The end of March means the end of the business year for most game companies, and this usually results in a flood of releases, more so than during the already packed end-of-month periods for the rest of the year. This month, things heated up following the release of Final Fantasy XII. Over 60 titles made their way out to retail over a two week period, a number that excludes all the budget re-releases and limited editions. Everyone got in on the act, with PSP and DS seeing a particularly crowded lineup, and even Xbox 360 getting a push.
But of all the releases, the most special was the latest version of SNK Playmore's King of Fighters. No, there's nothing particularly innovative about KOF: Neowave, which saw Xbox release on 3/30. What makes it a keeper is that it's the last Xbox game scheduled for release in Japan. That's right, barring any surprise game announcements, the release chart for the Xbox is officially empty.
- 02.10.2002: IGN Insider pre-look at the Xbox 360 launch
- 02.12.2002: Xbox Invades Akihabara
- 02.22.2002: Japanese Xbox Arrives at IGN Japan
- 02.22.2002: Japanese Launch Report
While delivering a strong launch lineup -- certainly a better launch lineup than the PS2 had back in 2000 -- Microsoft suffered some major setbacks from the start. Most pertinent were reports of scratched disks. This resulted in a hardware replacement offer which was initially reported through major sources as a complete recall.
- 03.06.2002: Early reports of Xbox recall
- 03.07.2002: Microsoft corrects reports of recall
- 06.02.2004: True Live Fantasy Online Cancelled
- 09.20.2002: Xbox Live in 2003
- 06.11.2002: Xbox Conference -- Summer 2002
- 07.24.2003: Xbox Conference -- Summer 2003
- 11.07.2003: First Xbox Platinum bundle
- 10.07.2002: Xbox Cafe -- precursor to the Xbox 360 Lounge?
- 12.03.2002: Sega's Cool Cool series ended up with just one game.
- 10.30.2003: Special Xbox shells
- 11.04.2003: Xbox and pizza, together at last
- 02.03.2004: Kasumi cushion
XBOX RECAP (CONT')
According to the IGN Japan game database, Microsoft and its small army of third party publishers released 219 Xbox titles to the Japanese market between 2/22/2002 and 3/30/2006. This does not include re-releases or limited editions. Famitsu Xbox 360, in its latest issue, states that 221 games were released. Regardless of the small number variations, the total is only a fraction of the PS2 titles released in Japan so far, so.
Here's a look at all the Xbox games that were released to Japan over the system's four year life span. The chart can be sorted by date, game name and publisher name by clicking on the column headers. Click the name to jump to IGN's game page for the title.
DATE (Y.M.D) | NAME | PUBLISHER | YEN |
02.02.22 | AirForce Delta II | Konami | 6800 |
02.02.22 | Dead or Alive 3 Platinum Collection (3800 yen) | Tecmo | 6800 |
02.02.22 | DOUBLE-S.T.E.A.L | Bunkasha | 6800 |
02.02.22 | ESPN Winter X Games Snowboarding 2002 | Konami | 6800 |
02.02.22 | Genma Onimusha | Capcom | 6800 |
02.02.22 | Hyper Sports 2002 Winter | Konami | 6800 |
02.02.22 | JSRF Jet Set Radio Future | Sega | 6800 |
02.02.22 | Nezmix | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.02.22 | Nobunaga no Yabou: Ranseiki | Koei | 9800 |
02.02.22 | Project Gotham: World Street Racer | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.02.22 | Silent Hill 2 Saiki no Uta | Konami | 6800 |
02.02.22 | Tenku Freestyle Snowboarding | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.02.28 | Kiru Kabuki | Genki | 6800 |
02.02.28 | Metal Dungeon | Interlex Inc. | 6800 |
02.03.07 | NBA Live 2002 | Electronic Arts Square | 6800 |
02.03.14 | Shikigami no Shiro Limited Edition (6800 yen) | Media Quest | 5800 |
02.03.21 | Gun Valkyrie | Sega | 6800 |
02.04.04 | F1 2002 | Electronic Arts Square | 6800 |
02.04.04 | Knockout Kings 2002 | Electronic Arts Square | 6800 |
02.04.04 | SSX TRICKY | Electronic Arts Square | 5800 |
02.04.18 | Ultimate Fighting Championship 2 TAPOUT | Capcom | 6800 |
02.04.25 | Halo Platinum Collection (2800 yen) | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.05.02 | 2002 FIFA World Cup | Electronic Arts | 5800 |
02.05.02 | Myst III: Exile Premium Box (9800 yen) | Media Quest | 6800 |
02.05.23 | Jikkyou World Soccer 2002 | Konami | 6800 |
02.05.30 | Mad Dash Racing | Eidos | 6800 |
02.05.30 | Puchi Copter | Aqua System | 6800 |
02.06.13 | Bistro Cupid Doki Doki Recipe Box (9800 yen) | Success | 6800 |
02.06.13 | Nakashima Tetsunari no Othello Seminar | Success | 5800 |
02.06.13 | RalliSport Challenge | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.06.13 | Takahashi Akiko no Mahjong Seminar | Success | 5800 |
02.06.13 | Umesawa Yukari no Igo Seminar | Success | 5800 |
02.06.13 | Yonenaga Kunio no Shogi Seminar | Success | 5800 |
02.06.20 | Phantom Crush | Genki | 6800 |
02.06.27 | Triangle Again | Kiki | 6800 |
02.07.04 | Magi Death Fight! | Takuyo | 6800 |
02.07.11 | The Baseball 2002 Battle Ballpark Sengen | Konami | 6800 |
02.07.25 | Crazy Taxi 3 High Roller Platinum Collection (2800 yen) | Sega | 6800 |
02.07.25 | Murakumo Platinum Collection (2800 yen) | From Software | 6800 |
02.07.25 | World Billiard Tournament Breaknine | ASK | 6800 |
02.08.08 | All-Star Baseball 2003 | Acclaim Japan | 5800 |
02.08.29 | Flight Academy | Aqua System | 6800 |
02.08.29 | WTA Tour Tennis Pro Evolution | Konami | 6800 |
02.09.12 | segaGT 2002 | Sega | 6800 |
02.09.12 | Tekki | Capcom | 19800 |
02.09.19 | Marvel VS Capcom 2 New Age of Heroes | Capcom | 6800 |
02.09.26 | Braveknight -- Reeverant Eiyuuden | Panther Software | 6800 |
02.09.26 | Maximum Chase | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.09.26 | Shin Sangoku Musou 2 | Koei | 6800 |
02.10.03 | Egg Mania Tsukande! Mawashite! Dossun Pazuuru!! | Kemko | 6800 |
02.10.03 | WWE RAW Limited Edition (12800 yen) | Kadokawa Shoten | 7800 |
02.10.10 | Jockey's Road Platinum Collection (2940 yen) | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.10.24 | Crash Bandicoot 4 Sakuretsu! Mashin Power | Konami | 4800 |
02.11.21 | Quantum Redshift Choukousoku Kuukan Battle Race | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.11.28 | Dead to Rights | Namco | 6800 |
02.11.28 | Dorihoo | Highway Star | 6800 |
02.12.05 | Innocent Tears Limited Edition (9800 yen) | Kobi | 6800 |
02.12.05 | Kikou Heidan J-Phoenix + | Takara | 6800 |
02.12.05 | Shin Megami Tensei Nine Deluxe Pack (12800 yen) Platinum Collection (2800 yen) | Atlus | 7800 |
02.12.12 | Blinx The Time Sweeper | Microsoft | 6800 |
02.12.12 | Kurenai no Umi Crimson Sea Platinum Collection (2800 yen) | Koei | 6800 |
02.12.12 | O-TO-GI Platinum Collection (2940 yen) | From Software | 6800 |
02.12.12 | Touge R | Atlus | 6800 |
02.12.19 | Panzer Dragoon Orta First Run Limited Edition (6800 yen) Platinum Collection (2800 yen) | Sega | 6800 |
02.12.19 | Shikigami no Shiro Evolution Ai | Media Quest | 5800 |
02.12.19 | Shikigami no Shiro Evolution Beni | Media Quest | 5800 |
02.12.19 | Triangle Again 2 | Kiki | 6800 |
03.01.01 | Kakutou Choujin | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.01.16 | Capcom vs. SNK 2: E.O. | Capcom | 6800 |
03.01.16 | Whacked! Giriyaba! Rantou Party Terebi! | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.01.23 | Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball Platinum Collection (3800 yen) | Tecmo | 7800 |
03.01.23 | Galaxy Angel | Broccoli | 6800 |
03.01.30 | Tenerezza | Aqua Plus | 6800 |
03.01.30 | The House of the Dead III | Sega | 6800 |
03.02.06 | Fatal Frame -- Rei Special Edition | Tecmo | 6800 |
03.02.13 | Spider-Man | Capcom | 6800 |
03.02.27 | Muzzle Flash Platinum Collection (2800 yen) | Victor Interactive Software | 6800 |
03.03.13 | Angelic Concert Special Box (8800 yen) | Success | 6800 |
03.03.20 | Batman: Dark Tomorrow | Kemko | 6800 |
03.03.20 | Thousand Land | From Software | 6800 |
03.03.27 | Soulcalibur II | Namco | 6800 |
03.04.10 | The Wild Rings | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.04.24 | N.U.D.E.@Natural Ultimate Digital Experiment | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.04.24 | Nobunaga Mahjong | e frontier | 6800 |
03.05.22 | EX Chaser | Idea Factory | 6800 |
03.05.29 | Daisenryaku VII | Kool Kizz | 6800 |
03.05.29 | Kung Fu Panic | Microsoft | 5500 |
03.06.12 | MechAssault | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.06.19 | Enter the Matrix | Bandai | 6800 |
03.06.26 | C.A.T.: Cyber Attack Team | Medix | 6800 |
03.06.26 | Dino Crisis 3 Platinum Collection (2940 yen) | Capcom | 6800 |
03.07.03 | Hitman: Silent Assassins Platinum Collection (2940 yen) | Eidos | 6800 |
03.07.17 | Bloody Roar Extreme | Hudson | 6800 |
03.07.17 | Lakemasters | Capcom | 6800 |
03.07.17 | MotoGP URT2 Online Challenge | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.08.07 | Midtown Madness 3 | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.08.07 | Sentou Yousei Yukikaze: Yousei no Mau Sora | Aqua System | 5800 |
03.08.28 | Bistro Cupid 2 Special Version (8800 yen) | Success | 6800 |
03.08.28 | Circus Drive | Capcom | 6800 |
03.09.04 | Rent A Hero No. 1 | Sega | 5800 |
03.09.04 | Shin Sangoku Musou 3 | Koei | 6800 |
03.09.18 | Dinosaur Hunting -- Ushinawareta Daichi | Microsoft | 5800 |
03.09.25 | Tom Clancy Series: Ghost Recon | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.10.09 | Brute Force | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.10.23 | Inside Pitch 2003 (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.10.23 | NFL Fever 2004 (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.10.23 | Outlaw Golf (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 2800 |
03.10.23 | Outlaw Volleyball (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.10.23 | Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.11.20 | Magatama First Production Run (6800 yen) | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.11.20 | Project Gotham Racing 2 Platinum Collection (2940 yen) | Microsoft | 6800 |
03.11.27 | R: Racing Revolution | Namco | 6800 |
03.11.27 | Tom Clancy Series Splinter Cell | Ubisoft | 6800 |
03.12.18 | EXA SKELETON | Kiki | 6800 |
