Tag: Japan - Page 8
News Pokémon Scarlet And Violet To Release Three Different Guide Books In Japan
Make space on your shelves
We have known about the possibility of guide books for the Japanese release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet for a while now - in fact, at this stage in the franchise it has almost become a dead certainty. Today we have received further details on the form that these guides will take and, indeed, their quantity. In an...
News A Closer Look At The Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Statue From Nintendo Live 2022
Link returns in 2023
At Nintendo Live 2022 on the weekend, Zelda fans and various media outlets were quick to spot a large statue of Link from the upcoming release, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Now, a few days on, Nintendo has given Zelda fans who weren't able to make the event in Japan have been treated to a closer look via social...
News Splatoon 3 Made Up Almost 70% Of All Boxed Game Sales In September (Japan)
Spla-BOOM
To cement Splatoon 3's remarkable success in Japan after its launch on September 9th, it's been confirmed that the title sold 2.7 million boxed copies last month, making up nearly 70% of all physical games in the country. As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, Splatoon 3 topped the top ten charts for the month of September, speeding ahead of...
Random Splatoon 3 Streamers Sneak Adult Content Into Online Matches
Group apologises and Nintendo issues content reminder
A Japanese VTuber streaming group has issued an apology after its members projected adult content into online Splatoon 3 matches. The stream in question was held on October 8th by the streaming group 'Sinsogumi', subsequently causing “AVスプラ” (adult video Splatoon)' to trend on Twitter...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Link Statue Spotted At Nintendo Live 2022
Take a closer look
Nintendo Live is taking place this weekend in Tokyo, and it seems a statue based on Link in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is present. It gives fans perhaps their best look yet at Link's new character model and the mysterious new changes to one of his arms. This shot was taken at a promotional section of Nintendo Live,...
News A New Life-Size Pokémon Plush Has Been Announced, And This One's The Fluffiest
Altaria, I choose you (for hugs)
Alright, you know the drill. The Pokémon Center Japan has just announced a new life-size Pokémon plush, and this one's really cute. Everyone get in line, and start emptying out your pockets. The newest addition to the giganto-plush line is Altaria, the Gen 3 fluff-bird that is literally described as being...
News You Can Now Download A Demo Of The New Doraemon Game On Switch eShop
Farm life returns this November
In case you missed it, there's a new Doremon farming sim sequel arriving on the Nintendo Switch this November. If you are interested in trying out Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom prior to its release, there's now a free demo you can download from the Switch eShop in Japan and it includes...
Random Fans Make Kirby Card Game Featuring Chef Kawasaki In A Micro Bikini
But it has now been removed from sale
We never really expected to write about anything like this, but Automaton Media has reported on a rather unusual fan-made Kirby card game. That seems relatively harmless on its own — despite the fact that it's a card game featuring Kirby, a pretty huge Nintendo property, that was being sold on the Japanese...
News Splatoon 3 Players Labelled "Cheaters" For Abusing Special Weapons
Seeing red ink
Splatoon 3 is a game where victory tastes extra sweet, especially when you can take on players online, and it hasn't taken players very long to discover exploits within the game. And in Japan, some players are being called "cheaters" for abusing the 'Tenta Missiles' special weapon. Siliconera has reported on this issue which has been...
News Splatoon's Manga Series Returns For The Third Game
The Inkling and Octoling are back!
As part of the Splatoon 3 rollout, the manga series has returned to cover the third game, out now on Nintendo Switch. The first chapter was featured in the September 15 issue of Coro Coro Comics magazine. Manga artist Sankichi Hidenoya is once again doing the art, but story details haven't been revealed just yet...
News Atlus Has "No Plans" For New Game Announcements At Upcoming Concert
Sorry folks
October is shaping up to be a busy month for the Nintendo Switch with the release of multiple titles including the Atlus game Persona 5 Royal. Atlus will also be hosting a concert for the series next month, featuring various performances. It's got some fans wondering about the possibility of a new game announcement, but it seems not...
News The Pokémon Diamond And Pearl Remakes Just Won A 'Global Award'
And some trainers aren't happy...
During the 2022 Tokyo Game Show today, the winners of the Japan Game Awards were announced. One winner, in particular, that seems to have people talking on social media is the 2021 Switch title Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Not only did it take out the 'best sales award' but it was also recognised...
Japanese Charts Splatoon 3 Physical Sales Splatter All Over The Competition
Nearly two million retail copies sold
If you've been paying attention to the news, this week's Japanese charts from Famitsu will be pretty predictable. Splatoon 3 has inked all over the charts, and — in the week of 5th to 11th September — the third squid-based shooter has sold just under a staggering 2 million copies. These are only physical...
