Brian Ashcraft

Square Enix Launches Virtual Money You Can Really Buy

Square Enix is the latest company to launch its own virtual monetary denomination, the Square Enix Crysta. One Crysta is the equivalent to one Japanese yen, and with the yen stronger than the U.S. dollar, that means the Square Enix Crysta is more valuable than Uncle Sam’s greenbacks. The Crysta can be purchased in six…

The Biggest Selling Games on Amazon Japan In 2009

The year may not be over, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early for Best of 2009 lists. Amazon Japan has crunched data and has the ten best selling video game titles this year. 10. DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY 9. Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 8. Resident Evil 5 7. Wii Fit Plus (software only) 6. Wii…

A Week In Comments

No, I’d Say Mrs. Woods Now Owns Them Comment by: RawrSpoon Nominated by: Ackers I heard he cheated with his wife with NINE women. Now this really asks the question. Did he play *puts on glasses* the back nine holes? YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH… No Non-Gamers Allowed Comment by: Tevor_the_Third Nominated by: 天 I can understand the notion…

Square Enix Ships A Million Copies of Final Fantasy XIII

On December 17, Final Fantasy XIII will be released only on the PS3 in Japan. A million copies have been shipped for launch. After that initial shipment, another 150,000 copies will be shipped for launch, followed by another 150,000 for the following weekend. A grand total of 1.3 million will be available for purchase during…

Star Ocean The Last Hope PS3 Has “Additional Characters”

It’s become a pattern: Game is released on the Xbox 360. Time passes and said game is then released on the PS3 with extra content and extra characters. Star Ocean 4 is no exception. Star Ocean The Last Hope, it has been previously announced, is truly international. Along with both English and Japanese, the game…

Spoiling Modern Warfare 2 for Michelle Rodriguez

A spoiler is a spoiler. Doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. Or if you are a Hollywood actor. A spoiler is a spoiler. And if you haven’t played through MW 2 yet, this is a spoiler for you, too. While Michelle Rodriguez isn’t appearing in Avatar, she’s doing other things — playing video games!…

Xbox 360 Game Announced On Anime Boobs

This actually could be a first. Comic erotic game W.L.O. Sekai Renai Kikou (World Love Organization) was released on personal computers this past March by Japanese developer Akabei Soft2. An Xbox 360 port has been announced. On breasts. The text reads: “Celebrate! Xbox 360 Port Decided!!” Akakei Soft2 announcing game on character’s breasts? Talk about…

Nintendo Patents “Zii” In Japan [Update]

Zii? Like “Wii” with a “Z”? Japan’s Nintendo Co., Ltd. filed a trademark on October 30, 2009 for “Zii”. The trademark recently popped up on the Japanese trademark database. The filing, which covers video games and electronic devices, contains little information. Wonder what it could be. Update: Looks like Nintendo is attempting to block the…

Must Be Fate, New Resonance of Fate Screens

Resonance of Fate, from developer tri-Ace, is a role-playing-game set in a future in which climate changes have forced humans to build an enormous air purifier. The game features a time-based battle attack system. Have a look at these new screens of 70-year-old “Enquirer of Knowledge” Antorion, gothy Veronique, fashionista Garigerrnon and the curvy Barbarella.…

GOD EATER Lets Players Dine On Custom Bullets And Bikinis

From the looks of it, GOD EATER is Namco’s take on Capcom’s Monster Hunter. A game that looks to borrow so heavily from the MH franchise really needs to create its own identity as a PSP title. What better way to do that than via customized bullets and customized clothes. The “Bullet Edit” feature allows…

Another New Final Fantasy XIII Ad, Has New Battle Play Footage

Final Fantasy XIII Will be out soon in Japan — and to whip everyone into a frenzy, Square Enix is running ads. Ads like this. It features some new gameplay battle footage if you are into that kind of thing. If not, it still features that. New Final Fantasy XIII “Battle” HD TV Spot –…

Why Do You Game?

Greetings reader person! It’s Friday. Know what that means? It means it’s Friday. Let’s talk. Here’s how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn’t some marketing survey or whatever. It’s an emotional investment in you. Yes, we’re interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably…

New Pokemon Movie Has Double The Ash

The trailer for the upcoming Pocket Monster movie Pocket Monster Diamond & Pearl: Genei no Hasha Z (The Phantom Champion Z) is streaming online. It features two Ash (Satoshi in Japan) characters. One of which does not look so nice. Movie out next summer in Japan — July 10, 2010. Watch The Trailer [Pokemon-Movie via…

Closer Look At Final Fantasy XIII PS3

The game (and thus, PS3 bundle) is not out until December 17, but that didn’t stop pictures of the console and its cardboard box from popping up online. White and pink! FF13 捆绑机大透露~~~~~含多图 [PS3]最终幻想13 A9VG电玩部落社区论坛 [A9VG Thanks, James!]

When Can We Expect Rival Schools On PSN or XBLA? “Never”

That’s a long time, never. When asked when school yard fighting game Rival Schools would be appearing on the PlayStation Network, Capcom spokesperson Chris Svensson replied. “There are IP clearances and rights we no longer have (particularly pertaining to voicework/soundtrack I believe) so our IP management group has told us it can’t be re-released,” Svensson…

Two Big Santa Differences

To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: The Age of Internetz This is starting to get tricky — especially when you have a kid who believes in Santa. Two big differences: • In Japan, Santa leaves presents in your room, usually near your pillow. In America, Santa leaves presents under the tree. • In Japan, Santa leaves…

Dream Club Wants To Get Drunk On PlayStation

Like most exclusive Japanese Xbox 360 games, Dream Club looks set to make the jump to the PlayStation platform. In a recent interview, the game’s producer stated: There have been many calls for the game to be released on the PlayStation platform, and someday I want to answer them. Dream Club is set in a…

Time To Examine Famitsu’s Top Tier Scoring Trend

Japan’s most famous magazine Famitsu has four critics review games on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best. The critics write very brief remarks along with their score. The scores are then tallied up to forty. Game site Siliconera has looked at “top tier” Famitsu review scores over the past decade — scores…

Javelin Fix For Xbox 360 Is Here

Infinity Ward’s Robert Bowling tweeted that the 1.06 upgrade for Modern Warfare 2 will be released this morning on the Xbox 360. The patch combats the game’s “javelin exploit” (WARNING: BENNY HILL MUSIC) as well as the care package glitch. Micrsoft has been banning players taking advantage of the javelin exploit. fourzerotwo [Twitter]

How Did Modern Warfare 2 Do On Its First Day In Japan?

Keep in mind: these figures are early and official numbers are forthcoming. On December 10, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 went on sale in Japan. In a country traditionally dominated by role-playing-game, this American first-person-shooter actually is posting reasonably healthy first day sales — that is, for a Western FPS in Japan. Early data…