Japanese Niche Games Deals & Discussion Thread 4.0

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shivan128

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Welcome to the Japanese niche games deals and discussion thread!  Feel free to talk about local and import Japanese games here.  Our goal is to maintain a thread dedicated to active deals on niche games including RPGs, Visual Novels (VN), Shoot'em ups (Shmups), Musou, etc.  Also maintained are pre-orders for standard, limited and collector's edition games with key release dates provided.

I've wikified the thread to make it more friendly and open to others that can actively update with important information. You can find the wiki post directly below this one.

NOTE:  Please, leave the censorship discussion away from this thread.  It's common for japanese games to have questionable content outside of the country.  We want to keep discussions to the game itself and not about cultural/societal tolerance.

A message from Thorbahn:

Our CAG Japanese Niche Games Thread also has a community on PS4, where you can interact and game with other members of the thread.

Our moderators are: Draekon, Las_Hole, and Waffleswanton

You can basically friend any of our members, or any moderator, and you will be able to request to join the community under "Communities friends are in" tab, and a mod will approve your request.

You can also leave your PSN ID in the thread, saying you want to join, and we can invite you directly as well.

As always, have fun and enjoy your stay!

 
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scorponok said:
The physical Monster Hunter Stories Collection PS4 is listed at amazon Italy. It says Stories 2 is a code. That makes no sense, why couldn't both games be on the disc?
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Bugs Bunny Money GIF by Looney Tunes
 
VGP has PS4 Monster Hunter Stories for preroder

videogamesplus.ca

Monster Hunter Stories Collection [PEGI IMPORT] - Playstation 4 (PRE-ORDER)

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 14, 2024 BOX ART IS NOT YET CONFIRMED. Monster Hunter Stories 1 is on Disc, Stories 2 is a DLC Voucher. UK/EUROPEAN PSN ACCOUNT REQUIRED TO USE THE INCLUDED DLC CODE FOR MONSTER HUNTER STORIES 2. Monster Hunter Stories Collection: Prepare to embark on an RPG adventure unlike...
videogamesplus.ca videogamesplus.ca

Sucks MHS2 is a DLC code

I am probably still going to get it
 
Sucks so much that 2 games I really wanted (Megaton Musashi and Saga Emerald) are both coming out next week and digital only. I probably will still get Saga Emerald, but that is sad. I'm not 100% sure about Eiyuden Chronicles or Stellar Blade.
 
nitrosmob said:
Sucks so much that 2 games I really wanted (Megaton Musashi and Saga Emerald) are both coming out next week and digital only. I probably will still get Saga Emerald, but that is sad. I'm not 100% sure about Eiyuden Chronicles or Stellar Blade.
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I don't mind them being digital, but the preorder bonus for Saga Emerald is so weak, it doesn't come with anything exclusive. Square Enix tends to give exclusive bonuses occasionally, but I guess not this time. I'm probably in the minority but stuff like that does have the chance to sway me.
 
I had the TV on late last night there there was a commercial that started and wasn't paying attention until I heard, what really sounded like Aerith and it was her on TV... and very next scene was a HUGE spoiler. It was a commercial for some mental health thing/campaign with FF Rebirth.

Kinda pissed as I only just started the game last week and am still in Kalm, and so far have been able to avoid all spoilers until this random ass commercial...:whistle2:/
 
Vinny said:
I had the TV on late last night there there was a commercial that started and wasn't paying attention until I heard, what really sounded like Aerith and it was her on TV... and very next scene was a HUGE spoiler. It was a commercial for some mental health thing/campaign with FF Rebirth.

Kinda pissed as I only just started the game last week and am still in Kalm, and so far have been able to avoid all spoilers until this random ass commercial...:whistle2:/
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Oh, I was in Gamestop a few weeks ago and I think that commercial came on the TV behind the counter. I was looking for something to use my $5 monthly coupon on and heard Aerith's voice, so I looked up and saw the "cease the awkward" or whatever message at the end. I must have just missed the spoiler, thank goodness, since I haven't started Rebirth yet. My husband mentioned that charity did a Guild Wars 2 campaign, as well. To be playing an ad with a huge spoiler on TV and in stores is so wrong, no matter who it'll supposedly "help." Plus, it gives off major "hello fellow kids" vibes. I know you need to reach out where the people you want to help are, but it comes across as pandering. And uh, also, you just spoiled the game they're possibly playing. They're not going to like you very much now.
 
