Jonny Gleason

Aside from The Simpsons: Cartoon Studio (don’t you judge me!) I was never that fond of PC gaming when I was younger. But, after delving a little deeper into the video games Japan has to offer, specifically the most expensive ones in Tokyo, as well as 20 PS2 games set in Japan, it got me wondering how popular PC Gaming was in Japan as well.

It’s safe to say that it certainly hasn’t had the easiest of starts… or middles… Consoles still reign supreme, and it’s unlikely to change any time soon. But, even though Japan likes to stick to its ways, it’s clear that the PC Gaming culture is here to stay. What I’m most interested in with the sudden boom in PC gamers in Japan is how we got to this stage, so let’s find out.

History of PC Gaming in Japan

During the 1980s, with Japan riding high on its economic boom, there were more than a few PCs arriving on the market for people to use. With systems like the NEC PC-8801 being incredibly powerful and holding more ram than a lot of similar products on offer, it wasn’t just consumers that jumped on board. Despite the fact that the PC-88 wasn’t actually intended to be used for games, developers jumped at the chance!

Game developers wanted to make the most of this hardware as well and decided to start building games for this system and other similar ones

When working with a PC like this, developers could finally build the feature-rich story games they’d been dreaming of. But building games for these systems came with problems of their own. Many of the ‘Successful’ PC games would only sell around 10,000 copies, whereas Famicom would sell millions with some titles. While incredible games could be made on PC systems, the cost of doing so was just too high for most developers to justify the fairly minimal sales. Enix was one of the only developers that stuck around to work on PC games in Japan at the time, but that’s a story for another day.

The Fall of PC Gaming in Japan

Only a few years separate the NEC PC-8801 and the Famicom, and so when the majority of developers realized the financial possibilities of building games for the Famicom and other consoles, they jumped ship.

With powerhouses like Sony and Nintendo, the marketing budgets of smaller PC game manufacturers just couldn’t keep up. By the 1990s, the country was almost entirely full of console gamers, instead of the popularity that computer games they had known the decade before.

Once game consoles became household names, it would be (and was) very tough for PC gaming to break back in. We already know how that Japanese society is fairly conformist in nature, so anything new that pops up isn’t going to have an easy time. Even in the late 90s when Japanese laptops and computers were far more widely available in households, they weren’t seen as gaming machines. Computers were tools for work, and consoles were tools for pleasure and that’s how it stayed.

The Rise of PC Gaming in Japan

Well, that’s how it stayed until recently. Kadokawa Ascii Research Laboratories, a Japanese think tank, published a report which showed Japan PC gaming was worth around $868,000,000. That’s close to double 2018’s market size which is huge! And the interesting thing is that it’s still growing.

So why has PC gaming in Japan grown?

1. PC gaming has grown everywhere

There are loads of PC gaming statistics that show PC gaming is growing. Add to that the number of steam PC game sales which was expected to amount to more than 8.7 billion in 2022 and you can see how prevalent this industry is. Japan PC gaming is proof of these figures with the fact that its PC games market has nearly doubled in just 4 short years.

2. Certain titles have been a driving force

If you haven’t heard of PUBG, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Fortnite, I’d guess you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years. Whether you’ve heard them referenced in pop culture, seen the gift cards at your local shop, or avidly play all of them yourself, they’ve brought in an influx of new players to the system. While all of those games are on other consoles, FPS games in Japan are similarly much better played on a mouse and keyboard. Use a controller and you put yourself at an instant disadvantage. Competitive gaming and Japanese speedrunning require as much of an advantage as possible!

Famitsu suggests there are 15 million PC Gamers in Japan and 23 million console players. While that shows consoles are still more popular, that’s an extremely fascinating statistic when just a couple of decades ago (or less) Japan was thought of as nothing more than a work device.

3. Access to western markets

Steam and other online game marketplaces have really helped increase the number of PC gamers in Japan. Western game developers realized they were missing out on Japan as a demographic, an untapped goldmine of sorts, and began releasing their games in Japanese.

Let’s be honest, Japanese games are a little different from western ones. You’ve only got to visit the arcade section in a GiGO in Japan to figure that out. But, there’s no reason we wouldn’t all enjoy the same games if we could understand them. With the majority of Japanese people not speaking English, this was a huge loss of a big player base. Nowadays it’s far more common for big games to be released with Japanese language options than it ever has been.

Search trends for PC Gaming in Japan

A quick and slightly crude way to see if the popularity of computer gaming in Japan has grown is to take a look at google trends. The two graphs below show just how much PC gaming has grown over the last decade and a half.

PC Gaming culture in Japan Today

To understand PC Gaming culture in Japan Today, you’ll have to know a little about Japanese gaming culture as a whole. Back in the UK, arcades really aren’t popular places for anyone over the age of 10. Why would they go to the arcade and play a game with rubbish graphics when they could just sit at home and play Japanese PS5 games instead?

In Japan, it’s a little different. Sure, there are still people who do this, but going to the arcade is a very common activity for people and their friends no matter what age they are. Lots of the games are competitive beat games which mean loads of people constantly try to improve an beat eachothers scores, but even still it’s just a popular location for people to hang out. In fact, since living here I’m fairly confident that Japanese arcades and gacha gacha locations are some of the top picks for date spots.

