Japanese Niche Games Deals & Discussion Thread 4.0

[shivan128]

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!

 

[scorponok]

ANONYMOUS;CODE Steelbook Launch Edition PS4/Switch $39.99 gamestop

 

[Vinny]

ANONYMOUS;CODE Steelbook Launch Edition PS4/Switch $39.99 gamestop

Not a single ing store with 100 miles has a copy of either but I can get it shipped for $12.

Or I can waste ~40 minutes getting ready, going to and coming back from the nearest store just so I can ordered and have it shipped for free to my home.

ing ridiculous.

 

[Pheria]

Not a single ing store with 100 miles has a copy of either but I can get it shipped for $12.

Or I can waste ~40 minutes getting ready, going to and coming back from the nearest store just so I can ordered and have it shipped for free to my home.

ing ridiculous.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1736533934865797631

According to the CAG Twitter Amazon matched it.
It's acting strangely for me though. If I'm signed in to my account, it says $59.99, but if I sign out or do a private/incognito window it shows $39.99
Gee, thanks Amazon

EDIT: (It's showing $39.99 on both now, a few minutes later)

 

[gospelman]

Yikes, I haven't been paying attention very well because I didn't know Anonymous;Code had already been released. Is there any reason to think this won't drop quickly to $20-25 like the Chaos double pack? Apparently there is a fan made patch coming for this title as well, but there aren't major issues across the board with the official localization this time.

 

[scorponok]

ANONYMOUS;CODE Switch is also $39.99 at bestbuy. I am going to wait for it to go lower. I have never had a hard time getting Spike Chunsoft games cheap.

 

[nitrosmob]

Spike Chunsoft released games generally get around the $20-30 mark eventually. It's a really nice steelbook and package, but if you're not playing right away it's likely not worth it.

 

[TheKbob]

Spike Chunsoft released games generally get around the $20-30 mark eventually. It's a really nice steelbook and package, but if you're not playing right away it's likely not worth it.

Another brief window where we don't have to scamper to buy JRPGs is nice.

I imagine it won't last... Or maybe it will? I bet the overlap of genres with game collectors shows a strong overlap in JRPG types.

 

[Nothing-]

Am I missing something? Why are people going nuts for this game at $39.99? All these Christmas sales and this is the thing to buy??

What am I missing? I see that it's some above average VN and from the Steins;Gate people but it barely has any reviews. Seems like a similar thing to Chos;Head Noah (steelbook edition).

 

[Pheria]

Am I missing something? Why are people going nuts for this game at $39.99? All these Christmas sales and this is the thing to buy??

What am I missing? I see that it's some above average VN and from the Steins;Gate people but it barely has any reviews. Seems like a similar thing to Chos;Head Noah (steelbook edition).

I think it's the first discount outside of digital preorder discount on a fairly recent release is all (September 2023). I do suspect it'll be lower and not difficult to find later.

 

[scorponok]

Asia physical games sale at playasia

 

[Vinny]

Free DLC costume for Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth if you sign up for the newsletter.

Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth Newsletter Sign Up

 

[scorponok]

Assault Suits Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute coming out physically in Japan for PS5 and Switch on April 25.

 

[scorponok]

EG The Best version of Umineko When They Cry Saku: Nekobako to Musou no Koukyoukyoku is coming out for the Switch on March 28, doesn't look like the PS4 version is getting a Best edition. According to amiami it still includes the download code for the 2D fighting game Ougon musou kyoku CROSS.

 

[62t]

EG The Best version of Umineko When They Cry Saku: Nekobako to Musou no Koukyoukyoku is coming out for the Switch on March 28, doesn't look like the PS4 version is getting a Best edition. According to amiami it still includes the download code for the 2D fighting game Ougon musou kyoku CROSS.

This is only in Japanese, there is English patch on a modded system

 

[nugjarjarbinks]

VGP has Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection at $99.99 CAD.

 

[nightc1]

VGP has Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection at $99.99 CAD.

That comes to $75.38 (according to google conversion to USD) and automatically qualifies for free shipping. So a decent deal compared to $79.99 at PlayAsia with the free shipping threshold at $99.99 so you either need to buy more stuff or eat the shipping.

