Square Enix held its first ever Final Fantasy-style press/retailer meeting for the Dragon Quest series this past week, gathering members of the press and retail community at a concert hall in Tokyo's Shinjuku ward (right next to the Square Enix home office, coincidentally enough). On hand at the event were big name Dragon Quest staff members like Koichi Sugiyama and Yuji Horii, exactly three members of the foreign press and even an 11 year old reporter from Dorimaga.
For the full report on the event, see this IGNPS2 story. As for the 11 year old reporter from Dorimaga, IGN Japan investigates below.
In this week's Gaming Life in Japan, on top of all the charts, release dates and ads, we've got looks at Kanji Quiz, Curry House CoCo and Panic Maker. Plus, the babes of Custom Robo get the spotlight.
ZASSHI JOUHOU GO!
This week, we've got a look at two different magazines: Weekly Famitsu and the all-hardware-compatible Dori Maga. Both magazines tailor to a different audience, with the former being more mainstream and the latter grabbing more of a hardcore Sega-centric group.
First up, issue 796 of Famitsu. Japan's largest gaming publication scored the Japanese scoop on Biohazard 4, and even devoted its cover to the game. Usually, the magazine gives covers to games that have large strategy guides in the issue. A cover for a game that isn't coming out until the end of the year is usually reserved for when the magazine gets the exclusive on a Square Enix game.
Inside the issue is a seven page feature on Biohazard 4 featuring a full look at the game along with a "long" interview with director Shinji Mikami. Elsewhere on the pages of the magazine are continuing guides for Onimusha 3, SD Gundam G Generation Seed, Kaido Battle 2 and Sengoku Musou, as well as start up guides for Soccer Life and Custom Robo Battle Revolution.
Famitsu also features a neat little survey regarding game creators and how people view them. The inspiration for this piece was, apparently, a survey done by the Venice Future Learning Center back in 2001 in which 1307 male junior high students were asked what they'd like to be in the future. The number one response was salary man (just a standard business man) while number two went to pro baseball player and number three went to school teacher. Number four was game creator/game designer, beating out police man (5), soccer player (9) and store owner (10).
The magazine did a little survey of its own, asking readers of its Famitsu.com website a couple of questions regarding game creation. The site asked readers to share the image they have of the game creator profession, to which 234 people responded, with multiple response allowed. Coming in at number one was the idea that work is tough, with 182 responses. The idea that becoming a game creator seems to be difficult was number two with 145 responses. Other responses included "cool" at 68 votes, "work is boring" at 4, "work is fun" at 127 and "game creators are strong" at 42.
Fifty-one of those surveyed have the absurd notion that game creators get paid well. Most of IGN's Japanese game developer buddies insist that this is not the case. However, Famitsu learned, from an employment company, that game programmers make, on average, around $80,000 a year in Japan. Hmm... that number seems a bit too high....
The site also asked readers if they'd ever thought of becoming a game creator, to which 366 responses were received. 82.2% said yes while 17.8% said no..
Apparently, while the yes response was popular, many had no idea of how one actually goes about becoming a game creator. Famitsu tapped into the current game creator talent pool to get some real life information on how one becomes a game creator. The responses fell into three categories:
1. Yuji Naka (Sonic, Nights)/Shigeru Miyamoto (Mario, Zelda) kind: enter a game company straight out of college focusing on one field like programming or design, eventually moving on to direction and then production.
2. Sakuma Akira (Momotarou series), Gouichi Suda (Fire Pro Wrestling) kind: start off in a completely different field separate of videogames. Akira began as a freelance writer. Gouichi Suda, who's currently working on Killer 7 and two undisclosed PS2 projects, began by working at a housing company.
3. Shibusau Kou (Nobunaga's Ambition, Sangokushi)/Koichi Nakamura (Mysterious Dungeon) kind: kickstart your game career by making your own game. Nakamura, from Chun Soft, actually got second place in a game development contest, and ended up starting up his own company as a result.
"Game Creator," by the way, is the Japanese term for someone who makes games. Anyone who works on games is called a "game creator." The Japanese term is actually just the English words sounded out using Japanese "katakana" characters. If you one day become a game creator at the level of a Yuji Naka or, dare we suggest it, a Shigeru Miyamoto, and you're in Japan hitting on chicks, you can let them know your profession by saying "Geemu Kurieetaa."
Dori Maga, while not featuring the same type of scoops as Famitsu, focuses more on its core audience, which is why an Xbox game gets the cover. Big-busted Kasumi-chan is on the cover of this week's issue. Unfortunately, the magazine apparently went to press before Tecmo announced a delay in the game to the Summer.
Inside the issue are guides for Onimusha 3, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, Final Fantasy X-2, Sengoku Musou, SD Gundam G Generation Seed, Shadow Hearts 2 and Kaido Battle.
Dori Maga doesn't do the Famitsu survey thing, but there is one area of the magazine that we wanted to mention. So, we're at the Dragon Quest 2004 Spring Meeting on Tuesday night. Prior to the start of the show, after having taken our seats, we decide to make fun of ...
COLIN
... by sending him a picture of the proceedings via our mega-pixel-camera-equipped cell phones. We snap the shutter button, and our camera says, as it always does prior to taking a picture, "Hai, Cheese!" All of a sudden, this little girl seated in the row in front of us starts cracking up. So, we're like, "What the!?" Why is there a little girl in attendance of a press conference, and why does she have a better seat than us?
Later that day, after discussing the issue with...
KYOKO
...we learned that the girl is none other than Yuki. That's right, thee Yuki!
