3DS
End of the online line for two systems that never entirely got out of their predecessors’ shadows.
Gamers with international tastes might not want to wait until the actual last chance to snag Japan-exclusive games.
Special Animal Crossing-edition owner gets a surprise when Nintendo fixes her busted handheld.
Japanese fans react to the voice of Ryan Reynolds and the decision to give Pikachu so much fur.
Video game giant continues to be a customer service titan as it restores fan’s original model 3DS.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by a small mushroom man telling you for the 7th time that the person you’re looking for is in another castle, this news is for you!
This is what happens when artistic sense meets a sense of responsiblity.
Further proof that the company’s 16-bit console was one of the best-looking systems ever made.
Upcoming video game promises “a Pikachu like you’ve never seen before,” but we’ve never heard one that sounds like this either.
We’ve got some fantastic news for children of the ’90s who once made it (and still make it) their quest to catch ’em all: The original first-generation Pokémon games are coming to the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console early next year!
With its Super Famicom-esque face buttons, the New Nintendo 3DS is already rocking the retro in a big way. But if you’d like your portable console to look even more old-school, this fully functional Game & Watch-themed faceplate from Japanese gadget and accessory maker Colombus Circle is sure to do the trick!
Outside of Japan, the name “Dragon Quest” may not have the same brand-recognition as other video game franchises, like Final Fantasy or Mario, but inside Japan it’s basically on the same level. And if you’ve ever had the pleasure of slashing your way through a slime-infested Dragon Quest dungeon, then chances are you’re a fan too.
And now Nintendo is getting ready to usher in a new generation of Dragon Quest fans, and perhaps reignite some old flames as well, by releasing Dragon Quest VIII on the Nintendo 3DS.
If you’ve already played through the classic before on the PlayStation 2, no worries! The game will feature tons of new content: new characters, new scenarios, and brand new voice acting to bring the dialogue to life.
Following Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy, Square Enix has announced a new rhythm game for 2015, this time using music from the Dragon Quest series.
When Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy was announced in 2011, some commenters thought it was a joke. But the game has been an unlikely hit, and Square Enix will be looking to repeat that success with Theatrhythm: Dragon Quest.
Nintendo has recruited fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to promote the New Nintendo 3DS game system before it launches in Japan on October 11. On a new website, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu introduces the system’s interchangeable “Kisekae Plates” (literally, dress-up plates). With these plates, players can customize the exterior design of the New Nintendo 3DS in countless ways.
In a new television commercial, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu plays dress-up by putting extravagant outfits on Mario, Link, and other familiar characters:
There are few things in life more competitive than Super Smash Brothers (and, like, hot dog eating contests with hamsters). So, even though you can now Smash Brothers on the go with the new 3DS version, truly competitive players don’t want to settle for the 3DS’s inferior, cramped D-pad and button layout.
A clever Japanese Twitter user recently openly dreamed of a better way to Smash Brothers on his 3DS by connecting an old-school Gamecube controller to the portable handheld and, shockingly, another even more genius Twitter user responded with a real-life prototype he made with plentiful engineering skills, his own two hands, and what appears to be a bunch of fresh spaghetti.
You have to hand it to Nintendo. While behemoth publishers like EA and Activision are constantly badmouthed for releasing sequel upon sequel, year after year, the house that made Mario somehow not only still commands tremendous respect from its fans, but, if sales data released earlier today is any indication, manages to make stacks of cash by releasing updated versions of games many of us first started playing more than a decade ago.
It may not arrive in the West for another couple of weeks yet, but Japanese gamers are already tearing their way through Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS following its release last Saturday, and by all accounts the game was well worth the long, teaser-filled wait.
There is, however, a little bit of worrying news regarding the 3DS’s suitability for a game of Smash Bros‘ frenetic nature. After just a few days of smash-tastic gameplay, a number of 3DS owners have begun uploading photos showing their consoles’ circular Slide Pads torn clean off.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Secret Starbucks sausage customization sparks sweet joy in Japan[Taste test]
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Osaka man reserved and cancelled 1,873 seats at two baseball games to get more space for self
Bonsai-tree-flavored gin on sale now
Ads for JR’s “Seishun 18” rail pass celebrate the isolated beauty of Japan’s most far-flung stations
Weekly
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura- Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026- Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
- Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Osaka man reserved and cancelled 1,873 seats at two baseball games to get more space for self
Bonsai-tree-flavored gin on sale now
Ads for JR’s “Seishun 18” rail pass celebrate the isolated beauty of Japan’s most far-flung stations
Don’t throw away the bones! How to make Japanese Christmas KFC soup【RocketKitchen】
Limited edition Gundam cake up for preorder, comes with Char’s custom plate and fork!
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
Is “The Most Annoying but Most Delicious” ramen from 7-Eleven truly the most delicious?
Hey, 2020s kids! The ’90s have a sticker picture message waiting for you in Tokyo
Seaside scenery, history, and so many desserts on Yokohama’s Akai Kutsu【Japan Loop Buses】
Japan is in the grip of sticker fever and no one is safe, including us
Japan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
How to convert the Western calendar to Japanese Reiwa years
-