 

[Vinny]

VGP has Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection at $99.99 CAD.

Sucks there was no Asian PS4 release. PS4 copies are selling for nearly $1,000... amazing to me that SE isn't publishing more nor someone like VGP isn't trying to reprint it.

 

[nugjarjarbinks]

Assault Suits Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute coming out physically in Japan for PS5 and Switch on April 25.

City Connection isn't giving up on their Saturn emulation platform.

 

[guy3467]

Sucks there was no Asian PS4 release. PS4 copies are selling for nearly $1,000... amazing to me that SE isn't publishing more nor someone like VGP isn't trying to reprint it.

I still hold out hope that someone willl rerelease the Ps4 version of Final fantasy pixels, I'll even welcome a LRG version if that's what it takes to get a copy. I just don't think SquareEnix cares about physical releases at this point. They only released the Ps4 version on there website around one in the morning with almost no fanfare. By the time I found out about them, they were sold out & selling for ridiculous prices on ebay.

 

[Twilightsparkle]

Sucks there was no Asian PS4 release. PS4 copies are selling for nearly $1,000... amazing to me that SE isn't publishing more nor someone like VGP isn't trying to reprint it.

I’m sure VGP reached out, but they don’t have a relationship with SquareEnix. None of the reprints they have done are SquareEnix titles.

 

[shadowysea07]

YOUR TOP 5 GAMES
Here are your big hitters of 2023.

1 The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero
87 Hours Spent
31 Trophies Earned

40% Playtime Ratio
2Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen
67 43
31%
3
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
48
18
22%
4
Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight
4 9
1%
5
Minute Of Islands
YOUR GAMING STYLE
ROLE PLAYER
You spent 68% of your game time levelling up, completing fetch quests, and saving the world once again!
THIS YEAR YOU PLAYED
213 HOURS
Hey, that's a lot of great gaming!
You spent 100% of game time playing 6 games on your PlayStation 4
OBJECTION!
I also played atelier meruru on my ps3 and hyper devotion noire on my vita tv.
IN 2023 YOU EARNED
109 TROPHIES
0 Platinum
6 Gold
24 Silver
79 Bronze
Your trophy level increased 7 levels.
217-224
YOUR SOCIAL STYLE
LONE WOLF
Sometimes all you need is a single player game and some good snacks
ghost wolf ghost wolf ghost wolf

 

[62t]

I’m sure VGP reached out, but they don’t have a relationship with SquareEnix. None of the reprints they have done are SquareEnix titles.

I think they got the reprint for Drakengard 3 and Nier PS3

 

[Vinny]

Did anyone preorder Erased His Name from VGP get their copy shipped? I searched for a release date and found a video back from Dec 4 saying they received their copies but still have not gotten a shipping update.

1.5K views · 66 reactions | Great News! It's arrived! English cover units of Like a Dragon Gaiden The Man Who Erased His Name for the #PS5 are now in stock! Pre-orders now... | By VGP Video Games Plus | Facebook

Great News! It's arrived! English cover units of Like a Dragon Gaiden The Man Who Erased His Name for the #PS5 are now in stock! Pre-orders now...

www.facebook.com

EDIT* Oh wait, I'm an idiot. I also had a copy of Apollo Justice Trilogy with that order.

 

[gpn]

Did anyone preorder Erased His Name from VGP get their copy shipped? I searched for a release date and found a video back from Dec 4 saying they received their copies but still have not gotten a shipping update.

1.5K views · 66 reactions | Great News! It's arrived! English cover units of Like a Dragon Gaiden The Man Who Erased His Name for the #PS5 are now in stock! Pre-orders now... | By VGP Video Games Plus | Facebook

Great News! It's arrived! English cover units of Like a Dragon Gaiden The Man Who Erased His Name for the #PS5 are now in stock! Pre-orders now...

www.facebook.com

I got a shipping notice yesterday for the PS4 copy I ordered.

 

[shadowysea07]

I think they got the reprint for Drakengard 3 and Nier PS3

I think they had multiple ps3 se titles that had reprints at the time as I feel like there were 5 games. Granted they may have just been other companies ips.

