroCoro comics. Besides announcing official Japanese release date is September 13th, there's a bunch of new details like a new "Wi-Fi Club" area that's able to hold up to 20 folks at once, a new Team Galatic member, new international police member, a "Battle Recorder" that allows trainers to record and share battles, and Dialga and Palkia appearing simultaneously in story.

CoroCoro [Filb.de via blue skY via Moetron]

Dance Dance Revolution X In Silhouette

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:00:00 MDT

On November 21st, Konami's Dance Dance Revolution will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Can you believe it? It's been ten years since DDR stormed arcades and home consoles. This year, it seems Konami is releasing Dance Dance Revolution X on the PS2 and in arcades as well it seems. As both commenter Riyu and arcade site Arcade Renaissance points out, the teaser page shows a somewhat different cabinet design. Nothing's really been announced by Konami, so sit tight for more details.

DanceDanceRevolution X [Konami Thanks, Riyu!]

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Arcade Ice Cream!

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:00:00 MDT

Mmmm, yummy. Just in time for Japan's dog days of summer, game maker Atlus has done traditional arcade crane games one better by stocking a 'em with ice cream. And who doesn't like ice cream? (Bad people, that's who!) Dubbed the Triple Catcher Ice -25C, the machine is set at a frosty -25C and has players manipulate a three pronged claw to pull out delicious icy treats. As the official page explains in English:

ATLUS has developed "TRIPLE CATCHER ICE", THE state-of-the-art prize machine carrying the latest freezing technology. "TRIPLE CATCHER ICE" is so unique that it will be absolutely imperative at every amusement scene worldwide.

We agree. This is absolutely imperative. Oh, and while other machines are typically one player affairs, the Triple Catcher -25C can be played by four players at once. It's a quadruple catcher! The Triple Catch Ice -25C doesn't use more electricity than the standard crane machine. For Atlus, arcade innovation means cold and delicious.

「ATLUS TRIPLE CATCHER ICE−25℃」 [オープンカーで颯爽と]

This Dead Or Alive Figure Does Not Lack Graceful Pose

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 MDT

This November, famed Japanese figure maker Kotobukiya is bringing the latest entry in its Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 series with a 1/6 Kokoro statue. Priced at ¥7,882 (US$74), the figure not only features removable clothes (been there! done that!) but hot umbrella action (ooooooooooooh). Out of all the Kotobukiya DOAX2 figures, this one has the most graceful pose. Umbrellas really make everything all classy like.

Sexy Bikini Japanese Beauty [Akiba Hobby]

A Decade Later, We Get New Thunder Force Game

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:00:00 MDT

Finally! We get another Thunder Force scrolling shooter. The last time we saw a Thunder Force game was ten years ago when Thunder Force VI was ported to the PlayStation. Back in 2000, a Dreamcast version of Thunder Force VI was rumored to be in development, but when the Dreamcast cashed out, so did Thunder Force VI, it seems. But since last month, the website for the game's developer has been touting a new Thunder Force and, whaddaya know, this week's Famitsu announces the game. It's on the PS2 and will be out October 30th in Japan.

New THUNDERFORCE Coming Soon! [TecnoSoft]

Wario Land, PixelJunk Eden Dated (For Japan)

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:00:00 MDT

You've seen them, you no doubt by now are already swooning over them, but when, exactly, are Wario Land: Shake It (Wii) and PixelJunk Eden (PS3) coming out? For the West, who knows. But for Japan, it's soon. Wario will be out on July 24, while PixelJunk Eden will be released a week later, on July 31. International releases probably won't be too far behind, but for the desperate and impatient, can't imagine either will be burdened by an excess of Japanese text.

What Are The Top Selling Games Of 2008 So Far?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:40:00 MDT

We're slightly at the half-way point, so it's a good opportunity to look back. What games have been selling in Japan? And how many copies? The latest issue of Famitsu has crunched the numbers and drawn up a list of the biggest selling games of 2008. Let's take a look at the top ten:

10. Wii Play (Wii) 411,416 copies
9. Mario Kart DS (DS) 416,935 copies
8. Mario Party DS (DS) 497,547 copies
7. Wii Sports (Wii) 544,958 copies
6. Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3) 576,437 copies

Not sure which is more impressive: A month old game like MGS4 making it into the top ten or a two and a half year old game like Mario Kart DS doing it. YOU DECIDE! Hit the jump for the top five.

