Japan Gaming Guide

The latest installment of the Star Ocean series is coming out on February 19th. Star Ocean: The Last Hope is set in the year 2087, several centuries before the original game – and just after the third world war of the series’ mythology. With the invention of warp technology, humanity is taking its first steps towards exploring the universe.

As an added bonus, those that pre-order the Japanese version of the game will get a free Soundtrack CD, packed with music from the games. The Soundtrack disc contains nine tracks, including five voted for by fans, two selections from series composer Motoi Sakuraba, and one each from producer Yoshiharu Gotanda and tri-ace president Yoshinori Yamagishi.

We don’t expect the Japanese release to include English support, so brush up on those Kanji if you’re thinking of ordering. Or buy it twice and use one as a luxury coaster.

[Read, via Famitsu]

Here’s a great piece of Super Mario Japanese black theatre:

[Geekologie, via Xorsyst]

Last time it was Tetris Sumo in Mexico – this time it’s Human Tetris from Japan. Check out the videos here.

An enterprising seller on Yahoo Auctions decided to put this cute little guy on the market. It seems like the recent Pokemon Platinum has whetted a few appetites, since the closing price for the wee beastie was over 900 billion dollars. That seems a little steep to us, although we’re not sure if it was the Pikachu or simply a Pikachu. That would make all the difference.

Mind you, even super rich Nintendo boss Yamauchi san couldn’t afford to pay that.

[Read]

A shrine near Akihabar, Tokyo is offering a blessing service for computers. Shinto priests perform cleansing ceremonies on laptops and other hardware. The blessing offer protection against hard drive failures and other problems. Maybe Xbox 360 owners worried about the dreaded red ring could pay these guys a visit next time they’re in Tokyo?

[Read, via Xorsyst]

Tecmo have rejected a takeover bid from Square Enix for a reported $200 million. Instead they have opened merger talks with Koei. In a joint statement the companies said the proposed merger would allow them to retain their talented employees and maintain and develop their brands.

Employee retention has proved difficult for Tecmo of late following the controversial departure of Team Ninja boss Tomonobu Itagaki in July. Cash-flow is less of a problem with 12 billion yen in sales last year. Koei are looking even better with 29 billion yen in sales for the same period.

[Read]

Streetfighter 4 has been out for a few weeks now in Japanese Arcades, so the hardcore players will have got to grips with the subtleties of the new game. Soon they’ll get a chance to prove their skills as Capcom have announced a nationwide tournament.

Heats will take place in arcades across Japan from November 1st to December 7th. There are participation prizes for everybody, but standards are sure to be high, so best get practicing if you want to be in with a chance of reaching the finals in Tokyo.

[Read, via Kotaku]

EngRish Games went to the Comiket 74 show in Tokyo. The comic festival includes a small indie game section. They sold all their games so well done to them!

[Read]

So what’s coming out in August?

Xbox 360
7th – Tales of Vesperia
26th – Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway
28th – Too Human
31st – Mercenaries 2: World in Flames

PS3
5th – Monster Madness: Grave Danger
26th – Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway
28th – Afrika
31st – Mercenaries 2: World in Flames

Wii
19th – Rebel Raiders: Operation Nighthawk

DS
1st – Grid
7th – Fire Emblem: New Shadow Dragons and the Blade of Light
7th – Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2
19th – Commando: Steel Disaster
28th – Hanshin Tigers DS

PSP
5th – B-Boy
12th – N+

sources:
GameSpark
GoNintendo
Eurogamer

Here’s a big list of onomatopoeia used in anime and videogames. Very useful – especially as some of this stuff won’t be found in a regular dictionary. This site isn’t safe for work (unless you work in a maid cafe).

[Read]