The games from the land of the rising sun are some of the most intriguing, interesting and quirky games ever made. Sometimes the games make it to our shores but most of the time they don’t. Some of us would love to get our hands on these japanese games and we do sometimes we don’t. There are many who like to import games but just don’t. Why? Because they don’t know a lick of Japanese.  Of course there are some import friendly titles which don’t require you to know japanese to enjoy the games. But, then there are there are the truly immersive japanese games and titles that you simple won’t enjoy without knowing the language.

What do you do? Pay for some one to translate the game? Pray for it to come overseas and nothing is lost in translation? You could always learn japanese, right?  Thousand dollar college course, Rosetta Stone? Way to expensive.  Alas my friends there is hope and that hope is Rocket Japanese.  This software package is so efficient at what it does when had to make a post about it.  We get asked every day from our visitors about this problem and nothing else has proven itself time and time again.  Immediately gamers see results and experience these imports the way they were meant to be enjoyed. Japanese games never sounded better when you can understand what the characters are saying and it only will cost you $99 bucks.  A lot cheaper than the costly Rosetta Stone coming in at a heafty $229 dollars and the full course is $499. Don’t believe us? Take a look for yourself -> http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-japanese OK, enough of about Rocket Japanese, but if your serious about imports, do yourself a favor pick up a copy.  Enjoy the rest of the site!

Begin learning and open up the door to Japanese games

Click Here for the Order Site

Some of you stated that Rocket Japanese is still a little to steep and you want a good starter, you can try out Speak Japanese Fast for 30/40 bucks.  It will be enough to get you started with out breaking the bank.   Sure the webpage is a little cheesey and so is the packaging but it gets the job done and thats getting you to understand japanese.  We like Rocket Japanese better but everyone has there own budget so..

Cheap but gets the job done

Click Here to Buy

Section: Gaming News, Features, Japanese Imports, Consoles, PS3, Xbox-360, PCs, Windows, Handhelds, DS & DSi & DSi XL, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action, Adventure, Fighting, Shooter, Horror & Suspense, Music, Sports, Sim, Conventions, Tokyo Game Show, Web-Sites, Official-Sites

Konami’s among the many companies announcing its Tokyo Game Show 2010 plans. Which is to be expected, of course. The event is September 16-19, 2010, and companies want attendees to be informed well in advance so people know whether or not they want to visit certain booths. Konami’s booth will be quite full this year, with eight new Konami games and six games from other, smaller publishers on display.

Like Square Enix and Level-5, Konami’s also created a Konami Tokyo Game Show 2010 site with preliminary information. You can see links to websites for most of the games, find out event dates and check out Konami Japan’s twitter page. It doesn’t top Square Enix’s TGS 2010 efforts, but is slightly better than Level-5’s.

Let’s look at all the games people will be able to see at Konami’s booth:

Adrenalin Misfits (Cross Board 7)
Publisher (Developer): Konami (Konami)
Platform: Xbox 360
Japanese Release Date: November 2010
Genre: Sports (Snowboarding)
Note: This is a Kinect game.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Publisher (Developer): Konami (Mercury Steam)
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Japanese Release Date: TBA 2010
Genre: Action

DanceMasters
Publisher (Developer): Konami (GCP1)
Platform: Xbox 360
Japanese Release Date: TBA
Genre: Music
Note: This is a Kinect game.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Publisher (Developer): Konami (Kojima Productions)
Platform: PSP
Release Date: Already Available
Genre: Action

Metal Gear Solid: Rising
Publisher (Developer): Konami (Kojima Productions)
Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Japanese Release Date:
Genre: Action

Otomedius Excellent
Publisher (Developer): Konami (Konami)
Platform: Xbox 369
Japanese Release Date:
Genre: Shoot’em Up (Shmup)

Tongari Boushi to Mahou no Omise (Magician’s Quest: Magic Shop)
Publisher (Developer): Konami (Konami)
Platform: DS
Japanese Release Date: TBA
Genre: Simulation

Zack to Ombra: Maboroshi no Yuenchi (Zack and Ombra: The Phantom Amusement Park)
Publisher (Developer): Konami (Konami)
Platform: DS
Japanese Release Date: October 28, 2010
Genre: Adventure

Konami will also be helping out a few other publishers, by letting them display their games at its booth. So if you stop by, you can also see games from Atlus, Hudson, Nihon Falcom, Tomy and Yuke’s as well.

Here are the other, non-Konami games that will be at Konami’s booth:

• Catherine (PS3, Xbox 360)
• The Legend of Heroes: Zero no Kiseki (PSP)
• Metal Fight Beyblade: Choujou Kessen! Big Bang Bladers (DS)
• Metal Fight Beyblade Portable: Chouzetsu Tensei! Vulcan Horses (PSP)
• Momotaro Densetsu World (DS)
• UFC Undisputed 2010 (PS3, Xbox 360)

Read [Nintendo Everything] Also Read [Neoseeker] Site [Konami Tokyo Game Show 2010]

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Section: Gaming News, Features, Japanese Imports, Handhelds, PSP & PSPgo, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action, Role-Playing

The hip new thing to do with mission-based PSP games is update and rerelease them within a year. Namco Bandai’s doing that with God Eater and it’s slightly modified successor God Eater Burst, and now Sega’s doing that with Phantasy Star Portable 2. Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity is now in development and adds a whole new Episode 2 storyline after the existing Phantasy Star 2 Portable story, the Duman race, a Visual Lobby when searching for online compansion, more monsters from Phantasy Star Online and new gameplay features.

