Kotaku: Only in Japan

Wii Gets Digi Camera Print Channel

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:00:00 MDT

Today in Japan, Nintendo and FujiFilm launched a new Digital Camera Print Wii Channel. Wii owners are able to order Fuji digi picture prints, photo albums and Mii business cards. Just put an SD card with picture data in the Wii and select what you'd like to order. Prints are ¥30 ($0.28) a pop while a 21 page album will set you back ¥1,575 ($14.68). One set of thirty Mii-style business cards runs ¥500. You can even have your friend code printed out on it. After paying by credit card, your order will be delivered to your doorstep.

Digital Camera Print Channel [Nintendo via Go Nintendo]

iDOLM@STER For PSP Announced

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:00:00 MDT

Until now, nerds who wanted to play Namco's pop idol sim THE iDOLM@STER had two choices: Play the arcade versions or play the Xbox 360 versions. But not every owns an Xbox 360 in Japan. (Shocking, we know.) Good news! There's a new option as Namco Bandai is releasing the game on the PSP. Dubbed THE iDOLM@STER SP, this one player game almost looks like a port of the arcade version with PSP-tweaked graphics. There is a new "mail check" system where players have to check the idol's email from magazine writers, stylists and fans. Since Namco Bandai won't be able to make a killing on DLC like it has with the Xbox 360, the company is releasing three versions of the game with three characters spliced into each one. Maximum profits! The three versions (with characters) are:

THE iDOLM@STER Perfect Sun
• Haruka Amami
• Yayoi Takatsuki
• Makoto Kikuchi

THE iDOLM@STER Wondering Star
• Yukiho Hagiwara
• Iori Minase
• Ami and Mami Futami

THE iDOLM@STER Missing Moon
• Chihaya Kisaragi
• Azusa Miura
• Ritsuko Akizuki

Though, people who buy at launch this winter are mostly likely going to buy all three. But, if you are going to buy only one version, buy the Wondering Star one, 'cause you'll get four characters. That's added value, people.

Thanks for the tip, Muu!

Castlevania Japanese Arcade Game Hands-On

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:00:00 MDT

That's the cabinet for yet-unreleased Castlevania arcade title Akumjao Dracula THE ARCADE. Reader Landon got a hands-on with the game at a location test while strolling through Tokyo's Ikebukuro. What did Landon think? He totally dug the game, its gameplay, graphics, music — the whole schbang! Hit the jump for Landon's impressions. Don't forget to thank him and tip your waiter.

Players enter the machine on either side. The inside was very spacious, much wider than some I've seen of a similar fashion. The bottom of the machine, in front of where each player stands, was lined with LED lit candles.

Each player holds a controller shaped like the handle of a whip. The top of the whip handle is lit up with LEDs - 1P is blue, 2P is a dark pink. Each whip handle has a yellow trigger where your index finger goes. This controls your subweapon, such as knifes, crosses, etc. A red button is placed where your thumb goes. Sadly, I was not able to use it in this demo of the game, but the Konami rep told me it was used for activating items you get later on in the game. During gameplay, swinging the whip handle, a la Wii remote, results in a slash mark across the screen.

When the game starts, each player is asked to stand in their designated spots and aim the top of their whip controller at the center of the screen and press the yellow trigger button to calibrate the motion sensor.

The game begins in an outside area. Skeletons stumble onto the screen much like Silent Hill or House of the Dead. Some shoot arrows at you from a distance. You can take them out either by swinging your whip or by throwing knives at them (by pointing the tip of the whip controller and firing with the yellow trigger). Subweapons, such as knives, consume hearts. You can regain these by shooting various candles placed throughout the areas. There seemed to be a maximum of 25 hearts while I played.

The first chapter ends after you arrive at the gates of Dracula's castle and fight Death, your first boss. I squealed a little bit when the Bloody Tears theme started playing during the fight. Chapter two took place inside the castle. The boss was a giant skeleton snake, and upon winning the battle, the demo ended.

