Gaming Life in Japan

Aside from a full playtest of Digital Devil Saga, IGN finally got around to covering some games that we'd missed out on in previous weeks. See below for playtests of two more Sega Ages games (we've finally covered them all!) and the fantastic Kimpachi Sensei game. We've got even more games in the IGN Japan vault of "when did we get this?" just waiting to see coverage, so stay tuned for more.

This week's Gaming Life in Japan is brought to you in part by this message:

[PLAYTESTS & FEATURES]

07.21.04: San Nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei Playtest
We at last get our hands on Chun Soft's latest title.

07.20.04: Sega Ages 2500: Ichini no Tant-R to Bonanza Bros. Playtest
Two classic Sega arcade titles in one.

07.20.04: Sega Ages 2500: Gain Ground Playtest
Sega's classic action/strategy title comes to Sega Ages.

07.15.04: Digital Devil Saga Playtest
Atlus brings more demons to the PS2.

[NEWS AND INFO]

07.21.04: Front Mission Beta Test
Square Enix reveals first details on the testing period for Front Mission.

07.21.04: New Armored Core Games
From Software looks to hook up PS2 and PSP.

07.21.04: Final Fantasy Creator Forms New Company
Hironobu Sakaguchi gets back into gaming.

07.20.04: SpaceWorld 2004 Denied
That and other details from the latest Nintendo Dream.

07.20.04: MTO's Latest: Pichimou ni Narou
New entry in the Angel Collection series for Japan.

07.20.04: More Sylvanian Families for GBA
Epoch announces a new entry in its adventure series.

07.20.04: New GBA SP For Japan
Japan gets a new theme in celebration of Pokemon.

07.14.04: Xenosaga Goes Wireless
Namco prepares a multivolume saga for cell phones.

Turn the page for the IGN Japan mailbag.

Before answering your questions for this week, I would like to ask you a question of my own. Do you have a question about the Japanese game market? Do you want to express your thoughts on anything Japanese game related? Do you like one of our young idols and want to let the world know about your perversions?

If any of these apply to you, send your mail to the Gaming Life in Japan mailbox. We get thousands of letters every day, so we will not be able to answer all of them personally. However, we will post the best ones here.

Let us begin the exciting column for this week.

LETTER #1

You gotta tell me what the name of the song is in the recent Rockman X Command Mission commercials. I want that song to have my babies!

- Evil

TANAKA RESPONDS: Well, Mr., you seem to be very enthusiastic about this song. I will let you know that the song is "Jounetsu Setsuna" by Asami Abe. Here is her official website.

Check out Amazon.co.jp for more details.

LETTER #2

Hey, man, how come the letter section keeps on disappearing?

-- John Johnson

TANAKA RESPONDS: Well, Mr. Johnson, while we may have had some problems in the past, I can assure you that, assuming we receive a quality letter during the course of a week, we will keep this Q&A and letter section running every week on Gaming Life in Japan from now on.

Remember to send all your Japan-related questions and letters to the Gaming Life in Japan mailbox. Who knows, perhaps you will be made famous by having your letter printed in the next Gaming Life in Japan.

Turn the page for the latest Japanese magazine info.

FAMITSU 816

Also included with the issue is a special DVD featuring direct feed footage of a number of games. The DVD has a total of 24 titles, including Ace Combat 5, Gran Turismo 4, Final Fantasy XII, Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater, Michigan and Nintendo's E3 lineup. Most of what's included was shown at E3, so don't get your hopes up too high for new world-shattering clips of Final Fantasy.

The magazine is also home to a good number of scoops this week. The biggest scoop of them all would have to be Pokemon Emerald, which debuted in this issue. Usually Pokemon games are announced via comic magazines. Famitsu also got the scoop on an all new Lupin game for the PS2.

For this week's Famitsu Express news section, in addition to the promised look at voice recognition in gaming, the magazine turns to Sega and the prevalent problem of the company's suckiness of late. Be sure and check out the main IGN channels for more from this in just a bit.

This week's list of reviews is so lengthy that we're already counting all the Bic Points we'll accumulate by buying all the games.

You'll notice that Metal Slug Advance wasn't reviewed this week. It turns out that the game, while until this past week scheduled for release on 7/22, has been delayed to an undisclosed release date. Awe shucks... and we had our GBASPs all charged and ready to go!

Turn the page for a look at the latest releases from Japan.

The more competent readers will notice that this section is available on the regular IGN channels as well every Monday. Don't feel jealous -- we're just using it to tease outsiders.

The following games were released between 07.12.04 and 07.18.04. Click on the name to see all of IGN's current coverage on the title.

PLAYSTATION 2

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
Publisher: Atlus
Genre: SF, Drama, RPG, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 7329 yen, Memory: 305K
This latest entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series places you in the role of Serph as you attempt to defeat five tribes and make your way to the paradise of Nirvana. You and your group encounter a pod which gives you the ability to change into demon form and suck up enemies. Use points that you've earned in battle to power up your character and his "Mantra," creating an original demon all your own.

Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 11
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Baseball, Raising, Action, Simulation, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 7329 yen, Memory: 870K
Other: Compatible with PS2 Broadband Unit (hard disk only)
Japan's best-selling baseball game since the days of the Famicom returns for its 11th installment. In addition to new player data taken from the time of the 2004 pennant race, the ability to break your bat and perform safety bunts, individual player stances and all new pitches, the game features an improved "My Life" mode. This mode lets you experience the life of a pro baseball player, building up your in-game alter ego through practice and games. Your relationship with your teammates is quite important. Outside of this mode, the game includes battle, pennant, success, league, home run rally and scenario modes.

Lets Play Sports!
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Sports, Party, Action, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 4179 yen, Memory: 820K
Other: Requires Eye Toy camera
Konami's first Eye Toy game is all about sports. Fifteen mini games are included, and although soccer takes up the brunt of the total, baseball, golf and other sports are included as well. Also included is "Art Studio Mode," which makes you reassemble an Eye Toy snap shot that's been broken into pieces and scrambled.

CR Pachinko Yellow Cab Pachitte Chonmage Tatsujin 6
Publisher: Huckberry
Genre: Pachinko, Simulation, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 159K
Other: Includes making-of video for real machine
Another videogame that recreates a real life Pachinko machine. The Yellow Cab machine features twelve models from a talent studio called Yellow Cab, including Megumi, Eiko Koike and Eriko Satou, all of whom appear with real pictures. A challenge mode of play has you attempt to increase your Pachinko ball total within a limited time.

Uo Nanatsu no Mizu to Densetsu no Nushi
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 298K
This latest Sony Computer Entertainment title was originally developed by Sega's Wow Entertainment. You become a fish called Uo and adventure through a variety of lakes. As Uo, you have to survive in the dangerous waters, eating, fleeing and battling when needed. Lots of different fish appear in the game.

GAMECUBE

Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 11
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Baseball, Raising, Action, Simulation, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 7329 yen, Memory: 103 Blocks
The GameCube version of Konami's popular baseball series is the same as the PS2 version, but with a nice controller feature that centers the cursor back when you let go of the controller.

X-BOX

Top Spin
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Tennis, Action, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 5040 yen, Memory: 12 Blocks
Other: Xbox Live compatible, Dolby Digital 5.1
Microsoft brings its Xbox Live tennis title to Japan, with Xbox Live functionality in tact. This is a full Japanese release -- it's not part of the World Collection label.

GAME BOY ADVANCE

Monster Summoner
Publisher: Ertain
Genre: Fantasy, Simulation, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 5000 yen, Includes Backup Feature
Peripherals: Link Cable
Your goal is to become Lord of Summoner in this simulation. You play as Case, a young magician apprentice, who heads off on adventure. Call upon a variety of monsters to fight in battle, both against in-game opponents and with live opponents by using the GBA link-up cable. Monsters emerge from Generators that are placed on the game field; to defeat an opponent summoner, you must destroy its Generator.

Wagamama Fairy Mirumo De Pon! Yume no Kakera
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Anime, Adventure, Simulation, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 5229 yen, Includes Backup Feature
The girls' cartoon Mirumo De Pon! gets another GBA game, complete with an original character, Dream the fairy. You play as Mirumo and must collect dream fragments to save Dream from the Warumo Tribe, who are out to get her. The game features an adventure part in which you speak to other characters and advance the story and a simulation part where you create Mirumo's room and set up furniture and items. Also included are eight mini games.

Tottoko Hamtarou Hamu Hamu Sports
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Sports, Action, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 4800 yen, Includes Backup Feature
Peripherals: Link cable, wireless adapter
The latest game featuring Nintendo's popular hamster is an event-filled sports game. Fifteen events are included in the game, including 100 meter dash, tennis, beach volleyball and hammer toss. Outside of these games, the game also has a free time mode where players can chat with other characters from the Hamtarou world and exchange cards with other players through link cable.

Kaiketsu Zorori to Mahou no Yuenchi ~ Ohimesama wo Sukue! ~
Publisher: Bandai
Genre: Kids, Anime, Other, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature
Peripherals: Link cable
Zorori and friends have made their way to an amusement park for this latest cartoon to game adaptation. Clear twenty mini games in order to save the princess. Mini games are split into four areas of the park: adventure zone, sports zone, future zone and "Oyaji" (old man) gag zone. Your performance in the mini games rewards you with stamps which can be used to purchase items in a shop.

Deji-Communication 2 Datou! Black Magma-dan
Publisher: Broccoli
Genre: Anime, Card game, Release: 07.15.04
Price: 6090 yen, Includes Backup Feature
Peripherals: Link cable
Deji-Communication is a card game featuring characters from the Deji Carrot series. You play as the manager of a store called "Gamers" and attempt to beat your rival shops in various areas, including sales and total customers. Cards are used to lure customers into your shop and prevent customers from going into your rival shops. Forty different cards appear in the game.

