Tokyo Game Life

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 arcade/museum Dagashiya Game Museum in Tokyo! Check out Grappin here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708320/GRAPPIN/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/grappingame (0:00) - Intro Games (1:30) - Grappin w/ Ahmin Hafidi (17:15) - Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe final thoughts Feature (26:57) - Dagashiya Game Museum News (37:30) - Namco Tokyo opening up in April (38:31) - March 2023 NSO games (39:44) - April 2023 Splatfest (40:20) - Mario coming to Lush, Lego Donkey Kong (41:17) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

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) - IntroFeature(1:35) - Final Fantasy VII feature phone games w/ Naoya ShinotaGames(28:22) - Super Mario Bros. 3 e-Reader levels(35:11) - Fire Emblem Engage final thoughtsNews(46:14) - Pokemon Presents 2023(52:06) - New Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi game announced(53:17) - This Week in Tokyo(53:27) - ClosingSocial media:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLifeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelifeWebsite: https://tokyogamelife.com/Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

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_Wisteria/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaniProGames (0:00) - Intro Games (1:35) - Violet Wisteria (21:33) - Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe Feature (33:04) - Tokyo Skytree News (45:06) - Tears of the Kingdom leaks and gummies (48:28) - Splatoon 3’s Fresh Season and new merch (51:10) - Vanillaware 20th anniversary event in Tokyo (51:47) - This Week in Tokyo (53:27) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

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: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWinnerIsMii (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:57) - Marufukuro Hotel w/ Andrew J. Rue Games (32:21) - Atelier Ryza (45:11) - Pocket Card Jockey Ride On! News (50:27) - Nintendo Direct February 2023 analysis (1:15:52) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

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!Follow our guest on social media:Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockmanCosmo(0:00) - IntroFeature(1:15) - Mega Man Feature Phone Games w/ RockmanCosmoGames(30:22) - Fire Emblem EngageNews(44:35) - Tokyo Game Dungeon 2023(47:22) - Dokapon Kingdom Connect(48:12) - Yggdra Union coming to Steam and the west(49:00) - Baten Kaitos remake rumor(50:15) - Surugaya Akiba’s huge stock of new Nintendo games(51:06) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (グラボ gurabo)(51:36) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/tyomateee/status/1617122804557844482(51:59) - ClosingSocial media:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLifeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelifeWebsite: https://tokyogamelife.com/Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

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 Pikazo’s Revenge Pop! Follow our guest on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KidShoryuken YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadPanicGaming (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:13) - Japanese Arcades w/ Kid Shoryuken Games (25:32) - Pikmin 3 Deluxe (38:32) - Tactics Ogre Reborn mid-game thoughts News (43:48) - Mother Museum and Mika Pikazo’s Revenge Pop exhibits (45:49) - Two indie game events coming to Tokyo this spring (47:02) - Pocket Card Jockey Ride On coming to Apple Arcade (48:47) - Playstation’s new Project Leonardo controller (49:41) - Splatoon themed instax Mini Printer (50:18) - Yusuke Kozaki’s Pokemon designs (51:00) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (初動系 shodoukei) (51:31) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/GameSurugaya/status/1612671350610743297 (52:10) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

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://twitter.com/StillLoadingPod Podcast: https://www.stillloadingpodcast.com/ (0:00) - Intro Games (1:33) - Game of the Year 2022 w/ Still Loading Podcast Feature (1:27:00) - Perfect Catalogue gaming encyclopedias News (1:35:50) - Super Potato Taisho store closing in Osaka (1:36:40) - Slowpoke park in Kawaga prefecture (1:37:23) - Gen V Pokemon Fit / Sitting Cuties plushies (1:38:41) - Masahiro Sakurai in semi-retirement (1:39:49) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (落ちゲーム ochi gemu) (1:40:14) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/_Bprod/status/1604812949847056384 (1:40:40) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

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 newest tracks! Follow our guest on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/JENTranslations Blog: https://j-entranslations.com/home/ (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:05) - Game localization w/ Jennifer O’Donnell Games (21:10) - Splatoon 3’s Chill Season (27:25) - Golf in Nintendo Switch Sports (29:29) - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 3 News (31:36) - The Game Awards 2022 (37:15) - Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters coming to Switch (37:56) - Mario Strikers Battle League’s final update (38:45) - Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection gets a date (39:38) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (紙装甲 kami soukou) (40:03) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/mariosfun1/status/1601540913406574592 (40:35) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

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/graceonpokemon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceCosplayer (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:17) - Pokemon shops in Sunshine City w/ Graceon Games (25:00) - Pokemon Scarlet and Violet final thoughts News (41:22) - The Super Mario Bros Movie Direct (45:54) - Nintendo Arcade Archives games on sale (48:29) - Tetris: The Grandmaster available on Switch (49:24) - Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope releases in Japan (50:25) - December game merch rundown (51:41) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (ガー不 gaafu) (52:10) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/osu_pokemon/status/1596518313953492992 (52:36) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

Chris from KaniPro Games joins me to chat about Digital Games Expo 2022, one of the biggest indie gaming events in Japan. We talk about what it’s like to be both a visitor and an exhibitor, the culture of indie games in Japan, and our favorite titles we played. I also share early thoughts on Pokemon Scarlet / Violet and Tactics Ogre Reborn. Plus, news about what new Nintendo merch you should buy! Wishlist Violet Wisteria from KaniPro Games on Steam: Violet Wisteria on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2018610/Violet_Wisteria/ KaniPro Games on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaniProGames (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:19) - Digital Games Expo 2022 w/ KaniPro Games Games (22:44) - Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (33:47) - Tactics Ogre Reborn News (41:01) - Indie World November 2022 (42:36) - Nintendo Q3 report (45:39) - New Nintendo merch in Japan (47:03) - Mother Museum, new Earthbound exhibit in Tokyo (47:47) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (バッタ batta) (48:11) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/sirubiacos/status/1592417760935833600 (48:52) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com