The graphics were really nice, definitely next gen; on par with PS3/Xbox 360. One small detail I liked was that any candle I whipped/threw a knife at would cause the surrounding area to go dark when destroyed.

With the way the machine was designed, it was MUCH easier to hear the music/sound effects than Silent Hill, even with all the noise from other games going on outside...

This game was a total blast. Nostalgic music, sweet graphics, whip-cracking action. There's nothing more I could've asked for in a Castlevania arcade game. I used to think Silent Hill was kinda fun when I was a little bored, but this totally blows it out of the water. Good job, Konami!

Japan's Bullet Train Gets Its Pokemon On (Pika! Pika!)

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:00:00 MDT

They've got Pokémon planes so why not Pokémon trains? As summer vacation kicks off here in Japan, Japan Rail East is rolling out four Pocket Monster bullet trains for the Tohoku and Joetsu lines and one each for the Yamagata, Akita and Nagano lines. Says one 7-year-old boy traveling with his parents to Iwate Prefecture:

I was surprised to see Pikachu, but I really like the character so I'm happy...It's a cool bullet train.

And Pikachu was surprised to see you. Summer 2008, this is the photo op. Hit the jump for a clip of the train in action.

ポケモン新幹線運行　上野駅にピカチュウも [Mainichi via Japan Probe Thanks, RB!]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!]

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]

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]

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]

New Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Fighter (We Don't Know!)

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:00:00 MDT

We sure hope that upcoming Capcom arcade fighter Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is good. So far, it looks good! But we won't know until we give it a whirl at one of the location tests for the game. The game will be playable next month (soon) in locations in both Tokyo and Osaka — Taito Hey! in Akihabara and Ikebukuro GIGO from July 10th to the 13th and Osaka's SEGA Avion from July 25th to the 27th. Announced fighters for both the Capcom side and the Tatsunoko side include Batsu Ichimonji from Capcom 2-on-2 fighter Rival Schools, Chun-li, Ryu, space knight Tekkaman, Gatchaman and Casshern. In the flier for the arcade location test, it says there will be a new character announced. So there's that to look forward to, too.

カプコン、ロケテストを東京と大阪で7月10日より [Game Watch Impress]

Brain Age Gets Japanese Adult Video Homage

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:05:00 MDT

We're not really surprised that Brain Age got a dirty movie, we're just surprised it's taken so long! Originally released in Japan as Touhoku Daigaku Mirai Kagakugijutsu Kyoudoukenkyuu Center Kawashima Ryuuta Kyouju Kanshuu Nou o Kitaeru Otona no DS Training, the DS game was a smash hit back in 2005 and 2006. This August, naughty video company Moodyz is releasing adult video parody Chinpo o Kitaeru Otona no Ingenware Training (or "Dick Drilling Adult's Lewd Word Self Training"). The DVD stars Moodyz actres Hikaru Wakana (her blog, maybe NSFW), and the box features a label that says this DVD is for "One Player" and that "Ultimated Continues Are Possible."

For those, who haven't seen the Japanese box art for the original Brain Age and its sequel, click here and here.

NDS「脳トレ」のパロディAVが登場！ [Hatimaki]

Resident Evil Pachinko Shows More Than Jill Sandwiches

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:00:00 MDT

In Japan, it's pretty common for video games to have pachinko machines. Heck! Movies, anime and manga character even get pachinko machines based on them. It's not just spinning metal balls! New pachinko machines even feature large LCD-type displays to keep players engaged. Pachinko maker Yamasa's Resident Evil machine puts poor Jill Valentine through the standard series of scares and shootings — if only for suggestive glances!

BioHazard [Yamaza via Hatimaki]

Test Out SEGA-AM2's New Arcade Racer

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 MDT

This Friday (today!), SEGA is location testing new street racing game from its famed AM2 division. Dubbed R-Tuned: Ulimate Street Racing, the arcade game runs on SEGA's Lindbergh arcade system board and supports up to four players. Apparently there is also a home version in development, but that's unconfirmed. The location test kicked off today at 10:00AM Japan Time at the Shinjuku Club SEGA and will wrap up next Monday. Stop by, check it out. Tell 'em Kotaku sent cha!

R-Tuned [Official Site via Game Watch]

Brace Yourself For This PSP

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:00:00 MDT

Spotted in Akihabara retailer Toranoana and burned into your brain forever! That PSP is covered with stickers and running a demo for PC ero-game Dokodemo suki shite itsudemo suki shite ("Love me wherever, Love me whenever"). Keep in mind that this game is for the PC and not the PSP, and the shop created this sticker covered PlayStation Portable to promote this computer game. It's working!

Full display after the jump.

「今、時代は痛ゲーム機ですヨネ！」 [Akiba Blog NSFW]

PlayStation 3 Falls Out Of First In Japanese Charts

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:30:09 MDT

Well, the PlayStation 3 had a good run. Err... week. After a big boost from fourth to first on the wings of Metal Gear Solid 4's release in Japan, things have largely returned to normal. The PS3 resumes its position behind the Nintendo DS this week, selling about double what it had been for a good part of the year, but not enough to get out of the chart's bottom half. The PSP returns to the number one spot, probably helped by the release of Super Robot Taisen A Portable. You have to take the good with the bad, Sony. Then you get the facts of life.

PSP - 59,351
Wii - 41,037
Nintendo DS - 36,599
PlayStation 3 - 20,336
PlayStation 2 - 6,346
Xbox 360 - 2,555

Japanese Gamers Drop Old Snake For Robot Wars

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:20:39 MDT

You might've heard that Old Snake is no longer the king of the mountain in Japan. He's been toppled by a buncha robot scum, as Super Robot Taisen A Portable snatches the number one spot from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots on this week's Media Create software charts. Old Snake did, however, manage to keep his footing under pressure from Mario and his team of baseballers as Mario Super Sluggers debuts in the number three spot.

The top ten for the week of June 16 to 22 is before the jump, the rest of the top thirty after.

01. Super Robot Taisen A Portable (PSP) - 102,000 / NEW
02. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) - 68,000 / 533,000
03. Mario Super Sluggers (Wii) - 58,000 / NEW
04. Harukanaru Jikuu no Kade 4 (PS2) - 55,000 / NEW
05. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 33,000 / 1,477,000
06. Wii Fit (Wii) - 32,000 / 2,258,000
07. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP) - 21,000 / 2,224,000
08. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 3 (PSP) - 19,000 / 206,000
09. DS Bimoji Training (DS) - 18,000 / 302,000
10. Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! (DS) - 11,000 / 96,000

11. Wii Sports (Wii)
12. DS Yamamura Misa Suspense: Maiko Kogiku - Kisha Katherine - Sougiya Isa Akashi - Koto ni Maru Hana Sanrin: Kyoto Satujin Jinken File (DS)
13. Taiko Drum Master DS: Seven Island Adventure (DS)
14. Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series DS Vol. 2: CR Neon Genesis Evangelion - Shito, Futatabi (DS)
15. Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit (PS3)
16. Family Trainer: Athletic World (Wii)
17. Wii Play (Wii)
18. Fushigi no Dungeon - Furai no Shiren 3: Karakuri Yashiki no Nemuri Hime (Wii)
19. Mario Kart DS (DS)
20. Valhalla Knights 2 (PSP)
21. Boura wa Kaseki Holder (DS)
22. Kuukan * Zukei: Hirameki Training - KuuTore (DS)
23. Pokémon Ranger: Batonnage (DS)
24. Endless Frontier: Super Robot Wars OG Saga (DS)
25. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
26. Puyo Puyo Special Price (DS)
27. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
28. Pokémon Diamond (DS)
29. Link's Crossbow Training (Wii)
30. Motto TOEIC Test DS Training (DS)