What's that? You don't know who Yuki is? Well aren't you ignorant. Yuki is Dorimaga's 11 year old reporter who's "just about to enter junior high," according to the magazine. In this week's issue (the issue from which the picture to the right was pulled), Yuki gained entrance to Sega's development studios to try out Hitmaker's Quiz Show and interview the game's producer. She was accompanied by her mom and her manager.
Anyhow, Yuki was apparently covering the Dragon Quest event for Dorimaga on Tuesday night, which is why she was there, laughing at our cell phone shutter tone. Two people, presumably her mother and her manager, were at her side the whole night at the event.
Can she even write kanji!?
Moving on to more adult areas of gaming, here are the latest review scores as featured in this week's Famitsu.
Kid, PS2: 6,5,5,5
This port of a PC RPG/adventure game features quite a bit of reading, which the Famitsu reviewers didn't appreciate. The basic flow of the game involves reading lots of text and taking to one dungeon per chapter. The graphics and fantasy setting got praise, but the RPG sections brought about complaints due to a hard to see map and difficult controls.
Well Made, PS2: 6,6,6,4
When you call your company "Well Made," it had better make a fine game. That doesn't seem to be the case here. In this PC to PS2 port, you become "Chris" and attempt to make one of three girls fall in love with you. One reviewer complained about the movement system, stating that it's hard to tell where you should go at a given time and actual movement on the map is a chore.
SCE, PS2: 9,8,8,8
One review said that, to an extent, the game has the feel of providing a separate world in a box that Grand Theft Auto provides. The reviewers liked the amount of fun provided by the game in all areas, from driving vehicles to just enjoying the story, and the large volume contained in the game.
Capcom, PS2: 8,8,8,8
One reviewer commented that the game is easy to get into thanks to tutorials masked as quests. The game apparently allows for even lighthearted play. However, there's no split into levels, which may make one feel like they have to play for a long time. One reviewer praised the feeling of freedom offered by the game. The game can be played Offline and Online, with both offering similar experiences -- one reviewer even said that Offline offers up enough fun on its own.
Tecmo, Xbox: 9,8,8,8
One reviewer was surprised that with such a simple control scheme the game offers up so many moves. The game is also very polished in terms of a lack of pauses when climbing ladders, saving and going to the pause menu. One reviewer had a small complaint that enemies will attack you from off screen.
Microsoft, Xbox: 8,7,8,8
One reviewer praised the large number of missions and stages, also revealing that he loves the voice chat of Xbox Live. Another reviewer was happy to see the game explain controls and strategy clearly.
Bandai, GBA: 6,5,5,6
When viewed as a baseball game, this game apparently has bad balance and pacing, according to one reviewer. However, when looking at the animation series off which the title is based, the game has charms as an action title.
Strangely, Famitsu didn't review Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes. We presume a review of this remake will come next week.
Turn the page for a look at the latest game information.
SHINSAKU
GAME EXPRESS!
In this section of Gaming Life in Japan, we take a look at upcoming games for the Japanese market. Some of the titles were recently given big reports on the pages of Japan's biggest magazines. Other titles were spotted on upcoming release lists and just demanded that we do some research.
While some of the games are very big, you'll find that many of them have as much a chance of coming out in America as you do of getting Yuko Ogura to notice you on Xbox Live.
This week, we begin with Capcom and end with curry.
Meiwaku Seijin Panic Maker
System: PS2
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Comical Action, Release: Summer, 2004
Producer: Hiroyuki Kobayashi
Biohazard wasn't the only Capcom game shown in Famitsu. The magazine also featured a first look at Meiwaku Seijin: Panic Maker, a peculiar-looking game that has the entire IGN Japan staff giddy.
As "meiwaku" is the Japanese word for trouble/worries, it should come as no surprise that this is a central theme of the game. You play as an alien called Kozumi who's from the Meiwaku star system. Residents of this star system must, when they turn three, head to a different star system to cause mischief. They aren't allowed to return home until they've reached maturity. Kozumi chooses Earth as his target and starts wrecking havoc.
As Kozumi, you move around the 3D cell-shaded Coco Town, pulling pranks. You begin by hiding in the shadows and scanning people who pass you by. You gain the ability to change into people that you've scanned, with different items and abilities coming your way depending on the person. Gain a microphone, for instance, and you can start singing in a horrible voice. Gain a snowball and you can make people slip on the road. A bowling ball -- well, you get the point. You can also perform mischief without items -- simply hitting people is one example.
Your mischief-making abilities are judged by "Rings." People who've you've harassed drop ring. Your goal is to collect as many rings as possible. Of course, the best way to do this is to shock large groups of people.
Kozumi faces danger in two areas. First off, by merely pulling pranks, he'll eventually find himself being chased by groups of people. If caught, his energy decreases and he eventually changes back into alien form. Kozumi can also be harmed when he's scanning people or changing into human form. If caught, his true identity as an alien will be revealed and he'll have to run away. You'll have to look closely at your town map for concealed areas to hide from groups that are out to get you.
Being developed at Capcom's Production Studio 4 with production by Hiroyuki Kobayashi, who previously worked on Devil May Cry and is now currently acting as producer for Resident Evil 4 and Killer 7, Panic Maker looks like it could be another unique title for the company.
Simple 2000 Series Vol. 46:
The Kanji Quiz
System: PS2
Publisher: D3 Publisher
Genre: Other, Release: 03.18.04
We vowed to stop covering games in the Simple 2000 series, but some of them are so off the wall that we just can't help it! Last week, we took a look at "The Dai Bijin," a game in which you become a member of the Self Defense Force and attempt to stop a giant radioactive woman from reaching Tokyo. This week, we look at a bit more down-to-Earth, but still pretty off-beat, title.
