Are you a gamer?
I'm sure you all have played video games. Video games are very popular in Japan, just as they are here in the US.
Know anything about how they came to be? Do you know about the NES? Well, in Japan, it was called the FamiCom, and it marked the beginning of Nintendo's popularity. It had games such as Super Mario Bros. and Metroid. Here's a video of Super Mario Bros from Nintendo's Official Youtube Channel! |
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What types of consoles do you have in your home? A PS4? XboxONE? Just your computer?
Well, in Japan, the most popular ways to play video games are on portable devices, such as phones, the PS Vita, or a Nintendo DS. This is because in Japan, people spend a lot of time travelling to work or school and back. However, remember to wear your headphones or put the sound on Manner Mode (マーナーモード) -- on silent! You don't want to annoy the other passengers or miss a message on the speakers! |
What are some of the most popular series in Japan?
I'm sure you all know about the Mario franchise, as it has a lot of fun games to play, and there are many different kinds. These games range from RPGs (role-playing games), to sports games, to party games, to racing games!
Most of these games are available in the North American and European markets due to their popularity, and to this day is it Nintendo's most famous series. |
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Another series that has been around for a long time is the Legend of Zelda series. These games are popular in Japan as well as around the world due to the fantasy setting and fun gameplay mechanics.
Many children started playing these games on older consoles and continue to play them long after, as they have become classics. As a matter of fact, one of the most popular games in the series has been re-adapted to play on newer consoles. Because of this, the series is ongoing. Here's a video from IGN's official Youtube channel showing the remake of Majora's Mask for the 3DS! |
And, of course, you know about Pokemon!
There a many people who begin playing these games as kids and continue to do so long after due to the games' addictive quality, expansive world, and engaging facts and challenges. Like with the Legend of Zelda series, some of the older Pokemon games are being re-released on newer consoles for another generation to enjoy! |
But what about games meant for "older kids"?
While I could argue that games are for everyone, it's true that some games are targeted at a more mature audience. Some of the more popular series among Japanese teenagers and young adults include...
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...the Monster Hunter franchise!
The Monster Hunter franchise is made up of games that, like Pokemon, encourage collecting and working towards goals that range from easy to extremely difficult but in a way that also encourages co-operative play. Some monsters are very difficult to fight, so a player must work to get better armor alongside their friends so that they can overcome an obstacle together -- and that obstacle might be a boss fight! Here's a trailer for Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate from IGN's official Youtube channel! |
Another popular series that is targeted at an older audience is the Persona franchise.
As with many Japanese RPGs, Persona features a system wherein the player must level up their team in order to face tougher challenges and navigate various dungeons. What sets Persona apart is that it incorporates world mythology and relatable problems into a setting that promotes group harmony, something very important in Japanese culture. Here's a trailer for Persona 5 from IGN's official Youtube channel! |
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Other well-known series from Japan include Kirby, Final Fantasy, Dark Souls, Metal Gear Solid, and Animal Crossing.