Japan News, Japan Features - Page 6 of 23

Sweetening the deal

While positive noises have been made about the Vita's early sales in North America and Europe, there's been little hiding the fact that it's enduring a tough spell in Japan. It seems that gamers in Sony's homeland are happier to buy a PSP or, in even greater numbers, a 3DS. Despite this, it can't be said that Sony isn't trying...

What's hot in the land of the rising sun?

The PS Vita managed to keep its head above water again this week, with its sales numbers boosting well above the dreaded 10k units mark in Japan. Sony’s new handheld was unable to outsell its predecessor, the PSP, though, which was boosted by the release of the anticipated Yakuza spin-off, Black Panther 2...

Fit for a king?

The first stills and details of New Little King's Story had us worried it would be a radical departure from its predecessor, the classic Little King's Story on Wii. Judging by this new trailer below we needn't have worried, as the upcoming Vita game has all the bizarre enemies and soldier flinging of its Nintendo counterpart...

Famous face buttons

Earlier in the week, Namco Bandai released a mysterious Japanese teaser website hinting at a brand new “action adventure” title. That website has now updated with images of the PlayStation’s face buttons, hinting at some form of exclusivity. It’s unclear what the game is or which PlayStation platform it is for, but...

All change

It sounds as though Sony’s really keen to reinvent its Japanese arm. It wasn’t long ago that the company announced it had placed former Sony Santa Monica founder Allan Becker in charge of its domestic studios, and it has now followed up with a corporate restructure. Beginning 1st April, SCEJ will operate under new “First Party...

Vita sales up... Just

Namco Bandai’s rip-roaring PlayStation 3 exclusive One Piece: Pirate Musou has enjoyed a second week at the top of the Japanese sales charts after blowing the doors off the week prior. Despite selling way over 500k units last week, the PS3 release still managed to rustle up another 90,133 sales, bringing its overall tally...

Like a dragon

SEGA’s released a demo for Yakuza’s second PlayStation Portable spin-off, Yakuza: Black Panther 2, in Japan. The demo, which is exclusive to Famitsu for the time being, features four components, including a sample of the game’s story mode, a chunk of hub-world Osaka to explore, a battle tutorial and a taste of the game’s...

Massive numbers for PS3 exclusive

One Piece: Pirate Musou – also known as One Piece: Pirate Warriors – gave the PlayStation 3 one of its strongest ever Japanese software debuts this past week, as it topped the charts with a whopping 655,774 units sold. Just to put things into perspective, it outsold the combined total of the remaining 19 titles...

Life in the old dog, yet

The PlayStation Portable is still hot in Japan (regularly outselling Sony’s beefy new hardware, the PS Vita, on a weekly basis). And so Sony has decided to capitalise on its former handheld’s continued longevity by announcing a new colour for its home region. Dubbed Sky Blue/Marine Blue, the two-tone PSP certainly looks...

Coming next week

SEGA has a big surprise up its sleeve for Shining fans next week. The official Shining Blade Twitter — via Andriasang — tweeted that the "biggest thing in series history" will happen next week. Previously the account has hinted that information about the next game will be included in the packaging for Shining Blade,...

Kataclysmic

Japanese gamers have had a couple of weeks to mess around with Gravity Rush, but the fun doesn’t end there. Sony’s announced that it is planning to release three downloadable packs for the hotly anticipated title, each bundling a costume, two side missions and three challenge missions. They’ll cost ¥400 each. The first pack’s...

Staying connected

The Wi-Fi version of the PlayStation Vita comfortably outsold its 3G alternative during the system’s UK launch last week, but it was a very different story in Japan. Figures released by Media Create (via Andriasang) overnight show that the more expensive 3G device was significantly more popular during the PlayStation Vita’s...

And they're coming to Japan

Sony's putting so-called PS Vita Masters in Japanese retailers to answer consumer questions about the new console. From 25th February to 1st April, the staff will explain the system's built-in features, its 3G functionality and generally push you towards picking up one of the shiny handhelds. They also get to wear special...

A right old din

Sony’s finally attached a date to its bonkers downloadable indie project, Tokyo Jungle, in Japan. For those that aren’t familiar with the title, the game takes place in a deserted, futuristic Japan which has transformed into a brutal safari. Taking control of various animal species, you must both survive and uncover the truth of...

Troubles in Japan

You may have read some news of dwindling Vita sales in Japan, which has been the case since its opening week and a source of worry for Sony gaming supporters. It seems that the pressure is starting to tell on Japanese developers, with reports of trouble ahead for the young handheld. According to a report from Japan's Nikkei...

Newton's law

Like the falling apples that formulated Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity, the release of Gravity Rush – known as Gravity Daze domestically – could not thwart the dwindling numbers for Sony’s new handheld in Japan. The snazzy handheld – which releases worldwide next week – managed to sell just 13,939 units, its lowest...

Get out the red carpet

For those very few that enjoyed the delights of Little King's Story on Wii, the confirmation of New Little King's Story on Vita came as wonderful news. As confirmed by Andriasang, there isn't long to wait for Japanese Vita owners to enjoy some royal authority. It's been confirmed that New Little King's Story will be released...

Who's innocent now?

The PlayStation Vita enjoyed something of a minor resurgence in Japan this week — aided by the release of Namco Bandai's Tales of Innocence R. The remake propelled PlayStation Vita sales up to just under 19k, pushing it past its predecessor for the first time since launch. From Software's mech battler, Armored Core V, took the...

Apples are renowned for their sweet taste and gravitational properties

They're also the star of Sony's brand new live-action Gravity Rush commercial. Uncharted: Golden Abyss and WipEout 2048 may be the PlayStation Vita's headline releases — but we really think Gravity Rush is the star of the..