This 46th edition in the series quizzes your knowledge of the Chinese "Kanji" characters that form a major part of written Japanese. Featuring 20,000 characters pulled from old Kanji proficiency tests, the game promises to fully test you in grade 1 kanji all the way to high school graduation level kanji.
Numerous types of games are offered, from pure tests to mini games. Mini game examples include a game in which a scattering of strokes is shown and your goal is to determine which character the strokes form. There's also a sushi game in which you attempt to identify complex fish kanji (fish kanji tend to be so complex that they're written using Japanese alphabet-style characters). A two player battle mode is also included.
Thanks to cell phones and computers, both of which automatically enter kanji into documents once you've written their spellings, Japanese youths are in danger of loosing their Kanji writing abilities. Perhaps this game will serve as a refresher course.
Either that, or it will suck like the rest of the Simple 2000 series.
Football Kingdom: Trial Edition
System: PS2
Publisher: Namco
Genre: Sports, Release: 05.27.04
Peripherals: Multitap
Producer: Kiyoshi Nishimura
Director: Nobuhisa Mikoda (Ace Combat 4)
Programmer: Yoshiaki Hirai (Ridge Racer, Necchu Pro Baseball)
Namco is branching into another sport for its latest PS2 offering. Having already taken on tennis and baseball, the company is now tackling soccer via Football Kingdom Trial Edition.
This game promises all the features that soccer fans couldn't be without. The latest AI routines will be used to help recreate the sport to the finest of details. The Japanese National team appears with proper names, as do players in European clubs. The game also includes some of Japan's biggest stadiums.
This isn't Namco's first attempt at soccer. 1993 saw the company try its hands with J League Soccer Prime Goal. 1998 saw the release of Libero Grande, followed by a sequel in 2000. Football Kingdom marks the company's return to the soccer world, though, hence the name "Trial Edition." Even with the name, and the low price of 3980 yen, you'll be getting a full game.
Curry House CoCo Ichibanya: Kyo
mo Genki da! Curry ga Umai!
System: PS2
Publisher: Dratt
Genre: Curry Variety, Release: 05.27.04
Cost: 5700 yen, Memory: 112K
Cooperation with: Curry House CoCo Ichibanya
The latest in wacky Japanese gaming involves that pillar of Japanese nutritional eating, curry. Publisher Dratt has announced a game based on curry -- that's right, curry!
Japanese curry is a bit different from what most people in America may imagine. Sweeter on the whole, Japanese curry tastes nothing like its spicier Indian counterpart, having actually from from Europe rather than the subcontinent.
This new game is based off the Japanese form of curry. Titled Curry House CoCo Ichibanya: Kyo mo Genki da! Curry ga Umai!, the game gets the first half of its name from one of Japan's largest curry chains, Curry House CoCo Ichibanya. The latter half of the name translates (loosely) to "Today I am again energetic! The curry is fantastic!"
The genre for Curry House CoCo is "curry variety." Details are scarce at this point, but it seems that you'll be simulating one of the Curry House CoCo chains, all the way to greeting customers. Included are three types of games: action games, mini games and quiz games.
The only problem we see for this title is its release date of 5/27 putting it in direct competition with a game based around beef-bowl maker Yoshinoya (seriously -- we don't make these things up!).
Turn the page for a look at this week's new releases.
KONSHUU NO
NEW COMERS!
This section of IGN Japan recaps the games that made their way onto store shelves over the course of the previous week. If you're having trouble keeping up with what's new in the Japanese market, turn to this section every week.
The more competent readers will notice that this section is available on the regular IGN channels as well every Monday. Don't feel jealous -- we're just using it to tease outsiders.
The following gameswere released between 03.01.04 and 03.07.04. Click on the game name to see all of IGN's current coverage on the title.
PLAYSTATION 2
Gun Grave OD
Publisher: Red Entertainment
Genre: Action, Release: 03.04.04
Memory: 79K, Price: 6980 yen
Purchase Bonus: Gun Grave poster
The sequel to last year's Gun Grave hits Japan, this time strangely lacking the Sega publishing label. In addition to a greater number stages, you'll find two additional playable characters. Rocket Billy's electric-guitar-gun could be tough enough to beat Beyond the Grave's coffin-gun! We'll have a full write up shortly.
Diet Channel
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Other, Release: 03.04.04
Memory: 338K, Price: 7800 yen
Peripherals: Dance Dance Pad
Konami extends the Dance Dance Revolution idea beyond dancing and into the world of exercise. Making use of a standard Dance Dance pad along with a pair of dumbells, you can try out a variety of activities targeting stretching, body building and diet. The game includes a daily calorie schedule to keep the fat down -- although it doesn't seem to be Atkins compatible. The actual activities focus on dancing to 3 to 5 minute songs, so even if you're not too keen on the dieting, there may be something else for you to enjoy.
Pop'n Taisen Puzzle Dama Online
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Other, Release: 03.04.04
Memory: 155K, Price: 4800 yen
Peripherals: Broadband Unit
It's like Pop'n Music except it's actually like Columns. This game is a new entry in the popular Taisen Puzzle Drama series of falling-gem puzzle games, but with Pop'n Music characters included. As you play, new characters from the series make appearances. Both Online and Offline play are included.
Koukaku Kidoutai Stand Alone Complex
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Action/Adventure, Release: 03.04.04
Memory: 68K, Price: 5800 yen
Purchase Bonus: Stand Alone Complex/Ghost in the Shell poster
Based off the anime of the same name, this action/adventure title puts you in control of main characters Motoko Kusanagi and Bateau over a series of missions. The game lets you "hack" into and control enemies for brief periods. IGNPS2 will have a writeup on this game shortly.
