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.



















Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Starbucks Japan now offers close-to-closing discounted items through its mobile order app
Upcoming themed cafe answers the question “What if Hokusai had opened an eatery?”
Kyoto’s pinkest, cutest new restaurant is the start of a new life for retired train cars
What’s in a Family Mart lucky bag?
Fanta Socata!? Now available exclusively from Japanese vending machines
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
KFC Japan introduces a new burger 8 years in the making
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan now offers close-to-closing discounted items through its mobile order app
Upcoming themed cafe answers the question “What if Hokusai had opened an eatery?”
Kyoto’s pinkest, cutest new restaurant is the start of a new life for retired train cars
What’s in a Family Mart lucky bag?
Fanta Socata!? Now available exclusively from Japanese vending machines
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
I had no idea you could win crane game prizes in Japan the way my friend won this Dragon Quest Slime
Brainfu*ker masturbatory aid going on sale in Japan, and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like
Final Fantasy IX gets its own pop-up store in Osaka and Tokyo for 25th anniversary
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Starbucks opens outside Imperial Palace with a Frappuccino you can’t get anywhere else in Japan