Media Create Weekly Software Sales [Gpara]

Metal Gear Solid 4 Loses Top Sales Spot

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 MDT

According to Japanese news site IT Media, Metal Gear Solid 4 has been knocked down to number two by PSP game Super Robot Taisen A Portable. During its first week, MGS4 sold 476,334 copies — so says Enterbrain sales data. In its second week (June 16th to June 22nd), IT Media states the game's sales dropped to 68,000 copies. Still, an impressive number, but not impressive enough to overtake Super Robot Taisen A Portable, which went on sale June 19th. Good news: MGS4's sales have now topped 500,000 copies in Japan. That's way better than a punch in the nards.

僕らの時代のスーパーロボットが登場 [IT Media]

The Lolita DS English Game Scholarship!

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:00:00 MDT

DS game Moe Sta is here to teach people English. The instructional software features 5,000 English questions that range from junior high school to Tokyo University entrance examination level. To mark Moe Sta's release, its developer Mirai Shonen has announced the "Moe Sta Scholarship Institution." Here's the deal: Use Moe Sta to study English and pass the notoriously difficult Tokyo University entrance exam, and the Mirai Shonen will provide ¥500,000 (US$4,600) in financial assistance. The developer will carefully select two students who use the software to help enter the university. Study hard!

Moe Sta Scholarship [Official Site via Hatimaki]

Otomedius Gets Gorgeous Xbox 360 Release

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:40:18 MDT

Konami's cleavage-heavy entry in the Gradius spin-off series is coming to the Xbox 360, you know that. What was known as Otomedius in arcades will come home as Otomedius Gorgeous on September 25 for 6980 yen. That yen pricing obviously means this is only for Japan right now.

The Xbox 360 port will feature three-player coop, the ability to upload and download replay data via Xbox Live, and a versus mode that lets the Otomedius girls take on bosses from previous Konami games. This is unconfirmed, but we hear that the polygonal boobs will be even more spectacular for the home version. Clearly Konami is going all out.

We're currently bugging Konami about a Western release and will be knocked over with a feather should they even respond to our e-mails.

Otomedius Gorgeous Official Site [Konami.jp]

These Pokemon Shirts Are For Adults

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:00:00 MDT

Pokémon debuted in Japan back in 1995, causing a kid frenzy. Meaning? Those kids aren't kids aren't kids anymore. Some of them are adults! Via game forum NeoGAF comes this announcement:

The Pok´mon Company has announced Pokémon 151, a new brand intended for adult Pokémon fans. An official Web site opens Thursday, and Japanese Pokémon Center stores have begun selling four types of stylized T-shirts. In addition, a Diamond and Pearl battle tournament for ages 15 and up will be held at the Tokyo store July 4.

The four T-shirts currently available for pre-sale feature stylized designs of Hypno, Cubone, Articuno and Mewtwo, respectively.

Yep, Japan only for the time being. Hit the jump for two more shirts.

Pokemon Shirts [Bulba News via NeoGAF via Go Nintendo Thanks, Karoshi!]

Limited Premium DS Lites For Japan

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 MDT

Chalk up yet another reason to hate Japan's Club Nintendo. From July 1st to August 31st, a limited number of "Premium" DS Lites will be made available to lucky folks. How limited? There are only 3,000 of these outside cover plated "Premium" DS Lites, Here's the breakdown: 1,000 Premium Silver; 1,000 Premium Black; 1,000 Premium Rose. As website Gpara explains, these are actually the standard-in-Japan "Gloss Silver", "Jet Black" and "Metallic Rose" DS Lites treated with a special metallic plating cover. Club Nintendo members interested in snagging one of these need to enter the serial numbers of two purchased DS titles that went on sale after August 2006 into the Club Nintendo online application. There's a limit of five entries per member! From that, 3,000 winners will be selected at random. Click through the gallery to get a look at the "Premium" DS Lites.

Premium DS [Club Nintendo via Famitsu]