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Big in Japan May 7-13: Mario Party 9, Starhawk

17/05/2012 / owner / No comments

After the Golden Week period, sales in Japan were expected to take a slow turn. This was evident with this week’s recent Media Create update for the week of May 7 to May 13. Regardless, Mario Party 9 was still the top-selling game for the week. The Wii title’s numbers went down from 152,883 to 37,353.

Starhawk’s Emmet Graves isn’t too happy about partying plumbers raining on his debut.

The PS3 version of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City also went down in sales. The third-person shooter’s sales numbers went from 252,525 to 14,553 units, and it was at third place.

Speaking of Sony’s console, the multiplayer action game Starhawk was the only new title that made its debut in Japan. Sony’s PS3 title was at fourth place, with 12,873 units sold. The game was praised for its diverse combat, visuals, and cooperative play; check out GameSpot’s review for more information on the title.

Other than that, portable games ruled the top 10 roost for the week. Fire Emblem: Kakusei stood strong at second place, with 16,530 units sold, while Super Mario 3D Land was holding the middle ground, with 11,260 units sold. Capping off the list was the sole PSP entry Conception: Please Have My Children! The game sold 4600 copies.

On the hardware side of things, the 3DS numbers went down from 91,868 to 46,425 units, while the Wii went from 15,789 to 6073 units. The PS Vita went down from 10,583 to a staggering 6340 units.

Top Japan game sales May 7 to May 13

Software
Rank/Title/Publisher/Platform/Unit sales
1. Mario Party 9/Nintendo/Wii/37,353
2. Fire Emblem: Kakusei/Nintendo/3DS/16,530
3. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City/Capcom/PS3/14,553
4. Starhawk/Sony/PS3/12,873
5. Super Mario 3D Land/Nintendo/3DS/11,260
6. Monster Hunter 3G/Capcom/3DS/9,105
7. Mario Kart 7/Nintendo/3DS/9,045
8. Kid Icarus: Uprising/Nintendo/3DS/7,636
9. Mario Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games/Nintendo/3DS/4,933
10. Conception: Please Have My Children!/Spike Chunsoft/PSP/4,600

Hardware
3DS- 46,425
PS3 – 12,996
PSP – 12,247
PS Vita – 6340
Wii – 6073
PS2 – 1212
Xbox 360 – 1023
DSi XL – 819
DSi – 387

Article source: http://asia.gamespot.com/news/big-in-japan-may-7-13-mario-party-9-starhawk-6377232

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: Japan, Japan game, Mario Party, Mario Sonic, Sony, Starhawk, Super Mario

Big in Japan April 30-May 6: Mario Party 9

10/05/2012 / owner / No comments

Last week was the holiday period known as Golden Week in Japan; as such, it seemed that many spent their relaxation time gaming. Based on the recent Media Create sales update for the week of April 30, consumers were particularly fond of Nintendo’s portable titles and party games featuring the company’s plumber mascot.

Japan partied hard with Mario during Golden Week.

Mario Party 9 for the Wii was the top-selling title for the week, with 144,585 units sold. Critics gave the party game a middling reception; check out GameSpot’s full review on the title. The PlayStation 3 version of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City was just below Nintendo’s party game, with 52,428 units sold.

The top 10 was populated with 3DS titles of varying genres. The strategy role-playing game Fire Emblem: Kakusei was at third place, with 42,347 units sold, while 3D platformer title Super Mario 3D Land was at fourth place, with 28,528 units sold. Trailing just behind was Mario Kart 7 and Kid Icarus: Uprising; the former sold 22,881 units, while the latter sold 18,788 units.

The sole PSP title within the top 10 was Spike Chunsoft’s RPG Conception: Please Have My Children! The game was at ninth place, with 10,193 units sold.

As a result of Nintendo’s spike in software sales, the 3DS and Wii saw a holiday sales increase. The former was at 91,868 units, while the latter was at 15,789 units. The Wii’s numbers were previously at 9,200 units on the last sales update.