5. Pokémon Ranger: Battonage (DS) 576,467 copies
4. Wii Fit (Wii) 1,443,167 copies
3. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) 1,526,664 copies
2. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) 1,666,323 copies
1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP) 2,300,505 copies

For those curious where Xbox 360 games (game?) placed in the mid-term Japanese chart, that honor would belong to THE iDOLM@STER: Live for You, just eking in at number 87 on the top 100 sales chart by shifting 74,608 copies.

Famitsu Sales Data [2chan]

No More Heroes Mobile Is Less Bloody, More Adorable

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:30:00 MDT

Suda's No More Heroes is violent. It's also really, really stylish. Those are the two things the game's probably most renowned for, so when a Japanese mobile version of the game turns up looking neither stylish nor violent, should you care? Yes! Because there's not just one mobile game, there's three of them, they take Travis and co. and turn them into fat-headed children, and because each game only costs ¥100 (USD$0.95).

NO MORE HEROES FLASH ゲーム [Game Watch]

This Year Sees Two New DS Chocobo Games

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Square Enix has announced not one new Chocobo title, but two new DS titles: Chocobo and the Magic Storybook: The Witch and the Girl and the Five Valiant Men and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: The Labyrinth of Forgotten Time DS Plus. The Magic Storybook is a Chocobo adventure title, while Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon DS Plus is a DS version of Wii title Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon, which was released abroad with the localized title Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon. Regarding release time windows, Magic Storybook is slated for the Winter in Japan and Mysterious Dungeon DS Plus should hit this Fall. Hit the jump for very small Mysterious Dungeon DS Plus pics.

チョコボ関連のニンテンドーDSソフト2タイトル [IT Media]

This Wii Hard Drive Is So Damn Phony (And Funny)

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:00:00 MDT

See that picture of a supposed Wii hard drive? It's from a tipster, and a note on the Flickr page where it appears reads:

After several days, today I could shoot a prototype hard drive for the Wii. According to what we've been seeing these days, work is well underway and I think it could be submitted on July 15 at the Kodak Theatre.
I would like to have one to experiment ^_^

But this "prototype" is fake. Like, really, really, really fake. Hilariously so. Okay, let's say that Nintendo actually did put stickers on prototypes that read "Confidential Property of Nintendo". Hey, maybe they do! See that picture of the label? It's kind of hard to make out the Japanese, but there is Japanese. And Nintendo is a Japanese company. As a Japanese company, Nintendo does know how to use the Japanese language correctly. The person who made that sticker does not. At all. So let's look at where this "prototype hard drive" exposes itself as a big, fat faker. That, after the jump.

The top of the label reads:

特定の販売の禁止。これは従来のハードドライブのディスクではない、ハンドルを慎重にします。

Which makes little to no sense whatsoever in Japanese. You know when you see funny English with funny grammar written by Japanese people? This is the EXACT SAME in reverse. Right up there, that translates as (grammatical errors intentional) "Prohibited to be selling of specified. This is not prior art hard drive disk, we will treat steering wheel carefully!" As game localizer and author Matt Alt points out, the person who made this probably typed "Please Handle With Care" in a machine translator and got something about being nice to a steering wheel. See, the word "handle" in Japanese is "steering wheel" and a machine translator doesn't know the difference! If that wasn't enough, the label's bottom reads:

このモデルのみで使用RVT−R１！

Love the exclamation point. Even better, love what that translates to: "RVT-R1 that we use only this model!" Once again, grammatical errors intentional.

Robert334's photostream [Flickr]

Bionic Commando Devs Fear The Japanese

Leigh Alexander — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:20:00 MDT

Swedish developer GRIN, working on Capcom's new Bionic Commando title as well as the PSN/XBLA update of the original one, were entertainingly forthcoming during an industry conference in the Netherlands where they talked about the tough path for an independent developer.

Managing director Bo had some blunt language for the harsh reality of game development as a business, something the audience may occasionally lose track of when levying certain accusations at development studios:

“Really, to get started, you’re not making a game for a gamer, you’re making a game for a publisher," he said. "And that’s how it is. They know the product, they are paying for the product, and they want you to pull through... on time.”

Also, apparently working with the Japanese is scary:

On working with the Japanese: “If you don’t deliver exactly what you specified, they kill you.”

Whoa. By the way, McWhertor checked out Bionic Commando over here.