Houses are small also relatveily small in Japan, especially in the citiies. If you can all play together with your friends at the local arcade (where there’s enough room), hang out, and have something to eat or drink, why stop now? It’s that classic Japanese thought pattern of ‘If it isn’t broken, why should we fix it?’

Availability of gaming PCs in Japan

Rewind just a few short years and you’d be fairly hard-pressed to find gaming PCs unless you’re in a big city, but now it’s definitely easier. If you’ve got a Softmap, BIC Camera, or other electronics chain shop in Japan, you’ll be spoilt for choice. That is unless you literally live in the middle of nowhere then it definitely wont be so easy to get.

The following pictures are from a Yodobashi camera near me:

That’s more gaming PC parts than I’ve ever seen, in any shop, in any country. It’s literally like you’ve entered one of those online PC shops that just seems to have thousands of pages.

Gaming Cafes

And if you don’t have a gaming PC, you could always go to a gaming cafe which I’ve come across many times, even outside of Tokyo. I can’t confirm the amount of esports and PC gaming cafes in the suburbs of Japan, but they seem to have sprung up all over the place in the bigger cities. The only thing I would say is that although there seem to be a lot of them, I still find the arcade sections in GiGO far busier. Perhaps they’ll see an upward trend when this generation has grown up playing keyboard and mouse

PC Gaming isn’t the most popular form of gaming in Japan

Famitsu recently released a list of the top 100 best-selling games in Japan. 90% of those games are on the switch, and mobile gaming is even more popular than that. So, while steam has seen a Japanese language user increase in the last few years (2.45% of users), it has a long way to go to get anywhere near console gaming. But indie game development in Japan is on the rise, so who knows what the future will hold!

We all know that getting to Japan, to live or just for a holiday, isn’t always the easiest thing to do. So, anything that lets me explore some area of Japan in a video game is a fun relief until those tickets get booked!

If you’re like me, the PS2 was one of the most influential consoles of your childhood. Granted, it may not be the best console for exploring the spectacular landscape Japan has to offer, but the amount of games set in Japan that are available on the PS2 is surprisingly large.

A lot of them are based in ancient Japan with Samurai, swords, and ninjas aplenty, but there are also a few that do things a little differently.

Also, some are Japanese exclusives which means they’ll be rare, expensive, and might not even work inside your PS2. But I can’t complete this list without them so they aren’t going anywhere!

1. Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven

Average Price: $40 (on amazon)

Genre: Action-adventure stealth

Developer: K2 Co., FromSoftware Inc., TKO Software, K2 Japan Corporation

Love stealth games? Love ninjas? Well, this is a ps2 game set in Japan that’ll be right up your street! In Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, you’ll assume the role of either Rikimaru (the stealth assassin) or Ayama (the 12-year-old protégé) and continue your fight from the first game against Tenrai, the evil sorcerer.

Through the 10-mission campaign, you’ll venture through a trapped-filled castle, a cemetery, and a ronin village. While there aren’t too many locations, it’s a side of Japan that’s always going to be interesting no matter how limited the exploration is.

At the time it had other stealth games like Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell and Hitman 2 to contend with, and for all intents and purposes, it did a fairly good job. Take a read of this Gamespot review from 2003 if you’re interested in learning more.

2. Blood Will Tell: Tezuka Osamu’s Dororo

Average Price: from $200 depending on the version and condition

Genre: Action-adventure, RPG

Developer: Sega AM1, Red Entertainment, Sega, Paon Corporation

If you’re looking to fight your way through men, monsters, demons, and even a giant mountain with an eye, it’s time to give Blood Will Tell: Tezuka Osamu’s Dororo a try!

On a quest to defeat 48 fiends that have stolen many parts of his body, the cursed Samurai Hyakkimaru and his friend Dororo (a thief) must reclaim what is rightfully his and become a normal human once again. His father, Kagemitsu Daigo is the one who sold those body parts to demons in exchange for invulnerability and power, which makes the backstory of this game all the more interesting.

It’s got some pretty fantastic reviews and definitely a well-loved game from the PS2 era, though good luck finding one at an affordable price!

3. Ōkami

Average Price: $40 on amazon

Genre: Action-adventure

Developer: Capcom, Clover Studio, Ready at Dawn

I’ve spoken about ōkami in a previous article about games set in Japan, and it’s well worth talking about again. This may be the most highly-rated game on the list and I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve either already played it or heard about it at the very least.

While many other games set in Japan on this list have you control some kind of katana-wielding samurai, ōkami gives you control of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun. Its classical Japan setting and spectacularly unique art style are two things that make it a must-play for anyone with a PS2 (or several other platforms if you fancy it).

Through learning different fighting techniques, exploring Japanese mythology and folklore, and discovering a multitude of weapons, ōkammi is said to take at least 60 hours to play through. According to those that have done it, that’s 60 hours well spent!

4. Kuon

Average Price: from $600 depending on the condition

Genre: Survival horror

Developer: FromSoftware Inc.

Japan is famous for its horror games, though Kuon is perhaps not the best example as it received fairly unimpressive review scores upon release. Nevertheless, it’s a PS2 game set in Japan meaning it deserves a place on the list, and being developed by FromSoftware means you should probably check it out if you like any of their other games. Plus, both the narrative and world design were broadly praised – the combat and puzzle design were main the problem.