Top Japan game sales of April 30-May 6

Software
Rank/Title/Publisher/Platform/Unit sales
1. Mario Party 9/Nintendo/3DS/144,585
2. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City/Capcom/PS3/52,428
3. Fire Emblem: Kakusei/Nintendo/3DS/42,347
4. Super Mario 3D Land/Nintendo/3DS/28,528
5. Mario Kart 7/Nintendo/3DS/22,881
6. Kid Icarus: Uprising/Nintendo/3DS/18,788
7. Monster Hunter 3G/Capcom/3DS/16,496
8. Mario Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games/Nintendo/3DS/13,810
9. Conception: Please Have My Children!/Spike Chunsoft/PSP/10,193
10. Wii Sports Resort/Nintendo/Wii/10,058

Hardware
3DS – 91,868
PS3 – 23,478
PSP – 20,033
Wii – 15,789
PS Vita – 10,583
PS2 – 1611
Xbox 360 – 1420
DSi XL – 1097
DSi – 814

Article source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/big-in-japan-april-30-may-6-mario-party-9-6376052

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: Game, Golden, Japan, Kakusei, Kid Icarus, Mario Kart, Mario Party, Nintendo, Operation, Party, Super, Super Mario, Uprising, Wii

White Vita headed to Japan next month

08/05/2012 / owner / No comments

Sony will release a new Crystal White PlayStation Vita console in Japan next month. Unveiled by
Sony Japan, the new console will go on sale on June 28 and will be priced at ¥29,980 ($375) for the Wi-Fi/3G model, and ¥24,980 ($313) for the Wi-Fi-only model.

A new white Vita is coming to Japan.

Sony will also release matching accessories for the new white PS Vita, including an earbud headset, a white carrying pouch, a leather case, and a strap.

The publisher will also release a special edition bundle to coincide with the Japanese release of Sega’s Next Hatsune Miku: Project Diva, the next entry in the popular rhythm game franchise.

The bundle will contain a special edition Hatsune Miku white Vita, a 4GB memory card, and a copy of the game. It will be released in Japan on August 30 this year for ¥10,000 ($125) more than the standard 3G and Wi-Fi versions of the white hardware.

Sony has not revealed any plans to release with the Crystal White Vita or the special edition Hatsune Miku Vita outside of Japan at this point.

Article source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/white-vita-headed-to-japan-next-month-6375665

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: Crystal White PlayStation Vita, Crystal White Vita, earbud, edition, Fi-only, Game, Hatsune Miku, headset, Japan, June, model, PS Vita, Sony Japan, strap, White Vita

Big in Japan April 23-29: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

03/05/2012 / owner / No comments

Despite the lukewarm critical reception surrounding the spin-off Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Japan has paid no heed, with the PlayStation 3 (PS3) version of the title sitting at first place on the recent Media Creates sales update. The PS3 version of the game sold 252,525 units, while the Xbox 360 version was also in the top 10, with 16,285 units sold.

Zombie killing trumped life simulations and baby-making RPGs in Japan.

While critics praised the game for its new perspective on the Resident Evil storyline, they panned it for its flawed cover system, dull action, and incompetent AI. For more information, check out GameSpot’s full review of the game.

PlayStation Vita also had a huge sales debut, with a title in the top 10 for the first time since Gravity Daze and Tales of Innocence R. PS Vita’s Ciel Nosurge: Ushinawareta Hoshi e Sasagu Uta was at fourth place, with 33,324 units sold. The game is classified as a life simulator, with elements of a dating simulation and visual novel.

Players are tasked with taking care of a girl called Ion, who lives inside their PS Vitas. At the same time, the title implements a cloud-share system, where data from all players affects the narrative progression of the game. This hybrid of a title is developed by Gust, which is known for the Atelier series.

