Good Japanese PS3 games worth picking up?...

[dave4shmups]

I think there was a Yakuza game for the PS3 that was Japan-only, but I don't know of any others. And I'm curious, since the PS3 isn't region-locked, at least not with regards to Japanese games.

[KAI]

GUNDAM EXTREME VERSUS

[Ji-L87]

I'm putting down a vote for The IDOLM@STER 2, since that pretty much ate me up once I started playing.

Also, the PS3 version comes with more content than the region-locked 360 one.

[Neathyr]

GUNDAM EXTREME VERSUS

Seconded. One of the 3 PS3 exclusives that suits my interests.

[Fudoh]

Retail version of Capcom's Dungeons & Dragons Collection, Ketsui (if you don't own a J360), Gal Gun with move support.

[shmuppyLove]

Gal Gun with move support.

This is the "killer app" for Move ... if only I could convince my wife

[Jonathan Ingram]

There is not one, but two Yakuza games that are Japan exclusive(four if you count Ryu ga Gotoku 1&2 HD Collection):

Ryu ga Gotoku: Kenzan! - set in Edo-period Japan it retells(with some liberties) the story of the fabled Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Pay no attention to the fact that it`s a spin-off; Kenzan is quite possibly the best game in the series. Excellent story from start to finish, beautiful locations and tons of stuff to do. Naturally, it`s every bit as text heavy as the other games in the series, but there`s a very comprehensive FAQ on Gamefaqs as well as fan-subbed cutscenes on YouTube to help you trudge through it. Epic rap opening!

Ryu ga Gotoku 5 - the latest and biggest. Five cities, five protagonists and more content than ever(including a full version of Virtua Fighter 2 HD in Sega Club arcades). The chances of this game getting a release outside of Japan are getting slimmer with each passing day. Opening video.



Other notable stuff:

Boku no Natsuyasumi 3 - one of Sony`s staple franchises in Japan, it`s series of adventure games where you play as a boy Boku who spends his Summer holidays in the countryside at his relatives` house/farm/inn. Lots of Japanese text and dialogue in this one, but it`s pretty much impossible to get stuck. These games are sort of Shenmue-esque in nature in that the time constantly moves forward and there is a day/evening/night cycle. When you hit the 31st of August, Boku`s holidays end and so does the game. There are different endings determined by how you chose to spend your time.

Aquanaut`s Holiday - a sea exploration game from Artdink. Likely the best of its kind. Worth every penny if you are into this kind of stuff.

E.X. Troopers - a Lost Planet spin-off. Great game if you don`t mind the anime art style and the pink-haired protagonist. Has a pretty fun online MP which is presently dead in the water.

Initial D: Extreme Stage - port/remix of Initial D Arcade Stage 4. It doesn`t quite surpass Special Stage and Street Stage, but beggars can`t be choosers - there aren`t that many quality arcade games available on current gen systems.

Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen OG - Super Robot Taisen spans dozens of games across many platforms. You like anime, robots and turn-based strategies? - Buy it. Otherwise, stay far away.

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD - rather self-explanatory, it`s an HD port of the excellent MHP3rd for PSP. Worth it for the sharper visuals and much better controls. Online MP is done through the Japanese Ad-Hoc Party.

San Goku Shi 12 - the most recent installment in the series of strategy game from Koei known as Romance of the Three Kingdoms outside of Japan. The PS2 games all received English localizations, but back then there was still market for this kind of games. These days? - Not a chance.

Tales of Vesperia - a port of the 360 game with more content.

Cyber Troopers Virtual-On - Japanese PS store exclusive. Can also be gotten on the 360.



PS3 games that were localized in the US and EU, but have retail versions in Japan/Asia only:

Okami HD
Legasista
Tokyo Jungle
Vampire Resurrection
Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara
BioHazard Chronicles HD Selection
BioHazard: Revival Selection


Also...