03.12.25 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.12.25 | O-TO-GI: Hyakki Toubatsu Emaki Platinum Collection (2940 yen) | From Software | 6800 |
03.12.25 | Return to Casle Wolfenstein:Tides of War (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.12.25 | segaGT Online | Sega | 6980 |
03.12.25 | The Simpsons: Hit&Run (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.12.25 | Wakeboarding Unleashed featuring Shaun Murray (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
03.12.30 | Sonic Heroes | Sega | 6980 |
04.01.15 | Plus Plum 2 | Takuyo | 6800 |
04.01.22 | Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.01.22 | NBA Inside Drive 2004 (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.01.22 | Unreal Championship (Xbox World Collection) | Infogrames | 4800 |
04.01.29 | auto modellista U.S.-tuned | Capcom | 4800 |
04.01.29 | Breakdown | Namco | 6800 |
04.02.26 | Rogue Ops | Kemko | 6800 |
04.02.26 | Tekki Taisen Special Controller Bundle (19800 yen) | Capcom | 7800 |
04.02.26 | Tenku 2 | Microsoft | 6800 |
04.03.11 | Ninja Gaiden | Tecmo | 7800 |
04.03.11 | Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Island Thunder | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.03.25 | Counter Strike (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.03.25 | Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.03.25 | Links 2004 (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.04.15 | Shikigami no Shiro II | Kids Station | 4800 |
04.04.22 | Dennou Taisen -- DroneZ | Metro 3D Japan | 5800 |
04.04.24 | Puyo Puyo Fever | Sega | 4980 |
04.04.29 | Ghoulies: Grabbed by the Ghoulies | Microsoft | 5800 |
04.04.29 | Guilty Gear XX #Reload | Sammy | 5040 |
04.05.20 | Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | Microsoft | 6800 |
04.05.20 | Metal Arms: Glitch in the System (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.05.20 | Tony Hawk's Underground (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.05.27 | Aoi Namida | Panther Software | 6800 |
04.05.27 | Tenchu San: Kaiki no Shou | From Software | 6800 |
04.06.10 | RalliSport Challenge 2 | Microsoft | 6800 |
04.06.17 | Deus Ex Invisible War | Eidos | 6800 |
04.06.24 | Metal Slug 3 | SNK Playmore | 4800 |
04.07.08 | Tom Clancy Series Rainbow Six 3 | Ubisoft | 6800 |
04.07.15 | Top Spin | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.07.22 | Magic: The Gathering - Battlegrounds (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.07.22 | Voodoo Vince (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.07.22 | X2: Wolverine's Revenge (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.07.29 | Digimon Battle Chronicle | Bandai | 6800 |
04.07.29 | Grand Theft Auto Double Pack | Capcom | 7600 |
04.07.29 | Sengoku Musou | Koei | 6800 |
04.08.05 | XIII [Thirteen] Daitouryou wo Koroshita Otoko | Marvelous Interactive | 6980 |
04.09.02 | Dead Man's Hand (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.09.02 | Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.09.23 | Phantom Dust | Microsoft | 5800 |
04.09.30 | FULL SPECTRUN WARRIOR | Microsoft | 6500 |
04.10.07 | SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS | SNK Playmore | 4800 |
04.10.07 | Star Wars: Battlefront | Electronic Arts | 6800 |
04.10.14 | Hitman: Contracts | Eidos | 5800 |
04.10.28 | Psyvariar Extend Edition | Success | 4800 |
04.10.28 | Street Fighter Aniversary Collection | Capcom | 4800 |
04.10.28 | True Crime: Streets of LA | Capcom | 6800 |
04.11.03 | Dead or Alive Ultimate | Tecmo | 9240 |
04.11.11 | FATAL FRAME 2 Crimson Butterfly | Tecmo | 6800 |
04.11.11 | Halo 2 Limited Edition (6800 yen) Xbox Live bundle (9500 yen) | Microsoft | 6800 |
04.11.18 | Blinx 2: Battle of Time & Space | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.12.02 | Mr. Incredible | D3 Publisher | 5800 |
04.12.09 | Sonic Mega Collection Plus | Sega | 4800 |
04.12.16 | Guilty Gear Isuka | Sammy | 4800 |
04.12.16 | GUNGRIFFON Allied Strike | Tecmo | 6800 |
04.12.16 | Shrek 2 (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.12.16 | SWAT: Global Strike Team (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
04.12.22 | Metalwolf Chaos | From Software | 6800 |
05.01.06 | Digimon World X | Bandai | 6800 |
05.01.20 | MechAssault 2 Lone Wolf | Microsoft | 6800 |
05.01.27 | Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders | Jaleco | 6800 |
05.01.27 | OutRun2 First Run Edition (6800 yen) | Sega | 6800 |
05.01.27 | Rocky Legends (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
05.01.27 | Ultra Puzzle Bobble | Taito | 4800 |
05.01.27 | X-MEN Legend (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 4800 |
05.02.17 | Star Wars Republic Commando | Electronic Arts | 6800 |
05.02.24 | Metal Slug 4 First Run Limited Edition (4800 yen) | SNK Playmore | 4800 |
05.03.10 | Tom Clancy Series Rainbow Six 3 Black Arrow | Ubisoft | 4800 |
05.03.17 | Fable | Microsoft | 6800 |
05.03.24 | Spikeout Battle Street | Sega | 6800 |
05.03.24 | Super Monkey Ball Deluxe | Sega | 3800 |
05.03.24 | The King of Fighters 2002 First Run Edition (4800 yen) | SNK Playmore | 4800 |
05.04.07 | Tom Clancy Series Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow | Ubisoft | 6800 |
05.04.21 | Constantine | Marvelous Interactive | 6800 |
05.05.12 | Forza Motorsport | Microsoft | 6800 |
05.05.26 | Red Dead Revolver | Capcom | 6800 |
05.06.16 | Capcom Fighting Jam | Capcom | 5040 |
05.06.16 | Jade Empire: Hisui no Teikoku | Microsoft | 7140 |
05.06.23 | KOF Maximum Impact Maniax | SNK Playmore | 5040 |
05.06.30 | Conker: Live and Reloaded | Microsoft | 6090 |
05.07.07 | Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack | Microsoft | 1554 |
05.07.14 | Sudeki: Sennen no Akatsuki no Monogatari | Microsoft | 6090 |
05.07.28 | Metal Slug 5 | SNK Playmore | 5040 |
05.08.04 | Atari Anthology (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 6090 |
05.08.04 | Double Steal The Second Clash | Microsoft | 6090 |
05.08.04 | Rapala Pro Fishing (Xbox World Collection) | Microsoft | 6090 |
05.08.25 | Shin Sangokumusou 4 | Koei | 7140 |
05.08.25 | The King of Fighters 2003 | SNK Playmore | 6090 |
05.09.15 | Brother in Arms: Road to Hill 30 | Ubisoft | 7140 |
05.09.22 | Tom Clancy Series Rainbow Six Lockdown | Ubisoft | 7140 |
05.09.29 | Ninja Gaiden Black | Tecmo | 5040 |
05.10.13 | Prince of Persia: Kenshi no Kokoro | Ubisoft | 7140 |
05.10.27 | Call of Duty: Finest Hour | Koei | 7140 |
05.10.27 | Tecmo Classic Arcade | Tecmo | 3990 |
05.11.02 | Beat Down | Capcom | 7140 |
05.11.17 | Tom Clancy Series Splinter Cell Chaos Theory | Ubisoft | 7140 |
05.12.15 | Shadow The Hedgehog | Sega | 7140 |
06.02.23 | Sonic Riders | Sega | 6090 |
06.03.30 | The King of Fighters Neowave | SNK Playmore | 5040 |
Microsoft was the biggest software publisher for the Xbox, with Famitsu Xbox 360 crediting it with 74 titles. Capcom comes in at second with 19, followed by Sega (17), Tecmo (11), From Software and Konami (9 each) and Electronic Arts and Koei (7 each).
Microsoft also came out on top sales-wise, with 515,000 pieces of software sold across its 74 games. Tecmo was second with 511,100 units sold across its 11 games. That works out to an average of 6959 copies per game for Microsoft compared to 46,455 copies per game for Tecmo. Don't doubt the power of Team Ninja.
Following these two were Sega (198,000 games), Capcom (174,400) and From Software (112,000).
One reason Microsoft's total is so low is that it served as publisher for the World Collection series of titles. World Collection games, first announced by Peter Moore at the Summer 2003 Xbox Summit, were overseas titles released to Japan with absolutely no localization, allowing MS to build up the Xbox's lineup without investing too much money in its efforts. Obviously, few people actually bought these games.
Tecmo, on the whole, had the biggest role in Japanese Xbox software, so it should come as no surprise that the company's branding appears on four of the top five games. Here's a look at the top 20 best selling Xbox games in Japan, as listed in Famitsu Xbox 360. The numbers cover between 2/22/2002 and 2/26/2006.
RANK | GAME | PUB | REL | SALES |
1 | Dead or Alive 3 | Tecmo | 02.22.02 | 217,149 |
2 | Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball | Tecmo | 01.23.03 | 127,576 |
3 | Halo | Microsoft | 04.25.04 | 76,963 |
4 | Dead or Alive Ultimate | Tecmo | 11.03.04 | 62,890 |
5 | Ninja Gaiden | Tecmo | 03.11.04 | 56,544 |
6 | Murakumo | From Software | 07.25.02 | 52,436 |
7 | Genma Onimusha | Capcom | 02.22.02 | 49,990 |
8 | Halo 2 | Microsoft | 11.11.04 | 45,917 |
9 | Panzer Dragoon Orta | Sega | 12.19.02 | 43,850 |
10 | Shin Megamitensei Nine | Atlus | 12.05.02 | 42,920 |
11 | Project Gotham World Street Racer | Microsoft | 02.22.02 | 41,751 |
12 | Soul Calibur II | Namco | 03.27.03 | 31,815 |
13 | Crazy Taxi 3 High Roller | Sega | 07.25.02 | 31,481 |
14 | Dino Crisis 3 | Capcom | 06.26.03 | 30,521 |
15 | Project Gotham Racing 2 | Microsoft | 11.20.03 | 30,263 |
16 | Crimson Sea | Koei | 12.12.02 | 29,586 |
17 | Xbox Live Starter Kit | Microsoft | 01.16.03 | 28,774 |
18 | JSRF: Jet Set Radio Future | Sega | 02.22.02 | 28,433 |
19 | Shikigami no Shiro | Media Quest | 03.14.02 | 27,838 |
20 | Tekki | Capcom | 09.12.02 | 27,166 |
Below position 20, things start to get really low. Entry 30, the reprehensible N.U.D.E., checks in with 14,425 units. Entry 50, the reprehensible Magatama, checks in at 10,341 units. The 100th entry, Touge R from Atlus, sold just 4,609 units.
A quick look at hardware sales reported in Famitsu Xbox 360 ought to suggest why the software figures were so low. Xbox never managed to cross the 500,000 units mark in Japan. As of 1/1/2006, the Xbox had sold a total of 472,992 units. Following its debut at 120,000+ units, the system dropped down to half in the next month, then went down to a point just above the 10,000 mark. The start of Xbox Live service on 1/16/2003 saw a two month spike in sales, but in April of the same year, the system was already selling just a few thousand units a month. Price drops caused only minimal spikes.
