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Hot Japanese Imports: Celebrate Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary with 35 Hello Kitty games

Section: Exclusives, Originals, Features, Columns, Japanese Imports, Lists, Consoles, GameCube, PS1, Consoles-Other, PCs, Windows, Handhelds, DS, GBA, iPhone & iPod Touch, Cell-Phones, Handhelds-Other, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, Board, Card, Casual, Children’s, MMO, Online, Party, Puzzle, Sim

On November 1, 2009, Hello Kitty celebrates her 35th birthday. Funny, she doesn’t look that old. It’s also her twin sister Mimmy’s birthday too, but she’s not the famous one so nobody really cares about her. She’s just part of the entourage.

In honor of Hello Kitty’s 35th, Hot Japanese Imports has put together a list of 35 video and board games with Hello Kitty themes or where Hello Kitty is the star. This way, if there’s a game that looks or sounds interesting, you have enough time to get the games before the first. There are games for US and Japanese systems, old and new, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something to suit you. In fact, there are two free computer games on our list, and some very affordable iPhone/iPod Touch titles.

Without any further ado, here’s Hot Japanese Imports Hello Kitty game list!

35 Games to Play in Honor of Hello Kitty’s 35th Birthday:

1. Hello Kitty no Hanabatake (NES): NES systems weren’t region free, so don’t import unless you own a Famicom.
2. Hello Kitty World (NES): Again, NES units weren’t region free.
3. Hello Kitty Yume no Kuni no Daibouken (Playdia): If you’re one of the few who actually owns a Playdia, there’s a Hello Kitty game for kids out there to play on it.
4. Hello Kitty Asobi no Mochabako (3DO): Likewise, if you’re a fan of old systems and Japanese games, there’s a 3DO Hello Kitty game waiting for your time and attention.
5. Hello Kitty’s Cube Frenzy (PS1): It’s sort of a puzzle, action game where you have to create chains of similarly colored cubes and also have Hello Kitty walk on all cubes on the field.
6. Hello Kitty’s Cube Frenzy (GBC): Don’t have a PS1, don’t worry! The preceding puzzle game had a Game Boy Color adaptation as well. Be forewarned, the PS1 version is much better than the GBC one.
7. Hello Kitty: Lovely Fruit Park (Dreamcast): Sega released a puzzle game starring Hello Kitty for the Dreamcast in 1999. It’s a Japan exclusive, but if you have the right boot disk you can play it on your Dreamcast.
8. Hello Kitty no Magical Block (Dreamcast): It’s a puzzle game from Sega with a Hello Kitty theme released in 2000. Again, this is a Japan exclusive.
9. Hello Kitty no Waku Waku Quiz (Dreamcast): Another Japanese Hello Kitty game from Sega that was also released in 2000. This time, it’s a quiz game where you answer various trivia questions to succeed.
10. Hello Kitty no Onnaru Mail (Dreamcast): One more Japanese Dreamcast Hello Kitty game! Well, application. It’s a combination email program and web browser, starring Hello Kitty. Hurray!
11. Hello Kitty Bowling (PS1): Spend the day bowling with Hello Kitty. This was a Japan exclusive, and due to region locking isn’t playable on US PlayStations.

12. Hello Kitty Collection: Miracle Fashion Maker (GBA): Help make Hello Kitty even more stylish by designing new cloths and playing dress up.
13. Hello Kitty to Dear Daniel no Dream Adventure (GBC): Platformers are always fun. This portable one sends Hello Kitty on an adventure to reunite with her boyfriend, Dear Daniel. Once again, region-free means anyone can enjoy this action-packed adventure.
14. Hello Kitty no Happy House (GBC): If you’re looking to relax with an older system, get out your Game Boy Color and pop in this Japan exclusive.
15. Hello Kitty Boogie Woogie! (cell phone): This is an older game, so your cell phone may not be able to get and play it. It’s a dancing game where you use the keypad to make Hello Kitty dance to a few songs.
16. Hello Kitty: Dream Carnival (PC): You could always pick up an this carnival themed action game starring Hello Kitty for your PC.
17. Hello Kitty: Cutie World (PC): Or, you could always play some casual puzzle games, like Mah-Jong or matching, with Hello Kitty.
18. Hello Kitty: Happy Party Pals (GBA): Hello Kitty wants to throw parties for her Sanrio friends, but she needs your help! You have to deliver invitations, organize the event and make sure everything goes well for her.
19. Hello Kitty: Bubblegum Girlfriends (PC): Another collection of Hello Kitty themed, casual mini-games for your computer.
20. Hello Kitty: Roller Rescue (GC): You can always pull out your GameCube, or your Wii, and take off with Hello Kitty as she skates off to rescue her friends.
21. Hello Kitty Daily (DS): Need help organizing your life? Pick up Aspyr’s Hello Kitty themed day planner.
22. Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams (DS): Hello Kitty has moved to the city. You can help her make friends with other Sanrio characters and hopefully, one day, move into the penthouse of her dreams.



