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From Super Hero to Buck Naked
Super Sentai is aimed at young boys, who dream of becoming super heroes. Namco Bandai churns out toys and video games to help fulfill that fantasy. But the kids aren’t the only ones fantasizing. Their moms are, too. Possible NSFW Photo ahead. The Super Sentai series, known as Power Rangers in the West, is an…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 18, 2011 -
The Trailer for 2011’s Hardest Game Is Easy To Watch
Dark Souls, the spiritual sequel to the challenging Demon’s Soul, will not be a cake walk. No, it will be difficult. It will be hard. Good thing the title’s Gamescom trailer is a piece of cake to watch. Dark Souls will be out this September in Japan and this October in the US and Europe.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 16, 2011 -
This Soulcalibur V Trailer Slices Up Gamescom
As gamers from around the globe descend on Cologne for Gamescom, Namco Bandai is releasing the latest trailer for upcoming weapon-based combat title Soulcalibur V The game is the seventh entry in Namco’s “Soul” games, and is set 17 years after Soulcalibur IV. Which means that Ivy is middle-aged and should look old. But she…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 16, 2011 -
A Serious Button Pounding You Won’t Believe
Arcade superplay footage of Taiko no Tatsujin is dime a dozen—amazing players beating out perfect drum routines, even incorporating their own dance moves and flourishes. But Taiko no Tatsujin isn’t only an arcade game. YouTube user silversilver0823 uploaded a video of him owning the PSP version of Taiko no Tatsujin. Just wait until his starts…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 15, 2011 -
Let a Giant Mecha Show You Around
Bandai Namco is releasing a Gundam themed navigational app for the iPhone. Users can selected Earth Federation or Republic of Zeon interface choices and voice guidance. You or your car is represented by a Mobile Suit or battle suit. The more you use the app, the more Mobile Suits you can acquire. While using the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 10, 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 -
This Tekken 4 Statue Sure Is Cheeky
Christie Monteiro is one of Tekken’s flashier characters. Maybe it’s her swivel kicks, the glitter, or the long hair. But with this new figure, it’s definitely the ass chaps. From famed figure maker Kotobukiya comes this new 1/7 scale Christie figure. It’s priced at ¥6,510 (US$84), and the figure is set to go on sale…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 27, 2011 -
This Is the World Cup of Gundam Model Making
This December, Bandai Namco is holding the “Gunpla Builders World Cup 2011”, the first international competition devoted to Gunpla, or Gundam model building. Between now and September, preliminary rounds are being held with competitors from 13 different countries: Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, America, and Italy. There…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 21, 2011 -
Take a Tour of the Tales Cafe
To promote the latest Tales role-playing game Tales of Xillia, Namco is rolling out a Tales cafe, first in Tokyo and later in Tokushima. It’s pretty much trendy cafe Ufotable sprinkled with Tales memorabilia and merchandise. Though, those placemats showing the Xillia characters eating curry in Ufotable are cool indeed. That cutout by the window?…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 18, 2011 -
Tales of Pricey Merchandise
If playing Tales of Vesperia wasn’t enough for you, then there’s this: a Yuri Lowell bracelet. It seems at least one cosplayer wanted this bracelet commissioned! Good news, because it’s now officially available for purchase at Namco Bandai’s online shop for ¥5,040 (US$64). テイルズ オブ ヴェスペリア | ララビットマーケット（バンダイナムコゲームス公式通販サイト） [lalabitmarket]
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 18, 2011 -
Don’t Just Sit There, Let These Toys Blow Your Mind
Gundam. Draonball. Kamen Rider. Great Mazinger, even. Namco Bandai’s 2011 Tamashii Nation toy show proves just how wonderful (and awesome) Japanese figures can be. Don’t believe me? Have a look at the pics in the gallery, courtesy of website Gigazine. There are some old favorites in there as well as new characters like the pirate-infused…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 18, 2011 -
2011’s Biggest Selling Game Maker in Japan So Far…
This year isn’t over. It’s more than half over. Time to look back and see which game maker is doing the best in Japan. So far. According to Famitsu, here is a list of which game companies made the most profit in the period through game sales. The period is from December 27, 2010 to…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 15, 2011 -
Japan’s Pop Princess Wants to Give You Tales Loot
On August 31, Ayumi Hamasaki is releasing a new EP called Five. Since Hamasaki is singing the theme for upcoming role-playing game Tales of Xillia, a limited edition version of her new mini-album will come with a redeemable download code. The code can be entered into Tales of Xillia for an in-game, rabbit-eared “Song Princess”…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
A Tale of Two Tales Cafes
Next month, Tokyo’s Ufotable Cafe is being turned into a special Tales cafe as part of a promotion for Namco’s Tales role-playing games. Then in September, the Tales cafe will move to an Ufotable in Tokushima. In both cafes, there will be special Tales themed food and drinks, a Tales exhibit, and more. For a…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 1, 2011 -
Girl After Girl Throwing Themselves at You
Wonder what the new AKB48 game will be like? From the looks of it, it’ll be idols saying they like you, and then getting pissed when you turn down their advances. AKB48 is the most popular idol group in Japan at the moment. As previously posted, the sequel will feature the AKB girls in bikinis,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 28, 2011 -
Ready to Turn Down Idols Once More? But Now in Bikinis?
Last December, Namco Bandai released a PSP game with the goal of turning down the advances of over forty young Japanese idols. Dating simulator? Not quite, it was a dumping simulator, and you were supposed to settle on one of those girls. Now you can do that again! AKB48 1/48 returns with AKB48 1/48: When…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 27, 2011 -
The iPhone, Not the 3DS, Brings These Kiddy Cards to Life
Bandai’s Carddas series of kiddy card games is going AR. Its newest One Piece and Kamen Rider cards are AR enabled and can be played with an iPhone. AR is the holy shit moment for the 3DS; however, these cards apparently do not work with Nintendo’s handheld. Here’s how it works: scanning a card causes…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 17, 2011 -
A Gallery of Bad-Ass Helmets
When Bandai Namco isn’t making video games, it’s making Gundam toys. And when it’s not making Gundam toys, it’s making Super Sentai toys. Super Sentai are totally awesome. At this year’s Tokyo Toy Show, the Bandai booth had a full line-up of life-sized Red Super Sentai characters throughout the ages. To those who don’t follow…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 17, 2011 -
A Game Release from Beyond the Grave
Game Republic, the Tokyo-based studio behind PS3 titles Folklore and Genji, appears to be dead. The studio’s honcho went from riches to rags, and the studio’s been erased from the internet—and the Earth. Yet, Game Republic’s Knights Contract is still getting promoted in Japan, garnering a huge splash on Famitsu. Namco Bandai, the game’s publisher,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 16, 2011 -
Japanese Gaming’s Greatest Ambassador
It’s over. That’s what people say about Japanese gaming. While there are bright spots in Japan, Western games (and gamers) now rule the roost. It’s easy to forget just how great Japanese games used to be. One man is here to remind you of that. His name is Shinya Arino. Shinya Arino is the host…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 16, 2011