News Switch Online's N64 Library In Japan Is Getting One Extra Game
Harvest Moon 64 returns in 2023
Nintendo's latest Direct was packed out with farming simulators, but somehow we've missed out on one here in the west. During the announcement of more N64 games for the Switch Online service, Japan's segment revealed one extra title. Instead of 9 games between now and 2023 (GoldenEye 007 included), it'll be receiving...
News Square Enix Is Now Part Of A Blockchain
After dipping its toes in NFTs
After months of hints and talking about NFTs, Square Enix has finally become part of a blockchain. Gameindustry.biz reports that the Japanese developer and publisher has partnered with Oasys, which claims to be "an eco-friendly blockchain built for the gaming community, offering the best user experience with fast...
News Splatoon 3 Becomes The Fastest Selling Nintendo Switch Game In Japan
Nintendo releases domestic sales figures
To say the Splatoon franchise has become a breakthrough hit for Nintendo since its debut on the Wii U back in 2015 would be somewhat of an understatement. Although the first entry sold modest numbers, all told, its focus on fast-paced multiplayer with a unique spin resonated with fans worldwide and has since...
News The First Review For The New Action RPG Trinity Trigger Is Now In
Launching in the west "early" next year
One JRPG Switch fans will want to be on the lookout for next year is FuRyu's co-op action title Trinity Trigger. As you might have already read, it's been developed by an all-star cast - with talent that's previously worked on games like Secret of Mana, Xenoblade Chronicles and Octopath Traveler. The other...
Japanese Charts JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Takes The Crown With Modest Sales
Three new entries for the week
The latest Japanese charts are now in and it introduces a few new entries for the week with the likes of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R, The Last of Us: Part 1, and Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure tops the charts with a respectable 19,807 units sold across the...
Random This Splatoon 3 Smallfry Toy Has Stolen Our Squid Kid Hearts
Smallfry is a good guy
The wait has been long, but finally, budding Inklings and Octolings can return to the arena on Friday as Splatoon 3 launches on Switch. And do you know what else comes with new game releases? Envy over all of the cool merchandise that we miss out on! And Nintendo Tokyo has set our hearts on fire by revealing a rather adorable...
News Playasia Celebrates 20 Years With New Video Game Publishing Branch
Expect "amazing indies & games from Japan"
The online independent retailer Playasia turns 20 years old this year, and to celebrate this special occasion - it's launching its own publishing label. Playasia Publishing is officially described as a "new video game software branch" that aims to "further the goal" of providing games for video game fans...
News River City Ransom Director & Miracle Kidz President Passes Away
Worked on multiple classics at Technōs Japan
We've got some incredibly sad news coming out of Japan today. Miracle Kidz president Mitsuhiro Yoshida passed away at the end of last month on August 30th. Yoshida worked at Technōs Japan (known best for the beat 'em up series Double Dragon) - helping create classics like Kunio-kun (Downtown Nekketsu...
News Bandai Namco's Lineup For Tokyo Game Show 2022 Revealed
Anime games and lots more
The Tokyo Game Show begins in just a few weeks, and ahead of this event - the full lineup for each publisher has been revealed. Following on from Square Enix, we've now got Bandai Namco's lineup - featuring plenty of anime, Pac-Man, Klonoa and more. Fans can look forward to seeing upcoming games like Dragon Ball: The...
Japanese Charts SD Gundam Battle Alliance Is Switch's Top-Seller In Strong Week For Sony
PlayStation dominates the top ten
We have a turn-up for the books in the weekly Famitsu charts! Not only are there eight new titles in the software sales category, but Sony has taken a firm grasp of the top ten, with seven of the week's best sellers releasing on either the PlayStation 4 or 5. The best-selling Switch game of the week is SD Gundam...
News Animal Crossing And Splatoon 3 Concerts To Headline Nintendo Live 2022
Ready to rock
After three years of Covid delays, Nintendo Live is coming back to Tokyo from October 8th to 9th. The event will feature live presentations, entertainment, gaming tournaments and some playable game demos all topped off with live music performances — the line-up for which has just been announced. Pulling out three performances a day,...
News Treasure's "Highly Requested" Title Has Been Leaked
We hope you're feeling radiant
When developer Treasure revealed that it was working on a "highly requested" title, our ears perked up. Responsible for some of our favourite games ever, the possibilities had us excited. However, it seems the announcement has slipped out a little early, as Gematsu has spotted "unused images" on publisher Happinet's...
News Konami Teases New Game In Beloved Series For Tokyo Game Show
But keep your expectations in check
Konami announced its Tokyo Game Show line-up earlier today. The annual convention, which starts on 15th September, will play host to several developers and publishers. We've already talked about one title that snuck into the company's line-up — the 1996 arcade game Cannon Dancer — but it's also been teasing...
