Important Importables 50th Column: 50 reasons gamers love Japan

Well, it’s happened. Important Importables has reached a hallmark – 50 columns. After running for almost a year, I decided a bit of a celebration was in order. So I asked Gamertell’s editor what would be a good way to celebrate the occasion. His answer was simple – compile a list of 50 reasons why gamers love Japan.

I’ve been poring over everything I know about Japanese culture. The result is a massive list of 50 things gamers love about Japan. I’m certain you’ll find a few things on here you love. If you think I’ve missed something, be sure to let me know in the comment section below.

Without further ado…

50 reasons gamers love Japan

1. Tokyo: the glamorous and most famous city in Japan.
2. Hello Kitty: She’s a star and one of the world’s most recognizable mascots. Plus Japan is home to the Hello Kitty massagers.
3. Akihabara: Land of used games and electronics and tons of the latest electronic devices.
4. Karaoke Bars: Especially the ones which have video game or anime theme songs.
5. Cosplay: Where else is dressing like your favorite character considered an art form?
6. Tokyo Game Show: Like E3, only with games that have never even been hinted at before.
7. Square Enix Party: Kind of like E3 and TGS, only Square Enix-centric.
8. No PSP game draught: More than one PSP game comes out per week!
9. R4s were sold in stores: While piracy is horrible and I totally denounce it, the R4 was a great device for homebrew games and applications.
10. Pokemon Centers: Because deep inside, we all want to catch them all (and maybe cuddle them).
11. Original Japanese voice acting: Because sometimes, English voice actors don’t cut it.
12. Artbooks: You don’t have to order online to get a book filled with sketches and concept art from your favorite game.
13. Soundtracks: Again, you don’t have to order online to find tracks from your favorite game.
14. Limited Edition Games: While there are limited edition releases of titles of games overseas, there’s something special about owning the original Japanese limited edition. (Plus, LE’s are released more often!)
15. UFO Catchers: The claw machines are much more challenging, and have much better prizes!
16. Gachapon: A wonderful throwback to gumball machines with nifty little toys.



17. Shokugan: Where else can you find a video game/anime related toy with a little piece of candy?
18. Cell phone charms: Cell charms are available everywhere, but Japan has the best variety when it comes to licensed series.
19. Club Nintendo: Sure, its available in other areas of the world, but only the Japanese branch offers actual DS games as prizes.
20. Cat cafes: Enjoy your coffee or book with about fifteen furry friends.
21. Maid cafes: Not my cup of tea, but some gamers may enjoy the idea of a cute girl in a maid outfit serving them.
22. Arcades: Massive arcades with all kinds of day, sometimes open 24 hours a day.
23. Manga based on games/games based on manga: A chance to take a different look at your favorite series.
24. Anime based on games/games based on anime: Again, a chance to take a different look at your favorite series.
25. Limited Edition DS units: Because DSes with Pokemon or other characters etched on them are too cute.



26. Limited Edition PSPs: Don’t companies think other regions want Monster Hunter or Crisis Core PSPs?
27. Region-free games: Love is the ability to play a game from any area on your system.
28. Play-Asia/JList/Yes Asia/Renchi/Himeya Shop: So you can play and enjoy import items thanks to reliable import sites.
29. Ramune: Half the fun of this carbonated drink is opening it.



30. Pocky: This chocolate/frosting dipped cookie stick is easily the most recognizable of all Japanese treats.
31. Eccentric rock stars: We love Miyavi and Gackt!
32. JRPGs: These unique RPGs with certain anime character designs and themes have gained a dedicated following.
33. Sushi: Raw fish never tasted so good.
34. Japan gets all most games first: Sometimes, a week can make a big difference.
35. Japanese shrines: Pick up an omamori for good luck, pray for luck and check your fortune.
36. Ninjas: Pirates never stood a chance.
37. Sake: Japan’s most famous liquor.
38. Samurai: Fight for honor.
39. Shigeru Miyamoto: Nintendo fans would love the chance to meet this genius.
40. Paper-craft and origami: Mesmerizing the masses with a simple sheet of paper.
41. Midnight release events: Game releases really go all out.
42. Godzilla: Everyone’s favorite kaiju monster.
43. Action figures: Incredibly detailed official and fan-created models of game characters.
44. Plushies: Because sometimes you want to cuddle a giant Pikachu.



45. Dreamcast: Games are still being released for the system.
46. Doujinshi: Fans create and continue the storylines of their favorite series.
47. Homebrew: Some strange/cool games are created by crafty fans.
48. Studio Ghibli: Spirited Away made me cry.
49. Conventions: Anime and video game conventions with incredible panels, concerts, events and dealer rooms never fail to impress.
50. Traditional Japanese clothing: Who hasn’t wanted to, at one point, where a hakama, kimono or yukata?

COMING NEXT WEEK: Important Portables crafts an import PSP game wishlist for 2008.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Important Importables talked about when Japanese mascots get games.

Important Importables column directory:

• Important Importables: When mascots get games
• Important Importables: Creepy Japanese games
• Important Importables: Princess Maker 5 Portable for PSP review
• Important Importables: Hoshizora no Comic Garden for DS review
• Important Importables: Testing import DS styluses
• Important Importables: Finding out which version of Princess Maker 4 is for you
• Important Importables: Club Nintendo
• Important Importables: 6 places to hit in Akihabara
• Important Importables: Princess Crown Review for PSP
• Important Importables: Miku Hatsune and her game debut
• Important Importables: The anime episode otome fans must see
• Important Importables: 5 reasons to import games
• Important Importables: Finding Action Replay DS codes for Japanese games
• Important Importables: Audition Portable review for PSP
• Important Importables: Simple Series DS games
• Important Importables: Organizing Jump Ultimate Stars decks
• Important Importables: Gackt
• Important Importables: Ohimesama Debut review
• Important Importables: Hikaru Utada
• Important Importables: Daigasso Band Brothers review
• Important Importables: Fun summer gadgets from Japan
• Important Importables: Pump It Up Zero Portable review
• Important Importables: Pump It Up Exceed Portable for PSP review
• Important Importables: Reasons to love Princess Maker
• Important Importables: PSP games the US won’t get
• Important Importables: DS games the US won’t get
• Important Importables: Taiko no Tatsujin DS review
• Important Importables: Some of the best Naruto games
• Important Importables: Kisekae Set System (KiSS)
• Important Importables: An alphabet of art books
• Important Importables: Otometeki Koi Kakumei Love Revo DS!! review
• Important Importables: Evangelion games
• Important Importables: Soma Bringer preview
• Important Importables: Duel Love: Koisuru Otome wa Shouri no Megami review
• Important Importables: Bleach DS 2nd: Kokui Hirameku Requiem preview
• Important Importables: Games that might help you learn Japanese
• Important Importables: Bemani
• Important Importables: Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side 2nd Season review
• Important Importables: Rune Factory 2 review
• Important Importables: Valentine’s Gifts
• Important Importables: Best SNES RPGs
• Important Importables: Super Dollfie dolls
• Important Importables: Video game plush dolls
• Important Importables: The Must-Import GBA game
• Important Importables: PSP peripherals
• Important Importables: Crazy DS peripherals
• Important Importables: The Must-Import PSP game
• Important Importables: The Must-Import DS game
• Important Importables: Import game holiday gift guide
• Important Importables: Sites that sell international games