Digital | ON: GAMES Jan 3, 2021
Plant a garden, solve puzzles and save the world in these video games
Three well-known gaming franchises — PixelJunk, Puyo Puyo Tetris and Earth Defense Force — get sequels.
Brian Ashcraft
Brian Ashcraft is a senior contributing editor at Kotaku and has been writing about video games for The Japan Times since 2007. He is also the author of two books, "Arcade Mania!" and "Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential." A graduate of Cornell University, Ashcraft has called Osaka home for over a decade.
For Brian Ashcraft's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Digital | ON: GAMES Dec 6, 2020
Roleplaying takes center stage with these three games
The year closes with a flurry of new games including Cyberpunk 2077, Collection of SaGa Final Fantasy Legend and Densha de Go!! Hashiro Yamanote Sen.
Digital | ON: GAMES Nov 1, 2020
New consoles debut just in time for 2020’s holiday season
This month sees the release of the PlayStation5 and Xbox Series X and Series S, plus the new Kingdom Hearts game has a musical twist.
Digital | ON: GAMES Oct 3, 2020
Three beloved video game franchises get spruced-up remakes
Crash Bandicoot, Pikmin and Shin Megami Tensei all have new releases coming out this month.
Digital | ON: GAMES Sep 6, 2020
Landmark moments for video games in Japan
The Tokyo Game Show moves online; one of the best shoot ’em ups gets a physical version; and Japan now has a legal video game bar.
Digital | ON: GAMES Aug 2, 2020
Ruins, crystals and robots: Classic games get remastered
La-Mulana whips you into shape; Crystal Chronicles gets even better; and Gundam fans get another chance to suit up.
Digital | ON: GAMES Jul 5, 2020
Two new styles of samurai showdowns
SNK drops an unreleased Samurai Shodown game; Ghost of Tsushima brings feudal Japan to life; and Marvel’s Iron Man VR puts you right in the suit.
Digital | ON: GAMES Jun 7, 2020
A remastered game gives you 101 reasons to stay home
Revisiting a cannibalistic world, puzzle-filled nightmares and 101 superheroes
Digital | ON: GAMES May 3, 2020
Bubble gum becomes a prized commodity in Ninjala and PlatinumGames celebrates two birthdays
Ninjala is sure to deliver Splatoon fans a new mess of fun and the rest of the world gets a peek at the buzz behind Mana.
Digital | ON: GAMES Apr 6, 2020
Take that island vacation you've been waiting for with Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Escape self-isolation with Animal Crossing: New Horizons; get in touch with your softer side with the coral Switch Lite; and Evil is back for a new round.