Reishiki Kanjou Sentouki
Publisher: Taito
Genre: Shooting action, Release: 03.04.04
Memory: 73K, Price: 6800 yen
Peripherals: Head mounted display, Hori Flight Stick
Limited Edition version: 100 to 1 scale plane model
This flying game is set in a Pacific war motif and allows you to take on a variety of missions taken from history. You can use the right thumb stick to look around your craft -- just like you're there! A split screen versus mode is also included.
Tamashi!! Kuromate Koukou
Kore ha Hyottoshite Game na no ka?
Publisher: Hudson Soft , Developer: Hudson Soft
Genre: Adventure, Release: 03.04.04
Memory: 41K, Price: 6800 yen
Based off a comic of the same name (well, the first half of the name, at least), this adventure game puts you in the shoes of main character Kamiyama, conversing with other characters at Kuromate High School, your new school. Mini games become available as you progress through the story, and can be replayed later in a game library.
GAMECUBE
Custom Robo Battle Revolution
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure, Release: 03.04.04
Memory: 15 Blocks, Price: 5800 yen
Custom Robo goes to the next generation. Customize your own robot in five areas (Body, Pod, Gun, Leg and Bomb) using over 180 parts. New parts and robot forms are earned as you progress through a limited role playing game. Check out IGN Cube shortly for a full writeup on this game.
GAME BOY ADVANCE
Tantei Gakuen Q KyuuKyoku Trick ni Idome
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Adventure, Release: 03.04.04
Price: 4980 yen, Battery Backup
GBA link cable compatible
You enter a detective school called DDS, working with the special "Q Class" to track down a criminal. In addition to finding the criminal, you have to also seek out evidence in order to prove him guilty. To search for evidence, you press R and L simultaneously when you've stumbled upon something that you deem interesting while out on investigation. You attend class during one part of the game, and although this area can be skipped, your rating at the end of the game will drop as a result.
Taiketsu! Ultra Hero
Publisher: Jordan
Genre: Adventure, Release: 03.05.04
Price: 4800 yen, Battery backup
GBA link cable compatible
If you're into the likes of Ultraseven, Ultramantaro and all the other historical Ultraman characters, this game looks like it's for you. Choose from 8 historic heroes along with a few special surprise characters, and fight it out one-on-one. In addition to a free fight mode and a tournament mode, versus play via link-up is also included.
Double Dragon Advance
Publisher: Atlus
Genre: Action, Release: 03.05.04
Price: 4800 yen, Battery backup
GBA link cable compatible
This game is already out in America, so if you're getting the Japanese version, you're totally hard core! Anyhow, read our coverage of this game over at IGN Pocket for all the details.
Oshare Wanko
Publisher: MTO
Genre: Other, Release: 03.05.04
Price: 4800 yen, Battery backup
Select a dog from five different species and become it's friend. Teach your canine buddy tricks, play with it, take care of it -- do whatever it takes to raise the dog's love-love rating for you. Time progresses automatically as you play, with your choosing how to best spend your day. You can actually buy clothes for your dog, playing up on a scary trend in Japan (come on -- they don't want clothes!). Looks like more fine gaming from the fine folks at MTO.
Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari ex
Publisher: Atlus
Genre: Action/RPG, Release: 03.05.04
Price: 4800 yen, Battery backup
This classic Famicom game from 1989 was ranked among the top twenty games of the era by the readers of Famitsu, Japan's largest gaming publication. Choose to play as Kunio or Riki and try to save Riki's chick in this remake. Use punches and special attacks as well as pipes and chains to defeat foes.
Turn the page for a look at this week's young idol.
IGN JAPAN YOUNG IDOL
Welcome to IGN Japan's weekly look at Japanese Young Idols. A Young Idol is an idol who's young. That doesn't mean that we're limiting ourselves to a particular age group when choosing these lovely ladies, though. Nor are we limiting ourselves to game-related girls, as we'll sometimes choose hotties from non game sources.
First, be sure and brush up on previous IGN Japan Young Idols by checking out our constantly growing Young Idol archive:
This week, rather than choose a single girl, we've decided to try our hand at a full eight! That's right -- almost two hands! And rather choose a real girl, we've decided to go after the easier-to-manage digital variety as we look at:
THE BABES OF
If you've been playing through Nintendo's latest Custom Robo title, now available in Japan for the GameCube, you'll probably have notice one thing in particular. The game has a rather large female supporting cast. And not only that, but the girls tend to be dressed rather provocatively, often making the main character's face change to the "hentai" (perverted) look seen to the right.
For today's young idol section, we're showing some of our favorite girls from the beginning of the game and letting you vote on your favorite. We want to find out which of these eight digital beauties makes your face turn as "hentai" as the main character's.
Let's begin with entry number 1:
ENTRY NUMBER 1
Entry number one is Sophie. She works at the Custom Robo training center and gets hit on by Harry early on in the game.
Now, we move on to entry number 2:
ENTRY NUMBER 2
Entry number two is Mira. As you can see, she's a cop. She knows Harry, but he still seems to get all warm and fuzzy when he sees her.
Now, for entry number three:
ENTRY NUMBER 3
Entry number three is Lynn Fa. She's one of the central characters, and she has good legs. Here's a video of her entering the scene for the first time.
- Lynn Fa walking (QT, 1901KB)
ENTRY NUMBER 4
Entry number two is Young Girl. She's not important enough to have a name, or a face. But she does use lots of hearts when speaking.
Now, we move on to entry number 5:
ENTRY NUMBER 5
Entry number five is Mary. She hangs out with two Custom Robo losers, two guys whom we could've beaten with N64 controllers, meaning she needs a real Custom Robo master like us (but not you) to show her the way.
