Japan Gaming Guide

UPDATE: Since posting this, Microsoft have announced that the Xbox One will be region free, read more here. ORIGINAL STORY: Sadly, it seems Microsoft’s new console will be fully region locked for games. We’re presuming this means all games will be region locked by default. Given that many high quality games are never released in […]

Here’s a word cloud for the blog, generated using this tool:

A communications student is looking into the attitudes of Japanese gamers. Anyone interested in sharing their opinions and helping out, please follow the link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zN8bIcLiJo_7fVSnmyJJxWI7fB7wRs5FhubyZNgRWJ0/viewform

Nintendo have just announced a flurry of games for the 3DS, including a sequel to Link to the Past and a new Yoshi’s Island game. The Zelda game is set in the Link to the Past world and seems very close in gameplay terms, though it will feature new abilities including use of the system’s […]

The World Hobby Fair comes back to Osaka this Sunday. There are usually a few unreleased games on show so it is well worth a look if you are in the area. As well as video games there are also toys and card games on show. Check out the official site here (Japanese)

If you love Japanese games then the chances are you’re not a huge fan of region locking. This anti-consumer practice has been going on for decades. It is a real hassle for gamers who are prevented from buying games they are perfectly willing to pay good money for. With all the fuss software companies make […]

At this time of year, with many of us eagerly waiting to see what new games or consoles Santa will bring us, it is easy to forget that not everyone is so fortunate. A year and a half after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Eastern Japan, many people are still struggling to rebuild their […]

Think you have to pay money to win money? This isn’t necessarily true. There are actually free games online that pay out in real cash if you know where to look. The Benefits of Free Games Online Those who are familiar with the world of online gambling and online games sites will know how beneficial […]

This card reader from Taito is just the thing for Mario fans who can’t bear to be without their hero long enough to copy their photos onto a PC. The reader is a little on the bulky side but who cares – you can send Mario down the pipe and listen to the authentic sound […]

At the Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco this month, Fez creator Phil Fish made a rather controversial statement. When taking questions after a screening of Indie Game: the Movie, Fish was asked his opinion on current Japanese game development. He quickly and bluntly replied that Japanese games nowadays “just suck.” This comment has sparked […]