This weekly section on IGN will keep you up to date on what games were released over the previous week in Japan. If you want to keep up to date on the import scene, be sure and check back every Monday.
The following gameswere released between 03.29.04 and 04.04.04. Click on the name to see all of IGN's current coverage on the title.
PLAYSTATION 2
Nobunaga no Yabou: Tenka Sousei
Publisher: Koei
Genre: History/Simulation, Release: 04.01.04
Memory: 1764K, Price: 10290 yen
Peripherals: PlayStation BB Unit (hard disk only)
This latest entry in the Nobunaga's Ambition series makes the trip from the PC to the PS2. For the first time, this normally frill-free series receives the full 3D treatment for strategy and real time battle scenes. As always, you must increase the strength of your army while negotiating with neighboring countries. Starting from scratch, you build up farming villages and merchant areas and can see them change automatically with time. Koei has brought over four scenarios from the PC version and has added three bonus scenarios. Around 1000 generals feature in the game, all with newly drawn portraits.
Burnout 2: Point of No Return
Publisher: Sammy
Developer: Criterion
Genre: Race/Action, Release: 04.01.04
Memory: 85K, Price: 6090 yen
Peripherals: GT Force Pro
Other: Dolby Pro Logic II Compatible Burnout 2 gets a Japanese release via Sammy. If this were happening next month, the game would be coming out with the Sega label instead.
Dokodemo Issho: Toro to Nagare Boshi
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Fighting/Action, Release: 04.01.04
Memory: 100K, Price: 6800 yen
This latest entry in Sony's once mega-popular Dokodemo Issho series has you partner up with Toro the cat in a search for fragments of a fallen shooting star. You can move around through town, investigating places like parks and temples. You teach "Pocket People" new words using a cell-phone-like interface. Words that you teach gradually spread throughout town and are uttered by some of your favorite Dokodemo Issho characters.
Kuon
Publisher: From Software
Genre: Japanese Horror/Action, Release: 04.01.04
Memory: 111K, Price: 7140 yen
From Software gives a shot at Japanese-flavored survival horror. You make use of ancient Chinese martial arts in a fight against a water spirit during the Heian period. The game takes place in a mysterous mansion and allows you to play as three characters, Uduki, Sakuya and Seimei Abeno, each with their own special chapter, respectively the Shadow Chapter, the Sun Chapter and the Kuon Chapter. In the mansion, you'll find beasts aplenty as well as numerous traps and puzzles, giving the game a Resident Evil-feel.
GAME BOY ADVANCE
Digimon Racing
Publisher: Bandai
Genre: Anime/Race/Action, Release: 04.01.04
Price: 5040 yen, Battery Backup
Peripherals: Link-up cable, Wireless Adapter
This cart-racing game features eight of your favorite Digimon characters, each with his own special abilities. As you race, you make use of special items and skills to keep your opponents from arriving first at the goal. Courses feature level-up blocks which, if you run your cart over them, build up a level-up gauge for your character, leading to increases in speed and handling abilities. Modes ofplay include a Cup Race in which you race through four courses and communication play for up to four players using either link-up or the Wireless Adapter.
Tokyo Majou Gakuen: Fushiyu Fuuroku
Publisher: Marvelous Interactive
Genre: School/Adventure/Card Game, Release: 04.01.04
Price: 6090 yen, Battery Backup
Peripherals: Link cable
The Tokyo Majin Gakuen series has left the ranks of the Wonderswan in favor of the Game Boy Advance. You become a god who does battle using special cards, of which 500 types are available in the game. Cards can be combined for greater powers and can be earned outside of single player play, by connecting with other players and doing battle over link-up cable. The game's story spans thirteen chapters set in the unique Tokyo Majin Gakuen world. The story progresses through interactive conversation sequences, where the choices you make change your path and the cards that you gain.
That does it for this week's software list. Remember, if you want to keep ahead of the Japanese scene, be sure and check out our weekly Gaming Life in Japan article. The latest issue features some comments from Dragon Quest father Yuji Hori along with a look at sexy Ai Tominaga and her McDonalds sauce of choice. Plus, IGN Japan votes for its favorite game of March 2004! Which deceptively-simple-looking Namco title won? Find out by viewing the most recent issue right here.