Silly question

[hudson]

I was thinking about how lots of western gamers (myself included) can become obsessed with Japanese games and game art, etc. Then I wondered are there Japanese gamers obsessed about western games?

My guess is, there will be some who will grab some of the great games from the west, but what about a Japanese gamer who is obsessed with the west and collects lesser known titles or some of them rare obscure western titles produced by Phoenix and Midas? oooh the exotic cover art

Does this type of gamer exist in Japan or am I being a wally?

[MarioMark]

I dunno, I always get the impression Japanese gamers are a bit biased when it comes to anything made outside of Japan. As in if it's not made in Japan they're not interested?

You just have to look at the 360 sales for example. Great machine but they won't buy it.

I can't think of a British made game that sold well in Japan. How did DKC do back in the day?

[peeveen]

Halo3 topped the charts in Japan on release week, I believe.

[MarioMark]

Halo3 topped the charts in Japan on release week, I believe.

Yeah, which proves they have some interest in games made outside of Japan. But for such a quality game, it doesn't match up to sales of other Japanese made games that stay in the top 10 for weeks after release.

Then again look at our charts; a quality title like Ace Combat 6 which is probably one of the better 360 games of 2007 sold very poor in Europe.

[ItsThere]

GTA also does ok over there but doesn't shift anywhere near the Western figures.

[Profit]

It's not uncommon for Japanese game shops to have a "foreign" section. The customer preference to games in japan can be compaired to the DVD/music market we have in the UK/US.

Also, the Japanese console games industry is mainly founded on a domestic history, whereas in the west, it's current popularity stems from an import industry.

[JazzFunk]

I don't think it was a silly question at all, I've been wondering this for a loooong time myself.

Surely, there must be some FPS-gaming cult in Japan??? In all probability, there must be at least one Japanese gamer who has a hard-on for Phoenix titles, or at least has a complete collection of PAL Play It PS2 titles??????

[Mr_Pie]

Funnily enough I was wondering about this the other day!

[hudson]

I don't think it was a silly question at all, I've been wondering this for a loooong time myself.

Surely, there must be some FPS-gaming cult in Japan??? In all probability, there must be at least one Japanese gamer who has a hard-on for Phoenix titles, or at least has a complete collection of PAL Play It PS2 titles??????

Yes. This is what I'd like to know

I wonder if there's a forum like this one for Japanese PAL/US NTSC importers (PAL-jpn.com) where someone is bragging about their EA Sports or Midas collection?

[Profit]

Regarding cult titles, there's usually no difference within and outside the host country.

Just as only a small percent of UK gamers can name PLAY IT titles, only a small proportaion of Japanese gamers can name CAVE titles.

[MarioMark]

I wonder if there's a forum like this one for Japanese PAL/US NTSC importers (PAL-jpn.com) where someone is bragging about their EA Sports or Midas collection?

I just typed PAL-jpn.com in google and clicked "i'm feeling lucky" and the site was quite disturbing.

I was hoping to meet the Japanese version of you hoolak but I guess I'll stick with you instead.

[Johnny]

I remember reading somewhere online about a shop in Akihabara which stocks only US consoles and games, but can't for the life of me remember where I read it or what it's called.

[Miguel007]

Interesting question - I'm sure I read somewhere that Resident Evil games has the voice acting in English because that is perceived as 'being cool' in Japan, so who really knows.

Would someone like Yakumo or one of the guys in Japan be able to answer better?

[kryss]

It's not uncommon for Japanese game shops to have a "foreign" section.

I have NEVER found that in a shop in Japan. Not for games RELEASED in Japan anyway. Movies, music - yes. And I have been through EVERY game shop on the eastern side of the Yamanote line, every one I could find in Shinjuku, Nakano, Northwest Chiba, southern Ibaraki and Sapporo.

You get my point.

If it is an imported game, yes, it's in a different section, although usually import shops don't sell games released in Japan.

There is no segregation between Japanese and other games. Different people like different games. Boxless copies of Goldeneye and Perfect Dark still fetch 3500yen each.
There probably IS a section on 2chan where people discuss Halflife, etc. but most people can't get past the language.

http://www.2chan.net/

click ゲーム for the game channel...COD4!

http://jun.2chan.net/31/src/1199179174191.png

is some interesting figures.

That shop would either be Games Hollywood or Messe Sanoh, both are almost next door to each other, although GH is on the 4th floor (5th), MS is on the ground floor (1st).

[J0e Musashi]

Interesting question - I'm sure I read somewhere that Resident Evil games has the voice acting in English because that is perceived as 'being cool' in Japan, so who really knows.

Would someone like Yakumo or one of the guys in Japan be able to answer better?

Biohazard has English audio yers. In the first game Chris wears a USAF/USN-style flying jacket too. I've been told by my Japanese friend Hitoshi, that "Americana" is cool in Japan.