Taking place in Japan’s Heian Period, mysteries and complex beliefs set the foundation of this game’s storyline. After a sudden outbreak of monsters in Fujiwara Manor, you’ll play as Utsuki, Sakuya, and Abe No Seimei – three protagonists that set out to fight the monsters and solve puzzles.

While the game didn’t receive great reviews at release, it still has a dedicated community. Due to its very limited release and passionate fans of FromSoftware, it’s an incredibly rare and expensive Japanese videogame.

5. Kengo: Master of Bushido

Average Price: from $6

Genre: Fighting

Developer: Lightweight, Genki

While the location and general idea of Kengo are very cool for a PS2 game, it wasn’t finished the way it should have been which left pretty poor reviews at release.

In terms of its setting, it’s the only game out of any that lets you fight one on one inside a dojo. As far as environments go, that’s cool! But it’s not only the environments that make this game a must-play. Aside from battling your foes, you can spend time training using various methods and perfecting new techniques to use in your next fight. Haven’t upgraded your skills enough? Head back to the bamboo forest to cut some shoots, or perhaps learn to extinguish several candle flames at the same time. Whatever makes you a better warrior!

It’s important to note that there are a number of things that make this game less playable and enjoyable than it should be, probably the same things that secured it such a meager score upon release. The combat isn’t fluid, life bars have been re-introduced from the first game, the controls are annoying at best, and the camera is severely frustrating. Anyhow, it’s still worth checking out thanks to its unique take and incredibly interesting setting in Japan.

6. Way of the Samurai

Average Price: from $10

Genre: Action-adventure

Developer: Acquire

This is your chance to play as a ronin, a masterless samurai who accidentally stumbles into a conflict between rival village clans. While the game wasn’t as graphically advanced as it could have been, and left fans of Tenchu disappointed, it definitely had a few things going for it.

The most notable feature of this game was the ability to alter its story. Certain decisions you make could have consequences (both positive and negative) later on in the story. Secondly, the combat is definitely one of the better things about the game and it should have any newcomers to samurai combat leaving with a smile on their face.

7. Onimusha: Warlords

Average Price: from $10

Genre: Action-adventure / Survival horror

Developer: Capcom, Capcom Production Studio 2

IGN refers to Onimusha as sort of like Resident Evil, but with demons and monsters from Japanese mythology and folklore instead of zombies. And to be honest, that’s exactly what it is. Save for an annoying fixed camera, this is a survival horror game that lets you explore a cursed-like landscape of ancient Japan, something few of these games allow you to do.

Set in the Sengoku period, Samanosuke Akechi sets off on a quest to save princess Yuki from demons. It’s a fairly standard storyline, but the Resident Evil-esque parts of this game like the ability to upgrade weapons and solve puzzles make it an absolute classic. In fact, it was the first ever PS2 game to reach one million sales, and eventually become recognized as one of the best titles on the console.

8. Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked

Average Price: from $50

Genre: Beat’em up

Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture, BNE Entertainment

Modernity and tradition are in a constant dance (or battle) throughout Japan. Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked shows this in a fairly humourous and sometimes ridiculous fashion through its blend of hip-hop and the Edo period.

The integration of hip-hop within the combat system is what sets this game apart from others. Collecting music tracks and using them at will to transform your fighting style is certainly an interesting take on the genre. It’s entertaining, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and manages to hold onto a relatively engaging storyline. Well worth picking up if you’re looking to collect all the ps2 games set in Japan.

9. Genji: Dawn of the Samurai

Average Price: from $6

Genre: Action-adventure, RPG, Hack-and-slash

Developer: Game Republic

The first thing you’ll notice about Genji: Dawn of the Samurai is just how spectacular it looks. From the character modeling to the backgrounds, it’s certainly one of the most beautiful video games set in Japan.

It follows the classic hack-and-slash concept with a load of Japanese mythology and folklore thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, the fun combat mechanics, fantastic design, and interesting story are cut short in a game that doesn’t seem to be long enough. At least, that’s the main complaint for an otherwise very interesting game. Still, if you manage to find one, I think the design aspect of this game is enough to warrant a purchase.

10. Red Ninja: End of Honor

Average Price: from $40

Genre: Stealth action

Developer: Tranji Studios

In Red Ninja: End of Honor, you’ll play as Kurenai, a trained assassin bent on avenging the death of her father, a prominent engineer. Unfortunately, most of the game isn’t too engaging – the writing, combat system, and mechanics are all to blame.

IGN called it a “comedy of errors, but without the humor”, so needless to say it’s hard to recommend playing this game unless you enjoy running around without clothes on and killing enemies that seem to have absolutely no sense whatsoever. If you do, then go for it! If not, there are plenty of other better games on this list that are set in Japan.

11. Ninja Assault

Average Price: from $15

Genre: Shooter

Developer: Now Production, Namco

Next up is Ninja Assualt, something a little different from the ninja-based games on this list though not necessarily any better. The graphics aren’t great, the gameplay is rinse-and-repeat, on-the-rails style, and it’s honestly just a little… boring.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve played and absolutely loved time-crisis, but this really doesn’t add anything new to the genre, and though it’s technically in Japan, you won’t really get that feeling you’re after with such tight gameplay.

12. Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero

Average Price: from $8

Genre: Racing

Developer: Genki

Taking a huge step back from samurai and ancient japan, Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero gives you the chance to race around modern modern-day Tokyo. The unique mechanic of this racer is its peculiar set of rules. Instead of crossing a finish line, the game uses a health bar for each driver. The one who loses all their SP (Spirit Points) will lose, so make sure to stay in the lead!

By doing away with a constructed race course, it makes things a lot more fluid and authentic in relation to the Tokyo drift-style racing. With over 156 cars to choose from, there’s no better way to explore present-day Tokyo on the PS2. Pick it up, now!

13. Fatal Frame

Average Price: around $100

Genre: Survival Horror

Developer: Tecmo

Back to what Japan does exceptionally well, a survival horror game called Fatal Frame. Players take on the role of Miku and the quest to find her brother who disappeared in the haunted Himuro mansion

It’s notoriously hard, and honestly pretty scary. If you’re after a horror game set in Japan that has decent visuals and positive reviews, this is the one to try. I’m not a great gamer, and I hate games that scare me so I’ll be leaving this one well alone!

14. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3

Average Price: from $30 depending on condition

Genre: RPG

Developer: Atlus

You’ve probably heard of this one, and for good reason too. Persona 3 is a JRPG PS2 game where players take on the role of a high school student in Iwatodai. Together with a few other students, they join the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad to fight the shadow creatures that feed on the minds of humans.

The combat is fun, though repetitive, and that hasn’t stopped top publications from giving it high review scores. The social aspect of this game and the writing are fantastic, so you can expect some pretty great charater development and story telling. Plus, this is one of only a few games I know of where you get to fight in a Japanese school so that’s pretty cool!

15. Yakuza

Average Price: from $20

Genre: Action-adventure, Beat ’em up

Developer: Sega, Amusement Vision

We’ve spoken about the Yakuza video games quite a few times on this website, and while the later games get a little silly, their humble beginnings were a little more down to earth. One really interesting thing about Yakuza is that it featured an open world. Granted, that world was only 2 square miles, but that freedom really meant something.

Players get to explore a fictionalized version of Kabukicho, and though its map is on the smaller side, it’s densely packed with things to do, see, and discover. Any game that lets me explore downtown Tokyo (even if it is fictionalized) gets a win in my book!

16. Chulip

Average Price: from $100

Genre: Adventure, JRPG

Developer: Punchline, Victor Interactive Software

Maybe it’s not quite as cute as the Japan-inspired Animal Crossing towns, but Chulip is easily the most adorable game on this list. After moving to a rural Japanese town that’s famous for an ancient legend, you make it your mission to see that the legend comes true. That legend states that whoever kisses underneath the old tree on the hill will live happily ever after. Can you spread love throughout the town by solving a number of puzzles, and manage to kiss the girl living in the pipe (you read that correctly) and live a long and happy life together?

The crowd is fairly split on this one. Most of the people who’ve played it absolutely adore its quirky design and sweet storyline. However, the critics don’t believe there’s enough to keep you entertained, perhaps suggesting it’s not a complete game. Bear in mind, this is first and foremost a Japanese game so the translations are also not 100% accurate either. So, while it’ll be a ridiculous purchase for some, for others it will be the cutest PS2 game set in Japan that they’ll just have to get their hands on! …and for the price this game is going for, you’re going to really have to love it!

17. Nihon Tokushu butai (Special Forces)

Average Price: $30

Genre: Shooter

Developer: Vingt-et-un Systems

Is there any other game in the world where you can raid a Japanese Konbini? This has to be one of the coolest locations in Japan on this entire list!

Japan hasn’t made too many first-person shooters, but when they do, it’s normally in the form of a law-abiding citizen or police officer. This strange little number is as much a stealth game as it is a shooter. Players succeed by pinning the enemy down and handcuffing them, but that task becomes extremely difficult when you have another 3 robbers shooting at you. Oh, and for some reason, I really appreciate the English name for this game: “The Japan Special Forces: Villanous Crime Archipelago 24 Hours”… Catchy!

18. Siren

Average Price: from $25

Genre: Survival horror

Developer: Japan Studio, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Project Siren

Back to Japan’s specialty, survival horror. Siren is a game that has you exploring the small Japanese village of Hanyuda. A lovely place to visit, apart from the blood-red sea and large selection of mutant creatures. Not the kind of place you’ll want to hang around!

Sightjacking is the most notable difference between this and other survival horrors. It allows you to see through your enemy’s eyes and help you avoid detection. It’s a pretty cool mechanic, but apparently, once you’ve figured out which enemies to avoid and which you need to kill, you’ll find them all to be fairly mindless.

The environment, the thing we’re most interested in for this article, is relatively small. Not only that, but since this is more of a stealth game, the speed at which you progress through each stage is sometimes incredibly slow. Not ideal if you’d rather see as much of Japan’s landscape as possible, even if it is infested with mutant zombie-like creatures.

19. Tokyo Bus Guide 2

Average Price: from $50

Genre: Driving Simulator

Developer: Fortyfive

Thankfully there are plenty of other games for those of us who don’t enjoy running for our lives and being scared out of our skin, myself included! Call me a nerd, but Tokyo Bus Guide is far more up my street.