23. Hello Kitty no Panda Sport Stadium (DS): What’s cuter than Hello Kitty? Hello Kitty dressed as a panda! This is a Japanese-exclusive sports game that lets Hello Kitty participate in a variety of sports events. The DS is region-free, so you can enjoy this game no matter where you live.
24. Hello Kitty Parachute Paradise (iPhone/iPod Touch): For $4.99, you can play an action/puzzle game where you guide Hello Kitty on a parachute jump.
25. Hello Kitty Camera (iPhone/iPod Touch): Add a little extra cuteness to your pictures with this $2.99 program.
26. iHelloKitty Tokyo (iPhone/iPod Touch): Hello Kitty loves to dress up, and you can help her do so in this $2.99 application.
27. Hello Kitty Online (PC): Its in the closed beta phase right now, but Aeria Games is bringing the free Hello Kitty MMO to the states. You may not be able to play immediately, but you can sign up and wait for the betas!
28. Hello Kitty’s Sunny Day http://www.sanrio.com/fun_and_games/arcade (Browser-based): You could always sample Sanrio’s free, online action game starring Hello Kitty as she tries to keep it from raining.
29. Happy Party with Hello Kitty & Friends (DS): The latest Hello Kitty release just came out in Europe, so if you’re in Europe and reading this, you can celebrate Hello Kitty’s birthday with a party on your DS!
30. Hello Kitty Flip ‘n’ Match (board game): Improve your memory and beat your friends with the help of Hello Kitty.
31. Hello Kitty Chess Game (board game): Of course, Hello Kitty is queen and Dear Daniel is king.
32. Which Hello Kitty Are You? (board game): Haven’t you always wondered whether you identify more with the classic Hello Kitty or one of the newer iterations (like punk Hello Kitty)?
33. Hello Kitty Toss Across (board game): If you’re not a big fan of Hello Kitty, you may get some enjoyment from tossing beanbags at blocks with her face on them.
34. Hello Kitty Monopoly Junior (board game): With all of the various, special editions of Monopoly, you couldn’t honestly think there wasn’t a Hello Kitty one.
35. Hello Kitty Big Roll Bingo (board game): I can’t help but thing it should be K-I-T-T-Y instead of B-I-N-G-O.

Hot Japanese Imports is coming up on its 100th column! If you have any suggestions as to what you’d like to see the 100th column cover, let me know in the comments!

COMING NEXT WEEK: Hot Japanese Imports talks about the Haruhi Suzumiya phenomenon, and the games that go with it.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Hot Japanese Imports reviewed the Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World (The World Ends with You) Original Soundtrack.

Read [Gamertell] Site [Sanrio.com] Site [35th Anniversary Hello Kitty Colors (English)] Site [Play-Asia] Site [YesAsia] Site [NCSX] Site [Himeya Shop] Site [Strapya World]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Popularity: 1% [?]

Hot Japanese Imports: Celebrate Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary with 35 Hello Kitty video games!

Section: Exclusives, Originals, Features, Columns, Japanese Imports, Lists, Consoles, GameCube, PS1, Consoles-Other, PCs, Windows, Handhelds, DS, GBA, iPhone & iPod Touch, Cell-Phones, Handhelds-Other, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, Board, Card, Casual, Children’s, MMO, Online, Party, Puzzle, Sim

On November 1, 2009, Hello Kitty celebrates her 35th birthday. Funny, she doesn’t look that old. It’s also her twin sister Mimmy’s birthday too, but she’s not the famous one so nobody really cares about her. She’s just part of the entourage.

In honor of Hello Kitty’s 35th, Hot Japanese Imports has put together a list of 35 video and board games with Hello Kitty themes or where Hello Kitty is the star. This way, if there’s a game that looks or sounds interesting, you have enough time to get the games before the first. There are games for US and Japanese systems, old and new, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something to suit you. In fact, there are two free computer games on our list, and some very affordable iPhone/iPod Touch titles.