super1upqueen said:
Oh, I was in Gamestop a few weeks ago and I think that commercial came on the TV behind the counter. I was looking for something to use my $5 monthly coupon on and heard Aerith's voice, so I looked up and saw the "cease the awkward" or whatever message at the end. I must have just missed the spoiler, thank goodness, since I haven't started Rebirth yet. My husband mentioned that charity did a Guild Wars 2 campaign, as well. To be playing an ad with a huge spoiler on TV and in stores is so wrong, no matter who it'll supposedly "help." Plus, it gives off major "hello fellow kids" vibes. I know you need to reach out where the people you want to help are, but it comes across as pandering. And uh, also, you just spoiled the game they're possibly playing. They're not going to like you very much now.
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Yep, that's what I was. For those of you that did beat the game already, the spoiler was...

Jessie hugging Cloud, showing she's still alive. Maybe not a HUGE spoiler given Remake showed it's not the same game but, a spoiler non-the-less.

Anyway, I had a bit of free time last night and decided to play Rebirth for an hour... 3 hours later, I made it from Kalm to the swamp before realizing I had played for 3 hours. Graphics mode made a HUGE improvement in the open world from the demo, where it was like 15 fps at times in the Junon area. Even though I normally prefer performance modes, I can't decide with this game between graphics (actually looks better, usually can't tell in most games) vs performance (buttery smooth). And the world itself is insanely detailed and has so much more going on that FFXVI... kind of shocked.
 
super1upqueen said:
Oh, I was in Gamestop a few weeks ago and I think that commercial came on the TV behind the counter. I was looking for something to use my $5 monthly coupon on and heard Aerith's voice, so I looked up and saw the "cease the awkward" or whatever message at the end. I must have just missed the spoiler, thank goodness, since I haven't started Rebirth yet. My husband mentioned that charity did a Guild Wars 2 campaign, as well. To be playing an ad with a huge spoiler on TV and in stores is so wrong, no matter who it'll supposedly "help." Plus, it gives off major "hello fellow kids" vibes. I know you need to reach out where the people you want to help are, but it comes across as pandering. And uh, also, you just spoiled the game they're possibly playing. They're not going to like you very much now.
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I rewatched the ad and didn’t notice a spoiler. But if this is true, and it’s a big or sad spoiler, they could literally be responsible for someone‘s death or harm. With all the google ad data they have on us nowadays, they are blasting spoilers worldwide for a game their target demographic of mentally unwell FF7 fans have been waiting over 25 years for. Ever heard of the FF7 house? This is an at risk demographic.
 
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Kind of a joke, but not entirely. These are ads for everyone, but the primary group they would be directed to and targeting with ad data would be FF7 fans also concerned with mental health issues. If they were blasting spoilers to that demographic, out of millions, there could be some negative mental health impacts, or worse.

Primarily I am pointing out the idiocy of using a mental health campaign to blast spoilers that ad data would direct to the most vulnerable of the targeted fanbase, who have waited possibly a majority of their life for the game. If it were massive spoilers, there could actually be harm caused.
 
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scorponok said:
Granblue Fantasy: Relink PS5 Deluxe $59.99 woot
The Caligula Effect 2 PS5 $34.99 woot
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth PS5 $34.99 woot
Persona 5 Tactica Xbox $24.99 woot
Sword Art Online Last Recollection PS5 $31.99 woot
Persona 5 Royal: 1 More Edition PS5 $49.99 woot
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Not technically Japanese (the devs are from Singapore), but Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons has been dropping, too. $12-$15, depending on platform. That $12 PS4 version is the cheapest I’ve seen it on any platform digitally or physically, though I can’t monitor physical clearance everywhere, obviously.

I also grabbed the 8bitdo Famicom-inspired mechanical keyboard (which recently dropped to $70 on Woot, think it was $80 not too long ago) because I’m a damn sucker for 8bitdo’s stuff.
 
Souffrir said:
Not technically Japanese (the devs are from Singapore), but Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons has been dropping, too. $12-$15, depending on platform. That $12 PS4 version is the cheapest I’ve seen it on any platform digitally or physically, though I can’t monitor physical clearance everywhere, obviously.

I also grabbed the 8bitdo Famicom-inspired mechanical keyboard (which recently dropped to $70 on Woot, think it was $80 not too long ago) because I’m a damn sucker for 8bitdo’s stuff.
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They recently announced DLC for DD Gaiden, so I wonder if a physical edition with the DLC is coming, like Streets of Rage 4 and Shredder's Revenge before it.
 