Zettai Zetsumei Denjarasu Jiisan Byo ~ Ikari no Oshioki Blues
Publisher: Kids Station
Genre: Comic, Action Adventure, Release: 07.16.04
Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature
This action title is based off a popular comic. You play as the dangerous "Ojiisan" of the title, and attempt to take out enemies by picking up and tossing items that drop onto the field of play. You can change into fourteen different Ojiisans.

Konjiki no Gashbell!! Makai no Bookmark
Publisher:Banpresto
Genre: Anime, Action RPG, Release: 07.16.04
Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature
Peripherals: Link cable
The popular Gashbelle cartoon gets another game, this time on Game Boy Advance. You choose from three pairs of human/magicians, including Gash and Kiyomaro, Duo and Megumi and Canchome and Forugore, and face off against a variety of enemies in battle. Make use of punch and hip attacks along with powerful team attacks in action-based battles. Bookmarks can be used to restore your health and increase your parameters and can be combined to form new bookmarks.

Any thoughts on the latest Japanese game releases mentioned in the above section? Send your comments to the IGN Japan mailbag.

Turn the page for the latest IGN Japan young idol.

Strictly speaking, a young Idol should be an idol who's young. We're not limiting ourselves to a particular age group when choosing these lovely ladies, though. Old idols are okay! We are, however, limiting ourselves to game-related girls. To be a candidate for Young Idolcy, a girl must pass a three-game-connection test. This test is waived in the event of an obvious connection.

First, be sure and brush up on previous IGN Japan Young Idols by checking out our constantly growing IGN Japan Young Idol archive:

• Yinling of Joytoy
• Young Idol: Where Are They Now
• Chisato Morishita
• Miho Shiraishi
• Kawori Manabe
• Ai Tominaga
• Sakura Mizutani
• Custom Robo
• Yuko Ogura
• Minako Komukai
• Misaki Ito
• Aya Ueto

Upon seeing that roller coaster, you may find yourself with such questions as "Who is she?" and "How does something like that have anything to do with games?". Perhaps you feel strange sensations in parts of your body that are usually hidden from public view. Perhaps you suddenly feel grown up.

Before you go any further, let's take a closer look at Mayuko Iwasama.

MAYUKO IWASAMA IGN Japan Young Idol #10 SIZES: B80,W58,H86 SHOE SIZE: 22.5 HEIGHT: 155cm BLOOD TYPE: A BIRTHDAY: 2/24/1987 INTERESTS: Karaoke, shopping. SPECIAL SKILL: Horns, Piano NICKNAME: Mayu CHARM POINT: Big eyes/smile STAR SHE LIKES: John Leno FAV FOODS 1: Chocolate, Ramen FAV FOODS 2: Cake FAV CHARACTER: Hamtarou

Mayuko Iwasama is a big Japanese talent who features in photography collections, television commercials, picture collections, DVD releases and movies. But we owe our discovery of Mayuko not through these channels.

One day, we turned on the TeeVee and saw this:

Mayuko Iwasama in Digital Devil Saga QUICKTIME (6,027KB) WMV (4,331KB)

Normally, we'd place a potential Gaming Life in Japan young idol through a rigorous screening process to determine a game relation quotient. Only if this quotient is above 5.257 does a girl gain entry into young idolcy.

In Mayuko's case, being the image girl for a game as good as Digital Devil Saga is proof enough of eligibility for young idolcy. Welcome to the Young Idol club, Mayuko-chan. Now put on a bathing suit and get wet!

Share your thoughts on Mayuko and other IGN Japan young idols be mailing us at the IGN Japan mailbag.

Turn the page for the latest ads and commercials from Japan.

This week, we've got commercials and print ads for you. Be sure and check out the Digital Devil Saga commercial as well as the first ad for Genso Suikoden. We've also posted a couple of non game-related commercials for your viewing pleasure.

You'll note that the Megaman Command Mission ads were posted before. We're actually posting them again, this time without the date stamp that was present in our previous versions (the date stamp is a permanent fixture on some channels) Download only if you like collcting the ads.

If you have questions about these ads, mail us at the IGN Japan mailbag.

PRINT ADS
click on the image to download

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner Atlus, PS2 Now Available, (JPG, 216KB)

Michigan Spike, PS2 Release: 07.29.04, (JPG, 228KB)

Tenchu Kurenai From Software, PS2 Release: 07.22.04, (JPG, 249KB)

Fullmetal Alchemist Omoi De No Sonata Bandai, GBA Release: 07.22.04 (JPG, 307KB)

Tottoko Hamtarou Hamu-Hamu Sports Nintendo, GBA Now Available (JPG, 350KB)

Harvest Moon Wonderful Life For Girls Marvelous Int., GCN Now Available (JPG, 344KB)

KOF: Maximum Impact SNK Playmore, PS2 Release: 08.12.04 (JPG, 256KB)

Taiko no Tatsujin Yondaime Namco, PS2 Release: 07.22.04 (JPG, 408KB)

COMMERCIALS
All commercials are presented in 640x480.
Select from Windows Media 9 (WMV) or
Quicktime, then right click to download.

