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.



















Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
Play games, learn, and get your fortune at Ginza’s limited-time Tsunaguu “Shrine of the Future”
What did Shibuya really look like after the crowds on New Year’s Day?
Evangelion’s Gainax studio establishes new business… cultivating tomatoes
7-Eleven’s edible cat paw proves Japanese convenience store sweets are on a whole other level
Beyond fruit sandwiches — Japan has cake sandwiches too!【Taste test】
Stay at the Nara Juvenile Prison hotel in Japan in 2020
Kyoto sightseeing tour: The most amazing old bathhouses in the city
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Evangelion’s Gainax studio establishes new business… cultivating tomatoes
7-Eleven’s edible cat paw proves Japanese convenience store sweets are on a whole other level
Beyond fruit sandwiches — Japan has cake sandwiches too!【Taste test】
Stay at the Nara Juvenile Prison hotel in Japan in 2020
Kyoto sightseeing tour: The most amazing old bathhouses in the city
Every piece of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli anime concept art to be published in new book series
Awesome website allows you to make your own Dragon Ball character, battle other fighters
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Our male reporter cross-dresses for second time, learns more about how hard it is to be a woman
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Sailor Moon character outfits modeled on high-fashion designs【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer