Let’s make a pro soccer club!

July 19th, 2018 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Sega | Comment »

Let’s make a pro soccer club! Road to world or Puro soca curubu o tsukurou! Rodo to wuruldo to give it its Japanese title has gotten an update recently.

A few new formations and combos have made it into the game.

Frankly, we’re just terrified of the in-game rendition of England manager Gareth Southgate. It looks less like the calm, well-mannered gentleman we know and love and more like the kind of used car salesman that pays you a visit if you miss a payment. Never mind.

If the end of the world cup has left a hole in your life and the three weeks until the European leagues start seems an unbearable wait you might want to check it out. It’s available for IOS and Android now.

[link (Japanese)]

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Musou Orochi 3 Is On The Way

June 11th, 2018 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Japan | Comment »

It’s been a while since we carved through hordes of 15th century warriors but thankfully we’ll soon be getting the chance to do so again. The latest game in the Musou Orochi series has been announced. Musou Orochi 3 is on the way! Known as Warriors Orochi 4 in the west, the game will get a multi-platform release later this year.

If the game’s roster of over 100 characters isn’t to your satisfaction you’ll be pleased to see new character ‘Zeus’ make an appearance in the trailer.
We’re not sure if this is literally meant to be the boss of the Greek Gods but would expect him to be pretty handy at carnage if so.

Check out the trailer below:

Orochi 3 will be launching on PS4, Switch and Steam and is expected this year on September 27th.
Pre-order the game and you’ll have a few extra choices of costume in which to wreak havoc upon your enemies.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Yumenikki – Dream Diary

May 17th, 2018 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Japan, PC | Comment »

Mental health has been getting a lot of coverage in the media lately and there have also been some interesting attempts by game developers to explore the subject. Recently, we discovered Yumenikki – Dream Diary, a 3D reboot of an old game featuring a Japanese recluse – a ‘hikkimori’ or shut-in. There a many people in Japan who get to a certain point in their lives and simply decide not to go outside any more than they have to. For games to give this subject coverage has to be valuable, so this might be worth a look for anyone interested, or affected by the issue.

[Link]

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Rainbow Islands – A look back

April 6th, 2018 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Misc | Comment »

Rainbow Islands

Rainbow Islands is one of our favorite classic games. One of the greatest ‘cutesie’ platformers, the cartoon like graphics mask a brutally difficult game with several layers of depth. Your character must ascend a number of themed islands battling with various creatures and escaping the ever rising water. But that’s not the whole story. Killing bad guys in particular ways makes them drop a diamond. Collecting all the diamonds gives you an extra life, but figure out the correct way to get them and more secrets will emerge.

Rainbow Islands was released in the arcades by Taito in 1987 and was subsequently converted to most home systems. The Spectrum and Amiga versions were among the best games on those systems, capturing most of the arcade original’s nuances.

Recently one of the developers for the home conversions of the game wrote an interesting post giving details of the inner workings of the game. If you ever wondered why the various items appear when they do it is well worth a read.

[Read]

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Red Bull Gaming Sphere Tokyo

February 5th, 2018 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Japan | Comment »

E-Sports continues to gain in popularity in Japan. Continuing the trend, a new dedicated gaming venue opened in Tokyo a couple of days ago. Red Bull Gaming Sphere aims to provide a gaming space for players, spectators and streamers as well as developers and publishers. This year Red Bull will be running a ‘Monday Night Streak’ involving games of all kinds.

Red Bull have a history of supporting E-Sports in Japan and have been running an East Japan vs West Japan tournament for several years. As well as the traditional online big hitters, games such as Puyo Puyo and Everybody’s Golf also get a look in so they’re doing a good job of catering for everyone.

A Y99,999 prize is mentioned – roughly $900 dollars. We suspect the unusual figure might have something to do with Japan’s gambling laws which have made handing out large prizes difficult in the past, although that may change soon as awareness grows. This kind of venture can only be a step in the right direction.

[link]

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Dragon Quest Builders Arriving on Switch

January 4th, 2018 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Nintendo | Comment »

Switch owners will soon get their chance to explore Alefgard as Dragon Quest Builders arrives on the console.

The Switch version will have a few additions and tweaks. As well as extra blocks there will be a new companion to help you build. There will be a rideable panther to help you get to those hard to reach areas.

Early buyers will also be getting some slime decals to spread around the worlds they create.

The game will launch on February 9th, with the Japanese version coming out a few weeks later on March 1st. There will also be a trial version launching on February 1st for the Japanese version.

Link (Japanese)

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Final Fantasy comes to Universal Studios Japan

October 23rd, 2017 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Japan | Comment »

Universal Studios Japan will be adding more gamer friendly attractions in 2018. Final Fantasy will be joining the party, with the focus rumored to be on Final Fantasy VII.

Not content with making Nintendo fans dreams come true, next year’s ‘cool Japan’ line up will feature Final Fantasy and Sailor Moon attractions. These will be joined by Detective Conan and Monster Hunter, both of which have featured previously at USJ.

The first attraction we’ve heard about is a mixed VR roller coaster experience that will take players on airships through various final fantasy worlds. We’re not sure what exactly a mixed VR experience will entail. Will we be riding a coaster with a VR headset, or will the VR section take place before the ride? Some of the USJ rides use 3D goggles to enhance the experience but VR will be a first for us and we’re looking forward to checking it out next year.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Dx2 Shin Megami Tensei

September 6th, 2017 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Sega | Comment »


A new Shin Megami Tensei game has just been announced. The new title, Dx2 Shin Megami Tensei:Liberation is a collaboration between Atlus and Sega, and will launch on smartphones soon.

Have a look at the teaser site here.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

World’s Largest Pacman

July 11th, 2017 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Arcades, Japan | Comment »


Visitors to Dainichi Shopping Center could easily walk past the amusement arcade without giving it a second look. Those brave enough to explore it’s recesses however have a treat in store. Beyond the medal games and dream catchers lurks a behemoth. The world’s biggest pacman is an awesome thing to behold, dwarfing your correspondent and leaving him in awe at its neon magnificence. Is it truly the world’s largest? I daren’t google it lest my fragile heart be broken but it was a nice find on a routine shopping trip.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Super Nintendo World

June 9th, 2017 ThreeHeadedMonkey Posted in Japan, Mario, Nintendo | Comment »

Those of you that have ever dreamed of setting foot in the mushroom kingdom will soon be getting their wish. Universal Studios Japan have commenced work on Super Nintendo World, a new themed area set to feature characters and rides from Nintendo’s most popular games. We’re expecting an official real life Mario Kart, Nintendo parades and who knows what else? There’s a while to wait as the new zone will be opening in 2020. Until then, why not take a look at the trailer:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button