With Xbox 360 hardware and software sales already starting to resemble those of a late life Xbox, there may be some concern that Microsoft's next generation system will stage a repeat performance. Things seem to be different this time, though. The Xbox never had any killer titles following launch. Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden and the like were all well received, of course, but the system never got a game capable of taking it beyond the small niche it had established by getting Team Ninja and Sega support early on.
With games like Blue Dragon due in 2006, there may be no such problem this time. Perhaps we'll be able to wait a bit longer before doing a recap of the Xbox 360's life.
Turn the page for a look at the latest Japanese game magazines.
MAG RECAP
This section of Gaming Life in Japan takes a look at what's big in the latest game magazines from Japan. From Famitsu to Dengeki to smaller publications like Dorimaga, Japan has lots of videogame magazines. While we tend to put up all the news and game info revealed in the magazines on the main pages of IGN, this section gives you a closer look just so you can be sure that you're not missing out on anything.
Be sure and click on the covers of each magazine for larger versions. Print them out and hold them in your hand as you read!
FAMITSU -- NO. 904
Famitsu has put soccer players on its cover before, and we usually complain, but Robert Baggio is the spokesperson for a Sega game (Saka-Tsuku European Championship), and the former us still has hopes of a successor to the Dreamcast helping Sega return to its glory of ages past, so we can't put too much hate on him.
Outside of a lengthy interview with Baggio, this issue of Famitsu has a few big scoops. SD Gundam G Generation Portable is coming to the PSP this year, but before that, the PS2 will get the latest Sunrise Eiyuutan game on June 1st. Also debuting in this issue are a bunch of brain training games for the PSP and DS, but mostly for the DS, which we've already covered on the main channels.
Making headlines in this month's issue is a report on GDC 2006, with Zelda DS, PC Engine and Mega Drive support for Revolution, Animal Crossing coming to Revolution, the PS3 demos, Online distribution for PS3 software and Microsoft's XNA tools getting full reports. The magazine also got the scoop on the World Cup Xbox 360 model.
Famitsu also celebrates April Fools Day with this issue. In a section titled "20 Huge Scoops that Seem Like Lies," the magazine gives details on 20 super scoops and asks readers to rate them as true, partially true or flat-out lies. Here are some favorites:
So which of these are lies? Well, there were only two totally true scoops, and neither are listed here.
Outside of the April Fools Day feature, Famitsu has a tiny rumors column. This week's column contained some bits that could end up being a reality. PS3 will be home to a sequel to Ryu Ga Gotoku, according to this column. Also, next week's Xbox 360 press conference (check back at IGN Xbox 360 on 4/6) will see announcements games based off a nationally recognized robot anime and a well-known card/dice game. If those two news bits do emerge from the press conference, maybe we can start looking forward to next generation Gotoku.
Despite two weeks of packed reviews, Famitsu somehow manages to get another packed review list. When will the game releases let up!?
GAME | SYSTEM | PUB | SCORE |
Eye Shield 21 Devilbats Devildays | GBA | Nintendo | 7, 7, 7, 6 |
Fruits Mura no Doubutsutachi 2 -- Osora no Fruits Land | NDS | TDK Core | 6, 6, 6, 4 |
Tenchu Dark Shadow | NDS | From Software | 8, 7, 7, 7 |
Black | PS2 | Electronic Arts | 8, 8, 8, 8 |
Haru no Ashioto -- Step of Spring Paku Paku Pack | PS2 | Alchemist | 7, 7, 7, 6 |
Mitsu x Mitsu Drops -- Love x Love Honey Life | PS2 | Idea Factory | 6, 6, 6, 5 |
Pro Yakyuu Netsu Suta 2006 | PS2 | Bandai Namco Games | 8, 8, 8, 8 |
Pro Yakyuu Spirits 3 | PS2 | Konami | 9, 9, 8, 8 |
Simple 2000 Series Vol.96 The Kaizoku -- Gaikotsu Ippai Reetsu | PS2 | D3 Publisher | 6, 6, 6, 5 |
Wizardry X2 -- Mugen no Gakuto | PS2 | Michael Soft | 7, 6, 6, 6 |
Koukyou Shihen Eureka Seven | PSP | Bandai Namco Games | 7, 6, 6, 6 |
Simple 2500 Series Portable!! Vol.5 The Block Kuzushi Quest -- Dragonkingdam | PSP | D3 Publisher | 7, 6, 6, 6 |
Star Wars Battle Front II | PSP | Electronic Arts | 7, 7, 7, 7 |
Pro Yakyuu Spirits 3 | X360 | Konami | 10, 9, 9, 8 |
Turn the page for a look at the latest charts.
RANK-IN!!!
Wondering what's hot in the Japanese gaming scene? This section of Gaming Life in Japan brings you the latest charts for hardware, home software and arcade titles, along with a top thirty most wanted list.
We've sourced retail tracker Media Create for the software and hardware charts and game magazine Famitsu Weekly for the most wanted chart.
We'll also occasionally provide sales data from more specialist magazines in the weekly magazine recap section. Check out that area for looks at sales for titles on individual systems.
Be sure and check back every week to find out what Japanese gamers are into!
GAME-RANK-IN: 03.20.06 - 03.26.06 |
Lots of newbies for a week with lots of releases:
11. Crayon Shin-chan Densetsu wo Yobu... (Banpresto, GBA)
12. Shakugan no Shana (Media Works, PS2)
13. Mahou Sensei Negima Private Lesson 2 (Marvelous Int., GBA)
14. Memories Off Sorekara Again (Kid, PS2)
15. Mahou Sensei Negima! Kagai Jugyou (Konami, PS2)
18. Yggdra Union (Spike, GBA)
19. Shin Sangoku Musou 2nd Evolution (Koei, PSP)
27. Style Book Junior City (Bandai, NDS)
30. Puzzle Series Vol.3 Sudoku (Hudson, NDS)
31. Wizardry X2 (Michael Soft, PS2)
33. Pawa Poke Dash (Konami, GBA)
37. Rakusho! Pachislot Sengen 4 (Tecmo, PS2)
38. Jan Sangoku Musou (Koei, PS2)
48. Style Book Cinemoroll (Bandai, NDS)
49. Marie & Ellie & Anis no Atelier (Banpresto, GBA)
Check out that low debut for Dynasty Warriors PSP!
According to Media Create, the top 100 games for this week sold 1,336,004 units, 56.97% of last week's total. Thirty-three new titles took up 43.38% of that.
# | SYS | GAME | PUB | RELEASE | SALES |
1 | PS2 | Final Fantasy XII | Square Enix | 03.16.06 | 237,678 |
2 | NDS | Pokemon Ranger | Nintendo | 03.23.06 | 193,337 |
3 | PS2 | Ace Combat Zero | Namco | 03.23.06 | 109,100 |
4 | NDS | Oideyo Doubutsu no Mori (Animal Crossing DS) | Nintendo | 11.23.05 | 87,797 |
5 | NDS | Motto Nou wo Kitaeru Otona no DS Training | Nintendo | 12.29.05 | 76,911 |
6 | PS2 | Dynasty Warriors 4 Empires | Koei | 03.23.06 | 54,360 |
7 | NDS | Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training -- Eigozuke | Nintendo | 01.26.06 | 46,411 |
8 | NDS | Nou wo Kitaeru Otona no DS Training | Nintendo | 05.19.05 | 46,223 |
9 | PS2 | Harukanaru Toki no Naka De 3 Unmei no Labyrinth | Koei | 03.23.06 | 45,636 |
10 | NDS | Mario Kart DS | Nintendo | 12.08.05 | 21,691 |
PS2=PlayStation 2, GCN=GameCube, NDS=Nintendo DS
PSP=PlayStation Portable, GBA=Game Boy Advance
HARD-RANK-IN: 03.20.06 - 03.26.06 |
# | MAKER | SYSTEM | THIS WEEK |
1 | Nintendo | DS Lite | 119,986 |
2 | Nintendo | DS | 39,307 |
3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | PlayStation 2 | 34,169 |
4 | Sony Computer Entertainment | PSP | 31,077 |
5 | Nintendo | Game Boy Advance SP | 5,627 |
6 | Nintendo | Game Boy Micro | 4,883 |
7 | Nintendo | GameCube | 1,458 |
8 | Microsoft | Xbox 360 | 1,415 |
9 | Microsoft | Xbox | 117 |
10 | Nintendo | Game Boy Advance | 98 |
MOST WANTED |
# | SYS | GAME | MAKER |
1 | GBA | Mother 3 | Nintendo |
2 | PS3 | Biohazard 5 | Capcom |
3 | PS3 | Metal Gear Solid 4 | Konami |
4 | NDS | Final Fantasy III | Square Enix |
5 | PS2 | Kimi Kiss | Enterbrain |
6 | PS2 | Valkyrie Profile 2 Silmiria | Square Enix |
7 | PS2 | Seiken Densetsu 4 | Square Enix |
8 | PS2 | Persona 3 | Atlus |
9 | PS2 | Okami | Capcom |
10 | PS2 | Xenosaga Episode III | Bandai Namco Games |
11 | PS2 | Dragon Quest: Shounen Yangus to Fushigi no Dungeon | Square Enix |
12 | GCN | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo |
13 | X360 | Blue Dragon | Microsoft |
14 | DS | New Super Mario Brothers | Nintendo |
15 | DS | Gyakuten Saiban 4 | Capcom |
16 | X360 | Ninety-Nine Nights | Microsoft |
17 | DS | Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl | Pokemon |
18 | PS2 | Jikkyou Powerful Major League | Konami |
19 | DS | Tales of the Tempest | Bandai Namco Games |
20 | PS2 | Sengoku Basara 2 | Capcom |
21 | PS2 | Utawareru Mono | Aqua Plus |
22 | PS2 | Phantasy Star Universe | Sega |
23 | GCN | Odama | Nintendo |
24 | PS2 | Pro Yakyuu Spirits 3 | Konami |
25 | PS3 | Devil May Cry 4 | Capcom |
26 | PS2 | Summon Night 4 | Bandai Namco Games |
27 | PS2 | Shining Wind | Sega |
28 | PS2 | Pro Yakyuu Nessuta 2006 | Bandai Namco Games |
29 | PS2 | .hack//G.U. Vol.1 Saitan | Bandai Namco Games |
30 | PS2 | Growlancer V Generations | Atlus |
PS2=PlayStation 2, GCN=GameCube, WS=Wonderswan
PS=PlayStation, DC=Dreamcast, GBA=Game Boy Advance
Any corrections, comments or questions regarding these charts? Send them to the IGN Japan mailbag.
Turn the page for the latest release dates from Japan.
RELEASE DATES
This section of Gaming Life in Japan provides you with an up-to-date release list of games coming out in Japan. We list pretty much everything that's been announced.
In order to make the list more readable, we've split things up into two sections: games that have a release date and games that are TBA. On this page, you'll find the games that have some sort of date attached to them -- even if it's just something vague like TBA 2007.
Recent changes, including new release dates, new names or new prices, are marked in bold. New entries are in red If you encounter something you think may be an error in the list, please e-mail us about it.