The PSP RPG Conception: Please Have My Children! made its mark on the top 10 list at fourth place with 29,846 units sold. The game places players in the role of a student given the task of conceiving children with 12 “star maidens” to save the world of “Granvania”. Gamers need to create up to 13 party members, comprising of star children, each with their own different class types and skill sets.

Nintendo’s Mario Party 9 also made its debut pretty high on the top 10 list, claiming second place, with 152,883 units sold. Dynasty Warriors Vs. for Nintendo’s 3DS also made its debut on the list, the action title coming in at 10th place, with 15,578 units sold.

Otherwise, the usual suspects from the 3DS side were still around. Fire Emblem: Kakusei was still standing strong at third place, with 60,313 units sold. Super Mario 3D land was at ninth place, with 15,696 units sold.

Thanks to Gust’s life-simulation title, PS Vita units experienced a surge in sales, going from 8206 from the previous week to 12,299 units for the latest update. The PSP also saw a bit of a surge, thanks to new PSP titles, going from 11,779 units to 22,457 units. The 3DS, however, went down a little, to 74,282 units.

Top Japan game sales of April 23-29

Software
Rank/Title/Publisher/Platform/Unit sales
1. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City/Capcom/PS3/252,525
2. Mario Party 9/Nintendo/Wii/152,883
3. Fire Emblem: Kakusei/Nintendo/3DS/60,313
4. Ciel Nosurge: Ushinawareta Hoshi e Sasagu Uta/Gust/PS Vita/33,324
5. Conception: Please Have My Children!/Spike Chunsoft/PSP/29,846
6. Steins;Gate: Hiyoku Renri no Darling/5pb/PSP/24,849
7. Idolmaster Anime G4U! Pack Vol. 7/Namco Bandai/PS3/17,314
8. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City/Capcom/Xbox 360/16,285
9. Super Mario 3D Land/Nintendo/3DS/15,696
10. Dynasty Warriors VS/Tecmo Koei/3DS/15,578

Hardware
3DS – 74,282
PSP – 22,457
PS3 – 21,114
PS Vita – 12,299
Wii – 9200
PS2 – 1395
Xbox 360- 1327
DSi XL – 895
DSi – 717

Article source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/big-in-japan-april-23-29-resident-evil-operation-raccoon-city-6374901

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: Japan, Nintendo, Operation Raccoon City, PlayStation Vita, PS Vita, Resident Evil, Xbox 360

Nintendo Promises More Third Party Support for 3DS

02/05/2012 / owner / No comments

In a recent investor QA, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata addressed the question of third party support from western developers for the 3DS. Iwata admitted “there may appear to be fewer commitments from the U.S. and the European software publishers than those of their Japanese counterparts.” He went on to explain the situation, attributing this lack of western support to “the different timing (between Japan and overseas) when they noticed that the Nintendo 3DS would surely expand widely into their markets and, thus, the different timing when they started the actual development of the Nintendo 3DS software.”

Japanese software has dominated the 3DS market, both in the U.S. and overseas. First party titles like Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7 and Kid Icarus Uprising have stood alongside Japanese third party games like Resident Evil Revelations, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and Monster Hunter 3G at the top of the sales charts (those last two are only out in Japan at the moment; Kingdom Hearts 3D is headed stateside this July). But despite this lull in western software, Iwata isn’t worried.

“You will also notice a change in this situation when a richer Nintendo 3DS software lineup in the overseas markets is announced around the time of the E3 show,” Iwata said. “In Japan, we have this solid feeling that the Japanese publishers will continuously support the Nintendo 3DS. Accordingly, I have no pessimistic view on the Nintendo 3DS software lineup.”

Could we have some major third party game announcements to look forward to at this year’s show? We’ll find out soon enough.

Audrey Drake is an Associate Editor of IGN.com and a proud member of the IGN Nintendo team. She is also a lifelong gamer, a frequent banisher of evil and a wielder of various legendary blades. You can follow her zany exploits on her IGN blog and Twitter. Game on!

