Tokyo Game Life

YouTuber AustinSV joins the podcast to chat about the Pokemon Card GB series! Pokemon Trading Card Game came to Game Boy in the west in 2000, but did you know there is a Japan only sequel? We dive into this amazing yet short-lived Nintendo franchise. Plus we’re tripling up on the games section: early impressions on WarioWare: Move It, the viral sensation Suika Game, and final thoughts on Super Mar...

Returning guest KyotoGamer joins the podcast to take us to Nintendo Kyoto, Nintendo’s third huge merch store in Japan! Its incredible design and exclusive merch sets it apart from the rest, so we get into all the details and give some important tips for your visit! In the games, I give some early impressions on the ambitious Super Mario Bros. Wonder! Follow our guest! Instagram: https://www.instag...

Danny from Retro Wars joins me to celebrate the ten year anniversary of Pokemon X and Y! We return to Kalos to explore the game’s innovation, it’s legacy, and the coolest Mega Pokemon. I also venture out to Saitama to check out Suzume Publishing Antique Books, a shop dedicated to video game books! Plus I run down all the fun Nintendo collaborations happening right now in Japan! Follow our guest! P...

Tokyo resident and game industry interviewer Mr. KN1V3S joins the podcast to talk about Tokyo Game Show 2023! The games, the booths, the statues, the swag, we break down everything about the biggest TGS ever! I also share the details on the awesome Splatoon 3 X ZOZOTOWN pop up shop. In the games section, I look at Nintendo’s September offerings: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask and F-Zero...

Jan from Gamer Travels Japan takes us inside Hunter’s Bar, Tokyo’s Monster Hunter themed bar. Big meat, big beer, big swords, we dive into everything it has to offer plus break down what makes a great themed restaurant. Plus I visit two fun pop up shops in Tokyo: Pokemon Mosaic and Tamagotchi Study Club! In the games section, I highlight the awesome Japanese indie title NeverAwake, plus the news h...

Japan resident and Pokemon superfan Alola Pixie joins the podcast to chat about the Pokemon World Championships in Yokohama! Drone shows, festivals, luxury cruise ships, we dive into literally everything Pokemon Worlds has to offer and give some great tips for the next event in Hawaii! Plus the details on two amazing art exhibits in Tokyo with a strong Nintendo connection: Fire Emblem Engage artis...

Nanaki of the Tamagotchi Wiki joins the pod to chat about the world’s favorite virtual pet: Tamagotchi! We explore the history of this iconic piece of Japanese pop culture in the midst of the launch of Tamagotchi Uni, the most advanced virtual pet ever! Plus I share my final thoughts on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Is it really the best game ever? Or does Pokemon TCG for Game Boy hol...

Josh from the Still Loading Podcast returns in this special Pikmin themed episode! We explore the fantastic Pikmin 4, travel back to the early 2000s to look at Pikmin 1+2, detail the Pikmin mania that has swept Tokyo, and analyze Pikmin 4’s record breaking sales! Follow our guest! Podcast: https://www.stillloadingpodcast.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/StillLoadingPod (0:00) - Intro Games (1:02)...

Dean from The Video Game Library joins the pod to talk about video game books! More than just strategy guides, thousands of books exist covering every niche in the video game world. We explore the vast world of gaming books and Dean’s effort to categorize every single one! I also highlight two under the radar Switch titles: Super UFO Fighter and Monkey Barrels! Plus the news and a debatable pronun...

Mike of the Quest 64 Official Twitter account joins me to chat about the 25th anniversary of Quest 64! Does Nintendo 64’s first RPG need to be re-evaluated? We dig into this misunderstood title. And I take you inside 84 Hashi, Tokyo’s hidden Nintendo cafe run by a former Nintendo employee! I run down the cafe’s many treasures and go behind the scenes of my interview with the owner! Plus I also thr...

Tokyo based fighting game fan Doc Fugu joins me to chat all about Street Fighter 6 and the fighting game scene in Tokyo. We examine how Capcom evolved the franchise, and recommend some fighting game hotspots around Tokyo. This episode’s feature is all about the tasty Pikachu Afternoon Tea event happening right now. Plus, five recently announced games you should check out! Follow our guest! Twitter...

Danny Bivens from The Famicast joins me to chat about Power Pros, Konami’s popular long-running baseball gaming franchise from Japan! We explore this deceptively cute baseball sim and its surprising contributions to sports games. I also share my five favorite moments from Tears of the Kingdom so far, and debate whether Everybody 1 2 Switch will be terrible or just mediocre! Follow our guest! Twitt...