Nintendo DS |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
04.06.06 | Angelique Duet | Koei | 5040 |
04.06.06 | DS Lite Pouch 'Ruby' Angelique Duet + Kamitori no Shugosei Art Card 3 Piece Set | Koei | 7560 |
04.06.06 | Fruits Mura no Doubutsutachi 2 -- Osora no Fruits Land | TDK Core | 5040 |
04.06.06 | Tenchu Dark Shadow | From Software | 5040 |
04.13.06 | Densetsu no Starfee 4 | Nintendo | 4800 |
04.13.06 | Kanji Sono Mama DS Rakubiki Jiten | Nintendo | 4800 |
04.13.06 | Osawari Tantei Osawa Rina | Success | 5040 |
04.20.06 | Soroelle Puzzle Douwa Oukoku | Success | 3990 |
04.20.06 | Tabi no Yubi Sashi Kaiwachou DS DS Series 1 Thai | Nintendo | 2800 |
04.20.06 | Tabi no Yubi Sashi Kaiwachou DS DS Series 2 China | Nintendo | 2800 |
04.20.06 | Tabi no Yubi Sashi Kaiwachou DS DS Series 3 Kankoku | Nintendo | 2800 |
04.20.06 | Tsubasa Chronicle Vol.2 | Arika | 5229 |
04.20.06 | ZooTycoon -- Doubutsuen wo Tsukurou! | Sega | 5040 |
04.27.06 | Naruto -- Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu 4 DS | Tomy | 5040 |
04.27.06 | Ore no Sentouki | Taito | 5040 |
04.27.06 | Simple DS Series Vol. 7 The Illust Puzzle & Suuji Puzzle | D3 Publisher | 2800 |
04.27.06 | Tabi no Yubi Sashi Kaiwachou DS DS Series 4 America | Nintendo | 2800 |
04.27.06 | Tabi no Yubi Sashi Kaiwachou DS DS Series 5 Germany | Nintendo | 2800 |
04.27.06 | Tetris DS | Nintendo | 3800 |
Apr 06 | Nobunaga no Yabou DS | Koei | 5040 |
05.18.06 | - Unou no Tatsujin - Gun Bullet Trainer | Bandai Namco Games | 3990 |
05.25.06 | Daisenryaku DS | Genki | 5040 |
05.25.06 | Mawashite Tsunageru Touch Panic | Nintendo | 3800 |
05.25.06 | New Super Mario Brothers | Nintendo | 4800 |
05.25.06 | Peter Jackson's King Kong -- Official Game of the Movie | Ubisoft | 5040 |
05.25.06 | Sugar Sugar Rune Queen Shiken ha Dai Panic | Bandai Namco Games | 5040 |
05.25.06 | Ultimate Spiderman | Taito | 4800 |
05.27.06 | Ochaken no Heya DS | MTO | 5040 |
May 06 | Simple DS Series Vol.8 The Kanshikikan -- Kinkyuu Shukkin! Jiken Genba wo Touch-seyo!! | D3 Publisher | 2800 |
Spr 06 | Kawaii Koinu DS | MTO | 5040 |
06.01.06 | Kanji no Watari Tori | Success | 3990 |
06.08.06 | Tales of the Tempest | Bandai Namco Games | 5040 |
Jun 06 | Digimon Story | Bandai Namco Games | 5040 |
Jun 06 | Gouma Fuden Izuna | Success | TBA |
Jun 06 | Kodomo no Tame no Yomikikase Ehon De Asobou 1 | Starfish SD | 2982 |
Jun 06 | Kodomo no Tame no Yomikikase Ehon De Asobou 2 | Starfish SD | 2982 |
Jun 06 | Kodomo no Tame no Yomikikase Ehon De Asobou 3 | Starfish SD | 2982 |
Jun 06 | Metal Saga Hagane no Kisetsu | Success | 5040 |
Jun 06 | Nintendo DS Browser | Nintendo | 3800 |
Jun 06 | Simple DS Series Vol. 5 The Trump | D3 Publisher | 2800 |
08.03.06 | Chuugaku Eitango Target 1800 DS | IE Institute | 3990 |
08.03.06 | Eitango Target 1900 DS | IE Institute | 3990 |
Smr 06 | Brave Story | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
Smr 06 | Idaten Jump | Taito | TBA |
Smr 06 | Simple DS Series Vol. XX The Tennis | D3 Publisher | 2800 |
Smr 06 | Simple DS Series Vol. XX The Zokusha Kids -- Bucchi Giri Tsuushin Taisen | D3 Publisher | 2800 |
09.14.06 | Shikakui Atama wo Marukusuru. DS Joushiki, Nanmon Chapter | IE Institute | TBA |
09.14.06 | Shikakui Atama wo Marukusuru. DS Kanji Chapter | IE Institute | TBA |
09.14.06 | Shikakui Atama wo Marukusuru. DS Keisan Chapter | IE Institute | TBA |
TBA 06 | ASH - Archaic Sealed Heat - | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Bomberman Story | Hudson | TBA |
TBA 06 | Custom Robo DS | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Detect Hacker | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Final Fantasy III | Square Enix | TBA |
TBA 06 | Fushigi no Dungeon: Fuurai no Shiren DS | Sega | TBA |
TBA 06 | GT-D Racing | MTO | TBA |
TBA 06 | Gyakuten Saiban 4 | Capcom | TBA |
TBA 06 | Kaitou Rousseau | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA 06 | Kaitou Wario | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Magical Vacation 5-tsu no Hoshi ga Narabu Toki | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Mario Basket 3on3 | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Metroid Prime Hunters | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Momotetsu World | Hudson | TBA |
TBA 06 | Pocket Monsters Diamond | Pokemon | TBA |
TBA 06 | Pocket Monsters Pearl | Pokemon | TBA |
TBA 06 | Rune Factory -- Shin Bokujou Monogatari | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
TBA 06 | Sentouin Yamada Hajime 2 | Kids Station | TBA |
TBA 06 | Super Robot Taisen DS | Banpresto | TBA |
TBA 06 | Tingle RPG | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Toy Heads World | Interactive Brains | TBA |
TBA 06 | Wish Room | Nintendo | TBA |
PlayStation 2 |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
04.06.06 | Black | Electronic Arts | 5040 |
04.06.06 | Haru no Ashioto -- Step of Spring | Alchemist | 7140 |
04.06.06 | Haru no Ashioto -- Step of Spring Paku Paku Pack | Alchemist | 12000 |
04.06.06 | Mitsu x Mitsu Drops -- Love x Love Honey Life | Idea Factory | 7140 |
04.06.06 | Mitsu x Mitsu Drops -- Love x Love Honey Life (Limited Edition) | Idea Factory | 9240 |
04.06.06 | Pro Yakyuu Netsu Suta 2006 | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
04.06.06 | Pro Yakyuu Spirits 3 | Konami | 7140 |
04.06.06 | Simple 2000 Series Ultimate Vol.31 K-1 World Max 2005 -- Sekai Ousha e no Michi | D3 Publisher | 2100 |
04.06.06 | Simple 2000 Series Ultimate Vol.32 Azumi | D3 Publisher | 2100 |
04.06.06 | Simple 2000 Series Vol.96 The Kaizoku -- Gaikotsu Ippai Reetsu | D3 Publisher | 2100 |
04.13.06 | Guilty Gear XX Slash | Sega | 5040 |
04.13.06 | Kouenji Joshi Soccer | Starfish SD | 7140 |
04.13.06 | Kouenji Joshi Soccer (1st stage Limited Edition) | Starfish SD | 8190 |
04.13.06 | Mahjong Haou Dankyuu Battle II | Mainichi Communications | 3465 |
04.20.06 | Dragon Quest Shounen Yangus to Fushigi no Dungeon | Square Enix | TBA |
04.20.06 | Final Fantasy XI Atorugan no Hihou Kakuchou Data Disk | Square Enix | 4179 |
04.20.06 | Iris (2800 Collection) | Kid | 2940 |
04.20.06 | Natsuyume Yobanashi (2800 Collection) | Kid | 2940 |
04.20.06 | Okami | Capcom | 7140 |
04.20.06 | Omoi no Kakera -Close to- (2800 Collection) | Kid | 2940 |
04.20.06 | Ougon Kishi Garo | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
04.20.06 | PlayOnline / Final Fantasy XI All In One Pack 2006 | Square Enix | 8190 |
04.20.06 | Rakugaki Oukoku 2 Maou Shiro no Tatakai (Taito Best) | Taito | 2940 |
04.20.06 | Rozen Maiden Dual Waltz | Taito | 7140 |
04.20.06 | Rozen Maiden Dual Waltz (Genteiban) | Taito | 9240 |
04.20.06 | Shooting Love -- Trizeal | Datum Polystar | 7140 |
04.20.06 | Spectral VS Generation | Idea Factory | 7140 |
04.20.06 | The King of Fighters Orochi Version | SNK Playmore | 5040 |
04.20.06 | The King of Fighters Orochi-hen (Genteiban) | SNK Playmore | 10290 |
04.27.06 | 2006 FIFA World Cup German Taikai | Electronic Arts | 6090 |
04.27.06 | Bara no Ki ni Bara no Hana Saku -- Das Versprechen -- | Interchannel | 7140 |
04.27.06 | e'tude prologue -- Yure Ugoku Kokoro no Katachi | Takuyo | 7140 |
04.27.06 | Galaxy Angel II Zettai Ryouiki no Tobira | Broccoli | 7140 |
04.27.06 | Galaxy Angel II Zettai Ryouiki no Tobira Deluxe Pack | Broccoli | 9240 |
04.27.06 | Izumo 2: Mouki Tsurugi no Senki | GN Software | 7140 |
04.27.06 | Izumo 2: Mouki Tsurugi no Senki (Limited First Run Edition) | GN Software | 9240 |
04.27.06 | Juiced: Tuned Car Densetsu | Sega | 7140 |
04.27.06 | Kimi Suta -- Kimi to Steady | Primavera | 7140 |
04.27.06 | Kimi Suta -- Kimi to Steady (BGM Collection Package) | Primavera | 8190 |
04.27.06 | Kishin Houkou Demon Bane (Kadokawa the Best) | Kadokawa Shoten | 3990 |
04.27.06 | KOF Maximum Impact 2 | SNK Playmore | 7140 |
04.27.06 | Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol.27 Panzer Dragoon | Sega | 2625 |
04.27.06 | Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol.28 Dynamite Keiji | Sega | 2625 |
04.27.06 | Simple 2000 Series Vol.99 The Genshijin | D3 Publisher | 2100 |
04.27.06 | The Convenie 4! Ano Machi wo Dokusennseyo | Hamster | 6090 |
04.27.06 | World Soccer Winning Eleven 10 | Konami | 7329 |
04.27.06 | Yamasa Digi World SP Moeyo! | Yamasa Entertainment | 5040 |
05.11.06 | Eureka Seven NEW VISION | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
05.11.06 | Jikkyou Powerful Major League | Konami | 7329 |
05.11.06 | Ryuuko no Ken: Ten-Chi-Jin | SNK Playmore | 5040 |
05.11.06 | Ultimate Hits Front Mission 4 | Square Enix | 2800 |
05.11.06 | Ultimate Hits Romancing Saga Minstrell Song | Square Enix | 2800 |
05.15.06 | Prince of Persia -- Fufatsi no Tamashii | Ubisoft | 7140 |
05.18.06 | .hack//G.U. Vol.1 Saitan | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
05.18.06 | Beatmania II DX 11 - II DX RED - | Konami | 7329 |
05.18.06 | Colorful Box -- to LOVE (2800 Collection) | Kid | 2800 |
05.18.06 | Cross Channel -- To all people (2800 Collection) | Kid | 2800 |
05.18.06 | Growlancer V Generations (First Run Limited Edition Version) | Atlus | 8379 |
05.18.06 | Growlanser V Generations | Atlus | 7149 |
05.18.06 | Pizzicato Polka: Suisei Genya (2800 Collection) | Kid | 2800 |
05.18.06 | Plus Plum 2 | Takuyo | 6090 |
05.25.06 | Hisshou Pachinko Pachislot Kouryaku Series Vol.3 CR Ashita ga Arusa Yoshimoto World | D3 Publisher | 5040 |
05.25.06 | Kimi Kiss | Enterbrain | 7140 |
05.25.06 | Mystreet: Kaoru Yasogami no Jiken File | Yeti | 7140 |
05.25.06 | Mystreet: Kaoru Yasogami no Jiken File (Limited Edition) | Yeti | 9240 |
05.25.06 | Ouka -- Kokoro Kagayakaseru Sakura | Pione Soft | 7140 |
05.25.06 | Ouka -- Kokoro Kagayakaseru Sakura (Special Pack Version) | Pione Soft | 9240 |
05.25.06 | Radilgy Precious | Michael Soft | 6090 |
05.25.06 | Shin Gouketsuji Bonnou Kaihou | Excite | 7140 |
05.25.06 | Soshite Kono Sora Ni Kirameku Kimi No Uta | Datum Polystar | 7140 |
05.25.06 | Street Fighter Zero Fighters Generation | Capcom | 4800 |
05.25.06 | Tsuyokisu -- Mighty Heart | Princess Soft | 7350 |
05.25.06 | Tsuyokisu -- Mighty Heart (First Run Limited Edition) | Princess Soft | 8400 |
05.25.06 | TT SUPERBIKES | Taito | 6090 |
05.25.06 | Uchuu Keiji Tamashii | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
May 06 | Mark Ecko Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure | Atari | 7140 |
May 06 | Oretachi Gesen Zoku: Castlevania | Hamster | 2000 |
May 06 | Oretachi Gesen Zoku: Contra | Hamster | 2000 |
May 06 | Oretachi Gesen Zoku: Pooyan | Hamster | 2000 |
May 06 | Parfe: Chocolat Second Style | Alchemist | 7140 |
May 06 | Parfe: Chocolat Second Style (Cattleya Set) | Alchemist | TBA |
May 06 | Samurai 7 | Idea Factory | 7140 |
May 06 | Samurai 7 (Limited Edition) | Idea Factory | 12390 |
Spr 06 | Chou Dragon Ball Z | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
Spr 06 | Hoshigari Empusa | Takuyo | TBA |
Spr 06 | JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Phantom Blood | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
Spr 06 | Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol.24 Last Bronx: Tokyo Bangaichi | Sega | 2625 |
Spr 06 | Shin Sangoku Musou Series Collection Gekan | Koei | TBA |
06.01.06 | Sunrise Eiyuutan 3 | Sunrise Interactive | 6800 |
06.01.06 | World Football Climax | Sega | 7140 |
06.22.06 | Elemental Gerad: Matoe, Suifuu no Ken (TAITO BEST) | Taito | 2940 |
06.22.06 | Gakuen Alice -- Kira Kira Memory Kiss | Kids Station | 7140 |
06.22.06 | Muitsu Hoshi Kirari -- Hoshifuru Miyako | Chise | 7140 |
06.22.06 | Valkyrie Profile 2 Silmeria | Square Enix | 8190 |
06.22.06 | Valkyrie Profile 2 Silmeria Artifact Box | Square Enix | 14910 |
06.29.06 | FESTA!! Hyper Girls Party | Kid | 7140 |
06.29.06 | FESTA!! Hyper Girls Party (Limited Edition) | Kid | 9240 |
06.29.06 | Full Spectrum Warrior | Sega | 3990 |
06.29.06 | Iris no Atelier Grand Fantasm | Gust | 6800 |
06.29.06 | Ou Okuki | Global A Entertainment | 6090 |
06.29.06 | Soul Link Extension | Interchannel | 7140 |
06.29.06 | Soul Link EXTENSION (First Run Order Only Limited Production Edition) | Interchannel | 9240 |
Jun 06 | Cluster Edge -- Kimi wo Motsu Mirai e no Shou | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
Jun 06 | Cluster Edge -- Kimi wo Motsu Mirai e no Shou (First Run Limited Edition) | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
Jun 06 | FIFA Street 2 | Electronic Arts | 6090 |
Jun 06 | Hisshou Pachinko Pachislot Kouryaku Series Vol.5 CR Shinseiki Evangelion Second Impact & Pachislot Shinseiki Evangelion | D3 Publisher | 6279 |
Jun 06 | Honou no Takuhaibin | Success | TBA |
Jun 06 | Konkyou -- Mitama Okuri no Shi (First Run Limited Edition) | Yeti | 8400 |
07.06.06 | Xenosaga Episode III: Zarathustra ha Kaku Katariki | Bandai Namco Games | 7329 |
07.13.06 | Persona 3 | Atlus | TBA |
07.20.06 | Gun Parade Orchestra: Ao no Shou -- Hikari no Umi Kara Tegami wo Okurimasu | Sony Computer Entertainment | 7140 |
07.20.06 | Gun Parade Orchestra: Ao no Shou -- Hikari no Umi Kara Tegami wo Okurimasu (Limited Edition) | Sony Computer Entertainment | 13440 |
07.27.06 | Kyou kara Ma-Ou! Hajimari no Tabi | Bandai Namco Games | 6800 |
07.27.06 | Kyou kara Ma-Ou! Hajimari no Tabi Premium Box | Bandai Namco Games | 10290 |
07.27.06 | We Are* | Kid | 7140 |
07.27.06 | We Are* (Limited Edition) | Kid | 9240 |
Jul 06 | Hiiro no Kakera | Idea Factory | 7140 |
Jul 06 | Hiiro no Kakera (Limited Edition) | Idea Factory | 9240 |
Jul 06 | Honkakuha 2000 Series 3D Mahjong + Suzumepai Tori | Magnolia | 2100 |
Jul 06 | Love Con | AQ Interactive | TBA |
Jul 06 | Sokudoku Master | Magnolia | 6090 |
Smr 06 | Brave Story Action | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
Smr 06 | Brother in Arms Meiyo no Daishou | Ubisoft | 7140 |
Smr 06 | EVE new generation | Kadokawa Shoten | TBA |
Smr 06 | Kakutou Bishin Oolong | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
Smr 06 | Kamaitachi no Yoru Series Shinsaku | Sega | TBA |
Smr 06 | Ryu Koku | Kid | TBA |
Smr 06 | Sarugetchu Million Monkeys | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
Smr 06 | Torikago no Mukougawa | Takuyo | TBA |
Smr 06 | Utawareru Mono | Aqua Plus | TBA |
Smr 06 | Youshinbou Yo-Jin-Bo -- Unmei no Furoide | Two Five | TBA |
Smr 06 | Zero Pilot - Zero | Project ZERO PILOT | TBA |
Smr 06 | _summer## (Underbar Summer Double Sharp) | GN Software | 7140 |
Sep 06 | .hack//G.U. Vol.2 | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
Nov 06 | Hokenshitsu e Youkoso | Princess Soft | TBA |
Nov 06 | Hokenshitsu e Youkoso (Shokai Gentei Ban) | Princess Soft | TBA |
Dec 06 | .hack//G.U. Vol.3 Arukuyouna Tousa De | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA 06 | Ah! Megamisama | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
TBA 06 | Binchoutan Shiawase Koyomi | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
TBA 06 | Dai Senryaku VII: Exceed | SystemSoft Alpha | 7140 |
TBA 06 | DSS | Flight Plan | TBA |
TBA 06 | Fate / stay night | Kadokawa Shoten | TBA |
TBA 06 | Godfather | Electronic Arts | 7140 |
TBA 06 | Konkyou -- Mitama Okuri no Shi | Yeti | TBA |
TBA 06 | Metal Slug | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA 06 | Phantasy Star Universe | Sega | 7140 |
TBA 06 | Seiken Densetsu 4 | Square Enix | TBA |
TBA 06 | Sengoku Basara 2 | Capcom | TBA |
TBA 06 | Neon Genesis Evangelion | GenX | TBA |
TBA 06 | The King of Fighters Nesutsu-hen | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA 06 | Tokimeki Memorial Girls Side 2 | Konami | TBA |
TBA 06 | Wrestle Angels Survivor | Success | TBA |
PlayStation Portable |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
04.06.06 | Koukyou Shihen Eureka Seven | Bandai Namco Games | 5040 |
04.06.06 | Simple 2500 Series Portable!! Vol.5 The Block Kuzushi Quest -- Dragonkingdam | D3 Publisher | 2625 |
04.06.06 | Star Wars Battle Front II | Electronic Arts | 5040 |
04.13.06 | Honkaku Younnindatsu Pro Mahjong Mahjong-Ou Portable | Taito | 5040 |
04.20.06 | Dragon Ball Z Shin Budoukai | Bandai Namco Games | 5040 |
04.20.06 | Minna no Chizu | Zenrin | 3990 |
04.20.06 | Myst | Sega | 3990 |
04.27.06 | Innocent Life Shin Bokujou Monogatari | Marvelous Interactive | 5040 |
04.27.06 | Kazuo | Sony Computer Entertainment | 2800 |
04.27.06 | Machi: Unemi no Kousaten -- Tokubetsuhen | Sega | 5040 |
04.27.06 | Mai-Hime Senretsu! Shin Fuuka Gakuen Gekitoushi!! | Sunrise Interactive | 6090 |
04.27.06 | Rengoku 2 The Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N | Hudson | 5040 |
04.27.06 | Shinseiki Evangelion -- DECADE -- 10 Shuunen Kinen Memorial Box | Bandai Namco Games | 10500 |
04.27.06 | Shinseiki Evangelion 2 Tsukurareshi Sekai -another cases- | Bandai Namco Games | 5040 |
04.27.06 | The Dog Happy Life | Yukes | 2940 |
04.27.06 | World Soccer Winning Eleven 9 Ubiquitous Evolution (PSP the Best) | Konami | 2800 |
Apr 06 | Simple 2500 Series Portable!! Vol.3 The Dokodemo Suiri -- IT Tantei: Zen 68 no Jikenbo | D3 Publisher | 2625 |
05.11.06 | 007 Russia Yori Ai wo Komete | Electronic Arts | 5040 |
05.18.06 | 2006 FIFA World Cup German Taikai | Electronic Arts | 5040 |
05.25.06 | Boxer's Road 2 The Real | Ertain | 6090 |
05.25.06 | Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable | Square Enix | 5040 |
05.25.06 | Kamaitachi no Yoru 2 Kangokujima no Warabe Uta -- Tokubetsuhen | Sega | 5040 |
05.25.06 | Magnacarta Portable | Banpresto | 4800 |
05.25.06 | TALKMAN (Software Only Version) | Sony Computer Entertainment | 4410 |
05.25.06 | TALKMAN EURO -- Talkman Europe Gengo-ban | Sony Computer Entertainment | 4410 |
05.25.06 | TALKMAN EURO -- Talkman Europe Gengo-ban (Microphone Bundle Version) | Sony Computer Entertainment | 6090 |
05.25.06 | Touhoku Daigaku Mirai Kagaku Gijutsu Kyodou Kenkyuu Center: Kawashima Ryuuta Kyouju Kenshuu Nouryoku Trainer Portable 2 | Sega | 2940 |
May 06 | Edith Memories Shinten Makai GOCV | Idea Factory | 5040 |
May 06 | Pilot ni Narou! Flying All-Stars | Marvelous Interactive | 5040 |
Spr 06 | Derby Stallion | Enterbrain | TBA |
Spr 06 | Every Extend Extra | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
Spr 06 | Landstalker | Climax | TBA |
Spr 06 | Winning Post 6 2006 | Koei | 5040 |
06.15.06 | Doko Demo Issyo Let's Gakkou! | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
06.22.06 | Sony Computer Science Kenkyuushitsu Kenichiro Mogi Hakase Kanshuu Nou ni Kaiketsu Aha Taiken! | Sega | 2940 |
06.29.06 | Gurumin | Nihon Falcom | TBA |
Jun 06 | Boku ha Koukuu Kanseikan Airport Hero Narita | Electronic Arts | 5040 |
Jun 06 | Daito Giken Koushiki Pachislot Simulator Yoshimune Portable | Daito Giken | 4410 |
Jun 06 | FIFA Street 2 | Electronic Arts | 5040 |
Jun 06 | Lisa to Isshoni Tairiku Oudan -- A Ressha de Ikou | Idea Factory | 5040 |
Smr 06 | Brave Story RPG | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
Smr 06 | Carnage Heart Portable | Genki | 5040 |
Smr 06 | LocoRoco | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
Smr 06 | Tekken Dark Resurrection | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA 06 | Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII | Square Enix | TBA |
TBA 06 | Gran Turismo 4 Mobile | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA 06 | Hoshigari Empusa | Takuyo | TBA |
TBA 06 | Onore no Dungeon | Climax | TBA |
TBA 06 | Plus Plum 2 | Takuyo | TBA |
TBA 06 | SD Gundam G Generation Portable | Bandai Namco Games | 5040 |
TBA 06 | Shinobido Homura | Spike | TBA |
TBA 06 | Ultraman Fighting Evolution 0 | Banpresto | TBA |
Nintendo GameCube |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
04.20.06 | Odama | Nintendo | 6800 |
05.11.06 | Jikkyou Powerful Major League | Konami | 7329 |
05.25.06 | Radilgy Generic | Milestone | 6090 |
TBA 06 | Kirby Adventure GCN | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA 06 | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | Nintendo | TBA |
Game Boy Advance |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
