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Playing Games Is Easier Than Being A Pop Star
Citing fatigue, pop star Hikaru Utada is taking 2011 off. She’s not touring and not releasing any new albums. Instead, she’s doing what many do when they want to relax: she’s playing video games. In particular, she’s all about recently released dungeon crawler Mysterious Dungeon Shiren the Wanderer 5: Fortune Tower and the Dice of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 21, 2011 -
My Eyes Are Not Melting
This week I went to the eye doctor. In Japan, I think you can only order contacts for a six month supply. I usually get a three month one, meaning that I must go to the eye doctor every three months. Just like making sure they’re working okay! Get paranoid about them gazing at glowing…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 18, 2011 -
The Nintendo 3DS Goes Akimbo With Dual-Wielding Game
Just when you thought one stylus for the 3DS would be enough. You were wrong. “Touch! Double Pen Sports” is an upcoming sports game for the 3DS that uses, wait for it, two touch pens. The game features seven different sports, such as baseball and boxing, and three different types of “exercise” games. These exercise…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 18, 2011 -
The Tekken Luchadora Might Be Mysterious, But She Moves In Familiar Ways
Upcoming arcade fighter Tekken Tag 2 showed off its newest trailer at an arcade gaming event in Chiba, Japan. But is it a KO? The trailer features mysterious luchadora Jaycee, who is reminiscent of another character, Julia Chang. When Kotaku Japan got hands on with the game (and the character!), it said that playing Jaycee…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 18, 2011 -
Japan Cannot Pretend Kim Jong-il Is Dead
Earlier this month, it was revealed that first-person shooter Homefront was going to be changed for Japan. Today, the game’s Japanese publisher finally explained why. As Kotaku previously reported, the Japanese version’s most recent trailer now features a warning that this game is a work of fiction, yet still depict North Korean flags, as does…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 18, 2011 -
Will Things Get Harder For China’s Booth Babes?
For years, ChinaJoy, the country’s premiere gaming show, rolled out girls in skimpy outfits and heels to promote games. But year after year, the games continue to move into the background, and the ChinaJoy booth companions move to the forefront. A few years ago, Chinese gamers lit up message boards with photos of booth companions…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 18, 2011 -
First Details About This Year’s Tokyo Game Show
This year’s TGS will run from September 15 to 18, with the first two days being closed to the general public. Like last year, there will be a Tougeki Fighting Tournament and a cosplay area. Attendance is expected to be 190,000.
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 18, 2011 -
Ex-Soldier Brutally Beat Boy Over Game Deletion
In April 2009, a soldier beat an 8-year-old boy so severely that his intestines burst. The child is hooked up to a machine that feeds him nutrients and collects his waste. All this over a deleted Grand Theft Auto IV game file. “We originally got the call from the hospital that a child had fallen…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 18, 2011 -
A Very Awkward Encounter With A Man In A Skirt
On January 23, Akihabara once again opened its pedestrian mall. Otaku (“geeks”) hit the streets to stroll and shop. Yet, men in schoolgirl skirts were not welcomed. This is what Akihabara’s come to, apparently. While pedestrians are welcomed when the main drag is closed to traffic on Sunday, “performances” are now prohibited by the local…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 18, 2011 -
Screw FarmVille, This Is Real (Casual) Farming
Who wants to farm in the virtual space when there is real land to till? Quite like the idea of casual farming, and if I had the extra time and scratch, I’d totally do it. Metal Gear Nut Turned Stripper Is Now A Fugitive Since she was 15 years of age, Minako Komukai worked as…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2011 -
When Your First Game Design Is Destroyed By Dad
Atsushi Inaba’s credits are impressive. He’s produced titles like Okami, Viewtiful Joe and, most recently, Vanquish. When he was young, he dreamed of becoming a game creator. Then his dad found out. After a friend got a NEC PC-6001, 11-year-old Inaba got bitten by the programming bug. “I couldn’t afford it, though, so I started…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2011 -
The PlayStation 4 Is Still Pie In The Sky Talk
The PlayStation 3 came out in 2006. That doesn’t matter, people want to know about the PlayStation 4. Thing is, Sony’s still focusing on the PS3. Oh, and the NGP. From the get-go, Sony said that the PS3 will have a ten year lifecycle. That doesn’t mean, Sony can’t or won’t release the inevitable PS4…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2011 -
The DSi Didn’t Stop This Slasher, The Cops Did
Remember how the DSi’s internet connection led cops to arresting a 13-year-old would-be slasher? Today, officers made another arrest. The boy’s older brother. Earlier today, police in Tokyo police arrested a 19-year-old man who was carrying a knife and running around near Shinjuku Station saying, “I’m going to kill someone.” The 19-year-old was the older…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2011 -
You Will Not Pick Up Girls With Your Call Of Duty Bragging
Ice-T is a rapper, an actor and a huge gamer. The man loves Call of Duty, but he also knows that telling ladies your kill/death ratio probably isn’t going to impress them. Ice-T has become synonymous with Call of Duty, stating that its multiplayer is one of the few games that has a tangible skill…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2011 -
The Nintendo 3DS Has The Launch Line-Up Blues
On February 26, the Nintendo 3DS goes on sale in Japan. Folks want the hardware (bad), but do they want the games? The 3DS is a compelling piece of hardware. It has that what the French call I-don’t-know-what which will appeal to the masses. Players can see 3D with no glasses! Brilliant. And it has…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2011 -
Spoil Catherine And Get Your Ass Banned
Adventure game Catherine features sheep, nightmares and generally looks bizarre. That might be why the game’s maker is asking players not to spoil the game’s story. The game’s official Twitter “respectfully” asked players to use “self control” and refrain from posting in-game footage or doing livestreams that could spoil the end of the game. Continuing,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2011 -
Metal Gear Nut Turned Stripper Is Now A Fugitive
Since she was 15 years of age, Minako Komukai worked as a pin-up model. Somewhere along the line she got into Metal Gear Solid and drugs. Her appreciation of Metal Gear earned her the acquaintance of Hideo Kojima. Her love of drugs has her on the run from the law. This month, a warrant for…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2011 -
No Bear Rice Face For You!
Apologies if you get a bendy neck from the funny camera angle. Food always tastes better when it’s made in the face of a cute bear. Always. I Just Used A $400 Joystick For the price of a PlayStation 3, Saitek’s new X-65F Flight Control System for the PC had damn well better be the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 16, 2011
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