Dan Doh! Takara, GBA Release: 09.22.04 QUICKTIME (6,040KB) WMV (4,402KB)

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuiner Atlus, PS2 Now Available QUICKTIME (6,027KB) WMV (4,331KB)

Donkey Konga Nintendo, GCN Now Available QUICKTIME (12,069KB) WMV (8,363KB)

Final Fantasy 1&2 Advance Square Enix, GBA Release: 07.29.04 QUICKTIME (5,868KB) WMV (3,746KB)

Final Fantasy 1&2 Advance Square Enix, GBA Release: 07.29.04 QUICKTIME (6,032KB) WMV (4,394KB)

Genso Suikoden IV Konami, PS2 Release: 08.19.04 QUICKTIME (6,045KB) WMV (4,394KB)

Hamu Hamu Sports Nintendo, GBA Now Available QUICKTIME (12,117KB) WMV (8,355KB)

Legends Bandai, GBA Release: 07.29.04 QUICKTIME (6,022KB) WMV (4,456KB)

Naruto RPG Tomy, GBA Release: 07.22.04 QUICKTIME (5,957KB) WMV (4,105KB)

Paper Mario RPG Nintendo, GCN Release: 07.22.04 QUICKTIME (6,021KB) WMV (4,496KB)

Pokemon CD Media Factory Now Available QUICKTIME (6,033KB) WMV (4,581KB)

Power Pro Baseball 11 Konami, GCN/PS2 Now Available QUICKTIME (6,014KB) WMV (4,433KB)

Rockman X Command Mission Capcom, PS2/GCN Release: 07.29.04 QUICKTIME (6,023KB) WMV (4,339KB)

Rockman X Command Mission Capcom, PS2/GCN Release: 07.29.04 QUICKTIME (6,049KB) WMV (4,410KB)

Taiko no Tatsujin Yon Dai Me Namco, PS2 Release: 07.22.04 QUICKTIME (6,040KB) WMV (4,128KB)

Tennis no Oujisama Saikyou Team wo... Konami, PS2 Release: 09.16.04 QUICKTIME (5,955KB) WMV (4,183KB)

Toy commercial featuring muscle boy. Ha ha ha ha ha. QUICKTIME (12,034KB) WMV (8,246KB)

Amino Suppli has "Uri Age" number 1! QUICKTIME (6,018KB) WMV (4,456KB)

Turn the page for the latest charts.

Check back every week to find out what Japanese gamers are into!

Other new releases include Mojipittan - PS2 the Best (PS2, 14), Minna no Golf 4 - PS2 the Best (PS2, 17), Korokke! Ban Ou no Kiki wo Sukue (GCN, 19), Boku no Natsuyasumi 2 - PS2 the Best (PS2, 21), Tom Clancy Series Rainbow Six 3 (Xbox, 29), Crash Bandicoot Bakusou! Nitro Cart (PS2, 31) and Fu-in Shinsengumi - PS2 the Best (47).

Media Create reports that the top 100 games sold a total of 389,927 units this week, 74.03% of last week's total. New releases for the week accounted for 62,999 units despite the fact that 14 titles made it into the top 50. Hmm....

PS2=PlayStation 2, GCN=GameCube, WS=Wonderswan
PS=PlayStation, DC=Dreamcast, GBA=Game Boy Advance

PS2=PlayStation 2, GCN=GameCube, WS=Wonderswan
PS=PlayStation, DC=Dreamcast, GBA=Game Boy Advance

Any corrections, comments or questions regarding these charts? Send them to the IGN Japan mailbag.

Turn the page for the latest release dates.

This Import release section of IGN Japan will help you sort through the mess. We only include games that have either their day or month of release confirmed. There are many more games than this coming out to Japan, but most of them currently have TBA dates. Most of the sections are complete up to the data recorded in the latest issue of Japan's Famitsu magazine.

A request to our readers. If you encounter an error in these charts (like a game listed twice, for instance), please tell us.

Check back every week for the latest!

07.13.04: As Sony unveils more on PSP and PS3, Famitsu takes a look back at the first half of the year and Nintendo announces the new Famicom Mini games. Playtests of two more Sega Ages games along with commercials for Paper Mario, Moji Pittan, Final Fantasy and Dragon Ball Z 2.

07.07.04: Commercials for Sonic, Megaman, Power Pro Ken and Saru Battle, the July Sega Press and the week in review with playtests of Saru Battle and Donkey Konga 2 and stories on Final Fantasy ads, the Advance Movie service, Sega's new arcade projects, Spike's new firefighting game and Square Enix's Mana project.

06.28.04: Print ads for Michigan along with commercials for Saru Battle, Magna Carta and Saka-Tsuku '04. Plus, the week in review with playtests of Xenosaga Episode II and Berserk and stories on Momotarou's US debut and Sakura Wars.