Episode 2 of Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity introduces Nagisa, the Duman in the picture at the right there. Dumans are an existing race supposedly, but haven’t gotten any face time or recognition until now because they’re essentally mutated humans, weren’t recognized as a race and are targets of discrimination. They’re incredibly strong physically, and good with magic, but have terrible defense. Nagisa basically appears and you have to go through Episode 2 to learn more about her, her motives and the Dumans themselves.

That and the new gameplay features might make double dipping into PSP2 Infinity worthwhile. There’ll be an additional Infinity difficulty level, which should help make old missions more interesting. You’ll also be able to take pictures in the game and in battle that you can collect and view later. Finally, it’s taking a cue from games like Dragon Quest IX with a tag mode which will exchange information with other PSP2 Infinity players you pass by. Instead of treasure maps, you get a mission you can go out on with this new friend character.

Think about this when your English-language copy of Phantasy Star Portable 2 September 14, 2010. The brand new game you’re getting is now nothing compared to the slightly more awesome Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity that’ll be out before the end of 2010 in Japan. Of course, the success of Phantasy Star Portable 2 in North America will probably help determine whether or not PSP2 Infinity gets localized, so it may be a good idea to pick it up anyways.

Read [Andriasang] Also Read [Phantasy Star Fan Blog] Site [Phantasy Star Portable 2 (Japanese)]

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Section: Gaming News, Features, Japanese Imports, Handhelds, DS & DSi & DSi XL, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, 3D, Role-Playing

The Pokemon Company has a huge hit on their hands, and it hasn’t even been released yet. The latest reports from Japan say that over 1.08 million people have placed preorders for their copies of Pokemon Black and White.

Pokemon Black and White don’t come out until September 18, 2010, but that hasn’t stopped Japanese DS owners from racing to stores to make sure they’ll have a copy on launch day. Stores have been taking preorders for the game for about a month now, so the fact that over one million have been taken is pretty impressive.

Unfortunately, the data doesn’t state how many people preordered Pokemon Black and how many people preordered Pokemon White. I know it doesn’t really matter, since they’re both basically the same game, but it would have been an interesting information nugget.

If you want to join in the fun, you can always preorder too! Pokemon Black and White costs about ￥4,800 ($56) if you want to import it. Of course, the games already have a North American and European early 2011 release window, so if you can be patient, it’d probably be better to just wait.

Read [OnlinePlayer Ex (Japanese)] Via [Siliconera] Also Read [Andriasang] Site []

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Section: Exclusives, Originals, Features, Columns, Japanese Imports, Lists, Gear, Audio

Many video games are reknowned for having wonderful soundtracks which create a perfect atmosphere while you play. So if you are a game fanatic, you may find building a game music library will help heighten your appreciation for the accompanying instrumentals and songs.

Getting such a library started can be a bit daunting though. There are many wonderful soundtracks out there and going out and buying randomly could result in CDs with only one or two songs on them that you really like. So in today’s Hot Japanese Imports, I’ve compiled a list of 10 Japanese game soundtracks which can really add something special to a game music library.

Acquiring Video Game Soundtracks

I already went over game soundtrack buying in an earlier column, but here’s a quick summary in case you don’t feel like revisiting and rereading. Most video game soundtracks you’ll have to import from Japan. There are exceptions, and iTunes and Amazon are expanding their game soundtrack selection every day. The first step is to check iTunes and Amazon now, to see if the game soundtrack you’re looking for is available there. If it is, then you’ll probably be able to get it for between $9.99 and $19.99.

If the soundtrack you’re looking for isn’t there, you’ll have to import. Since bootleg CDs can be a problem, your best bet is to use a reputable site like Play-Asia, YesAsia or AmiAmi and see if they have what you’re looking for. It’ll be a bit more expensive, costing between $20 and $45 for a complete soundtrack, but it’ll be authentic and in good condition.

