Posts Tagged ‘japan’
PS3 still topping Japanese console sales
The effect of the PS3 slim isn’t looking to decrease any time sooner; last week, the PS3 slim was once again the best selling console in Japan, selling just over 30,000 units. However, the Wii came in a (very)close second, only selling 150 console less than the PS3. However, both home consoles were still outsold by the portables, DSi and PSP.
The full sales chart for the week of October 11:
- DSi: 50,144
- PSP: 40,100
- PS3: 30,896
- Wii: 30,741
- DS: Lite 5,454
- Xbox 360: 3,326
- PS2: 2,133
Tags: japan
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep official Japanese website open
Square Enix has opened up an official website yesterday for their upcoming PlayStation Portable Disney-crossover action RPG, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. The site’s content (besides the menu) is in entirely kanji, so if you can’t read it, you’re out of luck. But most of the content is in regards to the game’s protagonists and story.
The pictures and video are nice to look at, although the trailer is outdated. And who can forget the epic music by the stylings of Yoko Shimomura and Kaoru Wada?
The game is listed for a Winter release this year in Japan. No word on when the game will be localized into English.
via andriasang
Square Enix publishing Modern Warfare 2 in Japan?
In the United States (and most everywhere else), Activision currently has the publishing rights for the highly anticipated Modern Warfare 2. In Japan, however, that may not be the case.
What you see above is a screenshot taken of a teaser site Square Enix has recently put up. As you can see, there is Japanese letting that spells out quotes from Napolean, Patton and more in front of a huge 2 that bares an uncanny resemblance to the one found in all of the Modern Warfare 2 promotional material.
Coincidence? I think not.
Phantasy Star Portable 2 coming this winter
A forum post on NeoGAF reveals that Sega will be releasing a budget priced Phantasy Star Portable this October. Included with the package comes a UMD which contains a three-episode story feature which covers the story called Phantasy Star Universe Chronicle.
Surprisingly, the opening cinematic for Phantasy Star Portable 2 of the game will also be included with the said UMD. This is the first time we’re hearing of a sequel or the game. The packaging mentions that the game is due for release this winter in Japan. No other information is present at the time.
via NeoGAF
Monster Hunter 3 Japanese launch trailer
Monster Hunter 3 hits stores in Japan today, and naturally Capcom has released a launch trailer for the game. The video demonstrates a lot of the different environments that can be played in your journey to hunt down a bunch of monsters.
No word on an international release of the game.
Resonance of Fate getting simultaneous EU and US release
Europe gets video game releases much later than its North American counterpart. This is fact, and it’s not fair. Fortunately, Sega Europe is making efforts to make sure that each continent gets equal treatment. Speaking to VideoGamer, localization producer Jun Yoshino has confirmed that Resonance of Fate will be seeing a simultaneous European and North American release.
“America and Europe is the same release. Usually the European version comes a year after, let’s say the Japanese release,” Yoshino said. “During the year, a lot of people are going to like, well this is old news now. We’re going to be losing a lot of interest if there is such a long time as a year. We’ve scheduled it in so we can get it out as quick as possible.”
Resonance of Fate will be released Spring of 2010, and the fourth quarter of this year in Japan.
Tags: europe, fantasy, japan, jun yoshino, Motoi Sakuraba, North America, resonance of fate, sci-fi, sega, tri-ace
New DSi firmware launched, upload photos to Facebook
The new 1.4 firmware is now available for the Nintendo DSi. This firmware deems flash cards useless. All pirates are advised not to update if they want to keep using their ROMs and such.
Back in March, Nintendo revealed plans to expand to social networking options. Today, Nintendo has released a new application for the Nintendo DSi which allows players to upload their photos directly to Facebook.
To get setup, you need to link your DSi with your Facebook account via Facebook Connect. Once that’s done, a Facebook logo will appear on top of your photos. Users are allowed to upload entire albums at once (200 photos), and every photo after that, a new album is created.
The firmware is only exclusive to Japan, Europe, and Australia. No word on when the update will be released for North America.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 5 coming to USA
Namco Bandai Games has announced that Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 5 will be localized and brought to the United States. The original game, titled Naruto Shippuden: Narutimate Accel 2, was released back in winter 2007 in Japan for the PlayStation 2. However, the plot of the manga and television series in the Western hemisphere are way behind the much recent Japanese releases.