GRIN Co-Founders On The Hard Road For Independent Developers [Gamasutra]

Morrigan, Onimusha's Soki Joining New Capcom Brawler

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MDT

More characters join the Tatsunoko vs. Capcom fray! Previously, it was announced that the Capcom side was getting Street Fighter III's Alex and the Tatsunoko side was getting Gan-chan from anime Yatterman. The latest brawlers in this gaming characters versus anime character fight: Darkstalkers' Morrigan Aensland, Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams' Soki, Hurricane Polymar and Golden Warrior Gold Lightan. As game site Arcade Renaissance points out, the game's button layout seems similar to the Sengoku Basara X one. Something to keep in mind as Japanese arcade location tests kick off this weekend! That, and the possibility of even more new characters.

Capcom VS Tatsunoko features Gold Lightan [ToyboxDX Thanks, Matt!]

Japan Presents Foreign Dignitaries With...A DS Lite

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:30:00 MDT

The Group of Eight - ie the cool, popular kids of the developed world - just had a meet-up in Kyoto, Japan. Seemed to go swimmingly enough. To mark the occasion, and to send their guests off in style, the hosts presented all the visiting politicians with some gifts unique to Japan, like some manga-style caricatures and that very snazzy-looking DS Lite console. They're double-lacquered to give the consoles a glossy finish, and each was topped off with a print depicting a pagoda and some cherry blossoms. Needless to say, these are probably now the most valuable/expensive DS Lites in the world, and needless to say, you will never own one. Unless you get lucky and see Condi or Gordon Brown hocking theirs on Craigslist.

【先週の政界名場面】Ｇ８外相も「ＤＳ」で遊ぶ？[MSN]

iDOLMASTER Tickets Are Crazy Expensive

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:00:00 MDT

Fans of Namco's Xbox 360-exclusive, J-pop idol sim THE iDOLM@STER are rich, it seems. Tickets for the iDOLM@STER event "THE iDOLM@STER 3rd Anniversary Live later this month have been going bananas. Auction prices have hit as high as ¥138,000 or US$1,292 (starting at ¥6,500 or $61) and fetching about $470 on average. The event will have the full iDOLM@STER voice cast in attendance, so perhaps these prices are understandable.

No, no they are not.

アイドルマスターライブ [my game news flash via Sankaku Complex]

Adult Anime Drawings Forged in Halo 3

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:00:00 MDT

We've previously seen how Halo 3's Forge can be used as a canvas by the artistically included. And while the above image is certainly not the first "erotic" images made with Forge level editor by a damn sight. (Hey, give the plebs the ability to create, and you betcha, they'll whip up naughty bits!) But these are the first MAXIMUM RISKY Japanese anime-style ones we've seen — then again, we haven't exactly been looking. They, of course, were made by lining up weapons.

Hit the jump for the full image and another one. NSFW.

「HALO3」、武器を並べてエロアートを作る職人 [Hatimaki]

Let's Watch The First Mega Man 9 Footage

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:00:00 MDT

First look! Have a gander at Mega Man 9. Above is the Japanese trailer from Japanese site Nico Nico Douga which shows some quick gameplay footage. The music is fantastic.

Mega Man 9 [Go Nintendo]

Street Fighter IV Animation Drawings Look Nice

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:00:00 MDT

Capcom's posted the original art for the Street Fighter IV Ryu anime shown at this year's Captivate. The animation trailer is up on the Capcom site, so you can see that here. To check out the art, that's in the gallery right down there. Enjoy!

「オリジナルアニメ公開！」　プロジェクトマネージャー：塩沢夏希 [SFIV Blog Thanks, Josef !]

2008, So Far Is Ruled By PSP Sales

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:00:00 MDT

The first half of this year belong to the PSP. According to Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, the PSP moved 1,964,461 units, while the Wii was hot on its heels with 1,720,263 units. Rounding out the top three was the Nintendo DS, selling 1,593,844 units. Now that Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G has been out for three months, we'll have to wait and see if the Sony portable still has enough steam to snag the second half of the year.

PSP：196万台でWii越え1位に [Mainichi via PSPHyper]

First House of the Dead EX Screens

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:00:00 MDT

As foretold, here are the first screens of zombie love, zombie bowling, zombie rock and roll, zombie sumo, zombie apple picking Ai sareru yori ai shitai: House of the Dead EX. The game looks more causal and more crazy. It's jammed pack with mini-games that are controlled by the gun and the foot pedal — mini games, and that's not in a pejorative sense! This series spin-off looks fun and totally fitting for arcade play. We approve, SEGA, we really do.