06.23.04: The World Hobby Fair, Microsoft's Xbox strategy briefing, Silent Hill, lots of monkeys and commercials for Donkey Konga 2, Godannar, Xenosaga Episode 2, Dragon Quest Characters, Eye Toy, Saka-Tsuku, Popeye Pachinko and more!

06.16.04: Commercials for Dear S, Full Metal Alchemist, Eye Toy and more, plus print ads and the week in review.

06.08.04: The first issue of GLIJ Mini, featuring charts, release dates and not much else.

06.02.04: Spike's Michigan porn star (from Taiwan!), the return of letters with Tanaka, a PSP and DS survey and commercials for Famicom Mini 2, Grand Theft Auto Vice City, Densha De Go Final and Mario VS Donkey Kong.

05.26.04: The latest on Final Fantasy XII, commercials and ads for Ultraman, Famicom Mini, Crimson Sky and Crash Bandicoot: Nitro, and a look at where some of your favorite young idols from previous issues are today.

05.13.04: Print and television ads for the likes of Metroid Fusion, the Pikmin 2 CD (must see!), Gundam MX, Ultraman and Wario World, plus Chisato Morishita (Nintendo's Japanese Samus Aran) as young idol of the week.

05.06.04: Store Joutai Get returns, straight from Akihabara! Plus, game of the month Pikmin 2, the first weekly news recap, lots of print ads, a Game Boy Advance pamphlet and dimpled Miho Shiraishi as young idol of the week.

04.29.04: IGN Japan returns with a commercial-packed issue. Featuring television spots for Crayon Shin-chan, Mega Man Zero 3, EyeToy: Play, Pikmin 2, Mario Golf and more! Also, looks at Michigan, Okami and Final Fantasy XII.

04.06.04: A look at Famitsu Issue 800 (which entails a look at the original Famitsu) along with classic advertisements, reports on Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst and Home Land, and the simply ridiculous Kawori Manabe as this week's young idol.

03.31.04: Full form Gaming Life in Japan returns,with comments from Dragon Quest father Yuji Hori and 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?

03.25.04: A half-issue as IGN Japan catches up with the billion releases from the past week.

03.17.04: Ramblings about Online gaming, twenty commercials (including Zelda), quick looks at Metal Wolf Rev and Sakurazakai Shouboutai, plus Sakura Mizutani as young idol of the week.

03.10.04: The babes of Custom Robo! Vote for your favorite (voting is now closed). Quick looks at Biohazard 4, Panic Maker, Curry House CoCo and commercials for GameCube Gundam and more.

03.03.04: A slightly new look for Gaming Life in Japan, with separate babe and ad pages. Featuring looks at Mario Golf GBA, 3LDK, Vib Ripple, Raimuiro and The Daibijin, details on next-gen Japanese cell phone gaming, and ads for DOA Online and Sega Ages. Plus, Yuko Ogura as this week's young idol.

02.25.04: IGN Japan looks at Dorimaga and its anime/Sega lovin' readerbase. Plus, Love Aerobics, 35 game commercials (including Katamari Damashii), the horrendously offensive AOU arcade show and Weekly Young Idol featuring Minako Komukai VS Shigeru Miyamoto and Hideo Kojima.

02.18.04: Nintendo roolz, Sony droolz. Details on Sakurazaka Shouboutai, Steady X Study, Orange Pocket, and more. Plus, a Famitsu survey on the Nintendo DS, a look at the Japanese commercial scene, Misaki Ito as young idol of the week and lots of print ads.

02.11.04: SCE's simplicity campaign, girls playing Eye Toy, upcoming NEC Interchannel games, a look at Japanese retail, Akihabara burning down, Famitsu reader top 100. Plus, the babe of the week: Aya Ueto.

01.27.04: Skiing Ostrich versus Snowboarding Chiwawa! You make the call! Plus, looks at the new PS2 Kinpachi-sensei game, Sengoku VS. Gendai and Soccer Life, some hot Microsoft Xbox ads and a World Hobby Fair picture collection.

1/21/2004: 22 commercials, featuring skiing ostrich (this is a precursor to the next issue's snowboarding dog). Plus, reports on Atelier Iris Eternal Mana, Michigan, The Hajimete no RPG, Galaxy Angel Moonlit Lovers. Also features a Famitsu powered look at the rest of 2004!

1/14/2004: The first issue of IGN for 2004 presents a look back at year 2003's sales and a huge awards presentation with awards for best game, best graphics, best sound and more! Plus, Cho-Kuso game of the year!

12/19/2003: The last issue of IGN Japan for 2003 features some ramblings about the PSX, a look at Uchuu no Stellvia and lots of high res print ads.

12/10/2003: Love Ping Pong, a preview of the Jump Festival and commercials for games like Donkey Konga, Winning Eleven Tactics, Ninja Gaiden and Cute Puppy.

11/18/2003: Thirty television spots including Sonic Heroes, and F-Zero in this limited IGN Japan as we prepare for the big Final Fantasy XII unveiling feature gorgeous Square Enix PR girls.