Ever wanted to have a job as a bus driver in Tokyo? Well, now’s your chance! Think of this more like a simulator that will have you following all the rules of the road, and less like the frantic chaos that is Crazy Taxi. It was only ever released in Japan which means you’ll have to import it, and even then I’m not sure if you’ll need a region-locked Japanese PS2. Let me know in the comments below if you have any insight.

Simply deliver your passengers to their required stops, and become the best damn bus driver that Tokyo has ever seen. And take a look at some of Japan’s awesome streets, landmarks, and buildings at the same time!

20. Shinobido: Way of the Ninja

Average Price: from $60

Genre: Stealth

Developer: Acquire

Last but by no means least is Shinobido: Way of the Ninja. Considered by many as the epitome of ninja stealth games on the PS2. Enemies pose real threats and you have to use your brain to navigate to your objective in the best way possible. That means you shouldn’t have to destroy every enemy you come across, just the few that block the path through the castle.

The game also features an ending that can be altered depending on your relationship with the shogun. All that in a PS2 game? It’s honestly a little mind-blowing and easily one of the best games on this list.

While PS2 games may not be powerful enough to show Japan’s landscape in all its beauty as the PS5 can, there are still quite a few options if you want to play video games set in Japan. It’s generally heartwarming and incredibly nostalgic to go back to these games. Lots of them have held up far better than I would have thought, and some are very playable even by today’s standards. Have I missed out on a must-play game that’s set in Japan? Let me know in the comments below what it is and why you think it should be on this list!

Japan is famed for it’s gaming culture, and love of retro tech. As such, Tokyo is packed full of rare and expensive video games, and I thought it was about time we took a look!

These may not be the most expensive games in Tokyo, but they’re certainly up there in price, and all from the famous Akihabara retro game store ‘Super Potato”.

We already know that Japanese games are usually the pick of most video game speed runs, but they also ranked very highly on any avid game collectors list for a few reasons.

Not Localized

If a game is only available in Japan, that scarcity makes it a collectors dream. As well find out later on in the article, some of the more obscure gaming systems may only have had a few hundred of each cartridge made.

Different content

In the case that a game was made available somewhere other than Japan, it’s often the case that it may have different levels or features to the original. This difference makes the game rarer, and therefore more desirable.

Not For Sale

Some games may have only been available through raffles, prize draws, or other competitions. By not allowing everyone to purchase a certain version of the game, the Japanese developer is able to increase the rarity of certain versions making them a sought after collectors piece.

Without further ado, lets take a look at the most expensive games Tokyo has to offer!

1. Dragon Unit

Price: ¥38,280 ($296.49)

System: Famicom

PC gaming in Japan suffered a blow in the early 80s, and this was the game part of that downfall. Dragon Unit, or ‘Castle of Dragon’ as it’s known internationally, is a hack-and-slash-style action game from 1989. After their peaceful kingdom was completely devastated by the terrifying dragon, Zuriv, who also kidnapped the princess, it’s up to you to rescue her. Expect to encounter monsters galore as you battle through the dragon’s castle and save the princess.

Why is it so expensive?

In Japan, it’s known as Dragon Unit (ド ラ ゴ ン ユ ニ ッ ト) but in America, it’s known as ‘Castle of Dragon’. The distinction is mainly in the cover art, but that’s enough for collectors to want to own it. Like most games on this list, it’s rare and in a pretty decent condition which also adds to its rarity.

This version in particular (the one I’ve photographed) has suffered from damage and discoloration to the box, so I would expensive a copy in pristine condition to fetch a much higher price tag.

2. Community POM

Price: ¥43,780 ($338.18)

System: Playstation 1

In this cute action RPG game, you’ll take on the role of pigtailed protagonist Luru. Your job is to build a community for the Poms, a weird bunch of aliens or creatures that have fallen to earth.

Expect a lot of walking, giant kaiju-like watermelons, fairly basic combat systems, and a cute yet weird-as-anything storyline. Take a look at this review if you’re interested in learning more about the story and gameplay.

Why is it so expensive?

The game was originally released only in Japan but has since benefited from a fan translation bringing it to a mass of players for the very first time. Since then, it’s gained a small but loyal following, likely thanks to its cute mechanics, theme, and adorable storyline. As such, more and more people want to own the official game.

The game pictured is ‘Brand New Factory Sealed’, which is the reason for such a high price. I’ve seen others go for just over $100 though the condition is not too great.

3. Kage no Densetsu (Yamaki Mentsuyu Summer Present)

Price: ¥93,500 ($722.24)

System: Famicom/NES

The Legend of Kage, named Kage no Densetsu (影の伝説) in Japan is a hack-and-slash style video game. Players assume the role of Kage (a ninja) who’s on a mission to rescue a princess. Seems that kind of plot was pretty popular around this time! After you’ve rescued her for the third time (for some reason), you win the game. The arcade version was extremely popular in Japan, but the ports to the Commodore 64 and Famicom didn’t receive such a warm welcome.

Why is it so expensive?

Well, if it’s old and rare, and in good condition, it’s probably going to command a premium price tag. This version of Kage no Densetsu is all of those things. First off, this Japanese version was (believe it or not) only released in Japan – that’s the first reason it’s a sought-after collectible game.

