In these days of modern video games, people seem to be losing sight of what gaming is all about. In all the glitz and glamour of motion control and Hollywood actors lending their voices and likeness to games, it sometimes feels like we’ve forgotten that games are meant to be incredibly difficult, repetitive tasks performed for an arbitrary and intangible reward system of “points.”
This is incredibly valuable experience to prepare young minds for entering the workforce, but thanks to free-roaming environments and checkpoints-a-plenty, we’ve gone from a generation of Mr. Do!‘s to bunch of Mr. Don’t!‘s.
But this nine-year-old kid, whose art class project based on a classic arcade shooter is shown above, gets it. And mark my words, he will become the future leader of this nation.

Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Almost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
Starbucks Japan’s new sakura drinkware collection captures “beauty and fragility” of the blooms
We try a $10 Japanese grape from a bunch that retails for over $400 【Taste Test】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan’s new sakura drinkware collection captures “beauty and fragility” of the blooms
We try a $10 Japanese grape from a bunch that retails for over $400 【Taste Test】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Top 5 souvenirs to buy at Super Nintendo World, according to staff who work there
A visit to Subnade: Downtown Tokyo’s survivor subterranean shopping center【Photos】
Starbucks teams up with 165-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Snake decorations【Photos】
What exactly is the treat known as a “kougnané” that’s sold outside Tokyo’s Yurakucho Station?
Soaking in glimmering water and the essence of prehistoric plants at a Hokkaido hot spring
We attempt to buy Starbucks Japan’s 60,000 yen lucky beckoning cat
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?