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Japanese retailer names underperforming games of 2009

by JC Fletcher { Dec 3rd 2009 at 1:00AM }

Japanese retail blogger Oosaka King has compiled a list of what he believes are the games that did worst for stores in 2009. These aren't just poor sellers, they're also games with low margins or other problems that kept retailers from profiting.

Topping the list: Blood of Bahamut, a DS RPG released by Square Enix on August 6, just a few weeks after Dragon Quest IX. No mystery why that one didn't sell! Monster Hunter Tri, which may be more surprising, was the blogger's number two choice, due to low margins on the standard edition, as well as some unspecified shipping issues from Capcom.

The full list of what one retailer believes was unprofitable in 2009 is after the break. It features a few more big names, like Sonic, Mario, and Gran Turismo. The preponderance of major games is probably due to the fact that retailers stocked way more of the big games, expecting more sales, and stocked presumably niche titles more judiciously.

[Via Andriasang]

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WiiWare's Phalanx remake is almost a Virtual Console game

by JC Fletcher { Dec 2nd 2009 at 12:30PM }

[GAME Watch]

The trailer for the WiiWare version of Phalanx (after the break) reveals that it looks very much like a 16-bit game, rather than a remake of a 16-bit game. In fact, it looks identical to the Sharp X68000 version upon which it is based (and which is included in its unaltered form in the 500-point download).

Essentially, developer Zoom is using WiiWare to release a Virtual Console game whose platform isn't supported on the Virtual Console -- with some new bonus content, like a new mode with new stages and manual weapon selection. We approve of this tactic. Phalanx will be released on December 22 in Japan.

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Japan due for some Heavy Rain in February

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 1st 2009 at 10:30PM }

Famitsu has apparently given Heavy Rain a Japanese release date of February 8, 2010, reports IGN. Japan is receiving a specific localized version of the title, so it's unclear whether this means the game will be released earlier or later in other territories; however, it's unusual for a Western-developed title to land on Japanese shelves first.

We contacted SCEA and were told the company has not "made any announcements on Heavy Rain's [release] date in North America." Yes, right, we know, that's why we're emailing ...

Gallery: Heavy Rain: The Origami Killer

Square Enix edutaining Japan's children with Miffy

by JC Fletcher { Dec 1st 2009 at 4:15PM }

Last year, Square Enix released a couple of licensed DS games in Japan based on Snoopy and Pingu, targeted at children. While the Pure Dreams label didn't last beyond those two games, the company is still producing licensed content for young gamers, most recently in the form of a Miffy game for Wii.

Oyako de Asobo Miffy no Omochabako (Play for Kids and Parents Miffy's Toybox) is an edutainment game with 25 different minigames, all featuring the adorable, X-mouthed rabbit, designed for parents and youngsters to play together. A coloring minigame can be transferred from the Wii game to the DS.

When Final Fantasy XIII comes out in North America in March, it'll already be old hat to Japanese gamers, who will be eagerly awaiting the March 18 release of this game.

[Via Siliconera]

Japanese Nintendo downloads: King of Fighters '95, Kamenin Merchant

by JC Fletcher { Dec 1st 2009 at 1:15PM }

Today, for those Japanese gamers who like King of Fighters games but didn't purchase the Orochi Collection disc -- or the Neo Geo Online Collection Complete Box sets, King of Fighters '95 is available on the Virtual Console. SNK Playmore's business model is so strange -- these Virtual Console releases seem to actively compete with the company's retail collections.

Also available: two cute Namco arcade games, including Rompers, an obscure game about pushing walls over on enemies. DSiWare features a Tales of Graces spinoff, a calendar that lets you mark upcoming events, and a Picross variant with surprisingly nice sprite work.

The King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points)
Ordyne (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Rompers (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Ponjan Wii (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
Ato Nannichi? Kazoeru Nintendo DSi Calendar (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Kamenin Merchant (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Kaiten Illust Puzzle Guruguru Logic (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)

Famitsu: Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker strides into Japan on March 18

by David Hinkle { Dec 1st 2009 at 11:30AM }

This week's issue of Famitsu lifts the cardboard box off Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker's release date, outing the PSP title for a March 18, 2010 release in Japan. Given Konami's history of timely Metal Gear localizations, it might not be too long until the game reaches its excited Western audience.

We loved what we played at TGS and we're willing to bet those of you who braved the Japanese demo likely felt the same. If you were frightened by the lack of understandable words, have no fear -- an English demo is currently in the works!

Bioshock 2 coming to Japan, courtesy of D3 Publisher

by David Hinkle { Nov 30th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Good news, Japan! D3 Publisher is localizing Bioshock 2 for you and, this time around, you won't have to wait that long to get your ADAM-soaked hands on it. Andriasang reports D3 Publisher will release the 2K Marin, et al.–developed sequel sometime in early 2010 -- presumably close to the February 9 US release date. We just hope the new Japanese ad campaign dials back the completely frightening a bit.

Final Fight 3, Metal Gear headline Japanese Virtual Console lineup next month

by JC Fletcher { Nov 30th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Metal Gear kept Japanese Wii owners waiting last month, as publisher D4 Enterprises missed the game's announced November release window. The tactical espionage action progenitor has snuck into December's lineup, along with another November refugee, Yie Ar Koutei no Gyakushuu.