Without any further ado, here’s Hot Japanese Imports Hello Kitty game list!

35 Games to Play in Honor of Hello Kitty’s 35th Birthday:

1. Hello Kitty no Hanabatake (NES): NES systems weren’t region free, so don’t import unless you own a Famicom.
2. Hello Kitty World (NES): Again, NES units weren’t region free.
3. Hello Kitty Yume no Kuni no Daibouken (Playdia): If you’re one of the few who actually owns a Playdia, there’s a Hello Kitty game for kids out there to play on it.
4. Hello Kitty Asobi no Mochabako (3DO): Likewise, if you’re a fan of old systems and Japanese games, there’s a 3DO Hello Kitty game waiting for your time and attention.
5. Hello Kitty’s Cube Frenzy (PS1): It’s sort of a puzzle, action game where you have to create chains of similarly colored cubes and also have Hello Kitty walk on all cubes on the field.
6. Hello Kitty’s Cube Frenzy (GBC): Don’t have a PS1, don’t worry! The preceding puzzle game had a Game Boy Color adaptation as well. Be forewarned, the PS1 version is much better than the GBC one.
7. Hello Kitty: Lovely Fruit Park (Dreamcast): Sega released a puzzle game starring Hello Kitty for the Dreamcast in 1999. It’s a Japan exclusive, but if you have the right boot disk you can play it on your Dreamcast.
8. Hello Kitty no Magical Block (Dreamcast): It’s a puzzle game from Sega with a Hello Kitty theme released in 2000. Again, this is a Japan exclusive.
9. Hello Kitty no Waku Waku Quiz (Dreamcast): Another Japanese Hello Kitty game from Sega that was also released in 2000. This time, it’s a quiz game where you answer various trivia questions to succeed.
10. Hello Kitty no Onnaru Mail (Dreamcast): One more Japanese Dreamcast Hello Kitty game! Well, application. It’s a combination email program and web browser, starring Hello Kitty. Hurray!
11. Hello Kitty Bowling (PS1): Spend the day bowling with Hello Kitty. This was a Japan exclusive, and due to region locking isn’t playable on US PlayStations.

12. Hello Kitty Collection: Miracle Fashion Maker (GBA): Help make Hello Kitty even more stylish by designing new cloths and playing dress up.
13. Hello Kitty to Dear Daniel no Dream Adventure (GBC): Platformers are always fun. This portable one sends Hello Kitty on an adventure to reunite with her boyfriend, Dear Daniel. Once again, region-free means anyone can enjoy this action-packed adventure.
14. Hello Kitty no Happy House (GBC): If you’re looking to relax with an older system, get out your Game Boy Color and pop in this Japan exclusive.
15. Hello Kitty Boogie Woogie! (cell phone): This is an older game, so your cell phone may not be able to get and play it. It’s a dancing game where you use the keypad to make Hello Kitty dance to a few songs.
16. Hello Kitty: Dream Carnival (PC): You could always pick up an this carnival themed action game starring Hello Kitty for your PC.
17. Hello Kitty: Cutie World (PC): Or, you could always play some casual puzzle games, like Mah-Jong or matching, with Hello Kitty.
18. Hello Kitty: Happy Party Pals (GBA): Hello Kitty wants to throw parties for her Sanrio friends, but she needs your help! You have to deliver invitations, organize the event and make sure everything goes well for her.
19. Hello Kitty: Bubblegum Girlfriends (PC): Another collection of Hello Kitty themed, casual mini-games for your computer.
20. Hello Kitty: Roller Rescue (GC): You can always pull out your GameCube, or your Wii, and take off with Hello Kitty as she skates off to rescue her friends.
21. Hello Kitty Daily (DS): Need help organizing your life? Pick up Aspyr’s Hello Kitty themed day planner.
22. Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams (DS): Hello Kitty has moved to the city. You can help her make friends with other Sanrio characters and hopefully, one day, move into the penthouse of her dreams.