The story of the game will go up to the end of the Sasuke rescue arc. Sixty playable characters and twenty-four maps will be featured in the game. For any fans who have issues with the English dub, a Japanese audio will be included. The game is currently under localization by CyberConnect 2.
Katamari Forever demo out in Japan
A demo for Katamari Forever is now out for the Japanese PlayStation Network. Today also marks the retail release of the game. If you live outside of Japan, obviously you can’t access the demo. However, there are ways to create a Japanese ID, if you’re really interested.
If you’re at Comic-Con right now, be sure to look for the demo there. Katamari Forever will be out in North America come September 22nd. No date has been announced for PAL regions. A trailer was released a few days back, so check that out while you’re in the whole ball rolling mood.
Read (Eurogamer)
Famicon Controller shaped business card holder
Has time hit you hard? You know, one day you’re a youngin’ playing NES and the next you’re sitting in front of a desk with piles of paper around you? Yeah well thanks to Banpresto you can now merge the two lifestyles.
What you see about is their ¥2,900/$31 Famicom controller inspired business card holder. The case itself is made of aluminum and reportedly has two compartments, one for your own business cards and one for ones you receive.
You’ll apparantly be able to pick this up sometime this October with no talks of a worldwide release. Although, with a bit of searching I’m sure you could find an importer willing to sell you it.
Read (GeekStuff4U)
Japanese PSN to get Turbografx-16 titles
Sony has recently made it known that classic games other than previous Playstation titles have made their way to the Japanese Playstation Network.
The classic games in question are those found on the Turbografx-16 such as Bomberman ‘94, Sengoku Mahjong, Devil’s Crush and New Adventure Island all priced at 600 yen or about $6. Furthermore, all 4 titles will be playable on both the PSP and Playstation 3.
With Nintendo’s Virtual Console service proving to be quite profitable, it’s no surprise that Sony too would hop on the bandwagon to offer such games. Let’s just hope the same services gets implemented into the American Playstation Network.
via Joystiq
Japanese Black Wii box surfaces
A listing over at Amazon Japan’s website reveals the box for the upcoming black Wii. Along with the main system packaging itself, some images of a black Classic Pro, and Nunchuck controllers are also listed in the related items pane.
This version of Nintendo’s home console will be exclusive to Japan, for now. No word on whether the system will be heading to North America, Europe, or Australia. But, if you really want to import it, the retail release is set for August 1st.
via Engadget
Tags: japan
Japanese Gundam Statue makes its way into Playstation Home
A while ago we notified you of a 59-foot high Gundam statue that was constructed to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Now, Sony has hopped on the same boat constructing a virtual version of the statue and put it on display in the Japanese version of Playstation Home.
Unfortunately, there is no word on a similar statue making its way into the American version of Home. However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the contrast in Gundam’s popularity in the two regions.
Japanese PS3 owners looking to get a peek of the virtual statue better do so quick as it will only stand in Home from July 11th – July 23rd.
Read (Kotaku)
Picture credit to DannyChoo
Gaming market in Japan shrinks 24%
Even though franchises such as Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest have been seeing some ridiculously high numbers, it doesn’t mean that the Japanese gaming market is recession proof.
Recent reports are saying that sales were 24% lower in the first half of 2009 than they were in 2008. While this somewaht makes sense due to the fact thatlast year had games such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Monster Hunter Portable it’s proof that an economical recessions hurts all industries.
Luckily, buzz suggests that games such as Dragon Quest IX, Monster Hunter 3 and Fintal Fantasy XII (all shipping later this year0 will bring the Japanese gaming market back to its glory days.
Read (Joystiq)
Japan pre-orders Dragon Quest IX 2 million times
Japanese gamers really are all about their RPGS — Square Enix has recently announced that Dragon Quest IX, follow up to the popular Playstation 2 title, has been pre-ordered in Japan over 2 million times.
Kotaku reports that the game is sure to be a hit considering the 26 million+ Nintendo DS consoles sold in Japan thus far and the generally well reception of Dragon Quest VIII.