December will also see the arrival of Final Fight 3 for SNES, which features Guy and Haggar along with two new characters, all doing what they do best: punching people, eating garbage, and destroying lots of barrels. Of course, no Virtual Console schedule is complete without shmups, and December will see two: Ordyne, an adorable side-scroller from Namco, and Zaxxon, a classic Sega shooter with a confusing perspective. See the list after the break.

[Via Andriasang]

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Japan facing Final Fantasy XIII oversaturation crisis

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 28th 2009 at 3:30PM }

And you thought Halo 3-themed Game Fuel was bad. A recent round of advertisements have taken Japan by storm, all of which either shill for Final Fantasy XIII, or some product based on the unflagging RPG franchise. Posted after the break are a series of videos, including a short TV spot for the game, two ads for the presumably refreshing Elixir beverage, and a commercial for a commercial (well, a behind-the-scenes documentary) which will be released shortly after the game is released in Japan.

Also, they're making a perfume based off the game's main character. It's called Lightning eau de toilet. There's no video advertisement to accompany this news, but we'd have been remiss had we not mentioned it to you.

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Santa's Dragon Quest IX cameo now available in Japan

by Xav de Matos { Nov 28th 2009 at 1:45PM }

He might know if you've been bad or good, but that won't stop St. Nick from sending you on a horse-related fetch quest in new DLC for Dragon Quest IX in Japan. Released on November 27, the Mr. Claus' Horse downloadable content brings the mythical gift giver to the insanely popular Nintendo DS title.

Sadly, we can only hope Square Enix plans to include this and previous Dragon Quest IX DLC when the game eventually lands in North American stores. You'd think a guy with a sleigh and a few flying reindeer could help speed-up the process, but apparently Santa's busy horse-sitting.

Level-5 reveals Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, coming to Japan next fall

by JC Fletcher { Nov 25th 2009 at 11:30AM }

Professor Layton and the Devil's Flute is out in Japan tomorrow, so Level-5 decided it was an appropriate time to go ahead and announce the next DS game in the second Layton trilogy. At a Devil's Flute launch event, Level-5 president Akihiro Hino revealed the above artwork for Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask.

This fifth game has Layton and Luke investigating the mystery of the title artifact in Casino City, which seems to have been created by the wish-granting mask. According to a Famitsu report that leaked before the official reveal, there could be major changes to the familiar gameplay system.

Miracle Mask will be out in fall 2010, and may be followed by a second movie, Hino said. The company first has to solve the puzzle of how much money it will receive from the first one.

[Via Famitsu, Andriasang]

Japan summons one more Final Fantasy XIII trailer

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 25th 2009 at 12:15AM }

Square Enix has released yet another Japanese language trailer for Final Fantasy XIII, likely the last one before the game hits retail stores across the Pacific. This five minute video features a lot of recycled footage from earlier trailers, but attentive fans will notice the reveal of new characters (villains, perhaps?).

The highlights of this lengthy preview are the franchise's trademark over-the-top summons -- made even more spectacular and grandiose for this generation's first numbered entry in the Final Fantasy series. Of course, Square Enix fans would have it no other way.

[Thanks, Brandon S.!]

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII

DSi XL's Japanese launch is also pretty big

by JC Fletcher { Nov 24th 2009 at 2:15PM }

[Image Source]

Like Honeycomb cereal, the DSi XL (LL in Japan) is big, yeah yeah yeah. And according to Enterbrain data, its launch sales weren't small, no no no. The super-sized handheld sold 103,524 units in its first two days on sale. Its immediate predecessor, the regular-sized DSi, moved about 170,000 units at its launch, and its most recent competitor, the PSP Go, only sold 28,000 on its Japanese launch day. Clearly, Sony should have made the PSP bigger instead of smaller. The DS Lite, whose launch predated the DS craze that ... it helped cause, sold 68,438 in its launch week.

Either the strategy of making a DS aimed at families and older gamers is working, or there's a large contingent of Japanese gamers who feel compelled to buy every new DS. Actually, it's probably a little of both.

[Via Andriasang]

Japanese Nintendo downloads: MSX games, Eco Shooter, and 16 more

by JC Fletcher { Nov 24th 2009 at 1:01PM }

There's an incredibly diverse selection of games on the Japanese Wii and DSi Shops today -- 12 different games on Wii, and 6 on DSi. Think of this as Nintendo's online version of the holiday rush.

Most interesting among the multifarious offerings: a few forgotten Konami MSX games on VC, and 530 Eco Shooter on WiiWare. That's ... an Intelligent Systems-developed shooting game about shooting cans. The cans are alive and move around. It's weird. Also weird: Nintendo's Neratte Spot! for DSiWare, which is about throwing bombs into the mouths of fish.

The whole list is after the break, because it's crazy long.

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Xbox 360 release of No More Heroes may be censored in Japan

by JC Fletcher { Nov 20th 2009 at 8:00PM }

Japanese retailer Amiami includes a note on its listing for the Xbox 360 version of No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise that suggests that because it is based on the North American version of the Wii original, it is likely to carry the CERO Z rating (think an ESRB M rating, but harsher) when it is released in February. Because it is the North American version (with "bloodshed" intact), the site says, it will hold a special appeal for game fans.

The same message doesn't appear on the PS3 version's listing, suggesting that it'll be the same censored game that was originally released in Japan. CERO Z-rated games often don't get displayed on shelves, so if this is accurate, it'll ensure that only the hardcore will even know about the Xbox 360 version of the game. That would limit sales severely, if sales weren't already limited severely by its status as an Xbox 360 game in Japan.