Article source: http://feeds.ign.com/~r/ignfeeds/all/~3/mnuqJ0EcwPM/1224123p1.html

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: 3DS, Japan, Japanese software, Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata

La-Mulana Won’t Make it to WiiWare

01/05/2012 / owner / No comments

After years in the making, La-Mulana won’t be making it to WiiWare after all.

“Regarding La-Mulana, we have chosen to cancel publishing in North America and Europe for WiiWare.” That’s the official word sent out today via publisher Nicalis‘ official Twitter account. Tyrone Rodriguez, publisher at Nicalis, explained further in comments to GoNintendo:

“The decision to cancel publishing of La-Mulana was a tough call, but waiting two years for NIGORO to finish development has made it near impossible to sell sufficient units on Wii. The WiiWare market has a fraction of the players from 2008. The window for release and success of software on the platform ended in 2009 and took a very steep decline. Players have moved onto other digital download platforms.

La-Mulana was originally developed without DLC in mind and, I think being their first console project, that NIGORO got a bit ahead of themselves and spent two years agonizing on getting the DLC sort of working for Japan. Unfortunately, it never passed Nintendo’s submission process in the US or EU with DLC in place. As the publisher, we’re responsible for various things, but development (which includes programming, art, music and design) is and always has been in the hands of NIGORO.

With the Wii U in the not too distant future and WiiWare sales almost non-existent, I had to make a call today. I wish them the best. They’re good game developers and good guys.”

La-Mulana’s 2009 WiiWare Announcement Trailer

La-Mulana was originally released in 2005 as a retro-styled PC side-scroller starring an archeologist named Dr. Lemeza Kosugi – think Indiana Jones meets Cave Story. This WiiWare port was then announced to be in the works nearly three years ago, and promised upgraded visuals and new modes would be added to the original adventure. Development seemed on track at one time, as we even had the chance to go hands-on with in-progress builds over the past few years.

But time, it seems, caught up with this one. The game actually was released for Wii owners in Japan last summer, giving us enough confidence to feature it in our list of most anticipated titles set to launch for Wii before the end of 2011 – but the game’s North American and European debut was delayed once again to end up here in 2012. And now, it seems, the delays are done. La-Mulana’s WiiWare edition, outside Japan, is just simply dead.

If there’s a silver lining to the bad news, it’s that the PC release of the upgraded game seems to still be on track. Nicalis encouraged players to support that version through a follow-up tweet – so while you won’t be able to play it on Wii, you may still be able to play it elsewhere.

The game’s original 2005 PC version is also still very much available and is actually free to play.

Lucas M. Thomas was looking forward to La-Mulana, dang it. Join him on his IGN blog and Twitter.

Article source: http://feeds.ign.com/~r/ignfeeds/all/~3/4z9K-qxTaqs/1224074p1.html

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: Call, decision, development, DLC, Game, Japan, La-Mulana, NIGORO, North America, today, track, Tyrone Rodriguez, Wii, WiiWare

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers spooking 3DS this August in Japan

27/04/2012 / owner / No comments

Japanese magazine Famitsu.com (via Andriasang) recently announced that Atlus will be working on a 3DS port of the 1997 Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation role-playing game Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers.

Famitsu)” /

A shot of the opening animation in action. (image credit: Famitsu)

According to the announcement, the port will feature a new opening animation done by Japanese animation studio Satelight. The 3DS version will also feature shorter overall load times, animations for the turn-based battles done in-game, and full voice-overs for the majority of the game.

The port is set to be released August 30 in Japan. There is currently no word on whether the game will be out in North American and European markets.

Devil Summoner Soul Hacker was never released outside of Japan back in 1997. The game is set in a near future involving a virtual reality world called Paradigm X. Gamers have to investigate and learn more about Paradigm X’s creators by reliving the visions of the deceased and piecing clues together. Gamers will have to use the GUMP apparatus for ranged combat and for summoning demons to aid them.