Vinny said:
Yep, that's what I was. For those of you that did beat the game already, the spoiler was...

Jessie hugging Cloud, showing she's still alive. Maybe not a HUGE spoiler given Remake showed it's not the same game but, a spoiler non-the-less.

Anyway, I had a bit of free time last night and decided to play Rebirth for an hour... 3 hours later, I made it from Kalm to the swamp before realizing I had played for 3 hours. Graphics mode made a HUGE improvement in the open world from the demo, where it was like 15 fps at times in the Junon area. Even though I normally prefer performance modes, I can't decide with this game between graphics (actually looks better, usually can't tell in most games) vs performance (buttery smooth). And the world itself is insanely detailed and has so much more going on that FFXVI... kind of shocked.
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wait, what? that spoiler isn't even true...
 
ritchardf said:
wait, what? that spoiler isn't even true...
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We see Biggs and Wedge as being alive, but no indication that Jessie is alive. Commercial pretty much says she is after the events of Remake.

Or am I missing/misremembering something?
 
You guys, I watched that Seize the Awkward commercial when it first came out shortly before the Rebirth came out. That supposed "spoiler" is a scene from Remake. The commercial uses a mix of scenes from both Remake and Rebirth and there's nothing particularly spoilery about it, unless you consider it showing someone who can accompany you at Gold Saucer (who could even in the OG) a spoiler.
 
eternalblue81 said:
You guys, I watched that Seize the Awkward commercial when it first came out shortly before the Rebirth came out. That supposed "spoiler" is a scene from Remake. The commercial uses a mix of scenes from both Remake and Rebirth and there's nothing particularly spoilery about it, unless you consider it showing someone who can accompany you at Gold Saucer (who could even in the OG) a spoiler.
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Oh... LOL well crap, I thought it was all from Rebirth since it's a Rebirth campaign. My bad then, nothing spoiled.
 
Right, I didn‘t actually see a spoiler in it either, that would just be super villain level evil if there was. If you complete the first part of the Rebirth demo, the “special movie” that plays automatically after, now that is massive spoilers. I exited out after the very first scene that pops up, so I don’t know how much worse it gets. I was relieved when it happened to be the first part of the full game, but it seems like a massive end game spoiler if you see it before actually playing the game. I wonder how many other people immediately noped out of that “special movie.”
 
Grabbed $20 copies of Fire Emblem Engage and Star Ocean Second Story R for switch at a Walmart store on Saturday. I visited four stores just to get out of the house and relive the old days of game hunting since who knows how many more years we even have of games being stocked in stores like this. I was glad to see not all the good deals for games I wanted were cleared out. I didn't bother looking at anything for other systems as switch alone is plenty for me to focus on. I wanted to also find a copy of Nier Automata for switch, as it was reduced to $10 at all stores I visited, but no copies left on the shelf. :( Still, I'm pretty happy with what I got. Star Ocean Second was the last copy between all the stores i visited. Felt like hitting the jackpot considering I was nearly a week late to all these price drops. I had been contemplating FE Engage since it was $40 at most stores, but it wasn't even a second thought to get a copy for $20.
 
nightc1 said:
Grabbed $20 copies of Fire Emblem Engage and Star Ocean Second Story R for switch at a Walmart store on Saturday. I visited four stores just to get out of the house and relive the old days of game hunting since who knows how many more years we even have of games being stocked in stores like this. I was glad to see not all the good deals for games I wanted were cleared out. I didn't bother looking at anything for other systems as switch alone is plenty for me to focus on. I wanted to also find a copy of Nier Automata for switch, as it was reduced to $10 at all stores I visited, but no copies left on the shelf. :( Still, I'm pretty happy with what I got. Star Ocean Second was the last copy between all the stores i visited. Felt like hitting the jackpot considering I was nearly a week late to all these price drops. I had been contemplating FE Engage since it was $40 at most stores, but it wasn't even a second thought to get a copy for $20.
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Dunno what it's like for you guys but around me, store game sections are barren... there's basically 2 rows dedicated to all gaming software, and 1/2 of that is filled with headphones or controllers, and some accessories. Actual game space is mostly empty slots outside of some of the most common/major releases.
 