Mercari has a 10$ off any purchase coupon. I used mine on jade cocoon 2 after waffling over that, cocoon 1 and opoona. It helps that jade cocoon 2 was complete at 26$ while the other games were disc only at 14 (opoona) and 28 (jade cocoon 1). I was super close to buying a near complete lunar 1 set until I read it was missing disc 1. Which obviously makes it useless I'd assume. Granted I don't know how much effort it'd take to get a working copy of disc 1 by itself.

 

[kevers7290]

I think they had multiple ps3 se titles that had reprints at the time as I feel like there were 5 games. Granted they may have just been other companies ips.

Mercari has a 10$ off any purchase coupon. I used mine on jade cocoon 2 after waffling over that, cocoon 1 and opoona. It helps that jade cocoon 2 was complete at 26$ while the other games were disc only at 14 (opoona) and 28 (jade cocoon 1). I was super close to buying a near complete lunar 1 set until I read it was missing disc 1. Which obviously makes it useless I'd assume. Granted I don't know how much effort it'd take to get a working copy of disc 1 by itself.

How are you getting $10 off "any purchase" at Mercari?

 

[Pheria]

How are you getting $10 off "any purchase" at Mercari?

Sometimes they send them out to people that have been selling there, I believe. If it isn't a universal coupon, that could be a factor.

 

[shadowysea07]

Sometimes they send them out to people that have been selling there, I believe. If it isn't a universal coupon, that could be a factor.

Ah I wasn't aware that it may be targeted or something. Whenever they have coupons I've always gotten them on there. I do sell stuff via there though.

They sent me notifications on my phone and an email about the promotion. 10$ off any order of 10$ or more just pay whatever the taxes and shipping fees are.

 

[spoderman]

Sometimes they send them out to people that have been selling there, I believe. If it isn't a universal coupon, that could be a factor.

It's just random. I've never sold anything and got a $20 off coupon that worked on anything about a month ago

 

[Pheria]

It's just random. I've never sold anything and got a $20 off coupon that worked on anything about a month ago

Ah, okay. Thanks for clarifying. You're a great asset to this neighborhood, friendly spoderman.

 

[blueweltall]

There are tons of good RPG games releasing in 2024. I think with the new releases and my current RPG backlog, I can probably just focus on playing nothing but RPG games for 2024.

 

[shadowysea07]

With my backlog I can play only them for the next 20 or so years. More with trails games being a 3 month playthrough.

 

[shadowysea07]

some stuff on vgpca

THE LEGEND OF NAYUTA BOUNDLESS TRAILS - PS4 $30.28
THE LEGEND OF NAYUTA BOUNDLESS TRAILS - SWITCH $34.06
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! [PREMIUM PHYSICAL EDITION] - PS4 $11.35
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! [PREMIUM PHYSICAL EDITION] - SWITCH $22.70
Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk - PS3 $22.70
Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea - PS3 $22.70
Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland - PS3 $22.70
Atelier Escha and Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky - PS3 $22.70
Valkyrie Elysium - PS4 $15.13
Valkyrie Elysium - PS5 $18.92
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster [ASIAN ENGLISH IMPORT] - SWITCH $45.41

 

[Vinny]

You guys think there's any chance that Baten Kaitos comes to the PS4 or 5?

 

[62t]

You guys think there's any chance that Baten Kaitos comes to the PS4 or 5?

It is possible when they port it to PC. But if we dont hear anything in a year then the answer is no.

 

[Souffrir]

So I pre-ordered this Persona 3 Elizabeth figure at roughly $115 before tax and shipping. My usual cutoff for figures is around $75 (which is why I haven’t bought any really high quality figs in years), and I’m trying to convince myself not to cancel the pre-order. Someone validate my spending.

 

[gospelman]

Looks good. I like the detail of the cards matching s.link arcana that are in P3. I only own a few figures limited to my very favorite games to keep that spending & clutter in check. But if Elizabeth fits that bill for you I say enjoy. I would be more interested in a Marie personally.

Conversion rates were actually pretty favorable when I imported my Renne Bright figure earlier this year.

 

[nightc1]

Someone validate my spending.

