To: Crecente From: Ashcraft
This past weekend, the family and I went to Universal Studios Japan. The park was “celebrating” Halloween, which was actually kinda nice cause the kid got to dress up. When I first came to Japan, people didn’t really do anything for Halloween — not that they do tons of stuff now. Recently, however, people seem more aware of the holiday. Trick or treating doesn’t really happen, and that’s a shame. At USJ, they had places where you could say “trick or treat” to park employees and get candy. Yeah, I know, it’s not the same, but still.
Mini-Bash dressed up as Jack Sparrow. He was unable to say “trick or treat,” claiming that the phrase was “a little difficult.” He did ride the Spider-man attraction and enjoyed the Waterworld show. I’ve actually never seen Waterworld. I know it was a huge flop, but is it really that bad?
He seems to think that “Halloween” is a Jack-o’-Lantern and not an actual day. I get the feeling lots of people here think that…
In big cities like Osaka and Tokyo, I don’t see trick or treating catching on as so many people live in apartment buildings. These apartment buildings have automatic locks, meaning that not just anyone can enter. Though, I guess if each building organized a kind of trick or treat event, then it could work… But that seems kinda forced. Not as much fun as random kids and parents knocking on your door. Though, I have heard that in neighborhoods near international schools, there is door-to-door trick or treating.
What you missed last night Xbox 360 gets cheaper in Japan 2008 GOTY PGR4 Impressions SCEE employee leaked Manhunt 2 More »
We still can’t quite believe how great this series is. Poignant Balrog jokes, a reversal in economic fortunes for Blanka, Guile on the decline… brilliant. On the subject, we’re also looking into just how Chun-Li gets a little more irresistible with each passing episode. More »
Woah! Not only is there toilet paper, but there’s also a machete, fake blood and a whole lotta scary. That’s reader Daniel’s entry in our Dementium: The Ward contest. Since Halloween is fast approaching, we’re doing a cosplay contest. Not just any cosplay contest! That’s boring. We’re doing a bandage cosplay contest. Meaning? If you have toilet paper, you can enter. If you have band-aids, you can enter. Just cover yourself in bandage, and you are good to go. YES, IT’S THAT SIMPLE. The deadline for the contest is October 24th. Send your entries to kotakucontestATgmailDOTcom. And remember, you aren’t just playing for a DS game. Oh, no. You are playing for INTERNET FAME. Dementium [Official Site] More »
Back in September, an early PS2 Manhunt 2 build was leaked online. The question was “who?” Details were scant, but GamePolitics reports that the leak came from a Sony Computer Entertainment Europe employee. According to Manhunt 2 publisher Take-Two:
Take-Two Interactive has confirmed that a former employee of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has acknowledged his responsibility for the unauthorized online distribution of an unrated play-test version of Manhunt 2 submitted for the European PAL PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.
Leaking the clip led to that employee’s termination. Swing by GamePolitics and get the lowdown. Manhunt 2 Leak [GamePolitics] More »
I like driving games. Love ‘em! Can’t get enough of them. But as I’ve played more and more over the years, I’ve grown to develop a keen sense of what it is, exactly, I like about them. I like fun. I dig the sensation that I’m driving really really fast in a really really expensive car, and having to drive like a maniac to beat a bunch of other maniacs driving fast, expensive cars.
Lucky for me, you, Bizarre and Microsoft, then, that’s exactly what PGR4 delivers. It’s fun. Buckets full of bucketloads of fun. The core driving mechanics seem to be the same as PGR3, but just about everything else has been tweaked, improved or added to improve on the predecessor. Tracks are better, opponents more interesting, progression has been overhauled, the graphics are slicker, bikes add a whole new dimension to the game… see? Everything’s been changed, and it’s been changed for the better. More »
Even when you’ve got a sore throat, Pokémon is there for you. Yes, this is Pocket Monsters nodo ame (throat lozenges), which comes in two fruity flavors: Orange and grape. They even have Vitamin C in them. How about that? And if this wasn’t enough (it really isn’t), there’s Diamond & Pearl SPACE JUICE. Well, it’s not really space juice. Pokémon space juice would be absurd. Rather, it’s mixed fruit juice in an astronaut-style squeezy pouch that’s often used for energy jelly drinks in Japan. Here, have a look:
Above, both “His” and “Hers” variants of TN Game’s “3rd Space Vest”. What’s it do? Plug it into your PC and every time you get punched/kicked/shot/smacked/blown up in a game, the vest will replicate the blow to your real, human torso. In other words, while playing a game for fun, you’ll incur real, physical pain. Having paid $US 170 for the “pleasure”. Thanks, TN, but we’ll pass on this one. TN Games Shop [via Giz] More »
With all those erotic PC games released in Japan, how’s a company supposed to stand out? Hint: Make the game tangible. On the fifth floor of Akihabara Sofmap, married women title Married Women Harem ~This is the Married Women Paradise Inn~ does just that! Instead of just leaving a stack of fliers and info about pre-ordering, there is a display to entice costumers to pick up the game’s literature. We’ve seen this before: Here, for example. That doesn’t mean one still can’t marvel at this game promotion wizardy! Embarrassing jubblies safely placed after the jump. More »
Anyone who needs to know how to make our day: this is how you make our day. Kotakuite Dave writes: I noticed that you guys were lacking a Legend Of Zelda pumpkin so I had to contribute. I give you Link from The Wind Waker. Enjoy!
Dave. We so are. Thank you. More »
You know when you see game ads, and all the people look really excited? Like even the people who are not playing are giddy? Usually it’s totally b.s., but this ad is not lying. At TGS, we checked out upcoming Capcom puzzle title Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure and, yes, even those who were not playing totally got into the puzzle solving — it’s that fun. Truth in advertising? You better believe it. More »