News The 'Unofficial Strider Sequel' Cannon Dancer Is Finally Coming To Consoles
Step and stride
As we're only weeks away from this year's Tokyo Game Show, we're starting to find out what games developers and publishers will be showing off at the annual convention. And amidst Konami's line-up — which includes multiple Yu-Gi-Oh! games, Super Bomberman R 2, and Coffee Talk Episode 2 — is the surprise return of a forgotten...
55 first-party titles are million sellers
The Switch is absolutely dominating right now - with the system selling over 111 million units as of June 2022. In addition to hardware, Nintendo has also sold 863 million pieces of Switch software. While we already know the top sellers like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, new...
News A New Limited-Time Pokémon Distribution Event Has Been Announced For Japan
A Clefairy for Sword, Shield, BD, SP & Arceus Legends
Although there's already a limited-time Pokémon Sword and Shield distribution event taking place, The Pokémon Company has announced one. This time it's a "special Clefairy". The catch is it's a Japan-only distribution... at least for now. This event will run from 3rd September - 11th September...
News Koei Tecmo Teasing New Title From Atelier Developer Gust
All will be revealed at TGS 2022
If you've played and enjoyed the most recent Atelier game on the Nintendo Switch, you might be interested in reading on... Koei Tecmo appears to have teased some news for its Tokyo Game Show 2022 line up and it seems there'll be a mystery title from Atelier's developer Gust. The company's TGS 2022 announcements will...
Japanese Charts Kirby’s Dream Buffet Makes Sweet Debut Thanks To eShop Cards
Absolutely delicious
It's back to our regularly scheduled Nintendo Switch Sports dominance in the Japanese charts. For the last few months, we've seen a handful of different games grab the number one spot in the weekly Famitsu charts, but last week saw Nintendo's family-friendly online sports game reclaim number one from Xenoblade Chronicles 3. And...
Random Nintendo Teams Up With Baskin Robbins To Make Inkable Splatoon Ice Cream
Japan-only :(
Last month, Nintendo and the US chain Cold Stone Creamery teamed up to make Kirby ice cream. This month, it's Baskin Robbins' turn to make Splatoon-themed ice cream ahead of the imminent release of Splatoon 3. And while the Kirby ice creams sounded delicious... these ones let you decorate the sweets with blue and yellow ink! There are...
News Sonic Frontiers Pre-Orders Come With Famous V-Tuber DLC In Japan
Fast fashion
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022 officially revealed Sonic Frontiers' release date as November 8th (though many of us had seen this coming thanks to a leak earlier in the day). Since this announcement, Sega has been moving fast to release new info about the game, including what we can expect to see in the different pre-order packages.
Video Square Enix Releases New Official Trailer For Dragon Quest X Offline
Launching exclusively in Japan next month
Square Enix has released a third official trailer for Dragon Quest X Offline, due out for Switch, PlayStation and PC in Japan on 15th September. This latest clip highlights the heroes. In case you've missed our previous coverage, this is a new version of the MMORPG that can be played completely offline...
Random Vintage Nintendo Playing Card Opening Ends In Disaster For Collector
“I cannot overstate how excited I was"
We've covered Nintendo's history a lot here at NL, and not just the video game side. At this point, it's pretty well known that before Nintendo jumped into gaming, it was well known for producing handmade hanafuda playing cards. And if you're a hardcore Nintendo collector, you'll likely want to get your hands...
News Disgaea 7 Officially Announced For Switch, And Things Are Getting Bigger
Out in Japan in January
Nippon Ichi Software has revealed the next entry in the popular Disgaea franchise. This over-the-top strategy RPG series' new entry — Disgaea 7 — launches in Japan on 26th January next year, and the developer also shared a ton of details about the game. An English localisation hasn't been announced yet, but we usually get...
Random These Pokémon Cushions Offer The Perfect Post-Training Relaxation
Dedenne, use Hug!
Here at Nintendo Life, we love Pokémon merchandise. There was the life-sized Lucario plushie that we were fawning over this month and who can forget the giant Snorlax bed? What we struggle to get over, however, is when these adorable collectables are available only in Japan (please, TPC, we need them). As of today, we have...
News Hori Reveals The Split Pad Fit For Nintendo Switch, Pre-Orders Now Live
An updated version of the Split Pad Pro
Hori's Split Pad Pro controller has been one of the most popular third-party controllers for the Switch - with the company releasing it in all sorts of themed designs, from Pokémon to Sonic the Hedgehog. Now, it's revealed a brand new version called the Split Pad Fit. The button layout appears to be the...