SEGA PRIVATE SHOW 2008 -SUMMER [IT Media]

Five Games That Matter In Hideo Kojima's Life

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:00:00 MDT

Five games that made an impact on the life of Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima? According to the famed game designer:

• Super Mario Bros.

• Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken

• Xevious

• Another World

• Metal Gear Solid

This list comes from a Yomiuri Newspaper article called "All About Kojima Hideo" dated June 11th. We haven't seen the full article (only that picture we found on a Yomiuri blog), and the English translation of Yomiuri article glosses over these five games and what they mean to him. From the pic we found, it certainly appears as though Kojima explained how they affected him.

Hide-and-seek with Hideo Kojima [Yoimuri]

64 Percent of Those Polled Gave Up Wii Fit

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:00:00 MDT

Wii Fit has done big business in Japan — and pretty much everywhere, for that matter. The peripheral and game went on sale late last year in The Land of the Rising Sun, and Japanese website IT Media poses the question: Do Wii Fit owners actually still play Wii Fit everyday? Short answer: Nope. According to the thousand IT Media readers polled (for whatever that's worth), the majority of them do not play their copies of Wii Fit (ditto). Here's the breakdown:

Do you use Wii Fit faithfully everyday?
• 22 percent — I record my progress faithfully everyday
• 6 percent — Maybe once every two or three days
• 6 percent — Once a week
• 64 percent — Stopped using after purchase

Like any exercise program, most people quit early on. Guess it's good that even 22 percent are sticking with it, but still. Any Wii Fit owners out there? Do you use Wii Fit faithfully everyday?

装着率に見る「Wii Fit」 [IT Media Thanks, cpt!] [Pic]

Portable Horse Training Fever Sweeps Japan

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:40:11 MDT

Out with the old, in with the NEW. The weekly Media Create sales chart is packed with new Japanese releases, with Derby Stallion DS snatching first place from Tales of Symphonia. It's a big week for the Wii and Nintendo DS overseas, as a ton of new titles for Nintendo's hardware platforms sell and sell big.

This week's chart is potentially less good news for the PSP, as two of its big sellers — Super Robot Taisen A Portable and Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G — fall out of the top ten. Will this spell the end to PSP hardware dominance in Japan?

01. Derby Stallion DS (DS) - 148,000 / NEW
02. Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk (Wii) - 137,000 / NEW
03. Daigasso! Band Brothers DX (DS) - 120,000 / NEW
04. Hisshou Pachinko * Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series DS Vol. 12: CR Neon Genesis Evangelion - Shito, Futatabi (PS2) - 55,000 / NEW
05. Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Kizuna: Dai-Ichi-Kan - Tatari (DS) - 42,000 / NEW
06. Wii Fit (Wii) - 34,000 / 2,292,000
07. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) - 34,000 / 566,000
08. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 31,000 / 1,508,000
09. Mario Super Sluggers (Wii) - 31,000 / 89,000
10. Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation: Troy (Xbox 360) - 28,000 / NEW

11. Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono (PSP)
12. Sengoku Basara X (PS2)
13. Super Robot Taisen A Portable (PSP)
14. Bleach: The 3rd Phantom (DS)
15. The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match (PS2)
16. DS Bimoji Training (DS)
17. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP)
18. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 3 (PSP)
19. Battlefield: Bad Company (Xbox 360)
20. Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (DS)
21. Ookami to Koushinryou: Boku to Horo no Ichinen (DS)
22. Bokura no Telebi Game Kentei (DS)
23. Wii Sports (Wii)
24. Aria the Origination: Aoi Wakusei no El Cielo (PS2)
25. World Neverland Olerud Okoku Monogatari & Pluto Kyouwakoku Monogatari 2 in 1 Portable (PSP)
26. The Tower DS (DS)
27. Taiko Drum Master DS: Seven Island Adventure (DS)
28. Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! (DS)
29. Wii Play (Wii)
30. DS Yamamura Misa Suspense: Maiko Kogiku - Kisha Katherine - Sougiya Isa Akashi - Koto ni Maru Hana Sanrin: Kyoto Satujin Jinken File (DS)

Media Create Weekly Software Sales [Gpara]

Sony's Retro Cell Phone Gaming Campaign

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:00:00 MDT

In Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment is launching a special iMode cell phone site that allows users to download classic PlayStation titles for their mobiles. Dubbed "PlayStation Masterpiece Appli Special Campaign", the limited time dealio runs from July 3rd to September 30th for the following games: RPG Arc the Lad, dice game XI[sai]DX and puzzle game I.Q. Intelligent Cube. Those who are members of Sony's iMode site can download the games for 0 points to boot! (The monthly fee is ¥315 or about US$3).