The cover is the next thing that sets it apart, with only 10,000 copies being released as a Yamaki Mensuyu summer present many years ago. The only difference between this and the base game is the cover you’re given, and a small sticker on the cartridge to prove it’s a limited edition.

Last but by no means least is the condition of the game, and more often than not it’s going to be very good in Japan. Especially if it’s checked over by super potato, but that’s also likely to add an extra fee to an otherwise already expensive game.

4. Adventure Island IV (高橋名人の冒険島IV)

Price: ¥100,000 ($772.45)

System: Famicom

Out of all the games on this list, Adventure Island 4 has my favorite storyline. After Master Higgins’ creatures and girlfriend are kidnapped by an evil eggplant wizard he must start an adventure to rescue them and stop the wizard for good. With a story like that, who wouldn’t want to collect it?!

Why is it so expensive?

Other than the fantastic cover (not actually sure that’s a reason why it’s so expensive, but it should be!), there are a couple of reasons why the game demands such a high price.

The first is that Adventure Island IV has the lowest production rate out of the entire series. As I’m sure you know, a game that has fewer copies printed means it will likely have a higher price. That’s especially true when you find games in great condition, much like this one.

However, the most prominent reason why this is such an expensive game is that it’s the very last official one made for the Famicom and only ever released in Japan. The last (or first) of anything would likely put it on any game collector’s radar, and this is no different.

5. はじめの一歩 THE FIGHTING! VICTORIOUS BOXERS (Premium Disc)

Price: ¥107,800 ($832.70)

System: PS2

Victorious Boxers mirrors many of the fights seen in the manga, Hajime no Ippo, that it is based on. In the beginning, you’ll follow Ippo Makunouchi’s journey to the top of the featherweight championship, and that will later switch to his gym buddies career. As is the case with a lot of the games on this list, it did really well in Japan, but not nearly as well in North America. Perhaps that’s because of the lack of Manga readers, or just different expectations.

Why is it so expensive?

I’ve spent hours trawling through strange Japanese websites, Twitter accounts, and forums, and can’t quite figure all the details of this one out. Be sure to let me know if you have any more information about its origin in the comments below.

What I did manage to find out is the following:

NOT FOR SALE

Jironosuke who calls himself the “Otaku Husband” has made it his mission to be Japan’s number one not-for-sale game collector. What that means is any game he collects is technically not available to the majority of the public to buy unless they’ve acquired it through a competition or raffle etc. If you look at the bottom left-hand side of the picture above, you can see this is one such game.

Low Production Count

Jironosuke also mentions this premium disc version of はじめの一歩 THE FIGHTING! VICTORIOUS BOXERS, in a tweet from 2019. He states that the exact number of Hajime no Ippo premium discs is unknown, though it seems to be relatively small.

In any case, I don’t know if the premium disc version gives you anything extra in the game or whether it’s simply one for the collectors. Either way, this mint condition copy is selling for a huge amount of money!

6. キャプテンセイバー Captain Saver

Price: ¥129,800 ($1,002.63)

System: NES/FAMICOM

キャプテンセイバ, or “Power Blade 2” as it’s known in North America takes place in 2200 and follows the protagonist, NOVA, from the first game on his journey to destroy the delta foundation and its new cyborg. With a pretty large amount of weapons to choose from, power-ups, stage selection, and more, it’s definitely one of the more advanced games for the Famicom.

Why is it so expensive?

It was released in Japan in 1992 meaning it’s very late in the life cycle of the system. That makes it incredibly difficult to find. A relatively uncommon game, a recent increase of collectorssearching for it online, and great condition contribute to its high price. It still seems a bit steep compared to what I’ve seen it for online, but perhaps that’s the price you have to pay to have it fully checked out by a reputable place like Super Potato.

7. バブルボブル2 (Bubble Bobble 2) –

Price: ¥217, 800 ($1,682.39)

System: Famicom

Bub, the protagonist of Bubble Bobble 2, sets out to rescue his girlfriend Judy after the Skull Brothers capture her in a bubble. If that’s not the most adorable start to a video game you’ve ever read, I don’t know what is!

Why is it so expensive?

It’s one of the last three games released by Tatio which means far fewer copies were made. Therefore any copy that’s in great condition and boxed like the one above is going to fetch a much higher price.

The game was released on NES as well as Game Boy, and the NES features three bonus games and an alternate story line. That addition to the base game makes it a highly sought after item.

It was also very well receive at launch, despite the small amount of copies released, and it’s no wonder such a cute dinosaur face has a little cult following among game collectors!

8. Eigo de GO!

Price: ¥250,800 ($1,937.29)

System: 3DO

Less of a game and more of an educational tool, Eigo de GO! is a tool made for the 3DO which helps Japanese people learn English. This is done through 4 activities: Typing on an English keyboard to learn object word pairs, listening to dictated object names, word puzzles, and other listening games.

Why is it so expensive?

Another one I couldn’t find too much information on, but as far as I’m aware it’s due to a late release in the console’s timeline. The 3DO had a relatively short existence as it is (1993-1996), and Eigo de GO! only came out in 1996. That means, once again, that fewer copies were made, and there likely wasn’t a huge buzz around the game at the time. As such, a brand-new factory-sealed product like the one above is bound to fetch a huge price.

