In Japan, generally speaking, you cannot rent video games, nor can you rent consoles. It’s just not done. Software and hardware companies successfully pushed for a ban on rentals, which is why used games in Japan are in such good shape. Players buy new games, complete them very quickly and then sell them second hand.…
It’s Friday. Friday, Friday, Friday! Let’s talk. Here’s how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn’t some marketing survey or whatever. It’s an emotional investment in you. Yes, we’re interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know oodles about us – more than you…
December 31 is the eve of Japan’s biggest holiday, New Year’s. Why not celebrate it with a beautiful anime girl? The entire country will descend on temples to (literally) ring in the new year as bells are rung 108 times in what’s called joya nokaneto, which aims to purify the souls of the 108 worldly…
To: Crecente From: Bash RE: Taking Down the Lights My parents still have their lights up. I think they’re going to keep them up until we leave. Don’t tell the Christmas Police! Oh, and before anyone asks, I like American movies, not necessarily only VHS ones. Watch the clip. It should make sense. (Luke says…
A mysterious trademark for Final Fantasy Type-0 popped up in a European trademark database. The trademark is for “Final Fantasy Type-0” and was filed yesterday. The trademark also included a logo, which is 零式, or “Type-0” written in Japanese kanji. It’s not clear whether the game is in fact a reboot, but Tomb Raider, which…
The side’s of the in-game pinball cabinets are just off screen and richly detailed. After pressing the pause button again, there is a short (and thoughtful) delay before getting right back in the action. It is possible to “bump” the table, but doing so repeatedly will momentarily render your flippers inactive. Short character animations keep…
Cookpad.com is a Japanese website where folks can upload their recipes and share with others. Unfortunately, whoever made this Pikachu cake decided to do just that. The recipe claims that you can snag the hearts of children with this Pikachu cake. I’d say this would probably just scare the crap out of them. Ingredients include…
This is a “wooden horse”, used for torture in Japan during the 15th century’s Warring States Period. These days it’s used in S&M play. But it apparently won’t be torturing the ladies of popular Japanese role-playing game Disgaea 4. The upcoming PS3 title is set in the Netherworld’s prisons, and an early trailer showed characters…
Comiket, née Comic Market, is a twice-yearl event held in Tokyo for self-published comic books. Fans flock not only to check out comics, but check out the cosplayers. The comics might be total originals or could feature new spins on established anime, manga or video game characters. Most of the works are published in short…
To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: Here’s Where The Instruction Manuals Have Gone Man, I cannot remember the last time I read an actual instruction manual. Shame those manuals aren’t included in retail games, because I’m sure many folks would actually read ’em. But whaddayagonnado. What you missed last night Your Uncharted Movie Nightmares Might Not…
Dream Club Zero features a mini-game in which players feed bar hostesses bananas and sausages. It’s latest mini-game, however, is cold and creamy. The latest addition is a timed mini-game in which players feed bar hostesses ice cream. Players that don’t succeed in successfully feeding the girls will cause white dribbles all over their faces.…
As Tron: Legacy cools off at movie theaters, the sci-fi franchise is starting to heat up for an animated version. Called Tron: Uprising, the show will be written by Tron: Legacy scribes Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis and will feature the vocal talents of Bruce Boxleitner, Mandy Moore, Lance Henriksen and Elijah Wood as the…
The Uncharted movie sure sounds rotten. David O. Russell directing Mark Wahlberg and a family of archaeologists? Stupid! Good thing the game’s developer is saying the Hollywood actor’s claims just aren’t true. Well, sorta. “First of all, all that stuff was denied by David O. Russell,” Uncharted 3 director Justin Richmond tells Joystiq. “He actually…
This man and his slightly awesome hair created the role-playing series Romancing SaGa. The last Romancing SaGa was originally on the Super Famicom (SNES) in 1995. Now Akitoshi Kawazu promises another one before he dies. It’s his obligation. “There are many fans who especially want Romancing SaGa 4,” the 48 year-old Kawazu tells 4Gamer.net. “Before…
With Comiket just starting (and thus, Comiket cosplay), now is as good a time as any to take stock of 2010 in well-dressed cosplay form. These photos don’t include Winter Comiket cosplay (nor do they include Western events) and come courtesy of Moeyo.com. The music? That’s Beethoven. コミケ79も始まったし2010年のコスプレイヤーさんを集めてみたよ！ [Moeyo.com]
Love Plus, the love simulator from Konami, is coming to Japanese arcades, so get ready to fall in love all over again. This latest trailer shows some of the date events like playing darts, as well as the dress up sequence, which could prove embarrassing for some players. The cabinets do have privacy dividers on…
The lines for Comiket form — that is, the highly organized lines. As seen at 7am this morning by yuhmari
In Japan, there are idols for everything, whether it be trains, personal computers or, of course, video games. They have one thing in common: they’re all smiley and cute. But what about an idol that never showed her face? Last summer, a blog went live featuring a young model named Imao with a doe-eyed anime…
To: Crecente From: Bash RE: The Last Monday of 2010! I guess this Night Note is for Owen… The odd thing is that I don’t have anyone’s autograph in the game industry. What you missed last night More Games Hack, Slash & Jiggle Their Way Into Early 2011 Super Meat Boy Hacked Into Super Smash…
By artist and blogger Steven Quinn. As seen on his site
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