The Dreamcast VM2 is an unofficial successor to the VMU memory card
The Dreamcast VM2 is an unofficial next-gen version of the Dreamcast VMU memory card. The VM2 looks the same as the original VMU but comes equipped with upgrades like a higher resolution LCD screen and Micro-USB port.
Radirgy 2, the first numbered sequel in the shmup series, has been announced
Vertical shmup Radirgy 2 (working title) is due out in Summer 2023 and will be available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5. The game marks the first new title in the shmup series since Radirgy Swag was released in 2019.
In this isekai RPG, a hero becomes an IT intern in modern-day Japan
Beyond, a cloud and server operations company, has released Tensei shitara Beyond no Intern Datta Ken, which can be translated as That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Beyond Intern. It’s an RPG where players can experience what it’s like to be an intern at the company.
Capcom warns players of illegal mods in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak [UPDATE]
Capcom has released a notice warning players about illegally modified game data in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak. It asks players to avoid creating or using illegally modified Anomaly Investigations. These modified Anomaly Investigations have become such a big deal that they even started trending on Twitter in Japan.
The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls mascot Pinya Korata is getting a $1,200 ceramic statue
The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls mascot Pinya Korata is getting a $1,200 ceramic statue (bizen ware statue). Only 15 of these statues will be produced and they will be available for 165,000 yen (roughly $1,170) each.
The Taimanin series is getting a new title called Taimanin GOGO!
Gremory has released a teaser site for Taimanin GOGO! the latest title in the Taimanin series. The game is scheduled to release this fall for iOS and Android.
Steam’s Japanese language userbase share is trending upward again as PC gaming continues to grow in the country
Valve has released their Steam Hardware & Software Survey results for August 2022. An especially interesting piece of data within it shows an increase in the share of users who have their language set to Japanese.
A video game that can assist in early detection of glaucoma developed by Japanese university
Meteor Blaster is a mobile game that can assist in the early detection of glaucoma. A demo version is currently available as a browser game for iOS and Android.
Japanese railway company to release official train sim JR EAST Train Simulator on Steam
East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has opened the Steam store page for JR EAST Train Simulator. The game is expected to be released in early access on September 20 (JST). Players will be able to experience what it is like to drive trains on the real-life JR East lines.
Rapid-fire legend Takahashi Meijin supervises Star Gagnant, a retro-style shmup for the Switch
Regista has announced vertical scrolling shoot ‘em up Star Gagnant for the Nintendo Switch. The game is being developed under the supervision of Japanese gaming legend Takahashi Meijin, and a crowdfunding campaign for the project will begin on September 5.
Gothic action RPG Black Witchcraft finally launches in September, eight years after being announced [UPDATE]
Black Witchcraft is a gothic action RPG about a witch who fights against demons. Black Witchcraft has been in development since it was first announced in 2014.
The Steam Top Releases of July features several Japanese games like Klonoa and Rune Factory 5
Valve has revealed the top 20 releases on Steam for July of 2022. A quarter of July's top releases were produced by studios in Japan: Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series, Rune Factory 5, The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Shinsei and Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate Definitive Edition.
FromSoftware issues shares to SIE and a subsidiary of Tencent, aiming to make more IPs and self-publish their games globally
Elden Ring developer FromSoftware issues shares to SIE and a subsidiary of Tencent, aiming to make more IPs and self-publish their games globally. The shareholding ratio following the issuance will be Kadokawa with 69.66%, SIE with 14.09% and Sixjoy with 16.25%.
Zombie of the Dot is a new zombie RPG from 428: Shibuya Scramble’s Jiro Ishii
Kemco has announced Zombie of the Dot, a new RPG being planned and supervised by game creator Jiro Ishii and developed by Hit-Point. Zombie of the Dot looks to focus more on the dramatic aspect of zombie-related works like the human drama between survivors.
Japan’s local ordinance that limits gaming time for children ruled not unconstitutional
Japan: Kagawa Prefecture’s limit on gaming time for children ruled to not be in violation of human rights. In 2020, Kagawa Prefecture enacted an ordinance that restricted the time that games could be played by those under the age of 18, although there are no penalties for those who break the rules.
Wild Arms and Shadow Hearts creators launch their Kickstarter campaign after receiving no backing from publishers
A Kickstarter campaign for both Armed Fantasia, a new title from the creator of Wild Arms, and Penny Blood, a new title from the director behind Shadow Hearts, has begun. The campaign is already off to a strong start.
Is slightly modified PS5 hardware releasing soon? One retailer suggests a new PS5 model number is on the way
One retailer in Japan posted a notice giving a release date for a slightly modified version of the PlayStation 5. While details about what’s different are unknown, the model number of this updated PS5 will be “CFI-1200,” and it’s scheduled to be available starting September 15 in Japan.
Service for the Karakuri Circus mobile game is coming to an end, but onlookers wonder how it survived as long as it did
The Karakuri Circus mobile game Karakuri Circus ~Larmes d’un Clown~ has been operating for three and a half years and with a specific character (Fatima) getting an oddly large number of gacha cards added to the game, rumors spread that Karakuri Circus LC had landed a whale supporting that character.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak’s latest update fixes a rerolling glitch in Qurious Crafting
The latest update for Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (patch Ver.11.0.2) fixes an issue in relation to rerolling in Qurious Crafting. Prior to the update, some players found that it was possible to manipulate the outcome pool.
Arc System Works warns of fake images, likely in response to Bridget related tweets that talk about the Guilty Gear character’s gender identity
Likely in response to Bridget related tweets that talk about the Guilty Gear character's gender identity, Arc System Works has released a notice on its official Twitter account warning users about the spread of fabricated images that attempt to imitate an official response from its customer support team.
Gothic horror RPG Penny Blood announced by Shadow Hearts creator
Penny Blood is a gothic horror RPG set in the 1920s in a world twisted by cosmic horror, malice, and mayhem. Penny Blood is being developed with the involvement of many key staff members from the Shadow Hearts series, including the series creator Matsuzo Machida.
Westernpunk RPG Armed Fantasia announced by Wild Arms creator
Armed Fantasia is a Westernpunk RPG that combines the aesthetic of the American West with magic, monsters called Anomalies, and long-lost cultures. Development for Armed Fantasia is being led by Wild Arms game designer and scenario writer Akifumi Kaneko.