FIrst, that's a pretty nice looking figure. I'm assuming at this price point it's one of your favorite characters ever for one of your all time favorite games.

What are your plans for the figure? If it's just to put it in a closet, keep it in it's box, or it's going on a shelf with a couple dozen other characters to be hidden and rarely seen... maybe question the purchase. If your finances have to be shifted to afford it, that would be enough to opt to drop it. But if you have a place in mind to put it on display... it's not going to be hidden in a large group and will bring you a lot of joy to look at and talk about it... then, I don't see the issue in riding it out.

 

[Tothoro]

You guys think there's any chance that Baten Kaitos comes to the PS4 or 5?

A lot of niche stuff like this has turned out to be timed Switch exclusive. Panzer Dragoon Remake, No More Heroes 3, a bunch of Shmups. I don't like playing on Switch so I always just wait - the only times I've been disappointed so far are the recent NMH2 port, Octopath 1, and Deadly Premonition 2 (and I'm still holding out hope for those). Whether it's because of resource constraints for porting or some kind of exclusivity agreement isn't clear or public but it is definitely a trend.

Plus, I have so many games in my backlog at this point that I don't really mind waiting. If it never comes it's sad but it is what it is.

 

[Vinny]

A lot of niche stuff like this has turned out to be timed Switch exclusive. Panzer Dragoon Remake, No More Heroes 3, a bunch of Shmups. I don't like playing on Switch so I always just wait - the only times I've been disappointed so far are the recent NMH2 port, Octopath 1, and Deadly Premonition 2 (and I'm still holding out hope for those). Whether it's because of resource constraints for porting or some kind of exclusivity agreement isn't clear or public but it is definitely a trend.

Plus, I have so many games in my backlog at this point that I don't really mind waiting. If it never comes it's sad but it is what it is.

Good point... I think Grandia remake was another one.

 

[Daytonabot]

A lot of niche stuff like this has turned out to be timed Switch exclusive. Panzer Dragoon Remake, No More Heroes 3, a bunch of Shmups. I don't like playing on Switch so I always just wait - the only times I've been disappointed so far are the recent NMH2 port, Octopath 1, and Deadly Premonition 2 (and I'm still holding out hope for those). Whether it's because of resource constraints for porting or some kind of exclusivity agreement isn't clear or public but it is definitely a trend.

You're doing it wrong:

Save 50% on No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle on Steam

Continue the fight in the HD remaster of the second entry in everyone's favorite assassin action series! After falling down the ranks of the United Assassins Association, Travis Touchdown whips out his beam katana to reclaim his rightful spot at the top.

store.steampowered.com

Save 60% on OCTOPATH TRAVELER™ on Steam

Eight travelers. Eight adventures. Eight roles to play. Embark on an epic journey across the vast and wondrous world of Orsterra and discover the captivating stories of each of the eight travelers.

store.steampowered.com

Save 90% on Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise on Steam

Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise is an open-world survival horror video game serving as both a sequel and prequel to the original Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Tothoro]

You're doing it wrong:

Save 50% on No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle on Steam

Continue the fight in the HD remaster of the second entry in everyone's favorite assassin action series! After falling down the ranks of the United Assassins Association, Travis Touchdown whips out his beam katana to reclaim his rightful spot at the top.

store.steampowered.com

Save 60% on OCTOPATH TRAVELER™ on Steam

Eight travelers. Eight adventures. Eight roles to play. Embark on an epic journey across the vast and wondrous world of Orsterra and discover the captivating stories of each of the eight travelers.

store.steampowered.com

Save 90% on Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise on Steam

Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise is an open-world survival horror video game serving as both a sequel and prequel to the original Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut.

store.steampowered.com

Haha, much respect for the PC space but it's not for me. My laptop is a potato, and I can't bring myself to sit back down in front of a computer after doing it all day for my job.

 

[Vinny]

Haha, much respect for the PC space but it's not for me. My laptop is a potato, and I can't bring myself to sit back down in front of a computer after doing it all day for my job.

Hear that... my gaming laptop is more capable than the PS5 but even then, I've found myself usually going for PS5 versions of games. That and, I hate digital.