iモード「SCEJ」にて名作アプリが0ポイントで配信開始！ [Dengeki Online]

Even With MGS4, PS3 Sales Flattened By The Wii

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:00:00 MDT

It takes more than a big time PS3 exclusive like Metal Gear Solid 4 to beat Nintendo. Way more. While MGS4 did give Sony a bump in sales, it wasn't enough, and the Wii outsold the PS3 in June. This is the seventh consecutive month that the Wii has come out on top in The Land of the Rising Sun. For those interested in the number crunching, data from Famitsu publisher Enterbrain has the Wii moving 235,990 consoles during June, while the PS3 shifted 139,494 consoles. In short: Even without a new, huge blockbuster title, Nintendo still sold 59 percent more machines than Sony. Guess Metal Gear Solid 4 didn't drive Japanese hardware sales as Sony had hoped.

Nintendo Wii outsells Sony's PS3 in Japan in June [Reuters]

The Wii Bikini Queens (Not In Bikinis)

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:20:00 MDT

Nintendo's Japanese ads are smart. They don't just feature famous celebrities, but former-bikini-girls-turned-mainstream celebs. That's curvy cheesecake pin-up turned actress Eiko Koike on the new Wii Fit TV spot. Sure, the Nintendo ad isn't gratuitous in the least, but it certainly doesn't turn its back on Koike's most famous assets. This isn't the first bikini girl to shill Wii stuff. Earlier this spring, Swimsuit idol Aki Hoshino appeared in Mario Kart Wii spots in a mini-skirt.

They've both done some risqué stuff in the past — nothing X-rated. Google if you like! Just know: These sorts of celebs advertise all kinds of stuff in Japan, so it's not totally unusual to see that here. Either shows how mainstream these models are or how progressive Nintendo's Japanese advertising is. Hit the jump for the Hoshino ad from earlier this year, via Jean Snow at Game|Life.

Watch the Eiko Ad [Wii]

Namco's Dancing Wii Game With Added iDOLM@STER

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:00:00 MDT

In the upcoming issue of Famitsu, Namco Bandai announced Wii music rhythm game Happy Dance Collection. The game has players rhythmically match Wii-mote motions. Yes, it's cutesy and it's got Mii crowd integration, but the real kicker here is the music. As expected, the game features popular J-Pop like "http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=2CHH8PDJqoI">Popstar" and "Choo Choo TRAIN", but also "Go My Way" from Namco's idol singer simulation Xbox 360 game THE iDOLM@STER. The female dancers also look iDOLM@STEResque. How's that for fan service!
The game is slated for sometime this year.

Wiiでアイドルマスターみたいなゲームを製作中 [Hatimaki]

Yakuza 3 Announced (No, Not Again, A New Yakuza 3)

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:20:00 MDT

In the latest issue of Famitsu, it was announced that SEGA's toasted Toshihiro Nagoshi has been working on Ryu ga Gotoku 3 (Yakuza 3). This isn't to be confused with Edo-era PS3 exclusive Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan!, which is actually the third Yakuza game in the franchise, but not actually Yakuza 3. Confused? According to the article, Kenzan! was a spin-off, and this newly announced game is actually the third one in the series, m'kay. Work began on the game commenced after development on Kenzan! finished, and the story picks up where Yakuza 2 left off. Well, that makes sense at least.

Yakuza 3 Announced [2chan.net]

The PSP Needs More Than Monster Hunter

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MDT

Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G is a huge game in Japan. That title alone has energized the PSP and pushed sales to the top of the chart. In the recent Famitsu, industry pundits gather around to look at the first half of the year. Among the topics covered is of course Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G and why it's popular and what it means for the PSP. Insights abounds, but the pick of the litter is from Japanese game journo Kiyoshi Shin:

The Pokémon generation has shifted over to 2nd G, and you could see this as a shift in the Nintendo DS's audience, too... If it keeps relying on a single game, then the PSP's popularity could be a very temporary thing. Sony Computer Entertainment needs to keep actively backing up its third-party developers; I hope to see that in motion at E3 this month.

Sony does need to parlay MHP2ndG into other big third party games as well if the PSP is going to have real legs.

Japan's Game Industry Looks Back At 2008 So Far [1Up] [Pic]

Two New Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Characters Revealed!