Terraria - a unique case of a Western-made game that got a retail release in Japan only(courtesy of Spike Chunsoft).

[KAI]

The Sora no Kiseki trilogy. FC, SC & TC KAI HD Edition

[Deca]

GUNDAM EXTREME VERSUS

Yeah this, awesome game. I think it might be cheap now too.

Initial D Extreme Stage exists, I still haven't picked it up as it's a port of what is universally agreed to be the worst version of the arcade game. I might still get it at some point just because I love the manga.

Someone mentioned Aquanaut's Holiday, that game is really cool too.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Apparently Railfan: Taiwan High Speed Rail and Railfan: Chicago Transit Authority Brown Line, despite what covers say, are region-free. Densha de Go! fans might be interested in those.
Isn't there a firefighting/rescuing-themed PS3 game?

[ZellSF]

PS3 games that were localized in the US and EU, but have retail versions in Japan/Asia only:

Okami HD
Legasista
Tokyo Jungle
Vampire Resurrection
Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara
BioHazard Chronicles HD Selection
BioHazard: Revival Selection


Also...

Terraria - a unique case of a Western-made game that got a retail release in Japan only(courtesy of Spike Chunsoft).

Tokyo Jungle got a retail release in the US (without DLC) as part of a compilation called "Best of PlayStation Network". Which sounds like an interesting package until you realize the other games are Fat Princess, Sound Shapes and When Vikings Attack. Because that's what everyone thinks of when they hear "Best of PSN"

[dave4shmups]

Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen OG looks really cool! Do you have to know Japanese to play it?

[Gespenst]

GUNDAM EXTREME VERSUS

This. Or patiently wait until EXVSFB PS3 port (hopefully)come out.

[ACSeraph]

I'll throw in another vote for Extreme Versus. How about Aquapazza, did that make it out of Japan? Will the new JoJo be making it over? I own a lot of Japanese PS3 games since I live here, but I can't actually think of many that are exclusive to Japan outside of visual novels and what has already been mentioned here.

[LtC]

Here's yet another vote for Gundam EXVS. Tales of Vesperia is the best of the home console Tales of games so if you are into the games it's definitely worth the import.

Also new Legend of heroes game Sen no Kiseki by Falcom is out later this month for PS3/PSV. The LoH games are very text and story heavy though so it's not really recommended to play without knowing Japanese or playing the previous games.

Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen OG looks really cool! Do you have to know Japanese to play it?

The gameplay itself is quite simple and same as in most of the other SRW games. The game isn't very hard either so you shouldn't have too much trouble clearing it without understanding everything. You'll of course miss on the story but I'm sure there are story guides by now. But if you haven't played the previous games I'd recommend you play at least the two localized GBA OG games before.

[dcharlie]

Pro Baseball Spirits 2013 is incredible - definitely worth checking out.

[Gespenst]

Speaking of SRW
http://www.mechadamashii.com/news/news- ... announced/


But this looks somewhat dull :\

[Jonathan Ingram]

Tokyo Jungle got a retail release in the US (without DLC) as part of a compilation called "Best of PlayStation Network". Which sounds like an interesting package until you realize the other games are Fat Princess, Sound Shapes and When Vikings Attack. Because that's what everyone thinks of when they hear "Best of PSN"

Interesting. I didn`t know about that. Doesn`t look like it diminishes the value of the stand-alone retail release though.

Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen OG looks really cool! Do you have to know Japanese to play it?

You don`t. It`c completely possible to play through most(any?) Super Robot Taisen games without knowing a lick of Japanese. While it`s true that this game belongs to a genre that`s generally not very import friendly, it`s also not exactly the most complicated or difficult of its representatives. SRT games are designed to be simple and accessible. If you persevere and try to memorize what is what, you`ll feel comfortable with it in a couple of hours. Besides, this series has a dedicated fanbase even outside of Japan and there are always English walkthroughs to fall back to should you encounter any difficulties. For Dai-2-Ji OG see this and this.