10 Great Game Soundtracks You Should Own

1. Persona 3 Original Soundtrack: The Persona 3 soundtrack is a perfect staple for a video game soundtrack collection due to the varying music. You have wonderful instrumentals that perfectly accentuate the themes of Tartarus dungeon exploration and events, but also have Japanese pop, rock and hip hop mixed in that were used for the “everyday life” segments of the game. If you really enjoy the music and the game, you may also want look into the Persona 3 FES Original Soundtrack and Persona 3 Portable Original Soundtrack. Each one should cost between $21.90 and $31.90, if you decide to import them.
2. Katamari Damashii Soundtrack: Katamari Fortissimo Damashii: Expect to pay around $30 for this soundtrack. Also, Beautiful Katamari Damacy Original Soundtrack and Boku no Watashi no Katamari Damacy – Complete Sounds of Katamari CDs are available.
3. Miku Hatsune – Project Diva – 2nd Nonstop Mix Collection: This may seem a bit of a stretch, but the music from the Hatsune Miku: Project Diva games is quite catchy, and if you enjoy rhythm games and JPop it’s worth a listen. They’re the kind of tunes which will energize you and get caught in your head. I suggest the Hatsune Miku: Project Diva 2nd soundtrack, just because it includes the best songs from the first game and a few music videos. Expect to pay around $30, since it’s a two disc set. The first game’s soundtrack, Miku Hatsune – Project Diva Original Song Collection, is available for about the same price.
4. Silent Hill 3 Original Soundtrack: This one’s out of print, so it may be a bit difficult to find. Personally, I enjoyed it most because it had the best songs by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. But all Silent Hill soundtracks have the same eerily disconcerting and haunting instrumentals, so you could easily go for the Silent Hill 2 Original Soundtrack or Silent Hill Original Soundtrack instead. Expect to pay around $30.
5. Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack: There two distinct versions of the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack available, the Original Soundtrack and the Piano Collection. As you can guess, the Piano Collection has all the songs performed by a piano. Both are equally lovely, and I highly recommend both. If you’re a general fan of the series, then the Original Soundtrack is the way to go. Expect to pay $40 for that one. The Piano Collection is usually about $10 cheaper.
6. Mother 1 + 2 Original Soundtrack: Don’t let the title fool you – this is actually the soundtrack for Earthbound. Earthbound is part of the Mother series in Japan, and was known as Mother 2 there. So if you pick up this particular soundtrack, you’ll get the music from both the first and second game. It’s jazzy and one of the best SNES era soundtracks out there. Expect to pay around $30 for it, if you get it.
7. Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack: Like Final Fantasy VII, there are a few version of the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack out there. For an initial video game soundtrack collection, the Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack should serve you well. It usually costs between $30 and $35 and is filled with wonderfully lush instrumentals and reinterpretations of Disney themes and Hikaru Utada’s theme song, “Hikari.” There are also two piano collections, Kingdom Hearts Piano Collections and Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts: Battle & Field, and a Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack Complete box set, for over $150, that has nine CDs filled with music from the game.
8. Nintendo Sound History Series: Zelda the Music This CD is a Legend of Zelda fan’s dreams. It covers all Zelda games from the original Legend of Zelda to Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. There are 70 themes from the games, and you can usually pick up a copy for around $20. If you search for it, try looking under both Nintendo Sound History Series and Famicom Sound History Series, as it could be listed under either. Zelda fans may also want to look for the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Rearenge Soundtrack, which offers 12 remastered and rearranged songs from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It’s slightly more expensive though, and costs around $30.
9. Nintendo Sound History Series: Mario the Music: This CD is out of print, so it may be a bit difficult to find. If you can, it’s worth it. It is filled with 79 tracks from the original NES Mario games. All the Super Mario games, and also music from Dr. Mario and Mario Bros.. Again, check for it under both Nintendo Sound History Series and Famicom Sound History Series, if you go shopping for it. And expect to pay around $20.
10. DDR Max Original Soundtrack: The Dance Dance Revolution soundtracks are filled with great feel-good music, perfect for parties or working out. Whichever works best for you. The DDR Max soundtrack is filled with a number of classic DDR tunes which have appeared in multiple games, and while the songs are short you get a lot. Expect between $30-40.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Hot Japanese Imports reviews Heart no Kuni no Alice for the PSP.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Hot Japanese Imports talked about Sanrio.

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

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Section: Gaming News, Features, Japanese Imports, Consoles, PS3, Xbox-360, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, Horror & Suspense

Atlus’ first HD game is weird. Very weird. It’s going to be called Catherine and follows a man named Vincent’s disturbing dreams, involving massive staircases, bloody lambs and the notion that falling in your dreams equals death in the real world.

Let’s start from the beginning. Vincent is a fairly normal, 30-something single man. He worries he won’t find the right woman for him. Then he meets the buxom Catherine. That’s them up there, in the screenshot together. After that meeting, Vincent starts having nightmares. Of course, if you’ve played the female storyline of Persona 3 Portable and ventured into the club in the bar, you’ve probably already met Vincent and heard all about his problem from him.

Vincent’s daily life then goes on as normal. But his nightlife changes forever. He keeps having horrible nightmares. That’s where the player steps in. It looks like players will be helping Vincent survive these terrors, where he avoids huge hands, scary situations and a surprising number of anthropomorphic, seriously depressed lambs. The only gameplay clues given so far is that Vincent is going to have to keep climbing a neverending staircase. There’ve also been ominous references to falling, both in the Persona 3 Portable cameo and all the recent screenshots and Catherine propaganda released in Japan.

There’s no definite release date or price set yet, but Famitsu’s reporting a Winter 2010 Japanese release window. I’m sure after the Catherine website opens August 23, 2010, we’ll know more. There also hasn’t been any formal North American localization announcement, but I think that Persona 3 Portable cameo says a lot.

Read [Famitsu (Japanese)] Via [Andriasang] Also Read [Siliconera] Site [Catherine (Japanese)]

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