As the biggest of lit geeks, this blogger is thrilled to see things like this. Literature on the DS? Nothing could possibly be better (until, that is, they perfect some kind of DS massage). What's tragic here is that there is absolutely no chance of this one coming to the U.S., for a variety of reasons. First of all, who wants to translate all that? Second, despite the existence of such fantastic Japanese writers as Haruki Murakami and the late Yukio Mishima, there's probably not a huge demand for Japanese literature on this side of the ocean. But oh, a blogger can dream of English-language titles that are similar. After all, if Brain Age is working to get school-aged children excited about math, couldn't a Literary Classics DS get older folks amped about F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway? For now, we'll just have to be happy with Moon Books. If only ....
Posts with tag japanese
Never coming to the US: Japanese literature on the DS
As the biggest of lit geeks, this blogger is thrilled to see things like this. Literature on the DS? Nothing could possibly be better (until, that is, they perfect some kind of DS massage). What's tragic here is that there is absolutely no chance of this one coming to the U.S., for a variety of reasons. First of all, who wants to translate all that? Second, despite the existence of such fantastic Japanese writers as Haruki Murakami and the late Yukio Mishima, there's probably not a huge demand for Japanese literature on this side of the ocean. But oh, a blogger can dream of English-language titles that are similar. After all, if Brain Age is working to get school-aged children excited about math, couldn't a Literary Classics DS get older folks amped about F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway? For now, we'll just have to be happy with Moon Books. If only ....
Japanese hardware sales, Apr. 30 - May 6: Deja vu edition
I see you're back, kid. No surprise there. You've hit the rarest of the rare candies, and Level 100 wasn't enough for you? You're flying high for awhile, but then even that's not enough. Believe me, I know.So let me tell you what's I've got here, kid. I call it shine. I have to grow 8,192 plants just to make one of these little pills, but kid, you've never seen a Psywave like this. It makes you stronger, faster, hell, even your skin changes color. It's luxury, it's lightning ....
So, you wanna score some--whoa, whoa, not so fast, kid! Last time was a freebie, a little icing before the cake. I'm gonna need something more than just sales charts. I'm gonna need some sort of tripped-up magical cartoon dream sequence ... no, make that two tripped up cartoon dream sequences. Oh, baby, yes. I am rollin'.
Don't forget those charts, too, kid, and remember ... you'll be back ...
- DS Lite: 285,123
29,152 (11.39%)- Wii: 101,320
1,202 (1.17%)- PSP: 35,172
1,312 (3.87%)- PS2: 14,815
2,231 (17.73%)- PS3: 12,974
183 (1.43%)- Xbox 360: 3,205
43 (1.36%)- Gamecube: 394
227 (135.93%)- Game Boy Micro: 340
290 (46.03%)- GBA SP: 302
193 (38.99%)- DS Phat: 69
23 (25.00%)- GBA: 11
11 (Trippin%)[Source: Media Create]
(... it's signed by Fatal1ty ...)
Unofficial stat line: DS sales surpass GBA in Japan
Certainly, Japan's Golden Week is a triumphant one for Nintendo. The top nineteen titles in software belong to the House That Mario Built, as well as 82% of combined hardware sales. Still, one incredible milestone stands out among the fanfare: according to unofficial numbers, the DS has now officially outsold the powerhouse Game Boy Advance in Japan, 16,913,437 to 16,682,376.
It's important to note that these numbers differ slightly from our standard Media Create sales figures used in our regular edition posts. Furthermore, if the news is indeed true, we're sure Nintendo will send out a press release soon enough, touting their own brilliance and humanitarianism. They just love those things.
Japanese hardware sales, Apr. 23 - 29: Double feature edition
Due to the holiday week in Japan, the sales numbers were a little slow, but now they're here ... and so, without further ado, we present the following commercial script.
[AUDIO ]
It's called the DS, or the handheld system that dared to put two screens of uncensored, hardcore action into the hands of gamers.
[VIDEO]
EXTREME CLOSE-UP ON BOTTOM SCREEN. PULL BACK TO SHOW ENTIRE DS.]
[AUDIO]
Iwata and Miyamoto are back, only this time, they're back to back with dual screens that will tear you in two.