11/11/2003: Sony's unexpected price drop and "Sorry to have kept you waiting" ad campaign, Japan's most hated game developer and development company and not much else. IGN Japan is made up of lazy bastards! LAZY BASTARDS!

11/03/2003: A look at the year end sales race in Japan, the hottest Famitsu cover girl ever, a look at the new Sister Princess expansion disk, the best selling Dreamcast games, a big Famitsu Tokyo Game Show survey and a ton of television spots.

10/27/2003: Nintendo's Japanese price drop ineffective? Plus, the latest magazine info on Gran Turismo 4 Prologue, Final Fantasy International + Last Mission, a Famitsu survey on the PSX and a Gran Turismo 4 pamphlet scan.

10/20/2003: The start of Nintendo's Fall attack, a game maker ranking and lots of print ads and detail from Famitsu.

9/22/2003: Rare collector's issue! The final Grand Theft Auto Watch and Tokyo Game pre-show report. Plus, a print ad featuring a really, really super mega hot chick!

9/14/2003: A video and picture tour of JAMMA 2003, with lots of hot Japanese girl snips. Plus, the continuing Grand Theft Auto watch, a look at Naruto for the PS2, and more from the Tokyo Game Show pre-game show report.

9/8/2003: Grand Theft Auto watch, Tokyo Game Show and JAMMA pre-game info, a look at the marathon game, plus commercials for Drag On Dragoon and more.

8/25/2003: A PSP survey and lots of game ads in the IGN Japan for the week that Grand Theft Auto 3 hits the number six spot on the Famitsu most wanted list. Also details on the Mario 4 e-Cards and Donkey Kong tatsujin.

8/11/2003: Lots of television commercials for some tremendously obscure games. Presented in high res for your obsessive enjoyment. Plus Tokyo fireworks. Hmm... we're running out of things to talk about.

8/1/2003: The state of Tokyo's Sun. Plus, an Xbox Conference, PSP specs and the history of Namco. Oh -- and the August Sega press. YEAH!

7/17/2003: The Nintendo Famicom turns 20 causing Japanese magazines to give a little history lesson. The full Famicom history, inside.

6/16/2003: A full report from Capcom's Street Fighter 15th Anniversary special, complete with videos and cos-player pics! Plus, a Famitsu survey on Sony's upcoming PSX system.

6/06/2003: Famitsu conducts a big survey on Sony's PSP hardware. Plus a look inside the halls of Square where the company's foreigner population chills with president Wada. Can you spot Colin in this update?

5/23/2003: A particularly wordy issue of IGN Japan in the week following E3. Features a look at seven big game company financial statements, a briefing on the upcoming Street Fighter anniversary celebration and looks at Nintendo's Japanese demo disk and Sony's upcoming Japanese broadband program. Plus, Sammy and drumming game commercials!

5/9/2003: A look at a Japanese business gaming magazine, a bunch of print ads, the May Sega Press and a big Store Joutai Get section!

4/18/2003: The new Sega Press, our hatred of boy bands, the latest peeing statue commercial, a Famitsu retail survey and that's about it as a flood of games see Japanese release.

4/11/2003: The return of Pepsi Man, Sega's Game Jam, Bob Sapp gets his ass kicked bug still gets bigger, the April Sega Press and commercials for Yummeria, Dragon Quest: Caraven Hearts and Taiko no Tatsujin.

4/4/2003: Pics from cell phones, the Sony festival, the latest store joutai and ads for Dragon Quest Caravan Hearts, Doka-Pon DX, NUDE and Super Robot Wars.

3/26/2003: The Soul Calibur release, the Panasonic Center (with the Nintendo GameFront) and... that's about it. Gad, this IGN Japan column really sucks.

3/19/2003: IGN Japan returns after an extended break with a sayonara to Quiter, Foma Man and commercials for Soul Calibur 2, Made in Wario, P.N.03 and (not much) more.

2/28/2003: One Bob Sapp to rule all. Plus, looks at the AOU arcade show, a hate-filled message about Japanese boy-bands SMAP and Tokio, and commercials featuring Ewan McGreggor's big schwartz and Sony's multi-colored PS2 systems.

2/20/2003: Some ramblings about the GBA SP Japanese launch, a Famitsu retailer/consumer survey, a new Guess the Picture feature, plus commercials and ads for Super Robot Wars, Shin Megamitensei 3, Gun Survivor 4, and ZOE 2.

2/12/2003: More Japanese stupidity, plus some good is very Engrish, pamphlets for Venus & Braves, Star Ocean 3 and Puzzle Collection, and CMs for Star Ocean 3, FF Tactics and Mega Man GameCube, and more.

2/3/2003: A look at Dori-Maga (complete with Dreamcast sales charts), Final Fantasy X-2 limited edition goods, the Japanese retail scene, the World Hobby Fair, pamphlets for Sakura Wars and Sony's Voice recognition games, the February Sega Press, and commercials/ads for Venus & Braves, Nintendo Puzzle Collection, ZOE 2, FF Tactics and more!

