Moero Downhill Night Type R offers all the typical elements of a Japanese dating sim – extensive conversation trees and a lot of well executed art – plus attempted interactive 3D video segments and an innovative time-based element that could easily be pilfered and used to help improve many other conversation-based games.

Host clubs are no secret in Japan. Interested parties will find the streets of Kabuki-cho in Shinjuku (Tokyo, Japan) swarming with sharply dressed young gentlemen bombarding women of all ages in hopes of luring them back to their love nest that is one of their host clubs.

Last Escort is a unique series, usually on the PS2, that has enjoyed success on the Japan thanks to many a fine lady interested in getting a glimpse of what the host club scene in Japan is like without committing oodles of real-world monetary funds.

Important Importables has always offered substantial coverage of various otome, that is, life/dating sim games for girls, due to the fact that I enjoy playing most of those games. But those aren’t the only kind of dating sim style games in Japan. In fact, there are likely far more dating sims geared towards guys available than there are ones for girls.

So, this week Important Importables is going to briefly look at some of the Japanese dating sim games released for guys. We’ll briefly look at the types of Japanese games released, then also talk about some games released in English that either fit, or loosely fit, the genre. If you’re one of this column’s male readers (who are probably thinking “Finally!”), perhaps you’ll hear about a title or series that may interest you…

Product: Bazooka Café Price: $34.95 System Requirements: Pentium II 300 mhz, 96 MB RAM, Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista Rating: 6.6/10 Pros: Good erotic art, low system requirements, funny and fairly well written Cons: Low gaming value, culture shocks, grandma will think you’re a pervert Overall: Selective adult fans will enjoy, not a good gift idea for Nana more »