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[Lyte Edge]

This game actually has cross-play with the Wii U version, which I think is a first. Note that it's also available on the Japanese PS3, Vita, PS4, and Xbone. The PS3/Vita versions also have cross-play. Not sure about PS4. Also interesting is that the PS4 and Xbone versions were apparently not released-digitally, which pretty weird if true.

 

[Hedgey]

Apparently that's only PARTIALLY true. The text isn't hardcoded for 90% of the game, according to a fan translator working on it. The only hardcoded text is during the prerendered scenes.

Honestly not too too many of those in the game.
It's also a game where the story is pretty cliche and doesn't really matter anyway.
The PS3 version was fantastic, easily my favourite PS3 game.
I haven't played the 3DS version yet (waiting to find it for a good price here)
but the mission-based story and multiplayer would be perfect for a portable.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

Does that start happening in later games? I'm lttp to the franchise, maybe an hour or two left before I finish the first game and so far I haven't seen anything completely outrageous aside from maybe the bento box lady and the steel samurai. I don't think the game ever stated where it takes place geographically though.

Funny enough, I'm LTTP as well. Just started in the last few weeks. The first game mostly gets away with it, but the excuse of being in LA feels a little thinner as you go on. Japanese mythology gets added on and it begins to feel a bit silly at times.

That's what I meant with DGS. The game takes place in the Meiji Period. Dunno how you rewrite that.

 

[JimPanzer]

I'm currently playing through Yokai Watch 2 Shinnuchi and loving it! It's basically a childhood simulator with incredible Level-5 polishing. I don't know if you can speak Japanese, but I'm only learning for half a year now and can get through it without major prolbems. I've struggled a bit at first but now I feel how my reading ability is increasing.

Bravely Second is another option. It doesn't provide Furigana but from what I saw on youtube the language level isn't too high and most of the text is voiced.

 

[digita1alchemy]

Edit

 

[sixteen-bit]

Culdcept

 

[digita1alchemy]

Whoa, thanks for all the recommendations, went to lunch and didn't there to be so many replies when I got back.

Dragon Quest

I'd like these but I don't know much Japanese, which would hinder my enjoyment quite a bit I think. I am currently learning though, so maybe one day.

Puyo Puyo Tetris is why I considered getting a Japaense 3ds.

Is there anything that puts the 3DS version over the Vita one? Was thinking of getting it on Vita.

How was beyond the labyrinth? I got the impression it wouldn't be good to import without knowing Japanese.

I loved it, once I got the hang of the combat I was addicted for a while. If you like dungeon crawlers I'd say go for it. Language barrier was a moderate annoyance but I was still able to finish it fine, its pretty linear and mostly combat.

Pretty much everything I have for my system has already been mentioned, so I'll just toss in Culdcept, which has been out for 3 years now and historically has a very shaky localization record, so I feel confident saying it's not coming.

I loved the Xbox 360 game, so I can probably figure this one out. Will add it to my list.

Other than that... uh... I think the only other thing I have that hasn't been mentioned or localized is the Japan-exclusive physical release of the Sega 3D Classics, since you said you like having physical games. Plus it exclusively has the Master System 3D games!

I was considering this even though I own the eshop version, just because I loved the conversions so much. Didn't know about the Master System games, that might push me over the edge.

Solitiba (eShop game that combines solitaire and horse racing and is just about the best thing ever once you get a hang of it)

This sounds up my alley!

I second Daigassou Band Bros. - a first-party Nintendo title that was supposed to be a launch title on DS in the US, and Nintendo just never brought it over...or its sequel, or its sequel's sequel, or....
.

I looked for the DS game while I was there but never saw it. Somehow missed that there was a 3DS game, I'll check it out.

If you mean 3DS games that skipped NA, check out the Inazuma Eleven series.

I'm playing through the one from the eShop now. I like it, but I'm thinking the language barrier might put me off from importing the others. There's the Euro versions, but I am not in the market for a Euro 3DS (unless someone wants to sell me an Ambassador Edition!)

Oh and before I forget, Nintendo Pocket Football Club was never released in the US so you could try looking for a copy if you like footb- I mean soccer. It's called Calciobit in Japan. It's worth getting for the adorable boxart alone if you ask me!

This released the week I was in Japan, I kept seeing it in shops. It looked fun, but the price was a bit high for something I didn't know much about. I'll have to take another look.

Thanks for all the Rhythm Heaven recommendations, but I am holding out hope it comes here. Also sorry for the extra posts, my browser shit the bed or something...

 

[digita1alchemy]

Edit: (triple post?!).

 

[Drilbit777]

Yeah, this one.