04.06.06 | Eye Shield 21 Devilbats Devildays | Nintendo | 3800 |
04.06.06 | Minna no Soft Series Nanpre Advance | Success | 2940 |
04.20.06 | Mother 3 | Nintendo | 4800 |
04.20.06 | Mother 3 Deluxe Box | Nintendo | 18000 |
04.27.06 | Kessakusen! Ganbare Goemon 1+2 Yuki Hime to Magnus (Konami the Best) | Konami | 2625 |
04.27.06 | Tanbi Musou Meine Liebe (Konami the Best) | Konami | 2625 |
Spr 06 | Chojin Ultra Baseball | Culture Brain | 4179 |
Xbox 360 |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
04.06.06 | Pro Yakyuu Spirits 3 | Konami | 7140 |
04.20.06 | Ninety-Nine Nights | Microsoft | 7140 |
04.20.06 | PlayOnline / Final Fantasy XI All In One Pack 2006 | Square Enix | 8190 |
04.27.06 | 2006 FIFA World Cup Doitsu Taikai | Electronic Arts | 7140 |
04.27.06 | Battle Field 2 Modern Combat | Electronic Arts | 7140 |
05.18.06 | Love Football Aoki Senshitachi no Kiseki | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
05.25.06 | Bomberman Act Zero | Hudson | 3129 |
05.25.06 | Chrome Hounds | Sega | TBA |
06.29.06 | Ghost Recon: Advance War Fighter (Tom Clancy Series) | Ubisoft | 7140 |
06.29.06 | Spectral Force 3 Innocent Rage | Idea Factory | 7140 |
Jun 06 | Bullet Witch | AQ Interactive | TBA |
Jul 06 | Senko no Rondo Rev.X | G.rev | TBA |
Smr 06 | Take The A Train X | Art Dink | TBA |
Smr 06 | Armored Core 4 | From Software | TBA |
Smr 06 | Zegapain XOR | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
Fall 06 | Chikyuu Boueigun X | D3 Publisher | TBA |
Fall 06 | Oneechanbara X | D3 Publisher | TBA |
Winter | Lost Planet: Extreme Condition | Capcom | TBA |
Winter | Vampire Rain | AQ Interactive | TBA |
TBA 06 | 360 Mahjong | Success | TBA |
TBA 06 | Blue Dragon | Microsoft | TBA |
TBA 06 | Frame City | Bandai Namco Games | 7140 |
TBA 06 | Marine Action Game | Success | TBA |
TBA 06 | Operation Darkness | Success | TBA |
TBA 06 | Riot Act | Microsoft | TBA |
TBA 06 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Sega | TBA |
TBA 06 | Tenchu 360 | From Software | TBA |
TBA 06 | Zoo Keeper | Success | TBA |
Fall 07 | dark Sector | D3 Publisher | TBA |
TBA 07 | Magnacarta 2 | Banpresto | TBA |
PlayStation 3 |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
Nov 06 | Fatal Inertia | Koei | TBA |
Nov 06 | Mahjong Taikai | Koei | TBA |
Winter | Vampire Rain | AQ Interactive | TBA |
TBA 06 | Hitsuji Mura | Success | TBA |
TBA 06 | RPG | Success | TBA |
TBA 06 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Sega | TBA |
Fall 07 | darkSector | D3 Publisher | TBA |
TBA 07 | Way of the Samurai | Spike | TBA |
Turn the page for games that are currently with a TBA date.
RELEASE DATES (TBA)
This section of Gaming Life in Japan provides you with an up-to-date release list of games coming out in Japan. We list pretty much everything that's been announced.
In order to make the list more readable, we've split things up into two sections: games that have a release date and games that have a TBA date. On this page, you'll find the games that have a TBA date. For games that have a more specific date, turn one page back.
Recent changes, including new release dates, new names or new prices, are marked in bold. New entries are in red If you encounter something you think may be an error in the list, please e-mail us about it.
Nintendo DS |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
TBA | Action Game | Alpha Unit | TBA |
TBA | Action Game | Epoch-sha | TBA |
TBA | Action Game | Now Productions | TBA |
TBA | Action RPG | Hudson | TBA |
TBA | Action Taisen Puzzle -- Hapinubekutaawan | Mega Cyber | TBA |
TBA | Adventure | AQ Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Castlevania Series | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Baten Kaitos DS | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Boktai | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Card Battle Game | Kids Station | TBA |
TBA | Choro Q | Atlus | TBA |
TBA | Doubutsu Shima no Chobi Gurumi 3 | Rocket Company | TBA |
TBA | Dragon Quest Monsters Shinsaku | Square Enix | TBA |
TBA | DS Bimoji Training | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA | Edutainment | AQ Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles | Square Enix | TBA |
TBA | Jinsei Game DS | Atlus | 5040 |
TBA | Kaido Racing Battle | Genki | TBA |
TBA | Kawa no Nushi Tsuri Series | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Kouchuu Ousha Mushiking Shinsaku | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Living High, Killing Low | Genki | TBA |
TBA | Monster Farm Jamboree | Tecmo | TBA |
TBA | Monster Summoner | Ertain | TBA |
TBA | Multi Competitive Sports Action | Sega | TBA |
TBA | One Piece | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Oshare Majo Love and Berry | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Powerful Pro Pocket Series | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Professional Wrestling | Spike | TBA |
TBA | Rally DS | Spike | TBA |
TBA | Rockman ZX | Capcom | -2 |
TBA | Shaberu! DS Oryouri Navi | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA | Shin Board Game | Jams Works | TBA |
TBA | Shin Megami Tensei DS | Atlus | TBA |
TBA | Shin Sangokushi Musou DS | Koei | TBA |
TBA | Simulation | Tasuke | TBA |
TBA | SNK vs CAPCOM Card Fighters DS | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Spectral Force | Idea Factory | TBA |
TBA | Sports | Yukes | TBA |
TBA | Sports Action | Tasuke | TBA |
TBA | Tamagotchi's Tamagotchi | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Tantei Adventure Game | Kids Station | TBA |
TBA | Team Ninja Kaihatsu Soft | Tecmo | TBA |
TBA | Vandal Hearts | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Winning Eleven Series | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Yugioh Series | Konami | TBA |
PlayStation 2 |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
TBA | Densha de Go! Final (PlayStation 2 the Best) | Taito | 2800 |
TBA | DESTROY ALL HUMANS | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Ga Rou Pack | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Georama Sensen Ijou Nashi -- Berlin e no Michi | Marionette | TBA |
TBA | Jinrui Sousa-Kan-poni Alien VS Alien | Global A Entertainment | 6279 |
TBA | Kouma | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Melty Blood: Act Cadenza | Ecole Software | TBA |
TBA | Muragiri | Interchannel | TBA |
TBA | Natsuiro no Sunatokei (Princess Soft Collection) | Princess Soft | TBA |
TBA | Quartett! The Stage of Love | Princess Soft | TBA |
TBA | Sakura Himenishiki Emaki | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Sakura Taisen Monogatari Teitohen | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Sega Ages 2500 Series Galaxy Force II | Sega | 2625 |
TBA | Seireiki Live Red 2 | Interchannel | TBA |
TBA | Shijuu Hachi | Banpresto | TBA |
TBA | Shining Wind | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Sukina Mono ha Sukidakara Shouganai!! + White Flower + Sukisyo! Episode #04 | Interchannel | TBA |
TBA | Summon Night 4 | Banpresto | TBA |
TBA | Tetsuman Menkyo-Kaiden | Naxat | TBA |
TBA | Touge no Battle | Ecseco | TBA |
TBA | Wild Arms the Fifth Vanguard | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Winback 2 Project Poseidon | Koei | TBA |
TBA | World's End | Princess Soft | TBA |
TBA | Yamasa Digi World Series Matsuri no Tatsujin Win-chan no Natsumatsuri | Yamasa Entertainment | TBA |
PlayStation Portable |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
TBA | Action Adventure | Atari | TBA |
TBA | Action Game | Tomy | TBA |
TBA | Angel Collection | MTO | TBA |
TBA | Bomberman Series | Hudson | TBA |
TBA | Bounty Hounds | Bandai Namco Games | 5040 |
TBA | Devil May Cry Series | Capcom | TBA |
TBA | Digital Pet | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Dokodemo Rasshou! Pachislo Sengen | Tecmo | TBA |
TBA | Driving Action | Atari | TBA |
TBA | Educational Game | Imagineer | TBA |
TBA | EX Jinsei Game | Atlus | TBA |
TBA | Exciting Pro Wrestling PSP | Yukes | TBA |
TBA | Extreme Ghouls & Ghosts | Capcom | TBA |
TBA | Graphical Adventure Game | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Kawa no Nushi Tsuri Series | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
TBA | King's Field | From Software | TBA |
TBA | Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World | Media Works | TBA |
TBA | Kizoato Portable | Aqua Plus | TBA |
TBA | KOF | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Makai Wars | Nippon Ichi Software | TBA |
TBA | Multi Taisen Sports Game | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Mushi | Global A Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | One Piece | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Original RPG | AQ Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Persona | Atlus | TBA |
TBA | Portable Island: Te no Hira no Resort | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Project S | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Puzzle Game | D3 Publisher | TBA |
TBA | Puzzle Game | MTO | TBA |
TBA | Race Game | Atari | TBA |
TBA | Routes Portable | Aqua Plus | TBA |
TBA | RS Revolution | Spike | TBA |
TBA | Shingata Simulation Game | Sunrise Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Shinkankaku Communication Game | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Table Game | Success | TBA |
TBA | Tantei Saburo Shinguji | Work Jam | TBA |
TBA | Technic Cute | Arika | TBA |
TBA | Tecmo My Generation | Tecmo | TBA |
TBA | Tengai Makyo: Daishi no Makushiroku | Hudson | TBA |
TBA | TGM-K | Arika | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA (Original New RPG) | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Touge MAX | Atlus | TBA |
TBA | Yu-Gi-Oh | Konami | 0 |
Game Boy Advance |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
TBA | Final Fantasy V | Square Enix | TBA |
TBA | Final Fantasy VI | Square Enix | TBA |