1/24/2003: 2003's second issue of IGN Japan as the evil Fran Maribella the Third takes over the ranks of IGN Insider. Features a look at the Xbox Live launch party, a Famitsu survey regarding gamer's hopes for the coming year, a look at our Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball preorder goods, a pot shot at Square, and commercials for DOAX, Devil May Cry 2 and Operator's Side. And what's up with the weather always raining (and snowing) on Microsoft's party?

1/16/2003: The first issue of IGN Japan for 2003 really sucks. First of all, we were drunk off free Xbox liquor when we wrote it. The only redeeming factor is the start of a new feature: Guess the Shoes! Oh, and a recap of Japanese game sales for 2002, our pick for Japanese-only game of the year and commercials for Dead or Alive Whack-off Volleyball, Game Boy SP and Xbox Live.

12/20/2002: The last IGN Japan for 2002 features a bunch of silly Japanese commercials gaming-and-non-gaming, print ad scans, shots from around Tokyo's gaming scene (Xbox Price Drop?) and an explanation, from Tanaka, of our new naming system. Plus, Andria opens a ton of mail and Juyon introduces herself.

12/09/2002: Tanaka takes over and welcomes Juyon and Andria Lee Sang to the IGN Japan ranks as the entire Japanese gaming industry goes topsy-turvey. Included, weird Xbox and Sega print ads along with a 16-page Dark Chronicle mini magazine scan.

11/22/2002: A look back at our favorite Japanese commercials as the IGN Japan staffers close their doors for inventory purposes.

11/15/2002: Capcom announces five big titles for the GameCube while Japan celebrates National Toilet Day. Features a look at Japanese retail, a special letter about Engrish, a Famitsu survey about the big games for the year's end, television commercials and Tanaka in a suit vying for the head spot at Xbox Japan.

11/07/2002: The debut of Kita-he: Diamond Dust for the PS2, the November Sega Press, the lame CESA awards, more Xbox stupidity and commercials for such titles as Resident Evil 0, Ratchet & Clank and Xbox.

10/30/2002: The first Kenji Eno spotting in ages, the Tokyo CG festival, crazy commercials for Xbox and PS2 and a ton of print ads.

10/23/2002: Scans and videos from the Square press conference (see CG Yuna wield twin guns and do a back flip), plus a look at the Smash Brothers Orchestra CD.

10/16/2002: A look at AsoBitCity (the replacement for Laox), the meaning of Zelda's new name, plus television commercials for Rygar, GBA Gold and Silver, and Eternal Darkness.

10/9/2002: Xbox Cafe, more DOA Xtremem Beach Volleyabll ads and (what we thought was) the death of the Laox Akihabara games store.

10/2/2002: More DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball ads, plus information on Tama-chan, the seal we'd so very much like to eat.

9/18/2002: Preview of Tokyo Game Show, plus scans of Sega Press September, Sega Driving and Star Fox Adventure pamphlets.

9/11/2002: Japan's toilet paper crisis, Hikki gets hitched, plus ads for DOA Volleyball and pamphlets for Mario Advance 3 and PSO Ep. 1&2.

9/3/2002: Japanese gamers reveal what they want on Xbox Live and some group predicts the future of broadband and internet gaming in Japan. Plus, print ads for Dead or Alive Volleyball, Contra and more!

8/29/2002: Television ads for Tekki, Automodelista and the Dakara peeing statue ad. Plus, we make fun of the Xbox!

8/20/2002: Hmm... not much of anything in the week where Nintendo unveils Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle through a television commercial.

8/13/2002: Big look back at Japanese sales for the first half of 2002. No surprises.

7/31/2002: Mario Sunshine adversely affects yet another issue of IGN Japan. We do find time to scan a bunch of advertisements from the latest Japanese magazines, though.

7/22/2002: IGN Japan was very busy shine getting and didn't spend much time on this story. Lots and lots of television commercials to download though.

7/15/2002: A look at the World Hobby Fair, Famitsu's survey on what's hot this summer, and Megumi!

7/9/2002: Sega parties, Doreamon is king, a bunch of advertisements and horrible weather.

7/2/2002: Famitsu's latest Online surveys, plus the return of television ads!

6/26/2002: I will use Haiku. Evil scandals rock Japan. Mario and Zelda.

6/19/2002: Naked man jumping off bridge. Plus, the Japanese retail report. It's Anoop's birthday. Send presents to Anoop.

6/12/2002: A look at Sega's arcade show. And, the most watched Japanese sports broadcast is...

6/5/2002: Japan earns its first point ever in World Cup history as Fooligans arrive in and are quickly deported from Tokyo.

5/28/2002: Best ad ever! Plus, PS2 price drop info and... not much more in this very uneventful issue.

5/21/2002: Price drops, no Final Fantasy, and more World Cup fever.

5/14/2002: Problems with Final Fantasy XI and a Famitsu survey on what can be done to fix the Xbox.

