Japan News, Japan Features

Soul Sacrifice not quelling the region's bloodlust

If there’s one title that could propel the PlayStation Vita’s sales sky high in Japan, it would be Monster Hunter. While the likeable Soul Sacrifice has proved a decent substitute – becoming the console’s third best selling title in its domestic territory – Eastern owners of the struggling...

Legs like tree trunks

We’re pretty confident that you could see the thighs of Dragon’s Crown’s playable Amazon character from space. Her extraordinary muscles pave the way for plenty of power, as this brand new trailer demonstrates. In it, the partially undressed protagonist is shown tossing enemies into the air and dishing out a hearty...

More former sorcerers to slay

Soul Sacrifice may have only just arrived in western territories, but the game’s already secured a strong fanbase overseas. As such, Sony’s supplementing that enthusiasm with a couple of new archfiends, both of which will be available as free DLC in Japan from today. The Ghost is a cursed woman who exchanged her...

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen scorches second

We don’t think that we’ve ever seen this many new releases on a single Media Create chart. There are no less than 13 fresh titles included on this week’s Japanese best sellers list, with many of them for the PlayStation 3 and Vita. Of the newcomers, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen flew the highest,...

Remember to tip the container upside down

Every meal tastes better with a hearty dollop of mayonnaise on the side, but as much as we love the taste of the egg-based condiment, we’re not sure whether we could stomach a full game about the rich, creamy sauce. Vividred Operation: Akane and the Mayo Operation, a brand new PlayStation Network title...

PlayStation Vita makes it possible

We’re not sure that we understand the fascination surrounding programmed personality Hatsune Miku, but the computer generated pop star is known for sending some folks more gaga than, er, Lady Gaga. If you fit into that category, then you may want to hot step your way over to the Niconico Chōkaigi 2 event...

You've, er, got red on you

Corpse Party: Blood Drive, the third entry in 5pb’s horrific interactive novel series, is set to spook the PlayStation Vita later this year. Announced in Famitsu magazine – and translated by Siliconera – the title will further the fearsome narrative of the haunted Heavenly Host Elementary School. The sequel will pick...

Sales remain relatively rosy for Sony's various systems

It’s been over a month since the PlayStation Vita’s price was slashed in Japan, but the system’s still hanging on pretty well. While this week’s Media Create update shows a 10k decline for the console, it still managed to shift a respectable 31,795 units. Let hope that it can continue...

No, that's the actual name

Believe it or not, My Little Sister Can’t Be This Cute is the name of a light novel turned anime series in Japan. Having already spawned several wildly popular outings on the PlayStation Portable, the franchise is now making the jump to the PlayStation 3, prompting plenty of throats to be cleared all over the world...

Keiji Inafune puts it down to brand loyalty

While the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are more or less equals in most parts of the world, Microsoft’s machine struggles in Japan. It’s not uncommon to see the green-tinged device sell less than 1,000 units a week in the land of the rising sun, while Sony’s counterpart tends to teeter around the 15,000...

We hope that you liked the original

A complete remake of last year’s likeable PlayStation Vita demon slayer Ragnarok Odyssey is heading to Japan this summer. Ragnarok Odyssey Ace promises a comprehensive reworking of the original title for the PlayStation 3 and Vita, with a brand new episode and a compilation of all of the downloadable quests from...

Cross your fingers

Video game retailer GameStop has got a lot to say about the PlayStation 4. Hot on the heels of gaffer Tony Bartel’s comments regarding stock shortages yesterday, company executive Michael Hogan has hinted that Sony’s next generation platform is set to launch globally this year. Presumably, that includes Europe. “We know...

Sony's system is sailing away

Strong sales for One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 boosted the PlayStation Vita back up the Japanese hardware charts this week. While the system was still handily outsold by the Nintendo 3DS, the portable’s tally surged from 36,028 units to 41,073 units. The aforementioned Namco Bandai brawler sold 60,315 units on the...

Tastier than nacho cheese and bacon on crispy fries

If hotly anticipated PlayStation 3 and Vita brawler Dragon’s Crown was an animal, it would probably be a kitten wearing a big pink bow. Vanillaware has released a brand new trailer for the co-operative beat ‘em up, which introduces you to the cast of the game and also shows off a euphoric mouse...

Guesses on the back of a postcard, please

SEGA has launched a new Japanese teaser website for an impending PlayStation 3 and Vita project, but additional details are being kept under wraps. The page – which features some kind of dust effect – hints that all will be revealed on 28th March. Why do we have to wait so long? Unsurprisingly,...

PlayStation 2 favourites will be bundled on one Blu-ray

As speculated yesterday, Final Fantasy X-2 is conjuring its collection of enchanted clothing onto the PlayStation 3 and Vita. The latest issue of Japanese publication Jump magazine has confirmed that the title will ship alongside its predecessor Final Fantasy X on a single Blu-ray named Final...

Sword Art Online steals top spot from Kingdom Hearts

Sony’s first foray into the handheld market may have been replaced over a year ago, but that’s not stopped the PlayStation Portable from proving that it’s still a force to be reckoned with in this week’s Japanese sales charts. Namco Bandai’s anime adaptation Sword Art Online: Infinity...

You'll have to buy them separately on the handheld, though

Those of you that like to indulge in a little dress up may be delighted to learn that Final Fantasy X-2 could be coming to the PlayStation 3 and Vita. Gematsu reports that alongside the oft delayed HD port of Final Fantasy X, a re-mastered version of its sequel may also be strutting onto...

We'll cry if you don't

Petitions are almost always futile, but when they revolve around a franchise that’s dear to our heart, we suppose they’re at least worth a shot. A group of Yakuza 5 fans have started up an online campaign to get the latest entry in the gangster series localised. Over the past few years, publisher SEGA has stealthily...