9. Gimmick!

Price: ¥327,800 ($2,532.07)

System: Famicom

That cute green blob-like character on the front cover is called Yumetaro, a creature who is mistakenly gifted to a young girl. The young girls toys then come to life, kidnap her to another dimension, and it’s up to Yumetaro to safe her. Another exceptionally cute story line from one of these old games!

Why is it so expensive?

Once again, this is a game that’s released relatively late into Famicom’s life which we know from some of the examples above makes it expensive.

What sets this game apart from some of the others on the list is that it wasn’t received well at release. So, there really wasn’t too much desire to localise the game in other countries. North America, for example, decided that due to its quirky character design it wasn’t suitable for their market. In fact, the Scandinavian market was the only other one that released it, and even then in very small quantities. However, Japan is the only place it’s called ‘Gimmick!’ which makes this title exceptionally rare.

So a game that few copies were released, only in Japan. Add to that the fact it’s in a mint condition box, and you’ll start to understand its price.

10. マジカルドロップ2 – Magical Drop II

Price: ¥921,800 ($7,120.40)

System: Neo Geo

Play as a variety of characters in this bubble blasting bonanza as you race against your opponent to clear the wall before they do. Unlike other bubble popping games where the next colour is given to you, Magical drop II allows you to grab a ball that’s already on the wall and move it to a more favourable position. This mechanic is just one of the reasons that the magical drop series is so popular.

Why is it so expensive?

Neo Geo had extremely expensive titles to begin with, costing an average of two hundred and fifty dollars each. When you consider inflation, that figure seems ridiculously high. Because of that cost, the market was incredibly limited and hardly any games were produced in the begining. In some cases, there may have been only a few hundred of each game.

Fast forward to today, and the world of Neo Geo Collecting is incredibly competitive. It can take collectors years to come across the next game on their hitlist, so understandably the prices can be extremely high. An article in the New Yorker (Linked above) tells us how someone sold 3 such cartridges for $45,000, and they weren’t even the most expensive of the 157 games officially released for the system.

Magical Drop II in the image above is in great condition, but lacks an insert “Postcard”. While it’s easily the most expensive game in Tokyo that I’ve come across, there are undoubtedly others in better condition that would blow this out of the water.

Trawling through retro game shops in Tokyo is something everyone has to experience, even if you’re not that interested in gaming. Understanding the scarcity of some of these titles and then seeing them in such fantastic condition really is an ode to Japan’s caring attitude towards collectibles.

Famicon is clearly the front-runner when it comes to the most frequently seen expensive video video games in Akihabara and Tokyo, but there’s obviously a whole host of games for all consoles that push the prices of game collecting

I’ll be updating this list as soon as I find something more expensive. It might be from another shop in Tokyo, but Super Potato always seems to have incredibly rare and expensive games in its collection. Seen anything more expensive in Tokyo? Snap a photo, shoot me over an email, and I’ll put it on the list!

As an Amazon Associate, I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. At no extra cost to you! ^_^

The PS1 was my first console, and the PS2 was my second. The latter had most of my favorite childhood games on it, and I’ll continue to hold a huge amount of love for it. While that probably means I’ll be spending way too much money trying to rebuild my PS2 game collection (apologies to my future bank account, especially with these PS2 games set in Japan), it also means I’ll be looking for a similar experience with current-gen consoles.

I skipped over the PS3 because I thought the Xbox360 had better exclusives, and the PS4 didn’t really give me anything extra as far as I was concerned. I think those years were primarily won by PC indie games, but that’s a story for another time.

As I ponder my future console purchase and seem to be completely bombarded by them any time I go into a Japanese HardOff, it got me wondering what Japanese games would find their way into my hands first. Turns out, quite a few!

So, here are 6 of the coolest Japanese PS5 games I’ll be buying when I grab the console, and the games I think you should play too! …Unless you’ve won the lottery and want to buy Tokyo’s most expensive video games.

1. Elden Ring

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

100% Completion Time: 133 Hours+ (Unless you snap the game in half and rage quit. Highly likely, I won’t lie)

From the company that brought us Dark Souls, the first on our list of the best Japanese games is Elden Ring. While this isn’t a video game set in Japan, it’s still one of the best Japanese ps5 games ever created. Though, it’s not for the faint-hearted. And with a completion time of around 133 hours, it’ll be a pretty hard game to speedrun.

I’ve had the pleasure, or perhaps misery, of playing Dark Souls 3 and I’ll tell you now that it isn’t the game for you if you don’t have patience. Elden ring follows much the same path and requires you to learn every mechanic of the game from the ground up.

If you’ve not played any soul-like games before, this is gonna be a huge challenge. You won’t be able to go into every fight waving your sword around and expecting to win, instead, you’ll have to consider the game more like a turn-based JRPG.

Poke your enemies gently, and then retreat. Watch how they respond, their attack style, and their technique. Now, hit back at the right time, and repeat until they (or you) die. Congratulations! You’ve learned how to fight one out of over 140 unique monsters in Elden ring. Good luck with the rest of them!

With an absolutely enormous map, a huge roster of enemies, practically endless side quests, dungeons, and secret spots, Elden Ring is the Japanese video game you won’t want to put down. …Well, it’s either the game you won’t want to put down or the one you’ll want to throw in the bin after your 1,000 attempts at beating Malenia Blade of Miquella, and failing…

2. Tales of Arise

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One,

100% Completion Time: 73 Hours+

If you’re looking for a decent JRPG for the PS5, definitely take a look at Tales of Arise. As the 17 entry into the Tales series, you can tell they’ve refined it well. The game will see you fight against the oppression of the Dahnan people, one of the two protagonist’s home worlds.