Now for entry number 6:
ENTRY NUMBER 6
Entry number six is Lucy. She's actually the main character's aunt. We threw her in here for the older IGN Insiders.
Now for entry number 7:
ENTRY NUMBER 7
Entry number seven is Trish. Warning! She gave Harry her number the first time he asked, meaning she may be easy.
Entry number eight is special:
ENTRY NUMBER 8
Entry number eight is Marcia. She's the game's heroine, and she has the ability to half jump into the circuits of a Custom Robo.
Which Custom Robo girl do you like best? | ||
All voting is confidential. The fact that you voted in a babe contest involving videogame characters, none of whom are real, will not be disclosed except to a few fellow IGN editors who will laugh at you, but will otherwise respect your privacy and rights as a freak. By laughing, we mean pointing at your IGN username and going "Ha ha ha ha ha." That's not so bad, is it?
Turn the page for the latest in game ads and CMs from Japan.
HOUKOKU CORNER
Welcome to the Gaming Life in Japan Japanese ad section, where you'll find the latest game advertisements and commercials from Japan. Every week, we'll be bringing you commercials and ads that we've spotted on TV, in magazines and at retailers. Also be sure and check out the back issues section for previous installments.
This week, we've got some pamphlets and television ads. The February Sega Press, commercials for Kaido Battle, Gundam and more await in super size for the demanding gamer.
Happy downloading...
PAMPHLETS
click on the image to supersize
|
COMMERCIALS
click on the image to download
Dragon Ball Z: Bukuu Tougeki Banpresto, GBA Release: 3.26.2004 (QT, 9032KB) |
Gundam: Senshitachi no Kiseki Bandai, GCN Release: 3.18.2004 (QT, 6000KB) |
Kaido Battle 2: Chain Reaction Genki, PS2 Now Available (QT, 7068KB) |
Naruto: Ko: no Hasenki Tomy, GBA Now Available (QT, 4827KB) |
One Piece: Going Baseball Bandai, GBA Release: 3.11.2004 (QT, 4605KB) |
Saiyuuki: Reload Bandai, PS2 Release: 3.18.2004 (QT, 6172KB) |
Shaman King: Funbari Spirits Bandai, PS2 Release: 4.8.2004 (QT, 6253KB) |
Simple 2000 Series D3 Publisher, PS2 Now Available (QT, 5346KB) |
Minna no Oujisama Konami, GBA Now Available (QT, 4710KB) |
Turn the page for the latest charts.
CHARTS
What's hot in the Japanese gaming scene? This section of IGN Japan brings you the latest charts from Japan for hardware, software and arcades, along with top thirty most wanted lists. We've sourced retail tracker Enterbrain for the software and hardware sales charts, Famitsu Weekly for the arcade charts and both Dorimaga and Famitsu for the most wanted charts.
Check back every week to find out what Japanese gamers are into!
GAME SALES
(Until 3/8)
Nintendo's latest Custom Robo title takes the top slot on the Enterbrain weekly sales charts with nearly 90,000 units sold. Pokemon Red & Green comes in at second followed by more sequels and re-releases. Check out the Famicom Mini version of Super Mario Brothers. Could this game go on to sell better than the GBA Super Mario Brothers 3?
(Through 3/8)
The PlayStation 2 returns to the top spot. We're not sure why, to be honest, seeing as how the top two software sales spots are for Nintendo products.
(2/16 to 2/22)
The King of Fighters 2003 takes a spot in the top ten.
Just one new entry in this week's most wanted list from Famitsu, The King of Fighters 2002. The top five remains the same, with three entries that do not yet have a solid release date.
MOST WANTED - DORI MAGA
Ninja Gaiden is back in the number two slot this week following a brief slippage in popularity amongst the readers of Dori Maga. Meanwhile, the magazine's strange reader base pushes Tsuki ha Higashi ni Hi na Nishi ni, the Dreamcast game that last week managed to make it into the top three, down to number 8. Anti-Sega bastards!
RELEASE DATES
Trouble keeping up with what's due out in Japan? We don't blame you! Every day, as many as five Pachinko simulators are released for the PSX alone giving people the chance to practice their skills at getting lucky at Pachinko. And then there's the horse racing games. Good lord... don't mention the horse racing games!
This Import release section of IGN Japan will help you sort through the mess. Note that we try our best to include every game included in Famitsu's upcoming release list, but don't blame us if we miss the occasional mahjong or pachinko title.
Check back every week for the latest!
PS2 3/10/2004 3/11/2004 3/18/2004 3/25/2004 4/1/2004 4/8/2004 |
GameCube 3/11/2004 3/18/2004 3/24/2004 3/25/2004 4/29/2004 |
GameBoy Advance 3/11/2004 3/18/2004 3/25/2004 3/26/2004 4/1/2004 4/2/2004 4/16/2004 4/22/2004 4/23/2004 4/29/2004 |
XBOX 3/11/2004 3/25/2004 4/11/2004 4/22/2004 4/24/2004 4/29/2004 5/20/2004 |
Turn the page for the IGN Japan archive.
BACK NUMBERS
Did you miss an issue of IGN Japan because you were too ignorant to join IGN Insider earlier than now? Don't fret, as we keep all our old issues Online for future reference. Just click on the appropriate link below to jump back to a previous date, all thanks to the power of mass storage.
03.03.04: A slightly new look for Gaming Life in Japan, with separate babe and ad pages. Featuring looks at Mario Golf GBA, 3LDK, Vib Ripple, Raimuiro and The Daibijin, some details on next generation Japanese cell phone gaming, and ads for DOA Online and Sega Ages. Plus, Yuko Ogura as this week's young idol.