The XBox stuff, we already knew that was getting dialed back if not eliminated at walmart. So far the PS & Nintendo stuff is hanging on here, though the shelves are thinning some. It has been stated elsewhere that Walmart will eventually be cutting all console games from stores. Once Walmart is out, that'll just mean I buy all my games online as long as there are physical games... as I can't see Gamestop winning my confidence back and locally there is nothing else that would have new releases. Though to be fair, looking at all of my purchases for the last few years ... I had to dig back to 2021 to find where I bought a physical game in an actual store. So, maybe this isn't as big a deal as I want it to be... though I did love to go on a game hunt. Getting out and visiting a lot of different stores in a couple county radius was pretty fun since living in a more rural part of the country meant a lot less competition for the kind of games I enjoyed. Of course times have changed some, but still, not enough that I was blocked from finding a good deal this time around.
 
I'm loving Star Ocean 6. I'm 70% through the story so far. Everything from the graphics, music, characters, battle system & traversal are great. SO6 & SO2R are neck and neck as my favorite. Will chime back in after I finish.
 
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1782539739469697271

How's everyone feeling about this one? I watched the stream today and while I think it looks absolutely beautiful, I'm a little apprehensive about the emphasis on the possible time limit. I know it's essentially fantasy Persona, but I was hoping it wouldn't have a lot of its "pass the time" mechanics. And, traveling taking in-game days reminds me a lot of the earlier Atelier games and their strict time limits. Also, the story seems like it'll be a bit cliched but also batshit at the same time. However, I'm really digging the Xenoblade-style world/exploration, the battle system, the music, and the art design. Will definitely get it at launch.

Also, pre-orders for the standard and $150 collector's edition are live on Gamestop: https://www.gamestop.com/search/?q=metaphor&lang=default&start=0&sz=20

metaphor-refantazio-release-date-collectors-edition-revealed-01.png

$150 is a little much, considering the 35th anniversary art book and OST are digital only. I wish this game had a launch edition steelbook like SMTV/Vengeance had. So, I'll have to really consider which version to get.
 
Even though it is heavily inspired by Persona, Metaphor will be the first original RPG I will play in like 2 years. Very excited.
 
super1upqueen said:
Also, the story seems like it'll be a bit cliched but also batshit at the same time. However, I'm really digging the Xenoblade-style world/exploration, the battle system, the music, and the art design. Will definitely get it at launch.
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That looks like something Kenji Eno (Dreamcast - D2, Warp) would have come up with if he were still alive as a continuation of the D series. I was a big fan of that guys work and I'm not even into horror.
 
ICYMI: ININ is having a Spring sale on Amazon and a ton of Japanese game are included:

Taito Egret II Mini - Limited Blue Edition - Mini Arcade Machine 159.99

Taito EGRET Ⅱ Mini - Paddle and Trackball Game Expansion Set 99.99

Taito EGRET Ⅱ Mini - Control Panel 79.99

Taito EGRET Ⅱ mini - Control Pad 29.99

Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey Collector’s Edition - [PEGI] (PlayStation 5) 49.99

Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey Collector’s Edition - [PEGI] (PlayStation 4) 49.99

Cotton Fantasy Collector's Edition - [PEGI] (PlayStation 4) 89.99

Cotton Fantasy Collector's Edition - [PEGI] (Nintendo Switch) 89.99

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World Collector's Edition - [PEGI] (PlayStation 4) 59.99

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World Collector's Edition - [PEGI] (Nintendo Switch) 59.99

Taito Milestones Collector's Edition - Nintendo Switch - [PEGI] - LIMITED 79.99

ConnecTank Limited Edition - Nintendo Switch 19.99

ConnecTank Noble Limited Edition - Nintendo Switch 39.99

Wonder Boy - Asha in Monster World - Nintendo Switch 19.99

Wonder Boy - Asha In Monster World - PlayStation 4 Edition 19.99

Dariusburst: Another Chronicle Ex+ - Nintendo Switch 19.99

Dariusburst: Another Chronicle Ex+ - PlayStation 4 19.99

Cotton Reboot! - Nintendo Switch 19.99

Cotton Reboot! - PlayStation 4 19.99

80 Days & Overboard! Nintendo Switch 19.99

Cotton Fantasy - PlayStation 4 19.99

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef -- PlayStation 4 14.99

Jitsu Squad - PlayStation 5 14.99

Jitsu Squad - Nintendo Switch 17.99

Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! -- Nintendo Switch 29.99

Ninja JaJaMaru: The Great Yokai Battle +Hell – Deluxe Edition - PlayStation 4 14.99

Ninja JaJaMaru: The Great Yokai Battle +Hell – Deluxe Edition - Nintendo Switch 17.99

