Tokyo Game Life

Japanese video game collector OngakuGamer joins me to chat about the Boku No Natusyasumi series, a uniquely Japanese franchise about a child experiencing summer vacation in 1970s Japan. We dig deep into the history of the franchise and its first western release with Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation. I also look at three Kirby titles on Switch: Kirby’s Dream Buffet, Kirby’s Super...

JRPG streamers Becca and SweisSenpai join me to chat about a duo of Switch games: Live A Live and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. I also share my final thoughts on Triangle Strategy, the first of many SRPGs released by Square Enix this year. And I return from the shores of Yokohama to bring you a report about the Bandai Namco Cross Store, featuring a new Pac-Man shop! Plus news about Pokemon, Splatoon, an...

KaniPro Games founder Chris Stark aka the Ultra Healthy Video Game Nerd joins the pod to chat about indie game development in Japan. He shares his experience developing the action platformer Violet Wisteria in Japan, working with local artists, the challenges of making your game bilingual, and what it takes to bring a vision to life. I also chat about For The Frog The Bell Tolls, a fascinating Nin...

Culdcept Central founder Andyman joins me to chat about the mostly Japan-only franchise Culdcept. A mix of Magic the Gathering and Monopoly, this long running series carved out an interesting niche in the Japanese gaming sphere. We chat about the history of the franchise, the ambitious Culdcept Revolt, which Culdcept character should be in Smash and more. I also share thoughts on the memorable Kir...

Tokyo resident Genki joins me to chat about the Square Enix Cafe and Artnia. Part restaurant, part merch shop, Square Enix fans won’t want to miss it. Join us as we examine the allure of magic crystal rooms and determine whether or not Cait Sith tastes good. We also dig deep into both Nintendo Directs to examine the platform’s exciting upcoming games like Harvestella, Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher,...

Josh from the Still Loading Podcast joins me to chat about the best games of 2022 so far. What games have impressed us six months into the year? Is Persona 3 secretly 2022’s GotY? We also chat about the dozens of new game announcements and highlight our favorites. In the feature, I explore Dorama, a used games shop located in a very cool part of Tokyo. The Switch also has two high profile game rel...

Otome game fan and YouTuber Resting Peach Face joins the podcast this week to talk about, what else, otome games! More than just dating sims for women, the genre carved out a unique niche in the Japanese game market and is rapidly growing overseas. We talk about the history of the genre, what makes a great otome game, the upcoming even if TEMPEST, and whether or not you should fall in love with so...

Sakura Wars fans burntends and Matt B join the podcast to talk Sakura Wars GB! We get into everything about this surprisingly important title. Did you know Sakura Wars GB is the first Sega game on Nintendo hardware? I also do a deep dive into the best place to play retro Game Boy titles: the Analogue Pocket. And join me in the alleys of Shinjuku to check out 8bitcafe, a retro gaming themed bar. It...

Save me Mr Tako developer Christophe Galati joins me to talk about the origins of this Game Boy inspired title, the upcoming physical release, cooking takoyaki and more! Nintendo also has a new first party release this month, Nintendo Switch Sports! I chronicle my quest to become the first six sport all-star. And as always, I hit the streets of Tokyo to talk about BEEP, a unique retro game shop th...

Let’s go older than old school! We take a look at Nintendo’s origins in this episode’s feature on hanafuda, a traditional Japanese card game that was Nintendo’s first product. Hanafuda expert and YouTuber Omitsu joins me to chat about this ancient game and how to become a koi koi master. Is koi koi the best game ever? Find out as I rank all 51 games in Clubhouse Games for Switch. I also chat about...

Pink puff power has taken over the podcast as this episode is all about Kirby! Fellow Tokyo resident Genki joins me to talk about Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby’s first 3D adventure. I also take a peek at some retro Kirby titles, Kirby’s Dream Land 3 and Kirby’s Dream Course. This episode’s feature is all about Yamashiroya, a six-story toy shop in Tokyo that’s home to amazing exclusive Kirby...

Race into spring with this racing game themed episode! I explore pro racing simulator arcade DDR Akiba, where you can experience the closest thing to driving on a real Japanese speedway. If realism isn’t your thing, I also look at a trio of fascinating Nintendo racers. Mario Kart 8’s Booster Course Pass gives new life to the Switch’s best selling game. F-Zero X reminds us of the N64’s impressive h...

Strategies, souls, and songs, this episode has it all! I’m joined this week by Ultra Healthy Video Game Nerd to get the details on the Tokyo Game Music Show 2022, an event where you can meet and greet iconic Japanese video game musicians. We talk about the best Japanese game music, house bands, and how to turn the PC Engine into an instrument. Then I go castle crazy talking about Triangle Strategy...

We take it to the streets of Tokyo this episode! Special guest Kaori joins me as we talk about the Street Fighter 35th anniversary exhibit in Shibuya. We discuss iconic Street Fighter art, the power of Chun Li, and proper hadoken techniques. I’ve wrapped up Pokemon Legends Arceus, so now’s the time to wildly speculate about future Pokemon Legends games. If you’re more of a pixel person, I also dig...

Let’s celebrate games both new and old! This episode’s feature is all about Hard Off, the famous used goods shop in Japan. I talk to official Hard Off fan ambassador Alex Kraus about retro game hunting, rare finds, and the mysteries of the junk corner. I also dig into the February 2022 Nintendo Direct, give my thoughts on Pokemon Legends Arceus’ postgame, and try out the roguelike autobattler dung...

Game Freak’s newest Pokemon adventure is here with Pokemon Legends Arceus! Let’s dig into some early impressions on the world of Hisui discussing the radical departure from the Pokemon formula and the dangers of giant Bidoofs. This week’s feature is all about the Japanese Nintendo magazine Nintendo Dream. Imagine if Nintendo Power never went away, and if it was in Japanese! Better late than never,...

Pokemania is in full effect! This episode features a deep dive preview of Pokemon Legends Arceus, final thoughts on Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and a hands-on look at the retro virtual pet, Pocket Pikachu. Want to know about Pokemon card shopping in Tokyo? Japan-based Pokemon card collector Graceon joins the podcast this week and discusses the best card shops in Tokyo, the appeal...

New year, new games! Nintendo Switch in 2022 looks incredible, and this episode runs down over 50 titles coming to the Nintendo Switch in the next twelve months. From Advance Wars to Zelda, from obscure indies to huge franchises, I examine 2022’s most exciting titles. This episode also highlights Pokemon Wonder at Yomiuri Land, an amazing nature adventure where you search for real Pokemon. It’s a...

2021 is almost over, so it’s time for some Game of the Year Awards! I rave about my favorite titles from this year, give Picross some love, and for no reason give an award to A Short Hike. I also explore Super Potato, Japan’s most popular retro game shop. Join me as I marvel at the pristine condition of boxed Famicom games and lament broken Virtual Boy kiosks. The news highlights Nintendo Switch’s...

Small yet fascinating titles hit the Switch recently including the mind-bending Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain, the minimalistic yet addictive Dungeon Encounters, and the newest game from Drakengard alumni, Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars. This episode also dives into Japan’s biggest Nintendo store, Nintendo Tokyo, and other amazing gaming merch stores located in the expansive PARCO Shib...

November has a lot of amazing game releases for the Switch, including the ambitious Shin Megami Tensei V, the newest Pokemon remakes, and the first paid DLC for Animal Crossing New Horizons. If new games aren't your thing, I also introduce a must visit retro arcade in Tokyo. In the news I go over everyone's favorite two topics: Japanese sale updates and scarily huge Lucario plushies! (0:00) - Intr...