[VIDEO]
CUT TO CARTOON MIYAMOTO AND IWATA PORTRAIT.
Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, Apr. 23 - 29: Double feature edition
Japanese hardware sales, Apr. 16 - Apr. 22: Civil War edition
Camp Lincoln Keokuk IowaOctober the 23rd, 1862
To Miss Dorothy W. Sullivan
My darling Dorothy,
I will inform you that I am well at this time, in this God Forsaken regiment. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I am to be no more. Death is coming, Dorothy, I can feel its stench in the blood-soaked battlefields on which we stand, in the eyes of my comrades as they see the fallen friends who once laughed and drank alongside.
Would I were back with you, dear Dorothy, that all happiness should come to us as it once did. My country hath borne me on these winds away from you, and unseeing with my one eye 'gainst your two, I tread as they so commanded. Your bright smile still warms me as I lay in drought, and those who would care care not about me, and those who do not pay as much mind as they did.
My forefathers have fallen, and yours live strong; our children might not remember the lineage which I bestow. O Dorothy! Do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.
- Percy Sullivan
- DS Lite: 172,359
39,034 (29.28%)- Wii: 77,913
2,154 (2.84%)- PSP: 29,459
4,609 (18.55%)- PS2: 11,398
1,474 (11.45%)- PS3: 11,000
948 (7.93%)- Xbox 360: 2,307
593 (20.45%)- GBA SP: 860
206 (31.50%)- Game Boy Micro: 449
168 (27.23%)- Gamecube: 266
99 (59.28%)- DS Phat: 81
65 (44.52%)- GBA: 55
29 (111.54%)[Source: Media Create]
Comparing Square Enix's Japanese and US boxart
In a recent interview with 1UP, Square Enix's marketing communications manager gave us some insight on the process behind adapting Chocobo Tales' packaging for the US. We happen to prefer the Japanese version's modest artwork over North America's chaotic cover, but we understand that the company had a younger audience to appeal to and a different message it needed to convey.
We've collected DS covers from Square Enix's Japanese and US releases after the post break for you to compare and decide which one you like best. To its credit, the company hasn't completely mangled its DS boxarts so far (The same can't be said about Nintendo's bastardization of Hotel Dusk's cover). How do you feel about Children of Mana's simplified design? Does Final Fantasy 3's stripped packaging appeal to your western tastes? And do you agree with 1UP that publishers have been doing a better job with dressing their products?
Continue reading Comparing Square Enix's Japanese and US boxart
Japanese hardware sales, Apr. 9 - Apr. 15: 433420-302039 Edition
"You n00b sunnuva bitch," said the legendary knight 3494-5541-9771. "Pwnage ... is inevitable.""Hah!" said his adversary, 7111-9463-2931. "If you wish to grok your princess once more, you'll taste the fury of my skillz!" He raised his arms high in the air. "363171-765491, I summon thee from the shades of hell! Rise forth and rock this bitch!"
The ground shook, and from a spewing chasm came the beast, hideous and deformed. 3494-5541-9771 stood his ground. No creature would keep him from his princess. He dodged a 7612-8113-4353-1919 and drew his 1913-1564-8328, shining in the darkness. With one deft blow he severed the 363171-765491's head, and leapt toward 7111-9463-2931.
"Boom--" shouted 7111-9463-2931, raising his staff. The two collided--
"HEADSHOTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!"
And all was silent. 3494-5541-9771 had won. He sheathed his 1913-1564-8328 and approached his beautiful princess, 654232-918811. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Did you ... did you pwn him?"
"I did, fair princess."
"Well done, knight. And now, your just reward..."She slowly began to disrobe...
"Wait," she said suddenly. "Do I have your Friend Code?"
"What? I don't need your friend co--"
"Sorry, sweetie," said 654232-918811, donning her gown once more. "No code, no multiplayer." She walked away.
"I ... but ... FRAK!"
(Seriously, Nintendo. This crap is ridiculous.)
- DS Lite: 133,325
22,480 (20.28%)- Wii: 75,759
23,176 (44.08%)- PSP: 24,850
6,653 (21.12%)- PS2: 12,872
1,362 (9.57%)- PS3: 11,948
2,572 (17.71%)- Xbox 360: 2,900
63 (2.13%)- GBA SP: 654
179 (21.49%)- Game Boy Micro: 617
105 (20.51%)- Gamecube: 167
88 (34.51%)- DS Phat: 146
56 (62.22%)- GBA: 26
14 (116.67%)[Source: Media Create]
Japanese hardware sales, Apr. 2 - Apr. 8: Puzzle Quest 2: Tetris edition
The superlative Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords had this crazy notion to blend the classic gameplay of Bejeweled with a surprisingly deep RPG experience. We think this is a great idea, and decided: why not revisit the greatest classic of all? That's right, folks, here's our design document for the guaranteed billion-seller, Destiny of Tetris: Age of the Mystic Blade.- Play as one of seven exciting classes, including square, T-shape, and leftways squiggly!
- Discover a hidden conspiracy regarding the NexPiece, a legendary window said to grant its users access to the future!
- Obtain new skills as you progress, including attack spells, elemental tetromino summons, and increased vodka tolerance.
- Build an empire: well, what the hell else did you think you were building with those blocks?
- DS Lite: 110,845
30,948 (38.73%)- Wii: 52,583
1,218 (2.37%)- PSP: 31,503
7,574 (19.38%)- PS3: 14,520
2,369 (14.03%)- PS2: 14,234
3,553 (19.98%)- Xbox 360: 2,963
926 (23.81%)- GBA SP: 833
224 (36.78%)- Game Boy Micro: 512
76 (12.93%)- Gamecube: 255
50 (24.39%)- DS Phat: 90
25 (21.74%)- GBA: 12
3 (33.33%)[Source: Media Create]
Train your Japanese-writing brain in minutes a day!
Kana DS won't teach you how to translate Famitsu magazine scans for your favorite games, but it will help you strengthen your hiragana and katakana skills. Think of the homebrew application as Brain Age for Japanese charsets, minus the floating, decapitated head.An alpha release of the project has been posted, demonstrating its "number sorting" mini-game. The only other implemented feature is a character reference mode, but we can already see a lot of potential for this polished application. Developer Julio Gorgé plans to include handwriting recognition, progress tracking, and difficulty scaling in future builds.
It might not be as mind-blowing as Kanji Ken, but few games are. Check past the post break for a preview video of Kana DS.
[Via DCEmu]
Continue reading Train your Japanese-writing brain in minutes a day!
New Gyakuten Saiban 4 screens
We're having a pretty hard time coping with our Gyakuten Saiban withdrawals. Ever since we learned that we wouldn't be able to play the Japanese release in English, we've had to turn to alternate means to get our daily allowance of fake Japanese law. We refresh the GS4 website obsessively, play the translated demo until it hits question-mark land, and shout "OBJECTION" at every opportunity that is even a little appropriate.
We found some screens on Famitsu to torture ourselves with. They show the intro to the second case, a witness in Chapter 1, and Chapter 2's defendant. If you want to make yourself feel bad about the lack of Ace Attorney in your life, then by all means, have a look. If you can't handle the wait, we suggest trying to put the whole thing out of your mind.
Japanese hardware sales, Mar. 26 - Apr. 1: Limited Edition
Imagine as though you've just opened a freshly minted pack of edition, fresh from the factory. You tear through the commons ... Unicorn Edition, Fourth Dimensional Edition, Richard Simmons Edition ... and there, sitting amongst the dreck, is the rarest of the rare. Truly, you are blessed this day, as you hold the special foil-etched edition to the sky, reflecting the sunlight in prisms of rarity.This edition, friends, contains only the finest materials. Text is inlaid with pure gold, and we give you our solemn promise that the edition you see, right on your computer screen, is in fact number (JAVASCRIPT.parsingError: pageViews modulo 1000) out of 1000! That's freakin' rare.
Now, you may encase said edition in a cheap plastic sheath, and bring it to school to brag to all your friends. You can battle against those other editions, too. Remember! Not everyone has received this edition. Only you, and perhaps a handful of other bless'ed souls. Feel special, dear reader, and gaze upon these VIP-only sales numbers.