The twist: This is a Lost Planet game

I would recommend playing it if you have a PS3, its actually pretty dirt cheap to import now. Shame capcom never localized it

 

[Kouriozan]

Dragon Quest getting region locked is the most suffering thing I had/still have to endure so far this gen.
I'm glad they are switching it on PS where it's easy to import.

My vote will go to Rhythm Tengoku The Best + as it's not even confirmed or hinted at a release outside of Japan.

 

[PreyingShark]

Dragon Quest Monsters 2 is probably one of the best monster-battling games ever made but at this point the localization odds are pretty damn hopeless. Requires some Japanese knowledge though. Hell, unlike DQVII it doesn't even have furigana.

 

[digita1alchemy]

The various Kunio titles are great but with the licenese change over they may see a Us release in some form at some point. Gon is a decent, if simplistic, sidescroller that is unlikely to release here. There was a Jajamaru game but even though I enjoyed it, I'm not sure I would recommend it.

Thanks, all these probably warrant a look.

I would recommend playing it if you have a PS3, its actually pretty dirt cheap to import now. Shame capcom never localized it

I've debated back and forth on which version to get. I've played the 3DS demo as many times as it would let me and was blown away at how great the game looked and played on the 3DS, so I've been pretty determined to get that version. But, if I love it I'll probably get the PS3 version as well just for the novelty of playing it on a big TV.

OP, since you like physical versions of games, you could look for a copy of GUILD01 which is a retail collection of those small Level-5 games that were released in the west as eShop only titles. GUILD01 has Liberation Maiden, Weapon Shop de Omasse, Aeroporter and Crimson Shroud. Unfortunately GUILD02 never got a physical release in Japan either

Speaking of Level-5, Time Travelers will probably never come out here either. That one is also available on Vita though.

I have all of the GUILD games from the eShop on my US 3DS, but would consider a copy of GUILD01 just because I love Aeroporter so much. It might be my favorite 3DS game, no kidding. I was interested in Time Travelers, but figured the language barrier would be too much.

 

[butman]

I need it!

 

[robotnik]

Culdcept
Beyond the Labyrinth
Derby Stallion Gold
Dragon Quest VII
E.X. Troopers
Island Days
Nazo Waku Yakata: Oto no Ma ni Ma ni
Seisou no Amazones
Time Travelers

These are the games that made owning a Japanese 3DS worth it for me.

Really? I heard it's pretty bad dungeon crawler.

 

[metsallica]

The various Kunio titles are great but with the licenese change over they may see a Us release in some form at some point. Gon is a decent, if simplistic, sidescroller that is unlikely to release here. There was a Jajamaru game but even though I enjoyed it, I'm not sure I would recommend it.

Which Kunio titles specifically? I've been wanting to get my RCR on but it's a little hard to figure out which ones to pick up / what the games actually are.

 

[TheYanger]

I had to double take this thread, because I thought it said Best Japan Only 3DO Games.

 

[Undead Bokun]

Which Kunio titles specifically? I've been wanting to get my RCR on but it's a little hard to figure out which ones to pick up / what the games actually are.

I have yet to play the digital only titles. Of the physical titles one is a remake of the arcade original Renegade and the other is a remake of River City Ransom. Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun SP: Rantou Kyousoukyoku is the RCR remake and probably the better of the two, though a case can be made for getting both. In addition to the core games each title has bonus local multiplayer content(like dodgeball and Battle Royale) and extras celebrating the series.

Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun Special is the Renegade remake. I wasn't a big fan of the original Renegade but this remake is quite fun. It has a brand new mission mode giving you small challenges to complete for points which you can use to buy classic characters for the multiplayer.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

Girls Mode 3

 

[metsallica]

I have yet to play the digital only titles. Of the physical titles one is a remake of the arcade original Renegade and the other is a remake of River City Ransom. Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun SP: Rantou Kyousoukyoku is the RCR remake and probably the better of the two, though a case can be made for getting both. In addition to the core games each title has bonus local multiplayer content(like dodgeball and Battle Royale) and extras celebrating the series.

Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun Special is the Renegade remake. I wasn't a big fan of the original Renegade but this remake is quite fun. It has a brand new mission mode giving you small challenges to complete for points which you can use to buy classic characters for the multiplayer.

Awesome, thank you. Your helpful post sent me down a rabbit hole and when I emerged I'd purchased all 5 3DS games.

 

[Koppai]

It's part of Play-Asia's weekly special so it has a discount right now.

 

[Sakujou]

I need it!

this is a korean version of the game. do you know if the actual game is also available completely in korean?

sometimes only the box/instruction booklets are korean....
would pick it up next time i go to korea...

 

[Undead Bokun]

Awesome, thank you. Your helpful post sent me down a rabbit hole and when I emerged I'd purchased all 5 3DS games.

Glad I could be of assistance! I really need to look into grabbing the digital games at some point. I have yet to download anything other than demos on the Japanese eShop in fact.