RayStorm X RayCrisis HD Collection -- Nintendo Switch 29.99

Taito Milestones 2 -- Nintendo Switch 29.99

Bud Spencer & Terence Hill - Slaps and Beans 2 -- Nintendo Switch 24.99

Wonder Boy Collection - Nintendo Switch 19.99

Space Invaders Forever Special Edition -- Nintendo Switch 27.99

Root Double -Before Crime After Days- Xtend Edition - Nintendo Switch 21.99

Star Renegades - Nintendo Switch 17.99

Star Renegades - PlayStation 4 14.99

Boulder Dash Ultimate Collection - Nintendo Switch 17.99

Space Invaders Forever - PlayStation 4 14.99
 
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scorponok said:
playasia
.hack//G.U. Last Recode Switch Japanese $23.99
Moero Crystal H Switch $25.99
Detective Pikachu Returns Switch Japanese $19.98
Sentimental Death Loop Switch $30.99
Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle Switch USA $10.99
Super Robot Wars 30 Switch Japanese $23.99
Cosmo Dreamer & Like Dreamer: Double-D Collection Switch $22.99
Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story Switch $16.98

There is a bunch of other stuff on sale.
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Some good finds, mind posting any of the others that you thought stood out? Or how do you browse by sale items, I can’t figure that out, other than going through everything.
 
Xenogears said:
Some good finds, mind posting any of the others that you thought stood out? Or how do you browse by sale items, I can’t figure that out, other than going through everything.
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I was just looking around the site and noticed some games were discounted. A lot of their play exclusive games are on sale. They have 1 copy of Dark Rose Valkyrie PS4 USA for $11.99. I guess the fastest way to search is to go to the console of your choice and search cheapest, but that's still a lot to go through.
 
A bit tired of those generic looking roguelikes. Interesting on the rating but my excitement is pretty low for that one. I'll still likely end up buying it since I like roguelikes.
 
Indiegala often has adult 18+ bundles generally with alright looking visual novels and RPGMaker games. I generally don't post them as they're DRM free and I don't know many that get excited about RPGMaker games/some smaller visual novels. Their current bundle includes The Alchemist of Ars Magna which is a Ninetail game and their RPGs are not just RPGMaker fare. I've played quite a few hours of this one and recommend it enough although the price for the bundle is now $8.49.

Waifu Atelier Bundle (NSFW 18+)

The Alchemist of Ars Magna
Atelier Agnes
HAITENAI RPG
Reincarnated in the Demon World!
Welcome to Albion!
Re: Collector
Selobus Fantasy
 
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Finally finished the Star Ocean series after starting from the first game 7 months ago. The Divine Force was really good. Hopefully the series keeps improving on that games foundation. Very solid series overall and I look forward to what comes in the future. I had fun with all of the games, but I'll list them in order of best to least liked.

1. Star Ocean: The Second Story R (Great overall in all categories)
2. Star Ocean: The Divine Force (Best graphics & gameplay)
3. Star Ocean: First Departure R (Great story, world & characters)
4. Star Ocean: The Last Hope (Great battle system. All characters were fun to play as)
5. Star Ocean: Integrity & Faithlessness ( 7 party battles were great, I liked the shorter length, Emmerson was a great character)
6. Star Ocean: Till The End of Time ( Great story, plot twist & battle system. Needs a remake with QOL fixes badly)

Going to play Stellar Blade since it releases today, but clearing the backlog has been fun. Ys 9 is next.
 
Xenogears said:
Some good finds, mind posting any of the others that you thought stood out? Or how do you browse by sale items, I can’t figure that out, other than going through everything.
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I am struggling to search through everything as well but I want to find more games. This included the new paper Mario game coming out in May.
 
A precaution for Play-Asia if including pre-orders in orders for those who don't know is that pre-orders will only ship once EVERY item is in stock, so it's good to put pre-order stuff that's coming out around the same month timespan or so. There is a chance things will sell out waiting for the pre-orders, so it's a risk. I still pre-order all the time and just try to keep it around the same month span or so. I'm thinking of getting the 3 for $100 especially since some newer games are included and decently priced. Also since I know this will interest people on this thread, they have a 5 for $100 dollars for plushies and 3 for $60 for apparel as well. This is all valid until May 6th.
 
I went through all 31 pages of Switch games in that PA sale... walking away with nothing. I think my current strategy for buying games is working out pretty well, even though today I just crossed the $400 line (for the year) by a couple dollars after re-upping my Switch Online Family plan for another year.
 
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