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Kotaku EastThe Final Fantasy Social Game in which You Do NOTHING
Last week, as part of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy‘s Japanese launch, Square Enix released the tie-in promotional game, Social Theatrhythm. In this flash game, you create a character and then join up with three Twitter or Facebook friends to play a co-op version of Theatrhythm Of course by “play,” I mean “do nothing.” After choosing your…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Otaku Meccas Are More Than Video Games
In Japan, the two most famous geek districts are Akihabara (in Tokyo) and Nipponbashi (in Osaka). Just their names alone conjure up notions of cute anime characters and old Famicom consoles. Yet, these areas aren’t only for gamers or folks into anime/manga. Take my father-in-law. He has zero interest in video games, comics, or cartoons.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Gossip! Rumors! What Is Nintendo’s Track Record?
Earlier this week in an uncharacteristic move, the president of one of Japan’s biggest companies, Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata, hopped on Twitter to address “gossip”. “By the way,” Iwata tweeted, “on Monday there was an inaccurate report online. This sort of thing has continued repeatedly, with no context, self-serving language, and the blurring of truth and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku EastAn Indepth Look at The Last Story‘s Versus and Co-op Multiplayer
Despite being 1) a Japanese game, 2) an RPG, and 3) a Wii game, The Last Story has not one but two online multiplayer modes included in its package. The first is a versus mode, which includes a three-on-three team deathmatch. Unlike in the normal game where you are often forced to play as Zael,…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Chinese iPad Dispute Is Coming to America
While Apple is duking it out in Chinese courts over the iPad name, Proview, the company that is claiming legal rights to the iPad moniker, is now filing a lawsuit in California. The Shenzhen-based company is accusing Apple of using deception to get the trademark, Reuters reported. In the lawsuit, Proview is alleging that Apple…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
This Metal Gear Figure Costs Nearly $500!
The master craftsmen at Hong Kong’s ThreeA are working on a Metal Gear Rex figure. It’s 1/48 scale, which sounds small. That is, until you see someone hold it. Then, it looks friggin’ enormous. The Rex goes on sale this March for US$490. That’s a big price for a big figure. ThreeA’s Metal Gear Rex…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku EastMai Shiranui, Brought to Life
Mai Shiranui from The King of Fighters isn’t real. But a few days ago in Taiwan, you could’ve swore she was. Taiwanese model Yoyo appeared dressed as SNK’s jiggly ninja at a promotion for her new photobook, which features photos of her in various states of dress against cheesy Photoshopped backgrounds. Yoyo isn’t a stranger…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku EastPainting Your Way to Victory. Seven Minutes of Sumioni Gameplay
Sumioni: Demon Arts combines the most basic gameplay of old school Ninja Gaiden with the traditional Japanese art style, “sumie”, in this side-scrolling, platforming adventure. You’ll have to wait until next week for our in-depth preview, but feel free to see how it plays in the video above. Sumioni: Demon Arts was released for the…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Girl Group Wants Japan To Stop Killing Itself
Suicide is serious. It’s horrible. It’s touched me personally as well as many people in Japan, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. The ruling political part decided to take action to help prevent it: with a slogan and cute idols. Earlier this month, the Democratic Party of Japan unveiled a…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
For the Clean and Fastidious Gamer, There’s This
An individual in Japan decided to make a pair of “gaming gloves” to keep his hands dry and warm, and his gaming controllers and portables clean. They look silly, but knowing how grimy white gaming hardware can get, I’d say they are not only goofy, but they’re also smart. Who needs style when you can…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
What Were Japan’s Favorite Peripherals of 2011?
What do gamers buy other than games and consoles? Game peripherals, of course. In an interview with Weekly Famitsu, a spokesperson for game peripheral maker Hori discussed the sales of game peripherals and accessories in Japan in 2011. A big seller in 2011 was the 3DS Mario Kart 7 handle. Despite its somewhat goofy appearance,…
By Toshi Nakamura Published February 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
The PS Vita Might Break the Console Ban! (Again!)
Sony it appears has somehow found a way past China’s video game console ban and may just be releasing its latest portable the Playstation Vita in the world’s most populous country. As we have reported before, video game consoles are banned in China and the only place to buy them is the “gray market”. According…
By Eric Jou Published February 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
The Art of Being a Hermit. A Sick Hermit.
I haven’t been outside for days. Literally. Days. Today was the first time I left the house, and I did it in a robe to check the mail. I’ve been pretty sick for the past few days, so I’ve basically been sleeping until work starts, working, and then tryign to sleep some more. I probably…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 23, 2012 -
Kotaku EastLet a Fighting Game Master Teach You Secrets. For a Price.
IIf you follow the competitive fighting game circuit, you probably know Japanese Street Fighter player Tokido. If not, read this. And then stand up and pretend you are a SF character. Tokido is one of the top four players in Japan; he is up there with Daigo Umehara, who is arguably the most famous Street…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Shanghai Court Rules in Apple’s Favor in Chinese iPad Brouhaha
Today, a Shanghai court ruled that Apple can continue selling its iPads in the metropolis. The ruling rejected a Preview Shenzhen’s sales injunction request that was filed over an iPad trademark dispute. This latest ruling does not impact Apple on a nationwide basis. Previously, another local court in Shijiazhuang, ruled in Proview’s favor. Proview can…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Chinese Kissing Marathons Are Brutal, Short
You think gaming marathons are tough? Ha! Trying kissing marathons. On Valentine’s Day in China’s Anhui Province, couples tried to kiss as long as possible in hopes of winning a 1 carat diamond. The marathon looked, well, like no fun! Couples fell down in exhaustion and had pained looks on their faces. One female contestant…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Game Creators Look To 2012: We’ll Do Better
Last year turned out to be a tough one for most Japanese game companies. With natural and nuclear disasters and economic downturns, it’s been a rough year all around. In Weekly Famitsu, several game companies have announced their year-end performance and plans for 2012. So let’s have a look at what’s in store. Major players…
By Toshi Nakamura Published February 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Is Nintendo about To Piss Off the Bible Belt?
For years, hardline Christians have been calling Pokémon evil. One questionable individual even called the character “Oriental demons”. Now, it’s not a new Pocket Monsters that could be their next target. Nintendo is working on a new Brain Age—one that features a demonic doctor, horns, red face, and all. While the Pokémon complaints seem downright…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 23, 2012