Brian Ashcraft

Microsoft On Japan: “We Learn From The Past”

Let’s face it. Microsoft’s track record in Japan with the Xbox has not been good. In the past few years, Microsoft even stopped going to the Tokyo Game Show, but this year the company is back. At the virtual version of the show, at least. In a pre-recorded message, exec Phil Spencer talked about Xbox…

Xbox Series S Already Got A Price Cut In Japan

The Xbox Series S isn’t out yet, but in Japan, it’s already getting a price cut. Today, Microsoft Japan announced that the smaller next-gen console, originally priced 32,980 yen ($313) in the country, will retail for 29,980 yen, which with the current exchange rate is $285. As pointed out on My Game News Flash, that…

A Game With The Word “Shit” Was Just Re-Released On The Nintendo Switch In Japan

When Super Tennis was originally released in Japan in 1991, the in-game tennis players would exclaim the world “shit”. The North American and UK versions, however, substituted “rats” instead. Today, Super Tennis was re-released on Nintendo Switch Online. Staying true to the original version, the Japanese version still contains the word “shit.” Purists would expect…

Japan’s Latest Life-Sized Godzilla Is Coming Along Nicely

Last year, a new life-sized Godzilla was announced for Japan. Let’s check-in and see how it’s doing. Originally the giant Godzilla was slated to open in this summer, but it seems the global pandemic has slowed down construction. Below is a model of the intended work. While still under construction, it is shaping up quite…

Track: Last Trip | Artist: Yonlapa | Album: Last Trip (single)

Let’s Admire The Beauty of Studio Ghibli

This month Studio Ghibli launched galleries for some of its most famous films—a total of four hundred high-quality screenshots. On the official page Studio Ghibli writes that people are free to use the images “within the realm of accepted practice.” Meaning? The famed animation studio has uploaded them for fair use: You can likely upload these…

Bicycle Tunnel. Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. By Jon | Official Site  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!

PS5 Preorders On Amazon Japan Were Also A Total Mess

When PlayStation 5 pre-orders started on Amazon Japan, the hardware sold out immediately. Then, the scalpers moved in and starting asking ridiculous prices for their pre-orders, reaching as high as 500,000 yen ($4,790). In Japan, the standard version of the console is priced at 49,980 yen ($478.70). Stores in Japan were not allowing customers to…

Sorry, The PS5 Won’t Be Backward Compatible With PS3, PS2 Or PS1 Games

As Kotaku previously reported, the PlayStation 5 will be able to play “99 percent” of the PlayStation 4’s library. But what about PS3 games? Or PS2 and PS1 ones? In an interview with Famitsu, PlayStation exec Jim Ryan was asked about PS4 compatibility, as well as that for the previous PlayStation consoles, going back to…

It’s Like Meat Buns Meet Pancakes

You know meat buns? In Japanese, they’re called nikuman (meat bun) or butaman (pork bun). There are other non-meat versions, like pizza-man and curry-man. Add yet another to that list. Behold, hottokeekiman (ホットケーキまん) or “pancake bun”, or “hotcake bun.” These fluffy buns are filled with butter-flavored paste and syrup. This brainchild is a collaboration between…

Track: Time Warp | Artist: Perfume | Album: Time Warp (single)

Sony Will Have More PS5s At Launch Than It Did For The PS4

Yesterday, Sony announced pricing and the release date for the PlayStation 5. But how many consoles will be available when the PlayStation 5 goes on sale? More than when its predecessor launched. According to The Washington Post, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan said that there will be more PlayStation 5s available at launch than there were…

Nintendo Officially Ends 3DS Production [Update]

Today, the official Japanese page for the Nintendo 3DS series, which includes the 2DS, announced that the consoles are no longer being manufactured. Update: September 18 – 12:42 am EST: Nintendo of America has told Kotaku that the Nintendo 3DS series of handhelds has been discontinued, issuing the following statement: “We can confirm that the…

Officially-branded Kirby masks are going on sale in Japan. The washable masks are antibacterial and have a filter as well as an inner gauze layer. Priced at 1,650 yen ($15.75), the set includes a pink and purple Kirby mask. No word about an international release. 

Track: Tokyo wa Moeteru | Artist: Glim Spanky | Album: Walking on Fire 

One Piece Is Getting A Spin-off Manga

Debuting in 1997, One Piece has gone on to become the most successful manga ever. And this year, it’s getting a spin-off. Titled One Piece Episode A, the manga is based on the novelization One Piece Novel A. Eiichiro Oda is, of course, created for creating the original manga, but will not be doing this…

Nintendo Gives Its Not-So-Specific Outlook For The Future

Ever wonder what Nintendo’s outlook for the future is? I do! The Kyoto-based game maker just held an investors’ meeting, which included some long-term plans. While not specific, these plans do provide an interesting look at what to perhaps expect. Unlike in previous years, the briefing was virtual due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. At…

Track: Strange Days | Artist: The Struts featuring Robbie Williams | Album: Strange Days

Nintendo has announced a Nintendo Direct Mini for this Thursday at 10am EST (7am PT). It’s a Partner Showcase, and according to Nintendo, it will feature “information on upcoming #NintendoSwitch titles exclusively from our publishing partners.”

How To Create An Indie Game Revolution In Japan

Some of the greatest games ever developed were made in Japan. The institutional know-how and skills are there. But the country’s indie game scene still hasn’t broken through in a major way like its counterparts in the West. That’s something a new project called Asobu it’s hoping to change. Meaning “play” in Japanese, Asobu is…