Japanese Charts Nintendo Switch Sports Knocks Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Off The Top Spot
Game, set, and match!
The latest Japanese Charts are in courtesy of Famitsu and it's predictably another strong turnout for the Nintendo Switch. Coming in at number one, Nintendo Switch Sports managed to sell an impressive 53,900 units, bringing its total so far to 677,393. Meanwhile, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 hold strong at the number two slot,...
Video Splatoon 3 Gets A Five-Minute Japanese Overview Trailer
Take a look
Nintendo is gearing up for the launch of Splatoon 3 on September 9th, and if you're eager to see more footage ahead of the third game's release, you're in luck. The company has uploaded a new video on YouTube, and although it's entirely in Japanese, it's pretty easy to follow along if you're already familiar with the way of the...
Random Former Nintendo President's Family Office Is Looking To Buy Marine Engineering Firm
Yamauchi family seeks "to tackle profound global challenges"
The Yamauchi No 10 Family Office, a group formed of members of Nintendo's founding family, is looking to buy out marine engineering company Toyo Construction, with the stated aim of helping to make the oceans cleaner, the Financial Times reports (paywall). The Yamauchi family, who owns...
Random Japan Joins In With 'Shin Chan's' Morning Gymnastics Sessions
So wholesome!
Recently, a speedrunning event known as 'RTA in Japan Summer 2022' was held in Japan. Much like charitable events like 'Games Done Quick', it tasks players to race through games as quickly as possible while governed by certain rules and regulations. As mentioned by Automaton, the event's name is derived from the Japanese term for speed...
News Fire Reported At Nintendo's Japanese Headquarters
Luckily, no one has been injured
Emergency services in Japan have responded to a fire at Nintendo's HQ in Minami-ku, Kyoto, local media outlet NHK reports. The article (shared and translated by VGC) states that the fire was reported at 1pm local time today, 15th August. Police at the scene state that some furniture has been damaged in one room on...
News Splatoon 3's Weapons Are Brought To Life In These Japanese Commercials
These items are not to be missed
The Splatoon 3 Nintendo Direct revealed a whole lotta info about the upcoming sequel, including new game modes, maps and weapons. It is the latter of these that immediately caught our eye, with the slashing Splatana Wiper and accurate Tri-Stringer both promising to make an inky splash on the battlefield when the game...
News Veteran Capcom Producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi Joins NetEase Games
Moving on after 27 years
Capcom producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi has announced his departure from Capcom after 27 years. To mark his 50th birthday he'll be filling the same roll over at the Chinese video game giant NetEase. Kobayashi started out as a programmer on the Resident Evil series in the '90s and took up producer roles for series like Dino...
News Sunsoft Hosting New Digital Event To Announce Upcoming Titles
For "fans old and new"
Sunsoft, the company behind series like Blaster Master, has announced it will be hosting a new digital event next week on August 18th. At this event it intends to unveil its plans for titles due out for the remainder of 2022 and also the year ahead. In a PR, Sunsoft general manager, Yuichi Ochi mentioned how the company was...
News That Life-Size Lucario Plush Is Finally Available In The UK
Update: Large and in charge
(Update 2: Thu 11th Aug, 2022 20:30 BST) British folks, our time has finally come. If you're based in the UK, you can get your grubby mitts on the life-size Lucario from the Pokémon Center site for just £360. A bloody bargain for 47 inches of Lucario, mate. <products id="20180"> (Update 1: Tue 23rd Nov, 2021...
News Kirby: Right Back At Ya! Is Getting A Blu-Ray HD Remaster In Japan
Hitting shelves this winter
As if the Kirby 30th anniversary music festival and release date announcement for Kirby's Dream Buffet wasn't enough pink puffball content for one day, the event also revealed the early 2000s anime, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, will receive the HD remaster treatment. The release of the new Blu-Ray edition of the anime is...
News Okinawa Pokémon Center's Grand Opening Marked By Gorgeous Animation
Growlithe, Growlaugh, Growlove
The Pokémon Company has once again put all other brands to shame with its demonstration of how to mark a store's grand opening. Japan's newest Pokémon Center has opened today in Okinawa, Japan, and alongside some official images of the fresh store, the company has also released an original animation, 'Travelling...
Video New Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Commercial Highlights Mario Kart Tour DLC Tracks
Real-world locations are now in Mario Kart
Nintendo last week released the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 'Wave 2' Booster Course Pass DLC. It features another eight tracks, including two more from the mobile game, Mario Kart Tour. They include New York Minute and Sydney Sprint. Now, to drum up even more excitement for this new DLC, it's released a commercial...