Sega Dreamcast imports guide: The best Japan-only games to play

By Graham Russell // 9.9.199.9.19

For a less-successful-than-hoped system now reaching two decades of existence, the Dreamcast holds an impressive library of games that just haven’t seen proper follow-ups, and that holds true with the unlocalized segment of its library. The end of the road for Sega’s hardware development was full of both special novelties and Japan-only genre specialties, and the system’s arcade-like approach means a lot of it’s totally playable for Western audiences. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss!

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A beginner’s guide to Puyo Puyo

By Graham Russell // 9.6.199.6.19

So you want to get into a venerable, classic puzzle series, but don’t know where should you start? We’re here to help! Here’s a new player’s guide to the Puyo Puyo franchise as a whole.

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Video: Time to play ball! It’s Power Pros on Switch!

By Graham Russell // 8.30.198.29.19

Hey, Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball‘s out on the Nintendo Switch in Japan! It’s a shame that the Power Pros franchise hasn’t made it back to the West in more than a decade, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get it from Japan and have fun anyway. Watch!

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Video: Our Flick Erasers is fun Japanese weirdness

By Graham Russell // 8.23.198.23.19

What… is this? That’s a fair reaction to Our Flick Erasers, a release from budget game maker SAT-BOX that recently made its way to the West. It’s a simple sort of game with ideas that began on mobile, but it’s packed with nonsense and fun at a very base level. Watch for a better look!

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System-by-system guide to getting into imports

By Graham Russell // 8.8.198.8.19

The games importing hobby can be a difficult one to get into, purely due to logistics. As always, we want to help! So here’s the rundown on systems’ barriers and specialties, to help you know where to start.

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PlayStation 4 imports guide: what you need to know

By Graham Russell // 8.1.198.1.19

After a slow start, the PlayStation 4 now sees much more frequent releases in Japan, which means one thing for you: there are some enticing imports to check out. And unlike the 3DS and Vita (and like the Switch), the platform actually makes it rather painless! Here’s a look at your best options for games you can’t get in the West.

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A beginner’s guide to Fire Emblem

By Graham Russell // 7.24.197.24.19

With the release of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, a lot of people have been talking about the long-running strategy franchise, and many are being introduced to what it has to offer. So where do you start if you want to get into the series? What’s the next step if you enjoy Three Houses or mobile hit Fire Emblem Heroes, and where do you go after that? We’re here to help you answer those questions.

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Nintendo Switch imports guide: the best Japan-only games to play

By Graham Russell // 7.18.198.8.19

The Nintendo Switch has made it easier than ever for Western Nintendo fans to enjoy import-only games, and it’s a good thing, too, because there’s some fun stuff to check out! (Even if, due to so many localizations about which we will not complain, the options are still a bit slim.) Here’s your guide to what you should be playing that hasn’t made it to Western eShops.

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Review: Dragon Quest Builders 2 offers bigger, better building

By Graham Russell // 7.11.199.2.19

The first Dragon Quest Builders was a successful adaptation of the crafting game to the world of Dragon Quest, adding structure, aesthetic and narrative to its gameplay. That said, it was definitely a first effort, and there were clear areas in which it could improve in a sequel.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 goes so much further than we were expecting.

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