02.25.04: IGN Japan looks at Dorimaga and its anime/Sega lovin' readerbase. Plus, Love Aerobics, 35 game commercials (including Katamari Damashii), the horrendously offensive AOU arcade show and Weekly Young Idol featuring Minako Komukai VS Shigeru Miyamoto and Hideo Kojima.
02.18.04: Nintendo roolz, Sony droolz. Details on Sakurazaka Shouboutai, Steady X Study, Orange Pocket, and more. Plus, a Famitsu survey on the Nintendo DS, a look at the Japanese commercial scene, Misaki Ito as young idol of the week and lots of print ads.
02.11.04: SCE's simplicity campaign, girls playing Eye Toy, upcoming NEC Interchannel games, a look at Japanese retail, Akihabara burning down, Famitsu reader top 100. Plus, the babe of the week: Aya Ueto.
01.27.04: Skiing Ostrich versus Snowboarding Chiwawa! You make the call! Plus, looks at the new PS2 Kinpachi-sensei game, Sengoku VS. Gendai and Soccer Life, some hot Microsoft Xbox ads and a World Hobby Fair picture collection.
1/21/2004: 22 commercials, featuring skiing ostrich (this is a precursor to the next issue's snowboarding dog). Plus, reports on Atelier Iris Eternal Mana, Michigan, The Hajimete no RPG, Galaxy Angel Moonlit Lovers. Also features a Famitsu powered look at the rest of 2004!
1/14/2004: The first issue of IGN for 2004 presents a look back at year 2003's sales and a huge awards presentation with awards for best game, best graphics, best sound and more! Plus, Cho-Kuso game of the year!
12/19/2003: The last issue of IGN Japan for 2003 features some ramblings about the PSX, a look at Uchuu no Stellvia and lots of high res print ads.
12/10/2003: Love Ping Pong, a preview of the Jump Festival and commercials for games like Donkey Konga, Winning Eleven Tactics, Ninja Gaiden and Cute Puppy.
11/18/2003: Thirty television spots including Sonic Heroes, and F-Zero in this limited IGN Japan as we prepare for the big Final Fantasy XII unveiling feature gorgeous Square Enix PR girls.
11/11/2003: Sony's unexpected price drop and "Sorry to have kept you waiting" ad campaign, Japan's most hated game developer and development company and not much else. IGN Japan is made up of lazy bastards! LAZY BASTARDS!
11/03/2003: A look at the year end sales race in Japan, the hottest Famitsu cover girl ever, a look at the new Sister Princess expansion disk, the best selling Dreamcast games, a big Famitsu Tokyo Game Show survey and a ton of television spots.
10/27/2003: Nintendo's Japanese price drop ineffective? Plus, the latest magazine info on Gran Turismo 4 Prologue, Final Fantasy International + Last Mission, a Famitsu survey on the PSX and a Gran Turismo 4 pamphlet scan.
10/20/2003: The start of Nintendo's Fall attack, a game maker ranking and lots of print ads and detail from Famitsu.
9/22/2003: Rare collector's issue! The final Grand Theft Auto Watch and Tokyo Game pre-show report. Plus, a print ad featuring a really, really super mega hot chick!
9/14/2003: A video and picture tour of JAMMA 2003, with lots of hot Japanese girl snips. Plus, the continuing Grand Theft Auto watch, a look at Naruto for the PS2, and more from the Tokyo Game Show pre-game show report.
9/8/2003: Grand Theft Auto watch, Tokyo Game Show and JAMMA pre-game info, a look at the marathon game, plus commercials for Drag On Dragoon and more.
8/25/2003: A PSP survey and lots of game ads in the IGN Japan for the week that Grand Theft Auto 3 hits the number six spot on the Famitsu most wanted list. Also details on the Mario 4 e-Cards and Donkey Kong tatsujin.
8/11/2003: Lots of television commercials for some tremendously obscure games. Presented in high res for your obsessive enjoyment. Plus Tokyo fireworks. Hmm... we're running out of things to talk about.
8/1/2003: The state of Tokyo's Sun. Plus, an Xbox Conference, PSP specs and the history of Namco. Oh -- and the August Sega press. YEAH!
7/17/2003: The Nintendo Famicom turns 20 causing Japanese magazines to give a little history lesson. The full Famicom history, inside.
6/16/2003: A full report from Capcom's Street Fighter 15th Anniversary special, complete with videos and cos-player pics! Plus, a Famitsu survey on Sony's upcoming PSX system.
6/06/2003: Famitsu conducts a big survey on Sony's PSP hardware. Plus a look inside the halls of Square where the company's foreigner population chills with president Wada. Can you spot Colin in this update?
5/23/2003: A particularly wordy issue of IGN Japan in the week following E3. Features a look at seven big game company financial statements, a briefing on the upcoming Street Fighter anniversary celebration and looks at Nintendo's Japanese demo disk and Sony's upcoming Japanese broadband program. Plus, Sammy and drumming game commercials!
5/9/2003: A look at a Japanese business gaming magazine, a bunch of print ads, the May Sega Press and a big Store Joutai Get section!
4/18/2003: The new Sega Press, our hatred of boy bands, the latest peeing statue commercial, a Famitsu retail survey and that's about it as a flood of games see Japanese release.
4/11/2003: The return of Pepsi Man, Sega's Game Jam, Bob Sapp gets his ass kicked bug still gets bigger, the April Sega Press and commercials for Yummeria, Dragon Quest: Caraven Hearts and Taiko no Tatsujin.
4/4/2003: Pics from cell phones, the Sony festival, the latest store joutai and ads for Dragon Quest Caravan Hearts, Doka-Pon DX, NUDE and Super Robot Wars.
