In Real Life

This Is The World Cup Of Gundam Models

This December, Bandai Namco is holding the “Gunpla Builders World Cup 2011″, the first international competition devoted to Gunpla, or Gundam model building.


July 18, 2011
In Real Life

Take A Tour Of The Tales Cafe

To promote the latest Tales role-playing game Tales of Xillia, Namco is rolling out a Tales cafe, first in Tokyo and later in Tokushima.


In Real Life

Don’t Just Sit There, Let These Toys Blow Your Mind

Gundam. Draonball. Kamen Rider. Great Mazinger, even. Namco Bandai’s 2011 Tamashii Nation toy show proves just how wonderful (and awesome) Japanese figures can be. Don’t believe me?


July 15, 2011
News

2011′s Biggest-Selling Game Maker In Japan So Far…

This year isn’t over. It’s more than half over. Time to look back and see which game maker is doing the best in Japan. So far.


July 6, 2011
News

Japan’s Pop Princess Wants To Give You Tales Loot

On August 31, Ayumi Hamasaki is releasing a new EP called Five. Since Hamasaki is singing the theme for upcoming role-playing game Tales of Xillia, a limited edition version of her new mini-album will come with a redeemable download code.


July 1, 2011
In Real Life

A Tale Of Two Tales Cafes

Next month, Tokyo’s Ufotable Cafe is being turned into a special Tales cafe as part of a promotion for Namco’s Tales role-playing games.


June 28, 2011
In Real Life

Girl After Girl Throwing Themselves At You

Wonder what the new AKB48 game will be like? From the looks of it, it’ll be idols saying they like you, and then getting pissed when you turn down their advances.


June 27, 2011
News

Ready To Turn Down Idols Once More? But Now In Bikinis?

Last December, Namco Bandai released a PSP game with the goal of turning down the advances of over 40 young Japanese idols. Dating simulator? Not quite, it was a dumping simulator, and you were supposed to settle on one of those girls.


June 16, 2011
News

A Game Release From Beyond The Grave

Game Republic, the Tokyo-based studio behind PS3 titles Folklore and Genji, appears to be dead. The studio’s honcho went from riches to rags, and the studio’s been erased from the internet – and the Earth.


In Real Life

Japanese Gaming’s Greatest Ambassador

It’s over. That’s what people say about Japanese gaming. While there are bright spots in Japan, Western games (and gamers) now rule the roost. It’s easy to forget just how great Japanese games used to be.