23. Hello Kitty no Panda Sport Stadium (DS): What’s cuter than Hello Kitty? Hello Kitty dressed as a panda! This is a Japanese-exclusive sports game that lets Hello Kitty participate in a variety of sports events. The DS is region-free, so you can enjoy this game no matter where you live.
24. Hello Kitty Parachute Paradise (iPhone/iPod Touch): For $4.99, you can play an action/puzzle game where you guide Hello Kitty on a parachute jump.
25. Hello Kitty Camera (iPhone/iPod Touch): Add a little extra cuteness to your pictures with this $2.99 program.
26. iHelloKitty Tokyo (iPhone/iPod Touch): Hello Kitty loves to dress up, and you can help her do so in this $2.99 application.
27. Hello Kitty Online (PC): Its in the closed beta phase right now, but Aeria Games is bringing the free Hello Kitty MMO to the states. You may not be able to play immediately, but you can sign up and wait for the betas!
28. Hello Kitty’s Sunny Day http://www.sanrio.com/fun_and_games/arcade (Browser-based): You could always sample Sanrio’s free, online action game starring Hello Kitty as she tries to keep it from raining.
29. Happy Party with Hello Kitty & Friends (DS): The latest Hello Kitty release just came out in Europe, so if you’re in Europe and reading this, you can celebrate Hello Kitty’s birthday with a party on your DS!
30. Hello Kitty Flip ‘n’ Match (board game): Improve your memory and beat your friends with the help of Hello Kitty.
31. Hello Kitty Chess Game (board game): Of course, Hello Kitty is queen and Dear Daniel is king.
32. Which Hello Kitty Are You? (board game): Haven’t you always wondered whether you identify more with the classic Hello Kitty or one of the newer iterations (like punk Hello Kitty)?
33. Hello Kitty Toss Across (board game): If you’re not a big fan of Hello Kitty, you may get some enjoyment from tossing beanbags at blocks with her face on them.
34. Hello Kitty Monopoly Junior (board game): With all of the various, special editions of Monopoly, you couldn’t honestly think there wasn’t a Hello Kitty one.
35. Hello Kitty Big Roll Bingo (board game): I can’t help but thing it should be K-I-T-T-Y instead of B-I-N-G-O.

Hot Japanese Imports is coming up on its 100th column! If you have any suggestions as to what you’d like to see the 100th column cover, let me know in the comments!

COMING NEXT WEEK: Hot Japanese Imports talks about the Haruhi Suzumiya phenomenon, and the games that go with it.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Hot Japanese Imports reviewed the Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World (The World Ends with You) Original Soundtrack.

Read [Gamertell] Site [Sanrio.com] Site [35th Anniversary Hello Kitty Colors (English)] Site [Play-Asia] Site [YesAsia] Site [NCSX] Site [Himeya Shop] Site [Strapya World]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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Holy. Crap.

I think this Youtube comment sums it up:

“Ryo just flipped Amy Rose off the track with his forklift…

I love him~”

Shenmue III PLEASE!

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Narita Airport. One Month. $10. Be there or never get a Taiko No Tatsujin Bento Box ever.

Get It

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The October 15, 2009 issue of Weekly Famitsu includes print coverage of the following games and/or event in the Japanese marketplace:

» Tokyo Game Show 2009 coverage with tidbits on the FFXIII Lightning PS3 Bundle, the PSP Go, Gran Turismo PSP-3000 Racing Pack, and Project Natal.
» Famitsu scoops Biohazard 5 Alternative Edition which ships next year.
» Preview for Super Street Fighter IV slated for 2010 on PS3/X360.
» Famitsu’s reviewers rank DS Strange Journey (10/9/9/8), PSP Atom (6/6/5/4), and PSP Kurogane no Linebarrels (8/7/7/6).
» With the holidays rolling up soon, Famitsu checks out a number of toys and potential gifts currently available including Harobot plushes, Gungam figures, Evangelion toys, and Tales of Agriculture plushes.
» PSP Macross Ultimate Frontier game information and details on all of the series’ featured in the game.
» Ice cream treats from Baskin Robbins, Hobson’s, and prepackaged varieties are displayed in this week’s PICK UP FOOD section.

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Hot Japanese Imports Review: Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World Original Soundtrack

Section: Reviews, Exclusives, Originals, Features, Japanese Imports, Handhelds, DS, Gear, Audio, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, Action, Role-Playing

Title: Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World Original Soundtrack – available on iTunes as The World Ends with You (Original Soundtrack)
Artist: Takeharu Ishimoto and Various Artists
Price: $9.99
Rating: 9/10
Pros: 36 fantastic songs that were in The World Ends with You. Nice mix of instrumentals and vocal tracks. Interesting variety of Japanese pop, rock, electronica and hip hop.
Cons: Doesn’t include international release songs. Only available through iTunes in North America, and you’d have to spend over $20 on an import to get an actual CD. End theme “Lullaby for You” isn’t on it.
Note: iTunes also carries Subarashiki Konosekai + The World Ends With You, an $11.99, 19 track album that includes remixes and the additional four songs in the English release.

Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World Original Soundtrack acts as more than your typical game soundtrack. While there are the pieces that do sound tailored for specific situations in the game, as a whole it seems like it was designed more to bring an entire environment and area to life. The tracks often sound different, yet also sound the same. They share a common theme and attitude. By listening to it in the game or on their own, it provides a sense of ambiance and makes the in-game version of Shibuya come to life.

The world inside Shibuya

The best place to start is with “Twister”. The game’s main theme, “Twister”, in all it’s shapes and forms, helps set the stage for all the rest of the tracks. It’s a flurry of organized confusion. There are unexpected noises, elements and tones in the song, and yet they all fit together. The monotone vocals provide a stable base, and all of the other elements of the song build on this. Whether it’s “Twister” being performed by Sawa, “Twister ~Remix~ by Mai Matsuda, or even “Twister ~Gang-Mix~” by MJR, it’s a delight to hear.

The soundtrack is a joy to have, because it provides an opportunity to hear the full songs. In the The World Ends with You and Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World games, you only hear snippets of the songs with vocals. So, you’ll end up having only a particular line or chorus endlessly repeating in your head. The soundtrack proves that these songs are more than their sound bites. They’re fantastic as a whole and wonderful to listen to. “Game Over,” “Someday,” “Calling,” “Deja Vu,” “オーパーツ (Ooparts)” and “Hybrid” really stood out, as I listened.

The instrumentals by Takeharu Ishimoto are all equally delightful. They’re interesting pieces to hear on their own, which is great, but they truly shine when put together with the vocal tracks. They act as a bridge between pieces, tying everything together to make things work as a common theme. I particularly loved “Underground,” “Fighting for Freedom,” “Noisy Noise” and “Shibuya.”

The only downside is that the lavish end theme, which provides a sweet and relaxing resolution to the rest of the in-game tracks, isn’t present on the soundtrack. If you want the Japanese version, you must hunt down Jyongri’s Lullaby for You single, and if you want the English version you must find her Kissing Me single. Unfortunately, neither of the two singles are available on iTunes, so you’ll have to import or purchase from iTunes Japan.

More than a soundtrack

Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World Original Soundtrack isn’t just a video game soundtrack, it’s also an introduction. Games like Persona 3, Persona 4 and The World Ends with You have provided an opportunity for gamers to listen to music from another country.

It’s an interesting listening experience because it doesn’t sound like other games. It doesn’t provide the typical game instrumental and vocal tracks. There’s an edge there, something unique and individual, which means it worth listening to again and again.

Hot Japanese Imports is coming up on its 100th column! If you have any suggestions as to what you’d like to see the 100th column cover, let me know in the comments!

COMING NEXT WEEK: Hot Japanese Imports suggests 35 Hello Kitty games you can play to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Hot Japanese Imports reviewed Tomato Adventure (GBA).

Product Page [iTunes] Site [Play-Asia] Site [YesAsia] Site [NCSX] Site [Himeya Shop] Site [Strapya World]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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The October 8, 2009 issue of Weekly Famitsu includes coverage of the following video games and/or events in the Japanese marketplace:

» Famitsu takes a look at Microsoft’s Project Natal which “has the support of all the major software publishers.”
» Preview for PSP Last Ranker which is an action-adventure from Capcom.
» Games reviewed in this week’s issue include NDS Inazuma Eleven 2: Blizzard/Fair (8/8/8/8), PS3 Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (9/9/9/8), PS3 SSM Multi Raid Special (8/8/8/8), X360 Halo 3 ODST (8/8/8/9), PSP Macross Ultimate Frontier (8/9/8/9), and Tales of Vesperia (9/9/9/8).
» The Tokyo Game Show just happened last week and Famitsu maps out the venue with a floor plan that shows where the exhibitors are located. A listing of games shown at the TGS is also displayed.
» 16-page preview for PS3 Ryu Ga Gotoku 4 which is slated for 2010.
» PSP Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker preview.
» Pocky is featured in this week’s PICK UP FOOD section.

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