3/26/2003: The Soul Calibur release, the Panasonic Center (with the Nintendo GameFront) and... that's about it. Gad, this IGN Japan column really sucks.
3/19/2003: IGN Japan returns after an extended break with a sayonara to Quiter, Foma Man and commercials for Soul Calibur 2, Made in Wario, P.N.03 and (not much) more.
2/28/2003: One Bob Sapp to rule all. Plus, looks at the AOU arcade show, a hate-filled message about Japanese boy-bands SMAP and Tokio, and commercials featuring Ewan McGreggor's big schwartz and Sony's multi-colored PS2 systems.
2/20/2003: Some ramblings about the GBA SP Japanese launch, a Famitsu retailer/consumer survey, a new Guess the Picture feature, plus commercials and ads for Super Robot Wars, Shin Megamitensei 3, Gun Survivor 4, and ZOE 2.
2/12/2003: More Japanese stupidity, plus some good is very Engrish, pamphlets for Venus & Braves, Star Ocean 3 and Puzzle Collection, and CMs for Star Ocean 3, FF Tactics and Mega Man GameCube, and more.
2/3/2003: A look at Dori-Maga (complete with Dreamcast sales charts), Final Fantasy X-2 limited edition goods, the Japanese retail scene, the World Hobby Fair, pamphlets for Sakura Wars and Sony's Voice recognition games, the February Sega Press, and commercials/ads for Venus & Braves, Nintendo Puzzle Collection, ZOE 2, FF Tactics and more!
1/24/2003: 2003's second issue of IGN Japan as the evil Fran Maribella the Third takes over the ranks of IGN Insider. Features a look at the Xbox Live launch party, a Famitsu survey regarding gamer's hopes for the coming year, a look at our Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball preorder goods, a pot shot at Square, and commercials for DOAX, Devil May Cry 2 and Operator's Side. And what's up with the weather always raining (and snowing) on Microsoft's party?
1/16/2003: The first issue of IGN Japan for 2003 really sucks. First of all, we were drunk off free Xbox liquor when we wrote it. The only redeeming factor is the start of a new feature: Guess the Shoes! Oh, and a recap of Japanese game sales for 2002, our pick for Japanese-only game of the year and commercials for Dead or Alive Whack-off Volleyball, Game Boy SP and Xbox Live.
12/20/2002: The last IGN Japan for 2002 features a bunch of silly Japanese commercials gaming-and-non-gaming, print ad scans, shots from around Tokyo's gaming scene (Xbox Price Drop?) and an explanation, from Tanaka, of our new naming system. Plus, Andria opens a ton of mail and Juyon introduces herself.
11/28/2002: Tanaka takes over and welcomes Juyon and Andria Lee Sang to the IGN Japan ranks as the entire Japanese gaming industry goes topsy-turvey. Included, weird Xbox and Sega print ads along with a 16-page Dark Chronicle mini magazine scan.
11/22/2002: A look back at our favorite Japanese commercials as the IGN Japan staffers close their doors for inventory purposes.
11/15/2002: Capcom announces five big titles for the GameCube while Japan celebrates National Toilet Day. Features a look at Japanese retail, a special letter about Engrish, a Famitsu survey about the big games for the year's end, television commercials and Tanaka in a suit vying for the head spot at Xbox Japan.
11/07/2002: The debut of Kita-he: Diamond Dust for the PS2, the November Sega Press, the lame CESA awards, more Xbox stupidity and commercials for such titles as Resident Evil 0, Ratchet & Clank and Xbox.
10/30/2002: The first Kenji Eno spotting in ages, the Tokyo CG festival, crazy commercials for Xbox and PS2 and a ton of print ads.
10/23/2002: Scans and videos from the Square press conference (see CG Yuna wield twin guns and do a back flip), plus a look at the Smash Brothers Orchestra CD.
10/16/2002: A look at AsoBitCity (the replacement for Laox), the meaning of Zelda's new name, plus television commercials for Rygar, GBA Gold and Silver, and Eternal Darkness.
10/9/2002: Xbox Cafe, more DOA Xtremem Beach Volleyabll ads and (what we thought was) the death of the Laox Akihabara games store.
10/2/2002: More DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball ads, plus information on Tama-chan, the seal we'd so very much like to eat.
9/18/2002: Preview of Tokyo Game Show, plus scans of Sega Press September, Sega Driving and Star Fox Adventure pamphlets.
9/11/2002: Japan's toilet paper crisis, Hikki gets hitched, plus ads for DOA Volleyball and pamphlets for Mario Advance 3 and PSO Ep. 1&2.
9/3/2002: Japanese gamers reveal what they want on Xbox Live and some group predicts the future of broadband and internet gaming in Japan. Plus, print ads for Dead or Alive Volleyball, Contra and more!
8/29/2002: Television ads for Tekki, Automodelista and the Dakara peeing statue ad. Plus, we make fun of the Xbox!
8/20/2002: Hmm... not much of anything in the week where Nintendo unveils Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle through a television commercial.
8/13/2002: Big look back at Japanese sales for the first half of 2002. No surprises.
7/31/2002: Mario Sunshine adversely affects yet another issue of IGN Japan. We do find time to scan a bunch of advertisements from the latest Japanese magazines, though.
7/22/2002: IGN Japan was very busy shine getting and didn't spend much time on this story. Lots and lots of television commercials to download though.
7/15/2002: A look at the World Hobby Fair, Famitsu's survey on what's hot this summer, and Megumi!
7/9/2002: Sega parties, Doreamon is king, a bunch of advertisements and horrible weather.
7/2/2002: Famitsu's latest Online surveys, plus the return of television ads!
