Why Gaming in Japan is Different to the Rest of the World

Page 1 | Page 2

Different Games, Different Names - Gaming in Japan

Seen from the outside, Japan is much like a different world. And the differences are not just skin-deep - they are deeply rooted in the island state's culture. What better way to experience these differences than to take a look at the games the Japanese play, games that are very different from what Westerners are used to. Many Japanese games are not even released in the West, and even when they are, they don't often have mass appeal. But back home they are constantly in the top of the players' preferences.

Yokai Watch Busters

Yokai Watch Busters

The MMOs are very different

I'm sure many Japanese players roam the lands of Warcraft, or shoot their opponents in CounterStrike. But I'm also sure these are not the games they prefer. When it comes to massively multiplayer online games, Final Fantasy is the undisputed leader in their preferences. While it's not exclusive to Japan, Western players prefer MOBAs and MMOs that are rooted a bit deeper in their own mythology, apparently - which Final Fantasy is not.

Phantasy Star Online is another massively popular MMO in Japan. This one is exclusive to Japan and a few other countries, and it doesn't even have native support for English. Phantasy Star is played on all major platforms of today - Windows, PS Vita, iOS and Android.

Local favorites are different

Looking at the best-selling game software titles in Japan for last year, a couple of things stand out. The rankings are dominated by titles for the PlayStation 3DS console, including the Top 3 and seven of the Top 10. At No.1 was Monster Hunter X, a local production that was also popular worldwide.

But in the No.2 slot was Yokai Watch Busters, not a title that will be familiar to many people outside Japan. Similarly Tales of Zestiria, Yakuza O and One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 are hardly household names overseas. And while Dai Gyakuten Saiban: Naruhodo Ryunosuke no Boken sold almost 200,000 copies, how many non-Japanese would have a clue what that title even means!

Dai Gyakuten Saiban: Naruhodo Ryunosuke no Boken

Dai Gyakuten Saiban: Naruhodo Ryunosuke no Boken

Gambling is different

As we've mentioned before, Japan's gambling laws are very restrictive when it comes to local companies. Pachinko may be a very popular game - there are over 15,000 pachinko parlors in Japan - but only in land-based establishments. When it comes to the great online, things are a bit different, since locals are not forbidden to play at offshore operators.

There are not many online gaming destinations aimed specifically at Japanese players. One of them is https://jp.royalvegascasino.com/, one of the few that has a complete support for Japanese language. Aside from its interface in their native tongue, the Royal Vegas Japan offers its players a vast selection of online games, many of them running on mobile devices. And Japan is a country with many mobile players, that's for sure. The Royal Vegas has a long history of trusted, reliable gaming, offering players the right games, the right bonuses, and some of the most amazing promotions ever. Besides, Japanese players can contact the Royal Vegas in their own language, which is a telltale sign of the respect it has for its players, no matter what country they are from.

Related content

Page 1 | Page 2