Game News Japan

1. Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024 is approaching, starting September 21, with announcements expected from major developers like Capcom, Square Enix, and Bandai Namco. Look out for RGG Studio’s Summit on September 20, which will likely reveal more about the next “Like a Dragon” entry.

2. Upcoming Japanese Game Releases: The Silent Hill 2 remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are set to make waves in 2024. There’s also growing anticipation for Persona 3 Reload and Dragon’s Dogma 2, both targeting 2024 releases​.

3. New Titles: In the indie scene, games like Mindcop (a detective adventure game) and the Mortal Kombat 1 expansion are generating buzz.

4. RPG Highlights: Fans are eagerly awaiting Eiyuu Densetsu: Farewell, O Zemuria and the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which are among the most anticipated RPG expansions​.

Name all Japanese games released in 2024

1. January:

2. February:

3. March:

4. April:

  • Persona 6. (Nintendo Switch 2)

5. May:

  • Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak. (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One)

6. June:

  • Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate. (PC, PlayStation 5)
  • Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. (PlayStation 5)

7. July:

  • Nioh 3 (PlayStation 4 Windows PlayStation 5)

8. August:

  • Yakuza: Like a Dragon 2 (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One)

9. September:

  • Kirby’s Dream Land (Nintendo Switch, Game Boy, Nintendo 3DS)
  • Shin Megami Tensei V: Apocalypse (Nintendo 3DS)

10. October:

  • Final Fantasy XVI (PlayStation 5, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows)
  • Persona 5 Royal (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows)

11. November:

  • Bayonetta 4

12. December:

  • Elden Ring (PS4/5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Names of all Japanese video games

Listing every Japanese video game ever made is a massive undertaking due to the extensive history and diversity of titles. Instead, here’s a categorized list of notable Japanese video games across various genres and eras to give you a sense of the breadth and influence of Japanese gaming:

Classic and Influential Titles:

  • Pac-Man – Namco
  • Space Invaders – Taito
  • Donkey Kong – Nintendo
  • Super Mario Bros. – Nintendo
  • The Legend of Zelda – Nintendo
  • Final Fantasy – Square Enix
  • Dragon Quest – Square Enix
  • Street Fighter II – Capcom
  • Metal Gear Solid – Konami

Role-Playing Games (RPGs):

  • Chrono Trigger – Square Enix
  • Final Fantasy VII – Square Enix
  • Persona 5 – Atlus
  • Xenoblade Chronicles – Monolith Soft
  • Tales of Symphonia – Bandai Namco
  • NieR: Automata – PlatinumGames/Square Enix
  • Dragon Quest XI – Square Enix
  • Fire Emblem: Three Houses – Nintendo

Action and Adventure:

  • Devil May Cry – Capcom
  • Bayonetta – PlatinumGames
  • Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – FromSoftware
  • Ghost of Tsushima – Sucker Punch Productions (Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, with Japanese studio involvement)
  • Nioh – Team Ninja

Platformers:

  • Mega Man – Capcom
  • Castlevania – Konami
  • Kirby’s Dream Land – Nintendo
  • Donkey Kong Country – Nintendo

Simulation and Strategy:

  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo
  • Civilization VI – Firaxis Games (Published by Japanese publisher)
  • Advance Wars – Intelligent Systems

Fighting Games:

  • Tekken – Bandai Namco
  • Soulcalibur – Bandai Namco
  • Guilty Gear – Arc System Works

Recent and Notable Releases:

  • Final Fantasy XVI – Square Enix
  • Hogwarts Legacy – Port by Japanese studio
  • Splatoon 3 – Nintendo
  • Hades – Supergiant Games (Influenced by Japanese games)
  • Octopath Traveler II – Square Enix

Indie and Smaller Titles:

  • Katana ZERO – Askiisoft
  • The Last Guardian – Team Ico
  • Hotline Miami – Dennaton Games (Influenced by Japanese games)

History of Japanese Video Games

The history of Japanese video games is rich and influential, shaping much of the global gaming industry. Here’s an overview of key milestones:

Early Beginnings:

  • 1960s-1970s: Japan’s video game industry began with early arcade games and the influence of Western technology. The first known Japanese video game was a Pong clone developed in the early 1970s.

The Birth of Iconic Titles:

  • 1978: Taito released “Space Invaders”, which became a massive hit and is often credited with starting the golden age of arcade games. It was Japan’s first commercially successful video game and had a huge impact on the global gaming market.
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  • 1979: Namco released “Galaxian”, another influential arcade game that improved upon the concepts introduced by Space Invaders.

The Rise of Home Consoles:

  • 1983: Nintendo launched the Famicom (Family Computer), known internationally as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). This home console revolutionized gaming with its diverse library and accessibility.
  •  
  • 1985: Super Mario Bros., developed by Nintendo, was released for the Famicom/NES and became one of the best-selling video games of all time. It played a crucial role in defining the platformer genre.

The RPG Revolution:

  • 1986: Square Enix released “Dragon Quest”, the first in the series of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) that defined the genre.
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  • 1987: Final Fantasy by Square Enix was released, further cementing JRPGs as a major genre in gaming.

The Era of 3D Graphics and Advanced Consoles:

  • 1990s: Japan continued to lead with groundbreaking games and consoles. Sony entered the gaming market with the PlayStation in 1994, and Nintendo released the Nintendo 64 in 1996, both bringing significant advances in 3D graphics.
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  • 1996: Capcom released “Resident Evil”, which popularized the survival horror genre.

Modern Era and Continued Influence:

  • 2000s: Japan maintained its influence with games such as “Final Fantasy X”, “Metal Gear Solid 2”, and “Kingdom Hearts”. Nintendo released the Wii in 2006, which became known for its innovative motion controls.
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  • 2010s: “Dark Souls”, developed by FromSoftware, and “Persona 5” by Atlus were notable hits, demonstrating Japan’s continued innovation in game design and storytelling.

Recent Developments:

  • 2020s: Japan remains a key player in the global gaming industry with major titles such as “Final Fantasy XVI”, “Elden Ring” (influenced by Japanese game design), and “Splatoon 3”. The Japanese gaming market continues to evolve with new technologies and trends.

Japanese video games have been influential not just in Japan but worldwide, shaping game design, storytelling, and technology across the industry.

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