6/26/2002: I will use Haiku. Evil scandals rock Japan. Mario and Zelda.
6/19/2002: Naked man jumping off bridge. Plus, the Japanese retail report. It's Anoop's birthday. Send presents to Anoop.
6/12/2002: A look at Sega's arcade show. And, the most watched Japanese sports broadcast is...
6/5/2002: Japan earns its first point ever in World Cup history as Fooligans arrive in and are quickly deported from Tokyo.
5/28/2002: Best ad ever! Plus, PS2 price drop info and... not much more in this very uneventful issue.
5/21/2002: Price drops, no Final Fantasy, and more World Cup fever.
5/14/2002: Problems with Final Fantasy XI and a Famitsu survey on what can be done to fix the Xbox.
4/28/2002: The full IGN Japan returns with a review of the Lotteria Pure Burger and... not much else. Have a first look at new correspondents Cindy and Mindy, both Communists!
4/19/2002: Week three of our failed experiment to spread out this bloody article over multiple days. Features a look at Halo`s Japanese marketing campaign, a big soccer face-off, and more.
4/12/2002: Week two of our failed experiment to spread out this bloody article over multiple days. Features a big look at Sony`s broadband plans (find out how Japanese gamers will play FFXI) and some cool Famitsu reader surveys.
3/29/2002: Week one of our failed experiment to spread out this bloody article over multiple days. Features an interview with Chikako-chan, IGN Japan`s resident kid gamer, along with some odd-ball Japanese commercials.
3/12/2002: Week 1 of the Xbox in Japan. Plus, some other stuff that isn`t as important.
3/6/2002: A look at Sony's Online gaming plans in Japan, plus some shots of the free Xbox merchandise that we have and that you want.
2/28/2002: Uhh, yeah, so this issue kinds sucks. Sorry... we were loving every minute of Jet Set Radio Future and pretending to enjoy Dead or Alive 3, so we didn't get around to doing anything special for this week's column. Plus, there were all those controversies at the Olympics, and we were just concerned that maybe, just maybe, the world was slipping back into the Cold War era. HOW WERE WE TO CONCENTRATE!!!???
2/21/2002: One last big look at the Xbox pre-launch mania in Japan, plus Nintendo's touch and try event in Shibuya, complete with a horribly-rushed video!
2/14/2002: Worst issue ever! On the day that Sony announced its sweeping plans for the Online gaming scene in Japan, IGN Japan reports on Sony's month old plans, when little was known. Also, a look at the Xbox Experience event in Akihabara, with babe selections by Andria Lee Sang.
2/7/2002: The biggest IGN Japan yet! In addition to all new navigation buttons, this issue provides a look at the Virtua Fighter Carnival, complete with a ton of video of the best VF players in Japan going at it, and a look at the Xbox in Japan, complete with pre-order info, developer surveys and comments (via Famitsu Xbox) and commercials! View it today!
1/29/2002: A visual tour of the World Hobby Fair, complete with video (note: the video now works). Plus, a fun look at how poorly developers, retailers and users think Xbox will do in Japan.
1/22/2002: The first Xbox commercial, plus commercials for Grandia Xtreme and Virtua Fighter. Plus, first details on the upcoming World Hobby fair in the all new events calendar.
1/15/2002: IGN Japan returns. And this time, it's personal! Included in this issue, our pick and the reader's pick for import game of the year. Plus, a look back at 2001 and a look forward to 2002. Oh yes... and a very special interview with the evil biases of IGNPS2.
12/14/2001: This week, a review of the Pikmin music CD, plus the debut of upcoming release dates!
12/7/2001: We were too lazy to do anything game related this week, so we uploaded footage of Japanese beach girls getting their bikini angles measured by giant protractors. Plus, the top five Ramens! And, a ton of television and print ads!
11/27/2001: The most boring IGN Japan yet! Featuring Japanese retail predictions on what`s gonna be hot this holiday season (in Japan).
11/20/2001: A look at the Sony building in Tokyo, along with our attempts at pre-ordering an Xbox in Akihabara. Plus, Smash Brothers goes on sale!
11/13/2001: An absolutely boring update not worthy of the IGN name. Does feature ads for Smash Brothers, Rez, Jack and Daxter and Japanese beer, though. Plus, a look at the first ever Ayumi Hamasaki "Game."
11/06/2001: A ton of Japanese ads, including Metal Gear Solid and Seaman. Plus, news on Pride, SNK and the super duper Sakura Wars-themed bus.
10/29/2001: We take a trip down to Tokyo Tower to see a bunch of wax, and a li'l bit of PS2 Seaman.
10/22/2001: After a month long gap, IGN Japan returns from a brand new building in Tokyo's bustling Shinjuku district. Featured in this issue -- the debut of weekly news updates and... well, that's pretty much it. Yes, we're lazy bums, but it ads to our charm.
09/21/2001: Report from the Rez Rave in Yokohama and Sega`s Jet Set Radio Future ad.
09/13/2001: The Shenmue 2 packaging, a look at the pre-Gamecube launch frenzy, plus Capcom`s cool Capcom vs SNK 2 television ad.
09/05/2001: AM2 and Yu Suzuki appear live in Tokyo (videos included), PS2 hardware sales stats and ads for Shenmue and Seaman
08/31/2001: Our trip to Space World (including directions on how to get there), Parappa ads, the Devil May Cry sound sampler, and a look at the slowing down of Final Fantasy sales.
08/21/2001: Adventures pre-ordering four GameCube systems, Muscular Ranking playtest and ads for GameCube and Devil May Cry.
08/14/2001: Premiere issue -- rare collectors` item! IGN Japan heads on out to Yokosuka, Japan in order to find the real Shenmue. Featuring video footage!