My Favorite Japanese Video Games I Relished Experiencing in This Year
My Favorite Japanese Video Games I Relished Experiencing in This Year
This year's Japanese game releases had a vintage gaming feel, and here are some of my favorite picks from this retro-themed collection.
I've been compiling this top ten list for Japanese games since 2016, marking this as my ninth year of doing so. From 2017 to 2023, I've shared my favorite games, based on my personal experiences and preferences.
10. Assault Suits Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute
This was a fantastic Saturn mecha game back in the day, only available in Japan. However, thanks to its recent release, English versions will be available in the near future, making it accessible to a wider audience. As someone who worked on the release of Assault Suits Valken Declassified, I'm thrilled that these games are finally receiving much-needed attention.
9. The Legend of Steel Empire
I had a blast playing this shmup on the Mega Drive. Fortunately, this remaster was done exceptionally well. While I have a soft spot for steampunk and alternate-timeline technology, this game is a solid shmup that's worth checking out, even for those yet to do so.
8. Front Mission 2: Remake
Just like its predecessor, this was only available in Japan. It's now widely available and has been excellently updated.
7. Tekken 8
This game surpassed my expectations, and it's great to see more classic fighting games being revitalized, especially now that Street Fighter has seen a resurgence. The transition to Unreal Engine 5 has made the game both visually appealing and smoothly run.
6. Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
This game is in the same vein as the Link's Awakening remake, but with a few twists. Players now control Zelda with some restrictions, but they can counter that by copying and pasting objects from Hyrule. It was an enjoyable game, but I would still love to see Zelda wielding her own sword and shield in a future update.
5. Dragon Quest Builders
The highly-anticipated PC port of this classic game was solid, and while it had some quality-of-life improvements, I still prefer the PlayStation 4 and Switch versions. Nevertheless, having this game on PC is a welcome addition, and it's a must-play for fans.
4. Unicorn Overlord
Despite the controversy surrounding its English localization, the game remained impressive, both visually and gameplay-wise. As someone who loves the tactical side of RPGs, it's always a pleasure to discover a new take on the genre.
3. Ace Combat 7: Deluxe Edition
I never thought this game would run on the Switch, but here it is in its glorious Deluxe Edition form. Having enjoyed the game on the PlayStation 4 back in 2019, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to play it on the go with my Switch.
2. Shadow of the Ninja Reborn
This game defied expectations and delivered a flawless remake of an NES classic with even more technicality than the original. It also boasts stunning pixel art, making it one of the best pixel art games I've played in years.
1. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
This game is a return to form for RPGs. With its tilt-shift HD-2D art style, 3D backgrounds, and 2D pixellated characters, the game has been brought back into the spotlight on a global scale. It's not only a joy to play, with numerous functional updates and changes over the original, but its visual appeal is undeniable. I cannot recommend this game enough.
Why isn't Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree included in this list? As a DLC release, we'll have to wait for the main game's inclusion in next year's list. And while Metaphor: ReFantazio was also worthy of mention, it just missed the cut this time around.
This year saw several game ports and remakes, and I'm looking forward to seeing what next year has in store for us.
Follow me on X, Facebook, and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
1. Video games in 2024In 2024, we might expect to see some exciting Japanese game releases, potentially including top-tier titles like "Dragon Quest" and "Shadow of the Ninja" in remastered versions.
2. Japan's video game marketJapan's video game market has a strong influence on global trends, with popular franchises like "Dragon Quest" and "Ace Combat" frequently making their way to various platforms, including the Switch and PC.
3. Switch and PlayStation compatibilityMany of the much-anticipated Japanese game releases are available not only on the Nintendo Switch but also on PlayStation consoles, ensuring that gamers get to enjoy their favorite content across multiple platforms.
4. Transition to new technologiesAs technology evolves, games like "Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom" and "Tekken 8" are benefiting from the transition to powerful engines like Unreal Engine 5, resulting in visually appealing and smoothly run classic games.
5. PC and console gamingWith the expanding landscape of gaming, we're now able to enjoy popular titles like "Dragon Quest Builders" on PC, as well as on consoles like the Switch and PlayStation 4, broadening the player base and accessibility for these games.