 

[nightc1]

I was pretty huge into PC gaming in the 90's and early 00's and have a decently large Steam library as well a couple dozen games on GOG... but I also work at a pc all day as well as manage servers and on occasion provide support for others at work. So even with a decent pc at home, I just can't bring myself to spend more time at a desk (at least right now) and don't want to connect a pc to a tv and use a controller. So Switch gets my main attention though I dip back into other systems as an urge hits.

 

[gospelman]

It's a pretty antiquated association that to play a pc game you need to sit at a desk or in front of a monitor. A decent pc can be used as console (even handheld now) that's superior in every way except physical media. After a hard day of work, I enjoy playing an arpg at 120fps on a tv.

 

[shadowysea07]

It's a pretty antiquated association that to play a pc game you need to sit at a desk or in front of a monitor. A decent pc can be used as console (even handheld now) that's superior in every way except physical media. After a hard day of work, I enjoy playing an arpg at 120fps on a tv.

Except physical media like you mentioned and consoles don't have the issues pc games have to get them to run properly/requires fussing with settings for optimization normally. Also having to apply patches and such manually.

Additionally no Denuvo sp? Outside of supposedly Nintendo adding it in scuttlebutt a couple months ago.

 

[Vinny]

It's a pretty antiquated association that to play a pc game you need to sit at a desk or in front of a monitor. A decent pc can be used as console (even handheld now) that's superior in every way except physical media. After a hard day of work, I enjoy playing an arpg at 120fps on a tv.

Very true. My Samsung TV supports the Steam app and I can stream games directly on my TV from my laptop and it works well. Before this, I had SteamLink (fine for lower settings) and even had a long ass HDMI cable (easily the best quality, outside of the unsightly HDMI cable.

But shadowysea07's points are what still prevents me from more PC gaming.

Except physical media like you mentioned and consoles don't have the issues pc games have to get them to run properly/requires fussing with settings for optimization normally. Also having to apply patches and such manually.

Additionally no Denuvo sp? Outside of supposedly Nintendo adding it in scuttlebutt a couple months ago.

PC gaming benefit is that it's library is unsurpassed and mod support. I loved having the mod to remove building limits in Fallout 4. Or the mod to add widescreen support to super old games. The offset to that is how sometimes games just don't work. Like the latest version of Tomb Raider (2013) doesn't work with my laptop, I have to downgrade to an older version. Or how Witcher 2 crashed regularly for me on max settings at 1440p, even though I got a fairly decent laptop (6800H, 3070ti).

But ultimately yeah, these days I just want to turn on something and play a game these days. I'm almost 40, I don't have time to tinker with settings, look up forum posts, etc. anymore...

 

[62t]

Just finished Crisis Core, only took 15 hours so it is prefect to help get ready for Rebirth.

 

[nightc1]

There's a lot of cheap digital games on pc. No shame towards those that go that route and pay the big bucks for a really great videocard and overall setup to run things well.

It's a pretty antiquated association that to play a pc game you need to sit at a desk or in front of a monitor. A decent pc can be used as console (even handheld now) that's superior in every way except physical media. After a hard day of work, I enjoy playing an arpg at 120fps on a tv.

If I'm playing on PC I tend to lean towards point and click adventure games, first person shooters, puzzle games, and a few specific series like GTA that I prefer to play on PC with a keyboard and mouse... which for me just works better at a good desk setup with a comfortable chair. I also like a lot of Nintendo published games and that games (at least most of what I buy) mostly play off the cartridge so there's little delay between buying a game and playing it and no concern over storage space. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, for instance, I played completely off the cart over this past week. Sure I can't mod it, but I don't really care at all about modding things. I just want to play a game with as little hassle as possible.

 

[shadowysea07]

The prohibitive cost of pc gaming would be the other large hurdle I have no interest in jumping over. If I can run something off my laptop then I'll play it. But like for example I couldn't get the control to function properly in yakuza 0 so that coupled with I just not feeling the combat at the time led to a quick drop.

That isn't to say consoles are immune to that problem though. As I tried playing God eater 1 on something and the switch weaponry button wasn't working properly.