You Should Buy These Games on the Japanese PSN Store

I recently bought a PS3 that is fully backwards compatible. The unfortunate part is that while I can play my collection of US games just fine, my import PSX library will remain neglected since the games are not region-free. While researching for alternative methods of playing imports I found that anyone can access the Japanese Playstation Network on the PS3. After setting up a foreign account via a Youtube tutorial, I found myself in the shopping wonderland that is the Japan's PSN Store. I browsed hundreds of Japanese imports but I lacked the ability to add funds to my account since American credit cards cannot be used.

In order to make purchases, foreigners need to purchase Japanese PSN point cards or simply the codes from an online retailer. While the usual spots sell them (NCSX, Play-Asia) the cheapest seller I found was Japan-Codes.com. After purchasing some points, I browsed the game lists and found many awesome games that I encourage you to download. Remember, any games downloaded are region-free.

Highly Recommended Games:

LSD the Dream Simulator (600 yen)
Dodonpachi (600 yen)
Harmful Park (600 yen)
Cotton 100% (300 yen)
Rival Schools (600 yen)

Other Great Values:
Gouketsuji Ichizoku 2: Chotto Dake Saikyou Densetsu (600 yen)
Gunner's Heaven (600 yen)
Tenchi wo Kurau 2 (600 yen)
Panzer Bandit (600 yen)
Wolf Fang: Kuuga (600 yen)
Zanac X Zanac (600 yen)

There are many more great games waiting to be discovered on the Japanese PSN Store, but remember with current exchange rates, 600 yen will cost you about $10. I hope Monkey Paw gets access to some of these classics to allow American gamers to buy them at better prices. Speaking of Monkey Paw, if you haven't checked out the Japanese exclusives on the American PSN Store, then go browse it now! Awesome games like Gaia Seed and Money Exchanger Idol only cost $5.99. This price is quite a steal considering that Gaia Seed costs about $250+ on the used market.

Awesome Box Art of the Week: Majyuuou

Bad Box Art of the Week: Jim Power in Mutant Planet

Bad box art Mega Man the later years versus Andross.

Bad Box Art of the Week: Super Bust A Move

 

Oh its a game about babies with sunglasses...on drugs or something?

Awesome Box Art of the Week: Yakuza 4

Bad Box Art of the Week: Fish Dude

The dolphin looks pretty happy for someone that is about to be eaten. Also where did the giant cat come from?

Awesome Box Art of the Week: Batsugun

Elder Scrolls V and the Giant Mud Crab

Bethesda gave their developers one week to do whatever the hell they wanted to Skyrim...here are the insanely awesome results. I want all of this in the form of free DLC.

Akai Katana is Coming to the USA

Rising Star Games is opening an office in America and their first game being published is Akai Katana. This beautiful looking shooter came out last year in Japan, but sadly it was region-locked. Luckily Americans and Europeans will be able to enjoy this Cave bullet hell Q2 2012, and avoid crazy import fees from places NCSX. If you are interested in Akai Katana, a demo is available on the Japanese Xbox Live marketplace. I suggest trying it, reminded me of a mix of Deathsmiles and Progear.

Awesome Box Art of the Week: Valis 2 (MSX)

Bad Box Art of the Week: Pure Pinball

This cover is for a pinball game?!

You Should Buy The Simpsons Arcade Game

Plenty of arcade games remain exclusive to the digital archives of MAME due to the problems surrounding the loss of specific licenses given to publishers in the 1990s. This is why you will you probably never play any of the Dungeons and Dragons games from Capcom or Jojo's Bizarre Adventures on XBLA or PSN. However, after a twenty year wait, we finally have a real home port of The Simpsons Arcade Game ready for legal download. The game is the same classic beat'em up from Konami with new additions such as the Japanese rom,  a graphics filter and online co-op.

The Simpsons Arcade Game features ton of cameos from the show and a completely insane story about Smithers kidnapping Maggie because she mistook a diamond for her pacifier. Characters can team up for pair attacks (pictured above) to take out enemies quickly and compete for score points. One small gripe is the lack of Smithers and Mr. Burns' real voice actor. I know Harry Shearer is a stubborn old coot, but why couldn't they find a sound-alike for the port? Another complaint is the crappy black border surrounding the screen, I would have liked the classic coin-op's art to decorate the sides with rather than boring darkness. Everything else is great: huge sprites, catchy music/sound effects, and the charming nostalgia of the 90s beat'em up genre. Grab the game now for 800MSP or 9.99 on PSN.

Which Should I Buy?

As a fan of Samus in her suit and without it, I am having a hard time deciding which of these two I should pre-order:

The figma Armored Samus looks really bad ass and brings me back to warm memories of Super Metroid. However, Zero Suit Samus from Good Smile is just plain sexy lookin' and I like the little Metroid accessory. I know it would be too expensive to buy both, so I am trying to pick one for my toy and figure collection. Any readers have a suggestion? Besides the obvious, " Buy them both." That's a shitty suggestion.

Awesome Box Art of the Week:The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword (Korean version)

Bad Box Art of the Week: BC Racers

 I love how the cave woman is not worried at all about the crazed T-Rex chasing them.

Old Game Commercial 06: Revenge of Shinobi & Super Monaco GP

This commercial just screams 1990s! Half-assed ninja combat? Check. Hyperbolic ranting that makes no sense? Check. Random pairing of two completely different games? Check. Revenge of Shinobi still stands as a pretty cool game in 2012, but Super Monaco GP is completely forgettable. Too bad the commercial didn't pair Shinobi and Phantasy Star 2 instead. I miss the old, crazy Sega from this era.

Awesome Box Art of the Week: Brandish 2 Expert

Bad Box Art of the Week: Bad Cat

Is this tubular or rad?

Grownlanser IV is coming to the US!

Rejoice Growlanser fans, Atlus has answered your prayers. After trolling fans with their hint game, and even trolling with the release of Gungnir (ugh), Atlus got trolled themselves by a leak from internet retailers. Listings post the PSP port for a July 24, 2012 release. It will also be on the Playstation Network for the PS Vita owners. I am very happy that Atlus is giving this super Japanese RPG series another shot in the US, especially since Growlanser IV is considered the pinnacle of the franchise. I just hope the game doesn't get canceled...July 2012 is a really late release date for a PSP game.

http://www.ebgames.ca/psp/growlanser-wayfarer-of-time/312396

Free Stuff Makes Me Like Nintendo Again

Oh Nintendo...you crafty devils,  just when I am ready to abandon all hope for you, here come truckloads of free games. Last year between the denial of quality games like Xenogears and terrible PR responses to fans, my frustration with Nintendo was reaching the breaking point. I was also very disappointed in Club Nintendo and the lack of quality rewards for American customers. However, things have been turning around recently with the introduction of free downloadable games for 100 and 150 Club Nintendo points. In the past month I have received three free 3DS games from cashing in my points although one was a stinker (3D Classics: Xevious), the other two were pretty descent games.

Nintendo also surprised me with the Ambassador program. Early adopters to the 3DS got 20 free games to make up for the price drop that occurred later in 2011. These free games weren't just shovelware, no the list included hits like Metroid Fusion, Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. Supposedly Ambassadors will be the only ones who ever have access to these emulated GBA games so that is one helluva deal for those lucky fans who got on board with the 3DS early on and didn't trade it for a PS Vita pre-order. I am lucky to have one of the Ambassador 3DS systems, and currently I have 23 free games from Nintendo. Once again, I am at peace with Nintendo and all is right with the universe.