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Square Enix, Where the Hell Is Final Fantasy Versus XIII?
Final Fantasy Versus XIII was first unveiled at the E3 gaming expo in 2006. It’s now 2011, and the game is not out. To be fair, Square Enix said in 2006 that it had not yet begun work on the game. But by late 2009, Square Enix was showing gameplay footage of the title. Square…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 9, 2011 -
There’s a Time and a Place, Lady, and This Is Neither
Japan is noted for its fastidious attention to manners. Books, magazines and even DS games offer instruction on the ins and outs of manners’ minutia. Even with this almost Victorian attention to politeness, the country’s recently seen a rash of faux pas that can be best described in one word: rude. People put their foot…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 9, 2011 -
Would You Like Some Raw Pikachu with Your Miso Soup?
Pika Pika | CHARLOTTE, NC: A Japanese restaurant spotted by a reader. (Photo: Tail Light) They’re Big. They’re Nerdy. They’re Papier-Mâché. Every year, the Asagaya Tanabata festival is held at a covered shopping arcade near JR Asagaya Station. In Which Samus Meets Adam West Got a crazy Fancy Pants for you this week, Kotaku readers.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
Can You Spot the Error in the Absurd Controller?
Let’s say, you ordered a large, 2.2 feet by 1.4 feet controller that costs $360. The controller’s production is contingent on people like you pre-ordering it. Then, you get the controller. And you noticed that something was wrong—off-—and made even more noticeable by the controller being so damn big. Can you spot it? Created by…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
In Japan, Deus Ex Is Sexual Object Free
When Western games are released in Japan, it’s not uncommon for the more graphic elements to end up on the cutting room floor. Deus Ex: Human Revolution is no exception. According to Square Enix, the Japanese version will have one cutscene modified because it shows a character’s internal organs. In an area of the game,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
Would You Like a New PS3 HDMI Cable?
Because that’s exactly what you’re getting! In Japan, Sony’s launching a new HDMI cable September 8. According to the official press release, the 2.0m high-speed HDMI cable is priced at ¥1,800 is ideal for 3D movie and gaming.
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
Pokémon‘s Pokéball Explodes Across the Sky
Every summer, huge fireworks displays light up the sky across Japan. The fireworks come in an array of colors, but the pyrotechnics don’t stop there. Some fireworks change color, some explode to form Saturn-like spheres or even Hello Kitty’s face. This year, a Pokémon Pokéball was spotted at the Nagaoka fireworks display in Niigata. Photo…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
They’re Big. They’re Nerdy. They’re Papier-Mâché.
Every year, the Asagaya Tanabata festival is held at a covered shopping arcade near JR Asagaya Station. At this festival, large papier-mâché characters cover the shopping arcade. Characters from anime, video games, and popular culture appear along side colorful orbs. Last year, there was even the Twitter whale. In the past, there’s been Sponge Bob…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
This Year’s Hardest Game Has Been Delayed (Briefly!)
Dark Souls, the spiritual successor to Demon’s Souls, was supposed to be out on September 15. It won’t be. Instead, the game will be delayed a week to September 22. From Software, the game’s developer, stated that the game is being delayed “due to various circumstances”. From Software did not go into greater depth than…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
More Nintendo 3DS Dpad Woes
Soon after the Nintendo 3DS, photos surfaced of wrinkled 3DS buttons. The paint on the buttons and the Dpad seemed “warped”. The issue appeared isolated, but was related to the paint used on the 3DS. More photos have now surfaced showing how another 3DS had a warped D-pad that, over time, has started flaking and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
Goodbye Hyper Sexy Cosplay!
Comic Market, or Comiket, is a twice yearly event that showcases self-published comics. In the past, it’s also showcased obscene amounts of flesh. Real flesh. Like most nerd events, Comiket is a cosplay magnet. Cosplayers, like Ushijima Good Meat, not only pose for pictures, but they also sell their own CD-ROMs filled with sexy photos.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 8, 2011 -
Do You Still Play Kinect?
Caravan | TOKYO, JAPAN: The Kinect Caravan makes it way through Japan this week. (Photo: 4Gamer) A Tour of Retro Japanese Toy Porn Japan has a long, proud history of making toys. The Bandai Museum in the rice fields of Tochigi Prefecture catalogues the amazing playthings the country has produced over the years. Can’t make…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011 -
Japan’s Batman Statue Is a Different Shade
Batman: Arkham City is filled with various Batmans (Batmen?). So it makes sense for the game’s limited edition bundle to have variety, too. Europe and the U.S. are getting a black-and-white Batman statue, sculpted by Kotobukiya. Japan is getting a color Batman. They both look fantastic, and picking one over the other is no easy…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011 -
UK Retail Cuts PlayStation Phone Prices
Late last month, Nintendo slashed the price of the 3DS. As website The Register asked, is this impacting other hardware, like the PlayStation Phone? Online British retailers are cutting the Xperia Play’s price: Expansys.com slashed the phone’s price from £500 to £289; Play.com is now asking £299.99. These are not official price drops. Many retailers,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011 -
Is Another Game Being Kicked Away from the 3DS?
When the Nintendo 3DS launched, Pro Evolution Soccer, or World Soccer Winning Eleven as it’s known in Japan, launched along with it. Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 was one of launch titles for Japan. According to a retail site Famicom Plaza, the game’s new version, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 has release dates for its PS3 version…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011 -
Get a 600,000 Gamerscore. Make a Silly Video.
Because why not? Gamer Stallion83, aka Raymond Cox, is on a quest: to be the first Xbox 360 owner to earn a gamerscore of one million. Last fall, Stallion83’s gamerscore hit 500,000, celebrating the milestone with a video. And this summer, he’s reached 600,000, marking this moment with a goofy video. It’s got raw eggs…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011 -
Is This the First Competitive Gamer To Endorse a Laxative?
Kayo Satoh is not only a very talent fighting game player, she’s also a model. Kayo, who fights under the moniker “KayoPolice”, recently appeared at the Evo 2011 fighting championship. Lots of models say they like video games, and some are pretty good. But Kayo isn’t just a good player, she’s great, taking down the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011 -
Japan Suddenly Wants Used 3DS Units
After clogging up shops for months, used 3DS units are suddenly become hot (well, hotter) with the 3DS now ¥4,000 cheaper and sales doubling. It’s thought the spike is because of the free games Nintendo’s offering. [Media Create]
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011 -
When and Where Will the PS Vita Be Dated?
The PS Vita won’t be out in the West until next year. But it will be out in Japan this year. But when? Sony hasn’t said yet, but it looks like Sony will be revealing the game’s release date at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, namely, Sony’s TGS keynote “The PS Vita’s Full Details”. Sony…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011 -
A Tour of Retro Japanese Toy Porn
Japan has a long, proud history of making toys. The Bandai Museum in the rice fields of Tochigi Prefecture catalogues the amazing playthings the country has produced over the years. Can’t make it out to sleepy town of Mibu to check out the museum? No worries, Kotaku‘s got you covered. Kotaku reader Bakagaijin visited the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 5, 2011
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