4/28/2002: The full IGN Japan returns with a review of the Lotteria Pure Burger and... not much else. Have a first look at new correspondents Cindy and Mindy, both Communists!

4/19/2002: Week three of our failed experiment to spread out this bloody article over multiple days. Features a look at Halo`s Japanese marketing campaign, a big soccer face-off, and more.

4/12/2002: Week two of our failed experiment to spread out this bloody article over multiple days. Features a big look at Sony`s broadband plans (find out how Japanese gamers will play FFXI) and some cool Famitsu reader surveys.

3/29/2002: Week one of our failed experiment to spread out this bloody article over multiple days. Features an interview with Chikako-chan, IGN Japan`s resident kid gamer, along with some odd-ball Japanese commercials.

3/12/2002: Week 1 of the Xbox in Japan. Plus, some other stuff that isn`t as important.

3/6/2002: A look at Sony's Online gaming plans in Japan, plus some shots of the free Xbox merchandise that we have and that you want.

2/28/2002: Uhh, yeah, so this issue kinds sucks. Sorry... we were loving every minute of Jet Set Radio Future and pretending to enjoy Dead or Alive 3, so we didn't get around to doing anything special for this week's column. Plus, there were all those controversies at the Olympics, and we were just concerned that maybe, just maybe, the world was slipping back into the Cold War era. HOW WERE WE TO CONCENTRATE!!!???

2/21/2002: One last big look at the Xbox pre-launch mania in Japan, plus Nintendo's touch and try event in Shibuya, complete with a horribly-rushed video!

2/14/2002: Worst issue ever! On the day that Sony announced its sweeping plans for the Online gaming scene in Japan, IGN Japan reports on Sony's month old plans, when little was known. Also, a look at the Xbox Experience event in Akihabara, with babe selections by Andria Lee Sang.

2/7/2002: The biggest IGN Japan yet! In addition to all new navigation buttons, this issue provides a look at the Virtua Fighter Carnival, complete with a ton of video of the best VF players in Japan going at it, and a look at the Xbox in Japan, complete with pre-order info, developer surveys and comments (via Famitsu Xbox) and commercials! View it today!

1/29/2002: A visual tour of the World Hobby Fair, complete with video (note: the video now works). Plus, a fun look at how poorly developers, retailers and users think Xbox will do in Japan.

1/22/2002: The first Xbox commercial, plus commercials for Grandia Xtreme and Virtua Fighter. Plus, first details on the upcoming World Hobby fair in the all new events calendar.

1/15/2002: IGN Japan returns. And this time, it's personal! Included in this issue, our pick and the reader's pick for import game of the year. Plus, a look back at 2001 and a look forward to 2002. Oh yes... and a very special interview with the evil biases of IGNPS2.

12/14/2001: This week, a review of the Pikmin music CD, plus the debut of upcoming release dates!

12/7/2001: We were too lazy to do anything game related this week, so we uploaded footage of Japanese beach girls getting their bikini angles measured by giant protractors. Plus, the top five Ramens! And, a ton of television and print ads!

11/27/2001: The most boring IGN Japan yet! Featuring Japanese retail predictions on what`s gonna be hot this holiday season (in Japan).

11/20/2001: A look at the Sony building in Tokyo, along with our attempts at pre-ordering an Xbox in Akihabara. Plus, Smash Brothers goes on sale!

11/13/2001: An absolutely boring update not worthy of the IGN name. Does feature ads for Smash Brothers, Rez, Jack and Daxter and Japanese beer, though. Plus, a look at the first ever Ayumi Hamasaki "Game."

11/06/2001: A ton of Japanese ads, including Metal Gear Solid and Seaman. Plus, news on Pride, SNK and the super duper Sakura Wars-themed bus.

10/29/2001: We take a trip down to Tokyo Tower to see a bunch of wax, and a li'l bit of PS2 Seaman.

10/22/2001: After a month long gap, IGN Japan returns from a brand new building in Tokyo's bustling Shinjuku district. Featured in this issue -- the debut of weekly news updates and... well, that's pretty much it. Yes, we're lazy bums, but it ads to our charm.

09/21/2001: Report from the Rez Rave in Yokohama and Sega`s Jet Set Radio Future ad.

09/13/2001: The Shenmue 2 packaging, a look at the pre-Gamecube launch frenzy, plus Capcom`s cool Capcom vs SNK 2 television ad.

09/05/2001: AM2 and Yu Suzuki appear live in Tokyo (videos included), PS2 hardware sales stats and ads for Shenmue and Seaman

08/31/2001: Our trip to Space World (including directions on how to get there), Parappa ads, the Devil May Cry sound sampler, and a look at the slowing down of Final Fantasy sales.

08/21/2001: Adventures pre-ordering four GameCube systems, Muscular Ranking playtest and ads for GameCube and Devil May Cry.

08/14/2001: Premiere issue -- rare collectors` item! IGN Japan heads on out to Yokosuka, Japan in order to find the real Shenmue. Featuring video footage!