A Tears of the Kingdom super episode! Dale Plays Games, Genki, and KyotoGamer all join me to chat about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. We also share our experiences scavenging Lawson for banana milk, and whether or not you should go to Nintendo Tokyo on launch day. Follow our guests! Dale Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dale_DPG Open World Japan: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenWorldJapan Da...

Zelda art preservationist History of Hyrule joins the pod to talk all about old school Zelda art. Magazines, strategy guides, board games, there’s a ton of hidden Zelda art out there and we get into finding it and making it available in the 21st century. I also dish out the best strategies for Advance Wars 1 + 2 Reboot Camp, report on The Super Mario Bros Movie experience from Japan, and decide wh...

YouTuber Dale from Dale Plays Games and Open World Japan joins me to chat about our predictions for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom! Will Zelda be playable? Is there time travel? Where is Tingle? All the answers will be revealed. I also explore the newly opened Namco Tokyo which may be the future of Japanese arcades! Follow our guest: Dale Plays Games: https://www.youtube.com/@dale_dpg O...

Game collector OngakuGamer returns to chat about the long-running JRPG franchise, Atelier! Having recently broken out into the mainstream, we talk about the history of the series, its unique premise, and whether or not we actually understand the alchemy system. And thoughts on the puzzle/action titles Kuru Kuru Kururin and Amazing Bomberman, plus more Zelda than you can shake a stick (with a bould...

Indie game developer Ahmin Hafidi joins the podcast to chat about his newest title, Grappin! We explore the origins of this Metroid Prime inspired first person adventure title, how artists James Turner and Takaya Imamura got involved, plus why those grappling hooks are just so fun. I also share some closing thoughts on Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, and explore the older than old school arca...

Naoya Shinota joins the pod to talk about the Final Fantasy VII Feature Phone games! A significant part of the FFVII mythos is locked to these unique Japanese mobile titles, and we dig into everything about them. Plus, I dive into the e-Reader levels for Super Mario Bros. 3 and final thoughts on Fire Emblem Engage! Follow our guest here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaoyaShinota (0:00) - Intro Fea...

Chris from KaniPro Games joins the podcast to chat about the launch of the retro action/platformer, Violet Wisteria! We talk about the experience of launching a game and what’s next. I also check out Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, and run down all the cool gaming related activities at Tokyo Skytree! Check out Violet Wisteria here: Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2018610/Violet_Wist...

Nintendo Life contributor Andrew J. Rue joins the podcast again to chat about the Marufukuro Hotel, Nintendo’s old HQ turned into a stylish lodging. Get the details on what to see, do, and eat before you book your room. I also check out the craftapalooza that is Atelier Ryza, race some horses in Pocket Card Jockey Ride On, and analyze the latest Nintendo Direct! Follow our guest on social media: T...

Game preservationist RockmanCosmo joins the pod to chat about the Mega Man Feature Phone games! We chat about the history of Japan’s unique feature phone gaming era and why some games from big franchises like Mega Man can be lost forever. And get ready to dye your hair two colors as I share thoughts on Fire Emblem Engage, plus the news including my visit to indie games event Tokyo Game Dungeon! Fo...

Tokyo resident and YouTuber Kid Shoryuken joins me to chat about Japanese arcades. What are the best arcades in Tokyo? What are some underrated games? How can they adjust to the changing market? We get into all that and more. In the games, I chat about the amazing Pikmin 3 Deluxe and return yet again to Tactics Ogre Reborn. Plus quick thoughts on two fun exhibits in Tokyo: Mother Museum and Mika P...

Josh from the Still Loading Podcast joins me to chat about Game of the Year 2022. What game(s) will take the top prize? We rave about our favorite games of the year, both new and retro titles! In the feature, I flip through the Perfect Catalogue series of gaming encyclopedias. Plus, news about Slowpoke parks and what plushie you need to buy next. Follow our guest on social media: Twitter: https://...

Localization director Jennifer O’Donnell joins me to chat about game localization, the process of bringing a game from one region to another. What makes a great localization? What other skills do you need besides translation? We take a deep dive into this important industry. I also chat about a trio of big new updates: Splatoon 3’s Chill Season, Golf in Nintendo Switch Sports, and Mario Kart 8’s n...

Pokemon card expert Graceon joins me again on the podcast to chat about the myriad of Pokemon shops in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City. Whether it be the games, cards, Go, or just snacks, it has something for everyone! I also share my final thoughts on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, plus reactions to the latest happenings in Japan. Follow our guest on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grac...