- DS Lite: 79,897
50,652 (38.80%)- Wii: 51,365
24,206 (32.03%)- PSP: 39,077
2,469 (5.94%)- PS2: 17,787
826 (4.87%)- PS3: 16,889
3,570 (17.45%)- Xbox 360: 3,889
397 (11.37%)- GBA SP: 609
2 (0.33%)- Game Boy Micro: 588
177 (23.14%)- Gamecube: 205
65 (24.07%)- DS Phat: 115
20 (14.81%)- GBA: 9
13 (59.09%)[Source: Media Create]
Kanji Ken's boxart: the legend continues
Kanji Ken's packaging doesn't look like anything you would expect from other "training games," but you could say the same about its teaching methods. The educational title eschews traditional academic themes, opting instead for a style that drills students on Chinese characters through kung-fu battles that play out on the handheld's topscreen.The game's cover art shows its martial arts hero at the crest of his flying kick, clutching a Nintendo DS Lite. A collage of characters surround his dynamite pose, each one more enthralling than the last! There's a drunken kung-fu fighter, an inviting blonde with no visible end to her dress' plunging neckline, and a sinister robot looming in the background. The Great Wall of China is thrown in to sweeten the deal.
Head past the post break for a better look at Kanji Ken's casing and a new screenshot of the menacing automaton.
Japanese hardware sales, Mar. 19 - Mar. 25: April Fools edition
Did we say April Fools edition? We meant completely real edition. This weeks numbers, for whatever reason, are slightly unusual, so we've coupled a short explanation for each system in the chart.- Atari Jaguar: 1,989,323
1,989,322 - In a startling turn of events, the Atari Jaguar received an unbelievable resurgence in popularity. Its success can only be attributed to a flash mob, who thought it would be funny for a bunch of people to raid a warehouse and purchase a bunch of systems wholesale.- Wii: 134,257
9,834 - The Wii continues to sell well. In related news, mysterious living-room related deaths are rising rapidly.- PS3: 70,942
20,771 - The PS3, despite continuous bad press, continues to grill burgers with the best of them. George Foreman's stock is rapidly falling.- PSP: 38,211
4,032 - Poospe?- PS2: 37,778
7,110 - While 37,778 units were sold, it turns out that only three were sold to people who weren't replacing a broken one.- Xbox 360: 14,170
3,173 - Has anyone else noticed this heat wave lately? We're looking at you, power bricks.- Gamecube: 666
666 - Oh my God. Run.- GBA SP: pi
e - Lawl. Pi + e = Pie.- Xbox: i
... er ... ... dammit! - Remarkably, the Xbox managed to sell an imaginary number of units last week. Whether this is better or worse than zero units, we're not sure.- DS Lite: 0
121,471 - Nintendo has a problem: everyone in Japan already has a DS Lite. Didn't see that one coming ....[Source: Lamar]
Check after the break for the totally fake numbers. Yep, not like the ones above at all. Really, really fake.
Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, Mar. 19 - Mar. 25: April Fools edition
Monster Rancher DS sneaks past the Ninja Gaiden hype
With the whole gaming press freaking out about the new Ninja Gaiden game, another Tecmo franchise announcement has gone virtually ignored. And, like Ninja Gaiden, it uses the DS's unique features in surprising and possibly inappropriate ways.
Monster Rancher DS goes back to the Playstation-era art style of Ranchers 1 and 2. Like other games in the series, it makes use of data on other media to generate creatures. However, instead of random CDs like in the previous version, this one makes use of the GBA slot. Shapes drawn with the stylus also figure into the gameplay in ... some way.
We've rounded up some screens after the break. Get it-- "rounded up" because it's a "ranch" game, and... we're sorry.
Continue reading Monster Rancher DS sneaks past the Ninja Gaiden hype
Kanji Ken continues to confuse
The latest screenshots for Kanji Ken give us a better idea of what to expect from the game -- players translate hiragana characters, writing their kanji equivalent on the touchscreen. Scribbling out the correct Chinese symbols assists the kung-fu hero brawling on the top screen. That part of the mystery is solved!What has us befuddled, however, is the new trailer that Success Corp. is using to promote the game. The minute-long video plays out an epic, live-action duel between Kanji Ken's martial arts mascot and... a folding chair? The two opponents exchange a barrage of punches and high-flying kicks, neither of them revealing the motives behind their battle.
Head past the post break for the movie clip and screenshots.
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