Brian Ashcraft

Track: (Somebody) Ease My Troublin’ Mind | Artist: Sam Cooke | Album: Shake

Well, Nintendo Is Doing Great

The global pandemic has meant that people are spending more time at home, playing more video games. Consequently, during the past six months, Nintendo has seen its profits jump by over 240 percent. In its six-month earning statement ending on September 30 of this year, Nintendo reported that year-on-year net sales are up 73.3 percent,…

The PlayStation 5 Will Only Be Sold Online At Launch

When the PlayStation 5 launches this month, Sony won’t be selling the console in stores. Instead, launch day sales will only be online. “In the interest of keeping our gamers, retailers, and staff safe amidst COVID-19, today we are confirming that all day-of launch sales will be conducted through the online stores of our retail…

Sega Is Selling Its Arcade Business

Sega is selling its arcade business to Genda, a Tokyo-based company involved in arcade game rentals and online crane games. According to Jiji, Sega Sammy Holdings is selling Genda an 85.1 percent stake in Sega Entertainment Co., which is the company’s subsidiary that operates the arcades, for an undisclosed amount in late December. Genda will…

Track: Kaya | Artist: Anewhite | Album: Nachtmusik (EP)

Anime Holograms To Work At Japanese Hotel

Next January, the Henna Hotel (“Strange Hotel”) in Tokyo is doing a collaboration with The Idolmaster, the Bandai Namco sim filled with anime-style idols. As part of the tie-up, there will be more than simply Idolmaster art plastered in rooms and cut-out cardboard versions of the characters. At the check-in counter, holograms of the idols…

Here’s a League of Legends Statue That Only Costs $1,000

Open your wallets! Irelia from League of Legends is getting a limited edition statue that costs lots and lots of money. Shanghai-based collectible maker Infinity Studio crafted this 1/4-scale statue to mark League of Legends’ tenth anniversary. Measuring 24.8 inches, the detailed figure is limited to 800 pieces and made from polystone, PVC, and fabric.…

Street Light. Tribalj, Croatia. By Eduard Tucaković | Instagram  JPGs is a photo peek into wherever gamers might find interesting. If you’re a photographer and have images you want to share, drop us a line!

Halloween Was Supposed To Be Virtual In Tokyo But Wasn’t

In years past, massive crowds descended on Tokyo’s Shibuya. But this year, with the global pandemic, things were supposed to be different. They were supposed to be virtual. Shibuya mayor Ken Hasebe, for example, asked people to avoid the area to prevent covid-19 clusters and instead visit a “virtual Shibuya” online to celebrate Halloween. In…

Man Defies The Odds, Figures Out How To Enjoy Cheese With Chicken

Times are tough. The world needs inspiration. The world needs a hero. YouTuber Tasty Hoon’s time has come. Tasty Hoon makes mukbang videos, which Kotaku first introduced back in 2013. They are clips or streams in which people watch someone eat. Tasty Hoon’s mukbang clips have added ASMR appeal. Late last month, Tasty Hoon tried…

Track: Meant | Artist: Elizaveta | Album: Beatrix Runs

Report: Sony To Buy Crunchyroll For Over $957 Million

The Tokyo-based electronics giant is reportedly going into the final round of negotiations to buy Crunchyroll. According to Nikkei Asia, the acquisition could cost Sony over 100 billion yen ($957 million). This comes as Sony obtained the exclusive right to negotiate for the popular anime streaming service. Up to now, Sony has been licensing its…

Check Out These Resident Evil 2 Collectible Statues, Each Priced At $1,349

Starting next year, Prime 1 Studio is releasing a pair of limited-edition Resident Evil 2 statues, featuring Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield blasting zombies. The Claire statue is 21.6 inches high, weighing 40.5 pounds, while the Leon one is 23 inches and 46 pounds. They are priced at $1,349 and will be out internationally.…

Track: Anata | Artist: Hikaru Utada | Album: Hatsukoi

Masahiro Sakurai’s Hardest Smash Bros. Challenge: Minecraft Music

When Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai introduced Minecraft characters in Smash Bros. Ulitmate, he discussed their in-game music. At that time, he said, “Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, it turns out we cannot use the song playing in the original Minecraft.” Continuing, he pointed out that for such a frantic game, many of the tunes…

First Details About Final Fantasy XVI‘s Characters And World

When Final Fantasy XVI was first revealed last month, aside from a debut trailer, details were scant. Now, Square Enix has updated the game’s official site, providing info on characters and the in-game world. FFXVI producer Naoki Yoshida said Square Enix would be releasing said info before diving back into development. Final Fantasy XVI takes place…

The live-action Monster Hunter movie will begin its Japanese theatrical run next year on March 26, which is the same day Monster Hunter Rise is getting released on the Nintendo Switch. In case you missed the movie trailer, check it out here 

Track: Ladykillers | Artist: Lush | Album: Lovelife

Another Akihabara Landmark Is Closing

The global pandemic has been hard on a wide range of businesses. In Japan, arcades have been hit especially hard. In August, for example, the Sega Akihabara 2nd arcade shuttered. Now, another local landmark will vanish. According to J-Cast News, the Adores Akihabara location will be no more. As of October 31, all of the…

Sony announced that 1.5 million PlayStation 4s were shipped during the financial period ending September 30. That brings the total number for the console to over 113.5 million, making the PS4 Sony’s second most successful machine, coming in behind the PS2’s staggering 155 million number.