Posted by Merlin on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 (10:46:52) (203 reads)

The Japanese expansion pack gets a very strange name.
By Anoop Gantayat

January 12, 2005 - Nintendo plans to release a third installment in its Donkey Konga series of music games over in Japan. Until now, we've referred to the expansion as Donkey Konga Disk 3 or just Donkey Konga 3. Today, we have a final name for the game: Donkey Konga 3: Tabe-houdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku.

We're not sure what the name means, but it has something to do with a buffet, Spring and 50 new songs. That's right, 50 songs! As the game's first expansion featured less than 30 songs, this should make for a huge update for those looking to use their bongo controllers once more.

We expect to get a first look at the game and its huge song list in a couple of weeks as Nintendo puts Donkey Konga on display at the Japanese World Hobby Fair.

Nintendo America has yet to announce plans for an update to Donkey Konga in America.

Posted by Merlin on Monday, January 10, 2005 (05:37:49) (172 reads)

Keep up with the latest releases from overseas.
By IGN Staff

January 9, 2005 - Are you a big import gamer? Was 1/6 "Digimon Day" at you house as you celebrated the rare occasion of a simultaneous Xbox, PS2 and GameCube Japanese release? Then you've followed the right link!

This weekly section on IGN will keep you up to date on what games were released over the previous week in Japan. If you want to keep informed of the import scene, be sure and check back every week.

The following games were released between 01.03.05 and 01.09.05. Click on the name to see all of IGN's current coverage on the title.


PLAYSTATION 2

BuzzRod Fishing Fantasy
Publisher: Starfish
Genre: Fishing, Action; Release: 01.06.05
Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 74K
This fishing game from Starfish combines action-based fishing with RPG elements. You combine bait for different effects and can even equip your rod with items to better lure in your desired fish. Once you've determined a fishing spot, you cast your line and slowly move your bait around in an attempt to lure in the fish. Once "Hit" appears on the screen, you've got to reel in the fish, tilting your rod in accordance with on-screen icons. Each stage requires that you catch a certain type of fish before you can advance to the next stage.

Digimon World X
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Soccer, Action; Release: 11.18.04
Price: 7329 yen, Memory: 1983K
Known as Digimon World 4 in America, this latest Digimon game from Bandai arrived a couple of months early to Japan for a multi-platform simultaneous release (even on Xbox!). Playing as a D.S.G. ("Digital Security Guard") who protects peace in the digital world, you face off against the Royal Knights who are up to no good. You start off the game by choosing from one of four Digimon who then evolves to ten different forms as you play.


GAMECUBE

Digimon World X
Publisher: Bandai
Genre: Anime, Action, RPG; Release: 01.06.05
Price: 7140 yen; Memory: 11 Blocks
Known as Digimon World 4 in America, this latest Digimon game from Bandai arrived a couple of months early to Japan for a multi-platform simultaneous release (even on Xbox!). Playing as a D.S.G. ("Digital Security Guard") who protects peace in the digital world, you face off against the Royal Knights who are up to no good. You start off the game by choosing from one of four Digimon who then evolves to ten different forms as you play.


XBOX

Digimon World X
Publisher: Bandai
Genre: Anime, Action, RPG; Release: 01.06.05
Price: 7140 yen; Memory: 12 Blocks
Known as Digimon World 4 in America, this latest Digimon game from Bandai arrived a couple of months early to Japan for a multi-platform simultaneous release (even on Xbox!). Playing as a D.S.G. ("Digital Security Guard") who protects peace in the digital world, you face off against the Royal Knights who are up to no good. You start off the game by choosing from one of four Digimon who then evolves to ten different forms as you play.


GAME BOY ADVANCE

Tales of the World Narikiri Dungeon 3
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: War, Action, Shooting; Release: 11.18.04
Price: 5040 yen; Includes backup feature
The Game Boy Advance "Tales of the World" series brings together characters from all the other Tales games for a dream adventure. A time machine has been stolen, and the storylines for all the Tales games have been mixed up. Using another time machine, you must set the time line back to normal by traveling back and forth through time. The series' trademark linear motion battle system once again features here, with players taking direct control of the lead character while other characters behave according to basic strategies that you've assigned them. Equip your characters with "Narikiri" clothes to change professions between such areas as swordsman, fighter, archer and more. Characters can have four skills assigned to them prior to battle; skills that have not been assigned cannot be used.


NINTENDO DS

Spider-Man 2
Publisher: Taito
Genre: Movie, Action; Release: 01.06.04
Price: 5040 yen; Includes backup feature
One of the early American NDS games sees release in Japan.


That does it for this week's list. Remember, if you want to keep ahead of the Japanese game scene, be sure and check out our Gaming Life in Japan feature. We took a few weeks off at the end of 2004 (you know... PSP, NDS, Dragon Quest...), but 2005 will see its first issue later this week! Stay tuned to IGN Insider!