Japan's Influence on Gaming Culture Worldwide
December 14 2022
Whether you're a gamer in Canada or Europe, Japanese game studios and developers have left an indelible mark on the video games you play. Super Mario Bros. and Pokemon are just two iconic titles created in the land of the rising sun. The country's embrace of video games is unparalleled, driving the success of consoles from Nintendo, Sega, and Sony's PlayStation. Keep reading to learn how Japan's gaming culture has influenced the world.
Pokemon Go was a global phenomenon following its launch in 2016.
The Vanguard of Mobile Gaming
Japan has always been at the forefront of mobile gaming. When most of the world was playing basic games on Nokia cell phones, Japan's leading telecom provider introduced a mobile gaming platform allowing users to download advanced games to their cell phones.
Mobile gaming wouldn't take off in the rest of the world until the introduction of the touchscreen iPhone. Then, smartphones continued to transform gaming as more and more people turned to their phones for entertainment.
Today, there's a title for just about everyone who wants to play games on their mobile device. We have witnessed this evolution as casino games have increasingly moved from brick-and-mortar establishments to the world of mobile devices and online gaming. As one of the world's most popular card games, given the convenience of mobile gaming, it's no surprise that many people play online poker in Ontario using their smartphones and tablets.
The same can be said of other gaming genres, like RPGs such as Pokemon. Although Pokemon Go hype has diminished since its peak in 2016, you can still find people happily hunting these cute creatures in cities and towns around the world. You might not think about Japan's impact on mobile gaming as you tap away at your favorite game, but it's there.
Japan's successful foray into the world of video games began with the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Gaming Consoles
Besides Microsoft Xbox consoles, the most successful gaming systems of the last several decades have come from Japan. If you played games on a Nintendo, Sega, or Playstation console, you have experienced gaming on a Japanese device.
Japan's successful foray into the world of video games began with the Nintendo Entertainment System's (NES) launch in 1983. The NES revolutionized gaming, bringing quality, arcade-style graphics to homes worldwide. It also launched the career of the famous plumber Mario, who would become the face of the gaming industry for years to come.
Riding on the success of the NES, Nintendo released the Gameboy in 1989, allowing gamers to play their favorite titles on the go. The graphics were lackluster compared to today's standards, but the monochrome screen with shades of gray was a hit with gamers worldwide.
The release of the first Playstation marked a turning point for Japanese games and had a substantial impact on avid and casual gamers alike. The PlayStation used new technology that allowed developers to create games like Tomb Raider and Tekken 2 that defied all expectations.
Japan has continued to push the envelope with its Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite dominating video game sales in recent years. The innovative consoles allow gamers to play console titles on their TVs or take them with them on a handheld device wherever they go.
Popular Japanese Gaming Titles
The Japanese didn't invent video games, but they did take them to the next level. Games like Pokemon, Legend of Zelda, Space Invaders, Super Mario Bros., and Resident Evil have touched the lives of almost all gamers and will continue to do so for years to come.
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