Speaking of SRW
http://www.mechadamashii.com/news/news- ... announced/

An arena game in the vein of Gundam Extreme Versus? Potentially could be interesting.

[Gespenst]

An arena game in the vein of Gundam Extreme Versus? Potentially could be interesting.

Sadly looks like it won't be as fluid and fastpaced as EXVS though.

[Deca]

How is Another Century's Episode R? I've been thinking about grabbing it.

Also, I didn't realize so many people around here had EXV, we should arrange some online play at some point. I sadly haven't touched the game in ages, just due to other stuff coming out and being distracted. I've been meaning to get back to it and that'd be good incentive!

[KAI]

GUNDAM EXTREME VERSUS

This. Or patiently wait until EXVSFB PS3 port (hopefully)come out.

Not gonna happen. Most of the contents of FULL BOOST have been released as DLC.

[ACSeraph]

How is Another Century's Episode R? I've been thinking about grabbing it.

Also, I didn't realize so many people around here had EXV, we should arrange some online play at some point. I sadly haven't touched the game in ages, just due to other stuff coming out and being distracted. I've been meaning to get back to it and that'd be good incentive!

I'm down, anyone on here can add my PSN if they want, add both though because I switch around a lot. I just bought EXV about 3 weeks ago though so I'm still pretty terrible at it.

[Ganelon]

How is Another Century's Episode R? I've been thinking about grabbing it.

Overly lengthy and monotonous. The revised boost mechanics make long-distance travel a chore as well. I think ACE2 and 3 are some of the best mecha action games of all time but I wouldn't recommend ACE R unless you really love the mecha.

As for Infinite Battle, I'm not optimistic. There have been 2 previous SRW-related attempts at SRW fighters. Those 2 (Real Robots Final Attack on PS and Super Robot Spirits on N64) were some of the worst fighters I've ever played and make Rise of the Robots look like a decent game.

[Koa Zo]

Isn't there a firefighting/rescuing-themed PS3 game?

I'd like to know!

[Cacophanus]

How is Another Century's Episode R? I've been thinking about grabbing it.

It's disappointing and nowhere near as good as the PS2 trilogy that pre-dates it.

[Deca]

Thanks for the heads up on ACE R. I only found out about it while looking for a copy of 3, I guess I'll just stick with the original plan! I should probably pick up a legit copy of Climax UC while I'm at it as well.

[Cacophanus]

Thanks for the heads up on ACE R. I only found out about it while looking for a copy of 3, I guess I'll just stick with the original plan! I should probably pick up a legit copy of Climax UC while I'm at it as well.

Noooooo!! Climax UC is awful too!!

http://youtu.be/aXBZwIrDuHk

[Deca]

I dunno, I actually played a fair amount of Climax UC back in college and remember having fun with it. Certainly wasn't one of the best games I've ever played but it gave me a bunch of UC stuff to play around with and managed to not put me to sleep

[Gespenst]

Thanks for the heads up on ACE R. I only found out about it while looking for a copy of 3, I guess I'll just stick with the original plan! I should probably pick up a legit copy of Climax UC while I'm at it as well.

Noooooo!! Climax UC is awful too!!

http://youtu.be/aXBZwIrDuHk

The only saving grace Climax UC has are that epic opening and the boss theme (which was obviously reused in Gundam Battle series).

Also, I recall that SRWOG Infinite Battle was made by the guys behind Gundam Climax UC too.

I dunno, I actually played a fair amount of Climax UC back in college and remember having fun with it. Certainly wasn't one of the best games I've ever played but it gave me a bunch of UC stuff to play around with and managed to not put me to sleep

To be honest Gundam Battle series (and Gundam Assault Survive) have even more UC stuff, especially good if you can deal with the insanely horrible melee mechanics.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

Is Aquapazza any good? What about that new 3D Jojo fighting game?