Would you like to learn how to be an esports pro? Well, if you live in Japan, you can now pay Konami to teach you how! The school offers lectures and hands-on learning with Pro Evo, eBaseball Powerful Pro Baseball (Konami’s big-headed baseball game), Dota, and Fortnite. Students not only practice playing, but they also…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
This isn’t a video game, but rather, a rideable rubber Pikachu toy. Say hello to Pokémon Air. According to the official site, while Pokémon Air is listed as age three and up, it claims that even adults can ride the rubber Pikachu. Pokémon Air can hold up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds), so not all…
This week Microsoft showed off the Xbox Series X and S, and revealed the next-gen consoles’ price tags. So how has the news been received by the traditionally Xbox-spectic Japanese audience? Since the launch of the original Xbox, Japan has been an uphill battle for Microsoft. The company tried hard with the Xbox 360 to…
When people in Japan buy masks, then typically shop at drug stores, purchasing disposable ones. But increasingly, clothing retailers have been offering washable ones and now there’s even a mask specialty store that just sells masks. This week Mask.com opened in Tokyo, selling over 200 different types of masks for prices ranging from 500 yen…
The Mimaru hotel chain has locations in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. While most of its rooms are apartment-type hotel rooms, some also include special rooms that are covered in Pokémon Not only are there Poké Balls emblazoned on the walls and beds, but there are also Pocket Monster plushies, dishes, mugs, clocks and snacks! These…
On Twitter, folks have been using footage of people in Japan cramming into trains or racing through stations as tongue-in-cheek, real-life Fall Guys tributes. Below, Twitter user Genchariino used footage of rush hour on the Seibu Shinjuku Line for this clip, which is titled “This Is Japan’s Fall Guys”: Back in late August, Twitter user…
Talented Hong Kong-based model-maker Sean P. Yung has created a tank with a mock Famicom on it, trading a military paint job for the console’s burgundy and gold. The result is surprisingly cool. As you can see, Yung created a faux Famicom, apparently out of Styrofoam, and placed it atop a model Panzer, before then…
This year sucks. 2021 will hopefully be better, but Tetsuya Nomura has his eye on 2022. It’s a big milestone in the history of Kingdom Hearts The first Kingdom Hearts game was released back in March 2002. In a recent Famitsu interview, Nomura was asked what’s next for Kingdom Hearts, to which he replied, “2022…
In Super Mario 64, the Backwards Long Jump trick has been used to refer to a glitch that’s known in Japan as Ketsu Waapu (ケツワープ). Surely, there has to be a better English translation. Turns out, there is. In the original game, the glitch is used in Princess Peach’s Castle to get to the top…
Back in 2018, Burger King announced a chocolate Whopper. That was an April Fool’s prank. Now, in 2020, that joke has become a reality. The original gag was more dessert than a burger, featuring a chocolate cake bun, a chocolate patty, raspberry sauce, white chocolate rings, and candied oranges. This, however, is a real burger.…
With Death Stranding released on PC this July, emblazoned computer hardware and gear was only a matter of time. Here’s a look at the game’s upcoming PC case. Mind you, this (above) is a rendition of the actual case… It’s subtle, sure, but I don’t know how functional it is. Are those air vents enough?…
The Nintendo Switch is a neat handheld you can connect to the television. One Twitter user, however, decided to turn a TV into a giant mock-up Switch. The result is excellent. Kai.mariosfun created this Switch-themed television board, with each of the giant faux Joy-Cons doubling as cabinets. The design is creative and wonderful. I love…
One of the most iconic symbols of Osaka is the fugu (blowfish) paper lantern that hangs over the city’s Shinsekai area. This week, the lantern was taken down as the restaurant it advertises will close. The fugu-specialty eatery Zuboraya opened in 1920 and went on to become popular with tourists, with the blowfish lantern becoming…
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