This is definitely a more forgiving game than Elden ring, and certainly the Japanese PS5 game you should play if you’re looking for that classic JRPG feel. IGN’s Kat Bailey suggests that Tales of Arise is more of a refresh than the reboot Yusuke Tomizawa, the game’s producer states.

Whatever you want to call it, it’s clear that it’s aimed at both newcomers and series veterans. That’s always nice to see with game genres like JRPGs, which do have a certain air of exclusivity to them.

The graphics have also been given a massive improvement over any previous titles, as you’d expect with a PS5 release, as well as a complete overhaul of the combat system. If you’ve got any of the previous generation consoles I’d recommend checking out earlier titles in the ‘Tales’ series beforehand, but if not then this is a solid stand-alone Japanese game on the PS5.

3. The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

(Currently completely sold out on amazon as well, I’ll update when it’s back in stock)

100% Completion Time: 130 Hours+

Known in Japan as Eiyū Densetsu, The Legend of Heroes first started its life as part of the Dragon Slayer series in the 1980s. Games that have been released since 2004 are part of the Trails subseries, and Kuro no Kiseki is one of the newest.

Think classic JRPG style, but with better resolution and high frames per second on the PS5 version. Several familiar faces return for Kuro no Kiseki, each of them with their own special arks and character progression. Combat has also undergone a big change from previous games with both turn-based and constant action-style fights practically interchangeable.

It’ll take on average just over 55 hours to beat the main story, 97 hours to beat the main story and side missions, and 130 hours for 100% (Source: How Long to Beat). A decent enough playtime, though not the longest on our list.

4. Ghostwire: Tokyo

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5

100% Completion Time: 37 Hours+

I’m going to be honest, I’d never heard of this game until I saw it in the shop the other day. After seeing just a couple of screenshots, and rampantly researching it when I got back from Tokyo, I knew it was something special.

‘Ghostwire: Tokyo’ sees you playing as Akito Izuki merged with his sometimes unwilling counterpart ‘KK’, a spirit who used to be a detective. Together, the pair of you strive to defeat Hannya, the antagonist who’s turned Tokyo into an apocalyptic nightmare, and rescue your sister.

In my opinion, the game features one of the best recreations of Tokyo in videogame format. Its streets are densely packed, the atmosphere is astounding, and the dance between tradition and modernity is one that’s been done exceedingly well.

The quality of graphics in a Japanese PS5 game is expected to be high, but one look at Ghostwire: Tokyo will reinforce the fact that we’ve definitely moved up a generation in consoles. Japanese PC gaming addicts will probably see the most exceptional graphics if your rig can take it!

Combat and character progression haven’t been given the best of reviews, with people claiming it’s a little one-dimensional. So while it is an open-world game, you may not be happy if you like in-depth control of everything.

The Verge puts it best: ‘Ghostwire: Tokyo is a paranormal love letter to the city’. So if you’re looking to explore Japanese folklore, spirits, and the biggest city in the world, this is the game for you.

5. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

100% Completion Time: 102 Hours+

We’ve spoken a little about that Yakuza games before, and for good reason. If you love exploring Japanese cities, fighting enemies with ludicrously hilarious abilities, and living out your days playing a wealth of mini-games in Yokohama, this is one of the best Japanese PS5 games you can buy.

Let’s talk a little more about those mini-games. All the previous Yakuza games have been known to have a huge amount of extra activities alongside the main storyline. ‘Like a Dragon’ is no different.

Arcades, shogi (A Traditional Japanese board game), can collecting, karaoke, slot machines, mahjong, darts, golf, batting cage, karting, and even business management are all things you can try out as well as the main storyline.

So what about the enemies? This is my favorite part about the game. While you won’t be fighting the terrifying creatures you’ll find in the Japanese PS5 game ‘Elden Ring’, or the ghouls you’ll encounter in Ghostwire: Tokyo, they’re equally as memorable.

My favorite encounter is the man you come across in a digger. I mean, have you ever fought a digger?? I know I haven’t!

Combat is also completely changed from the previous versions and now features are more JRPG-like turn-based combat style. While that might seem slow and boring to those used to fighting in other ways, it’s actually done in quite a compelling way. Enough for me anyway, someone who’s not used to playing JRPGs.

6. Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, Playstation 5

100% Completion Time: 40 Hours+

We started this list with one of the most ruthless Japanese PS5 games, and we’re going to end it with one of the most wholesome. Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom is the sequel to Doraemon: Story of Seasons, and it does the game franchise proud.

The story is set up with Noby and Doraemon jetting off in their spaceship to another planet to take a break before school starts again. That’s pretty much my reaction when faced with the threat of homework, so I completely understand the logic there!

Long story short, you land on a planet, help restore a farm to its former glory and try to regain the trust of a queen. All before school starts again, easy!

Daily errands, farmwork, and other cute tasks make this one of the most wholesome Japanese PS5 games I’ve seen. It’s not quite animal crossing as far as I’m concerned, but I’ll certainly be putting a few hours into it over the coming year.