TBA | Metal Slug 1 | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Metal Slug 2 | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Metal Slug 3 | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Metal Slug X | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Minna no Soft Series Igo | Success | 3654 |
TBA | Super Puzzle Fighter IIX | Capcom | 5040 |
Nintendo GameCube |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
TBA | Eyeshield 21 | Nintendo | TBA |
TBA | Geist | Nintendo | TBA |
Xbox 360 |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
TBA | Biohazard 5 | Capcom | TBA |
TBA | Call of Duty 2 | Konami | 7329 |
TBA | CodeType-D | Mega Cyber | TBA |
TBA | Condemned | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Cry-On | AQ Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Dead or Alive Code: Cronus | Tecmo | TBA |
TBA | Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 | Taito | TBA |
TBA | Dead Rising | Capcom | TBA |
TBA | Diario | Idea Factory | TBA |
TBA | Full Auto | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Gears of War | Microsoft | TBA |
TBA | Kaidou Online | Spike | TBA |
TBA | Mobile Suits Gundam | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | King of Fighters Maximum Impact 360 | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom | No Company | TBA |
TBA | Lost Odyssey | Microsoft | TBA |
TBA | MotoGP Ultimate Racing Technology 2006 | THQ Japan | TBA |
TBA | Neo Geo Battle Coliseum | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | New RPG | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | New Tomb Raider | Eidos | TBA |
TBA | Original Shooting Game | Treasure | TBA |
TBA | Project Progressive | Tecmo | TBA |
TBA | Saints Row | THQ Japan | TBA |
TBA | Sangoku Fuushin | Idea Factory | TBA |
TBA | Shooting Game | Moss | TBA |
TBA | Tokyo Xtreme Racer | Genki | TBA |
TBA | Super Robot Taisen | Banpresto | TBA |
TBA | Battle-Style Melee Action | Arc System Works | TBA |
TBA | Test Drive: Unlimited | Atari | TBA |
TBA | The Outfit | THQ Japan | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Warashi | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Jaleco | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Vivendi Universal Games | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Frontier Groove | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Atlus | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Ertain | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Alfa System | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Cave Online | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Digital Zero | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Kids Station | TBA |
TBA | Winning Eleven Series | Konami | TBA |
PlayStation 3 |
RELEASE | GAME | PUB | YEN |
TBA | Action | Tecmo | TBA |
TBA | Action Adventure | Tecmo | TBA |
TBA | Action Adventure | Irem Software Engineering | TBA |
TBA | Action Game | Now Productions | TBA |
TBA | Action RPG | Hudson | TBA |
TBA | ActiveDogs | MTO | TBA |
TBA | Akari Project | Takuyo | TBA |
TBA | Alone in the Dark Series Sequel | Atari | TBA |
TBA | Angel Rings | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Anime Related Project (Tentative) | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Aquanaut's Holiday | Art Dink | TBA |
TBA | Armored Core 4 | From Software | TBA |
TBA | Assasin | Ubisoft | TBA |
TBA | BB | Arc System Works | TBA |
TBA | Residen Evil 5 | Capcom | TBA |
TBA | Bipedal Movement Simulation | Art Dink | TBA |
TBA | Black Blade | From Software | TBA |
TBA | Blade Storm Hyakunen Sensou | Koei | TBA |
TBA | Bomberman | Hudson | TBA |
TBA | Brother In Arms 3 | Ubisoft | TBA |
TBA | Comical Historical Action | Global A Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Comical Historical Simulation | Global A Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Big 3D Game | AQ Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Dark RPG | From Software | TBA |
TBA | Derby Stallion | Enterbrain | TBA |
TBA | Devil May Cry 4 | Capcom | TBA |
TBA | Driver Series Sequel | Atari | TBA |
TBA | Extreme | Taito | TBA |
TBA | Fifth Phantom Saga | Sega | TBA |
TBA | Fight Night | Electronic Arts | TBA |
TBA | Genji 2 | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Gradius Series | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Gran Turismo Series | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Japanese Kenjutsu Series | Genki | TBA |
TBA | Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Fighting Action Game (Tentative) | D3 Publisher | TBA |
TBA | Management Simulation | Hamster | TBA |
TBA | Mobile Suit Gundam | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | KOF Maximum Impact 3 | SNK Playmore | TBA |
TBA | Mahjong-Ou | Warashi | TBA |
TBA | Makai Wars | Nippon Ichi Software | TBA |
TBA | Master Project | Takuyo | TBA |
TBA | Metal Gear Solid 4 | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Hot Shots Golf 5 | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Monster Carnival | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Mystery Adventure | GN Software | TBA |
TBA | Naguzatto Plan | Digital Gain | TBA |
TBA | New Action | Marvelous Interactive | TBA |
TBA | New Action Game | ESP | TBA |
TBA | New Action Game | Konami | TBA |
TBA | New Action Game | Eidos | TBA |
TBA | New Fighting Game | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | New Role Playing Game | Gust | TBA |
TBA | New Role Playing Game | Konami | TBA |
TBA | New RPG | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | New Shooting Game | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | New Simulation | Sunsoft | TBA |
TBA | New Sports Game | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Ni-Oh | Koei | TBA |
TBA | Original Adventure Game | Datum Polystar | TBA |
TBA | Original Love Simulation | Interchannel | TBA |
TBA | Pachinko Jikki Simulation Series | Huckberry | TBA |
TBA | Pro Mahjong Final | Atena | TBA |
TBA | Pro Wrestling | Yukes | TBA |
TBA | Project Dee | Michael Soft | TBA |
TBA | Project Psychic | Taito | TBA |
TBA | Puzzle Game | Cyber Front | TBA |
TBA | Race Game Series | Genki | TBA |
TBA | Rengoku: The End of the Century | Hudson | TBA |
TBA | Robot Action | Bandai Namco Games | TBA |
TBA | Saikyou Ginsei Shougi 7 | Magnolia | TBA |
TBA | Seikan | Astrol | TBA |
TBA | Sekai Saikyou Ginsei Igo 7 | Magnolia | TBA |
TBA | War Simulation (Tentative) | Marionette | TBA |
TBA | New Historical Action | Acquire | TBA |
TBA | New Type Adventure (Tentative) | Media Works | TBA |
TBA | Shin Megamitensei Series | Atlus | TBA |
TBA | Shinseiki GPX Cyber Formula Series | Sunrise Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Shinten Makai VI | Idea Factory | TBA |
TBA | Shougi World Champion Gekishi | Mainichi Communications | TBA |
TBA | Simulation Game A | Cyber Front | TBA |
TBA | Simulation Game B | Cyber Front | TBA |
TBA | Slotter Maina Series | Dorasu | TBA |
TBA | Soccer | Konami | TBA |
TBA | Stuntman Sequel | Atari | TBA |
TBA | Sunrise Eiyuu Series | Sunrise Interactive | TBA |
TBA | Super Robot Series | Banpresto | TBA |
TBA | The Eye of Judgement | Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
TBA | Title TBA | Eighting | TBA |
TBA | Train Simulator Online | Ongakukan | TBA |
TBA | Value 2000 Igo | Magnolia | TBA |
TBA | Value 2000 Shougi | Magnolia | TBA |
TBA | Yamasa Digi World DX | Yamasa Entertainment | TBA |
Turn the page for the Gaming Life in 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! Just click on the appropriate link below to jump back to a previous date, all thanks to the power of mass storage.
03.24.06: PS3 delay, new DS magazines, and lots of commercials.
03.10.06: The second DS Lite pre-launch report, plus a look at Final Fantasy XII-related goods, including the FFXII Potion.
03.01.06: The DS Lite pre-launch report, Famitsu trivia and thirty game releases.
02.10.06: A Zombie lands in Shibuya as we take a look back at the first couple of years of the PSP in Japan.
02.03.06: A look back at how the first year and a half of DS games were reviewed in the Japanese press. Plus, lots and lots of girly game commercials.
01.27.06: Nintendo announces DS Lite as Dirge of Cerberus takes over Shibuya. And a 500 year old he-man/she-ra vampire on the cover of Famitsu?
01.17.06: A look at the year end sales rush, 70 commercials and a weekly Japanese recap, featuring CES, the World Hobby Fair and an Every Party demo event.
12.16.05: Ryu Ga Gotoku versus the real Kabukicho, a few year-end sales trends, a look at the ugliest Japanese magazine around, the aftermath of the Xbox 360 launch, and commercials for Mario Kart and Rogue Galaxy.
12.09.05: A bonus Gaming Life in Japan, open to all readers and focusing on the Xbox 360 launch, with magazine information, retail displays, commercials, pamphlets, print ads and an address by Peter Moore.
11.24.05: This special pre-Thanksgiving GLIJ features three magazines, a brand new Now Playing section, the latest from the Xbox 360 pre-launch and commercials for Ratchet & Clank and Hamutarou.
11.14.05: Sega's Private Show, five game magazines, our Xbox 360 Lounge video, and forty new commercials.
10.28.05: A flood of new games arrive on the same day. Plus, IGN looks at the Akihabara Entertainment Festival, the WPC expo and the latest from the Xbox 360 launch. Brought to you buy the lonely PSP mini bus.
10.21.05: Things that make us go boing, the Freshness Burger Spam Sandwich, week one of Xbox Launch Watch, Famitsu rumors and lots of print ads.
10.14.05: Ginza walking (and a look at Sony's new PlayStation spot download terminals) and CMs for Super Princess Peach, Shadow of the Colossus and more.
10.07.05: Nasty Shibuya girls and calorie-loving Jack Bauer deliver the latest Gaming Life in Japan along with a look at the Nintendo Dream Mario music CD and commercials for Code Age, Mario Tennis and Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest.