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:00 MDT

The recent location test announcement for Capcom arcade game Tatsunoko vs. Capcom hinted at new fighters. Well, impatient people, today we bring you new Tatsunoko vs. Capcom fighters! Pictured is Street Fighter III main character Alex, complete with droopy overalls and everything. Joining wrestler Alex is genius mechanic Gan-chan from Tatsunoko Production anime Yatterman. Check out the screens below.

『タツノコVS. CAPCOM』に「ヤッターマン」が参戦だ、ヤッター！ [Dengeki]

How Japan's Numero Uno Xbox 360 Fanboy Spent June

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:30:00 MDT

Look at your calendars! It's July. Last month was very busy for Japan's biggest Xbox 360 fanboy Jamzy. Jamzy occupied himself with video games, some lady's bellybutton and dog cake. Jamzy's list of game's he played last month includes two PSP games (Tales of Rebirth, Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G), two DS games (Derby Stallion DS, Daigassou Band Brothers DX) and two Xbox 360 games (Mobile Suit Gundam Operation: Troy, Battlefield Bad Company). That's right, Jamzy doesn't play PS3 or Wii — he's serious, haircutting business! In the picture above, Jamzy plays through Battlefield Bad Company at an EA event. After the jump, his dog has a birthday part, and Jamzy puts the animal in funny outfits. Ah, to be the underdog's dog...

Yep, that was June for Jamzy. How was your June?

6月のゲーム人生、遊んでたゲーム編 [Famitsu]

Let's Dress Up Chun-Li

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:00:00 MDT

As we previously posted, the Japanese arcade version of Street Fighter IV will feature Taito's NESYS Card System to save and track data — plus a cell phone site, too. During arcade play, players can win and save "Battle Points" on their NESYS Card. The Battle Points are weighted, so, for example, if you defeat a player with a high ranking, you'll get more Battle Points. Besides BP, players can also earn "zeny" when winning and then take that saved zeny to the SFIV cell phone "Zeny Shop" where players can purchase outfits and different colored costumes like Chun-Li's new threads (pictured). What's more, players are able to receive a stamp at the cell phone contents shop (one stamp a day), and those stamps can be traded for ringtones, ring voices and cell phone pics at the "Stamp Shop."

春麗に待望の新コスチュームが！？ [Famitsu]

Street Fighter IV To Feature Data Cards, Personal Cell Phone Site, Guilds

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:00:00 MDT

Starting July 18th, Street Fighter IV will be playable in Japanese arcades. To save your arcade achievements, the game will use Taito's NESYS Card System. (Makes sense as the game runs on the Taito Type X2 arcade system board!) The NESYS Card will come in four patterns, all of which are pictured. This saved player data contains the player name that appears on-screen in versus mode. The player data can also be accessed individual cell phone SFIV player webpages, which feature stats and ranking as well as news about SFIV events. Via the cell phone site, it's possible to create and name SFIV guilds. Players can then collect "guild points" and compete with other SFIV guilds to improve their ranking to boot!

Street Figher IV Arcade Data Cards [Famitsu]

First Details About Sega's New Arcade Racer

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 MDT

After its recent location test, details about SEGA's new arcade racer R-Tuned: Ultimate Street Racing have hit. Before the race starts, players select their car and its neon lights. There are unlimited super boosts — be careful as using it causes the steering wheel to shake and possibly lose control. Players can win money that's used to buy new cars. Racing locales include New York, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Hong Kong. All this wrapped in the same cabinet AMPlus is using for SEGA Race TV. Kind wish the cabinet's bottom was neon lit!

Hummer Game Looks Cool, Too [Sega Nerds Forums via Sega Nerds]

Ivy's Soulcalibur III Outfit Surprisingly Less Whorish Than We Recall

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:40:01 MDT

If the Soulcalibur IV media flood has you pining for a simpler, more demure Ivy, perhaps this Soulcalibur III era Ivy from Enterbrain will fit the bill. Oh, sure, the breasts are still obscene and the outfit isn't exactly appropriate for Sunday mass, but at least there's some amount of coverage here. Plus, it's perfect for displaying on your work desk. What co-worker wouldn't impressed by $120 USD worth of PVC, molded perfectly into Ivy form?

If the cost and shame hasn't scared you off yet, inquire with your immobile action figure importer of choice, because there's not a ton of time between now and September.

Soul Calibur III 1/6 Ivy [HobbyStock]