The last Devil Summoner title that came out for North American markets was Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon for the PS2 in 2009.

Article source: http://au.gamespot.com/news/devil-summoner-soul-hackers-spooking-3ds-this-august-in-japan-6373612

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: animation, com, Devil, Devil Summoner, Devil Summoner Soul Hackers, Game, image, Japan, Japanese animation studio, Japanese magazine, Paradigm, port, Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner, Tensei

Dragon Quest X hits Wii this August in Japan

26/04/2012 / owner / No comments

After much waiting, Dragon Quest fans in Japan finally have a solid release date for the next game in the series, Dragon Quest X. Publisher Square Enix has announced that the Wii title will be out on shelves on August 2 in Japan.

Dragon Quest fever will hit Japan this early August. Good-bye productivity.

The standard version will be sold for ¥6,980 ($86) while the bundle containing a USB memory card will cost ¥8,980 ($111). If gamers are to buy the standard version, they will need to use their own USB memory card with at least 16GB inside.

Since Dragon Quest X is a subscription-based game, both versions will come with 20 days of free online play. The subscription fee plan is as follows: ¥1,000 ($12) for 30 days, ¥1,950 ($24) for 60 days, and ¥2,900 ($35) for 90 days. Payment can be made either by credit card or by using Wii points via Nintendo points cards. Players will be able to create up to three characters per account.

Square Enix will also host a “Kids Time” program where children can play Dragon Quest X for free for a specific period of time. There is no word on the previously announced Wii U version of the game at this point in time, or North American or European release dates.

Article source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/dragon-quest-x-hits-wii-this-august-in-japan-6373613

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: date, Dragon Quest, fever, Game, Japan, play, quest, series, Square, Square Enix, waiting

Devil Summoner Soul Hackers spooking 3DS this August in Japan

26/04/2012 / owner / No comments

Japanese magazine Famitsu.com (via Andriasang) recently announced that Atlus will be working on a 3DS port of the 1997 Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation RPG Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers.

Famitsu)” /

A shot of the opening animation in action.(image credit: Famitsu)

The port is set to be released in August 30 in Japan. There is currently no word on whether the game will be out in North American and European markets.

The last Devil Summoner title that came out for North American markets was Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon for the PS2 in 2009.

Article source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/devil-summoner-soul-hackers-spooking-3ds-this-august-in-japan-6373612

Dragon Quest X releasing this August in Japan

26/04/2012 / owner / No comments

Dragon Quest fever will hit Japan this early August. Goodbye productivity.

The standard version will be sold for 6,980 yen ($86) while the bundle containing a USB memory card will cost 8,980 yen ($111). If gamers were to buy the standard version, they will need to use their own USB memory card with at least 16GB inside.

Since Dragon Quest X is an MMO, both versions will come with 20 days of free online play. The subscription fee plan is as follows: 1,000 yen ($12) for 30 days, 1,950 yen ($24) for 60 days, and 2,900 yen for 90 days ($35). Payment can be made either by credit card or by using Wii Points via Nintendo points cards. Players will be able to create up to three characters per account.

Square Enix will also host a “Kids Time” program where children can play Dragon Quest X for free for a specific period of time. There is no word on the Wii-U version of the game at this point in time, as well as a North American or European release date.

Article source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/dragon-quest-x-releasing-this-august-in-japan-6373613

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: Dragon Quest, Japan, release date, Square Enix

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PlayFTW! | Play For The Win!

Tag Archive for Japan

Big in Japan May 7-13: Mario Party 9, Starhawk

Big in Japan April 30-May 6: Mario Party 9

White Vita headed to Japan next month

Big in Japan April 23-29: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

Nintendo Promises More Third Party Support for 3DS

La-Mulana Won’t Make it to WiiWare

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers spooking 3DS this August in Japan

Dragon Quest X hits Wii this August in Japan

Devil Summoner Soul Hackers spooking 3DS this August in Japan

Dragon Quest X releasing this August in Japan

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