09.13.05: A preview of the Tokyo Game Show (completely with predictions that, for the most part, missed the mark), a trip to Shibuya and commercials for Ryu Ga Gotoku, Advent Children, Game Boy Micro and the white PSP.
08.26.05: Ads for Advent Children, Bleach Advance, Game Boy Micro and more. Plus, Bumpy Trot rules!
08.19.05: Week three of Friday Gaming Life in Japan (TGIGLIJF!) features a look at Jump World and the new Square Enix character goods shop.
08.12.05: For week two of Friday Gaming Life in Japan (TGIGLIJF!), we take a trip to Akihabara, find out what's on the Tsutaya 80% off wall of shame and deliver commercials for Grandia, Jump Superstars and Winning Eleven.
08.05.05: The first ever Friday Gaming Life in Japan (TGIGLIJF!) features comments on Microsoft, Sony and Square Enix's events, retail pics and 60 commercials. Plus, Jack Bauer sells Calorie Mate to little school girls! What a scoop!
07.14.05: Mushi King, four magazines (including Toyo Keizai's look at the next generation), 30 commercials for the likes of Dance Dance Mario, Tamagotchi and Boktai, and a double idol feature with Jin Akanishi and Kazuya Kamenashi.
06.30.05: A look at the World Hobby Fair, over 35 commercials (including Bumpy Trot, Winning Eleven 9 and Star Wars) and a look at Nikkei Electronics, featuring PS2 versus Xbox 360.
06.15.05: Former Sega president Irimajiri spotted on television! Plus, commercials for Grandia II, Drag on Dragoon 2, school girl soccer and more!
06.08.05: Pics from Shibuya, print ads for TearRing Saga, Atelier Iris 2 and Twinkle Star Sprites and Chinatsu Wakatsuki as young idol. Plus, we make fun of the PSP!
06.01.05: Twenty-five commercials including Berwick Saga, Racing Battle and Forza. All brought to you by Nice Stick!
05.15.05: Ikebukuro walking (complete with Foma Man!), a look at Machikaido Wrestling (the official best thing ever!), CMs for Heavy Metal and Hanjuku Heroes, and Yoko Kumada as young idol.
05.05.05: The start of Golden Week features a special message from Bill Gatest, four magazines and commercials/ads for Derby Time and Sengoku Basara.
04.27.05: Nintendogs, four magazines, ads for Bumpy Trot and Rockman as Fire Emblem hits the Cube and NDS takes over.
04.20.05: Square Enix's Heavy Metal rock show, Sayaka Isoyama as young idol, swag for Wild Arms, Tales and Nintendo and commercials for Fire Emblem, Ape Escape P and Romancing Saga. Plus, Jack Bauer uses Calorie Mate!
04.13.05: The ElectroPlankton event, swag for Kirby and Phantom Kingdom and forty pamphlets.
04.06.05: Girls love DS, PSP is available, letters and ads for Grandia III and ElectroPlankton.
03.30.05: Sega's GameJam, Shinjuku Walking, three new magazines and commercials for Bleach, Nintendogs and Tekken.
03.15.05: Ramblings about Homeland, pics from Tsutaya, three new magazines and commercials for Enthusia, Bo-bobo, and Harvest Moon.
03.10.05: As PSP loses its load times and Nintendo customer service rocks, we bring you a look at Miki Ando, plus commercials for Pac Pix, Egg Monster Hero and Enthusia.
02.21.05: AOU in recap, a survey about March, commercials for Another Code, GT4 and more.
02.09.05: Club Nintendo bonus items including two special GameCube controllers. Plus, commercials for Popolocrois, Meteos and Bleach.
01.26.05: A video tour of the World Hobby Fair, all the latest print ads and commercials, plus Japanese gaming swag with the Zelda screen cleaner, the Kirby NDS cleaner, the Super Mario 64 DS cards and a Dead or Alive calendar.
01.19.05: Commercials for ACE, Bakumatsuden, Band Brothers, Egg Monster Hero and Radiata Stories, plus an end of 2004 report from Famitsu.
01.12.05: IGN Japan returns for 2005 with 70 commercials.
12.01.04: The day before the launch of the Nintendo DS, plus commercials and ads for NDS, PSP, Yoshi and more.
11.24.04: Dragon Quest VIII pre-launch, Famitsu PSP VS NDS survey and commercials for Nintendo DS games, PSP, Magnacarta and Gundam.
11.10.04: A video tour of the Touch DS! event, more coverage from the PSP and NDS launches, the Japanese launch of Halo 2, the latest Sega Press and lots of commercials.
11.02.04: Week three of our look at the PSP and NDS launches is a little light as Nintendo gears up for the Nintendo World show. Featuring commercials for the slim PS2 and Pochi to Nya.
10.27.04: Sony blows the lid off the PSP launch as IGN Japan plays F-Zero and Ace Combat, beats of Pikachu and takes a look at the Entama show of suck. Plus, commercials for Naruto 3, Super Robot Wars GC and DS.
10.19.04: IGN begins a weekly look at the PSP and NDS launches, plays Mawaru Made in Wario, Kururin Squash and Virtua Fighter II, and delivers commercials for Sega Superstars, Ace Combat V and Tales of Rebirth. Plus, Classic Young Idol with Megumi Yasu.
10.12.04: The week that Nintendo blows the lid off the NDS, Gaming Life in Japan offers a look at the Viewtiful Joe cartoon, scans from the Square Enix TGS booklet and Makiko Kawajima as new young idol.
10.07.04: Following the Tokyo Game Show, Gaming Life in Japan returns with the Panzer Dragoon news station and 33 commercials for games like Romancing SaGa, Arc the Lad Generations, Before Crisis: FFVII, Shining Tears, F-Zero Climax and Dragon Quest VIII.
09.07.04: Japan continues its news overload, with first details on Shining Force and Radiata Stories and updates on a few DS and PSP games. Plus, a look inside JAMMA and playtests of the latest arcade games. The ads and CM section features Biohazard Outbreak 2, Dororo, Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bo, Kenran Butousai, Radiata Stories, Prince of Persia and more.
08.31.04: Following a dry spell, things kick into high gear as part of the pre-TGS build-up. IGN Japan samples Suikoden IV and VF Cyber Generation, offers a look at our latest toys and provides coverage from the Kessen III press conference and details on Sakura Taisen, Siren 2 and Shining Force. Plus, CMs for Pokemon and Dororo and ads for Dead or Alive Ultimate, Metal Gear Solid 3, Sakura Taisen V and Kessen III.
08.27.04: IGN Japan makes the move to Shibuya (and to an update earlier in the week) resulting in a tiny update with not much fun.
08.19.04: Rapping Mario features in the latest Nintendo ad as IGN Japan spreads some hate on Michigan and Nippon Ichi announces its latest title.
08.12.04: A tiny update for a slow week in gaming as Japan celebrates the return of the dead and Nintendo releases the latest Famicom Mini games.
08.04.04: Nintendo unveils the final design for the DS as IGN taps into its growing collection of Japanese freebies to share with the world. Playtests of Mega Man X8, Mega Man X: Command Mission and Final Fantasy I - II Advance, a deeper look at former IGN Japan young idol Yin Ling of Joytoy, plus commercials for Fullmetal Alchemist: Dream Carnival, Lupin, King of Fighters: Maximum Impact and Famicom Mini Round 3.
07.28.04: As fireworks are heard throughout Japan, IGN Japan falls in love with Paper Mario RPG and finds some information on Mario Tennis. That and commercials for Nighmare of Druaga and Eye Toy.
07.20.04: Playtests of the Kinpachi Sensei game and Digital Devil Saga along with letters with Tanaka and commercials for Genso Suikoden, Power Pro Baseball 11, Naruto RPG and Taiko no Tatsujin. Plus, an all new IGN Japan young idol, Mayuko Iwasa.
07.13.04: As Sony unveils more on PSP and PS3, Famitsu takes a look back at the first half of the year and Nintendo announces the new Famicom Mini games. Playtests of two more Sega Ages games along with commercials for Paper Mario, Moji Pittan, Final Fantasy and Dragon Ball Z 2.
07.07.04: Commercials for Sonic, Megaman, Power Pro Ken and Saru Battle, the July Sega Press and the week in review with playtests of Saru Battle and Donkey Konga 2 and stories on Final Fantasy ads, the Advance Movie service, Sega's new arcade projects, Spike's new firefighting game and Square Enix's Mana project.
06.28.04: Print ads for Michigan along with commercials for Saru Battle, Magna Carta and Saka-Tsuku '04. Plus, the week in review with playtests of Xenosaga Episode II and Berserk and stories on Momotarou's US debut and Sakura Wars.
06.23.04: The World Hobby Fair, Microsoft's Xbox strategy briefing, Silent Hill, lots of monkeys and commercials for Donkey Konga 2, Godannar, Xenosaga Episode 2, Dragon Quest Characters, Eye Toy, Saka-Tsuku, Popeye Pachinko and more!
06.16.04: Commercials for Dear S, Full Metal Alchemist, Eye Toy and more, plus print ads and the week in review.
06.08.04: The first issue of GLIJ Mini, featuring charts, release dates and not much else.
06.02.04: Spike's Michigan porn star (from Taiwan!), the return of letters with Tanaka, a PSP and DS survey and commercials for Famicom Mini 2, Grand Theft Auto Vice City, Densha De Go Final and Mario VS Donkey Kong.
05.26.04: The latest on Final Fantasy XII, commercials and ads for Ultraman, Famicom Mini, Crimson Sky and Crash Bandicoot: Nitro, and a look at where some of your favorite young idols from previous issues are today.
05.13.04: Print and television ads for the likes of Metroid Fusion, the Pikmin 2 CD (must see!), Gundam MX, Ultraman and Wario World, plus Chisato Morishita (Nintendo's Japanese Samus Aran) as young idol of the week.
05.06.04: Store Joutai Get returns, straight from Akihabara! Plus, game of the month Pikmin 2, the first weekly news recap, lots of print ads, a Game Boy Advance pamphlet and dimpled Miho Shiraishi as young idol of the week.
04.29.04: IGN Japan returns with a commercial-packed issue. Featuring television spots for Crayon Shin-chan, Mega Man Zero 3, EyeToy: Play, Pikmin 2, Mario Golf and more! Also, looks at Michigan, Okami and Final Fantasy XII.
04.06.04: A look at Famitsu Issue 800 (which entails a look at the original Famitsu) along with classic advertisements, reports on Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst and Home Land, and the simply ridiculous Kawori Manabe as this week's young idol.
03.31.04: Full form Gaming Life in Japan returns,with comments from Dragon Quest father Yuji Hori and a look at sexy Ai Tominaga and her McDonalds sauce of choice. Plus, IGN Japan votes for its favorite game of March 2004! Which deceptively-simple-looking Namco title won?
03.25.04: A half-issue as IGN Japan catches up with the billion releases from the past week.
03.17.04: Ramblings about Online gaming, twenty commercials (including Zelda), quick looks at Metal Wolf Rev and Sakurazakai Shouboutai, plus Sakura Mizutani as young idol of the week.
03.10.04: The babes of Custom Robo! Vote for your favorite (voting is now closed). Quick looks at Biohazard 4, Panic Maker, Curry House CoCo and commercials for GameCube Gundam and more.
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, details on next-gen 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.
12/09/2002: 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!