 

[Mr. RPG]

Dragon Quest VII

Spoiler

:'(

 

[Forkball]

I haven't played the first one, but Taiko no Tatsujin: Don and Katsu's Great Spacetime Adventure is a lot of fun. It has a goofy RPG story mode where you team up with historical figures like the Wright brothers and Marie Antoinette. The sound track is good and there's a ton of DLC.

 

[metsallica]

Glad I could be of assistance! I really need to look into grabbing the digital games at some point. I have yet to download anything other than demos on the Japanese eShop in fact.

Those nintendo.co.jp QR codes that whisk you directly to the relevant eShop product pages are dangerous!

 

[Worthintendo]

This Thread is going to be most useful for my trip to Japan in a few weeks ^_^

 

[Toadthemushroom]

I've been thinking about picking up some more games for my Japanese 3DS as well, before I forget for good -- I'm open to DSiWare suggestions too (I picked up Coropata before).

Does anyone know which Kunio-kun game is the best one? I think there have been a few so far, as well as a remake of the first next year. One of them has magic?

 

[SalvaPot]

I ordered the Pokemon 2DS, so I am doing a list of games to import. So far:

Dai Gyakuten Saiban
PuyoPuyo vs Tetris
Rythym Heaven The Best
Monster Hunter X
CalcioBit

Is there anything else I should consider?

 

[Sammy Samusu]

Time Travelers

 

[Hibiki Rush]

Dragon Quest VII

Spoiler

:'(

It's getting a NA release though.

 

[SinCityAssassin]

It's getting a NA release though.

This entire thread was made in July, months before that announcement.

 

[SalvaPot]

It's getting a NA release though.

Check the date of the post.

 

[Toadthemushroom]

I would definitely recommend 3DS Puyo Tetris to anyone considering it, it's a great example of a bespoke version of a multiplatform game built for specialised hardware. They didn't just shrink down the console image to a smaller upper screen, instead everything about the game was rethought and redesigned around the dual screens, right down to the menus and interface, and it feels really special as a result.

And the 3D is phenomenal, as the visuals are actually rendered in 3D space, rather than as fixed layers. Big Bang mode looks a treat.

 

[sixteen-bit]

I would definitely recommend 3DS Puyo Tetris to anyone considering it, it's a great example of a bespoke version of a multiplatform game built for specialised hardware. They didn't just shrink down the console image to a smaller upper screen, instead everything about the game was rethought and redesigned around the dual screens, right down to the menus and interface, and it feels really special as a result.

And the 3D is phenomenal, as the visuals are actually rendered in 3D space, rather than as fixed layers. Big Bang mode looks a treat.

Recently got a budget re-release too. No reason not to get it if you have the ability to play JP carts.

 

[kaioshade]

Puyo Tetris
Monster Hunter X

my personal picks, and am prob going to import a 3ds for them.

 

[PreyingShark]

I ordered the Pokemon 2DS, so I am doing a list of games to import. So far:

Dai Gyakuten Saiban
PuyoPuyo vs Tetris
Rythym Heaven The Best
Monster Hunter X
CalcioBit

Is there anything else I should consider?

Dragon Quest Monsters 2 3DS, though I guess you could just wait for Joker 3 since it'll come out soon after you get your 2DS

Taiko

Digimon World Reigitize Decode (Yeah, the regular Reigitize on PSP has a fan translation. That one sucks tho, it's Decode you want)

Japanese Puzzle and Dragons Z is the superior version because it has all the relic distributions up (along with some exclusive content). If you get a Western copy there's a lot of content you can't get now because the distributions are down.

If you haven't played Pokemon X or Y, you can get used Japanese copies for much cheaper than Western copies and still play them in English.

Liking Monster Strike so far but it's possible the West will get that.

 

[SalvaPot]

Dragon Quest Monsters 2 3DS, though I guess you could just wait for Joker 3 since it'll come out soon after you get your 2DS

Taiko

Digimon World Reigitize Decode (Yeah, the regular Reigitize on PSP has a fan translation. That one sucks tho, it's Decode you want)

Japanese Puzzle and Dragons Z is the superior version because it has all the relic distributions up (along with some exclusive content). If you get a Western copy there's a lot of content you can't get now because the distributions are down.

If you haven't played Pokemon X or Y, you can get used Japanese copies for much cheaper than Western copies and still play them in English.

Liking Monster Strike so far but it's possible the West will get that.

Thanks for the list! I totally forgot about Taiko and I loved the Arcade I tried when I went to Japan a few years ago, I am not a huge fan of Digimon but my gf loves it, so I will get it for her. P&DZ looks fun, I might get that later on.

 

[djtiesto]

Also Metal Max 4, looks to be a cool non-linear post-apocalyptic RPG in the Metal Max series. And has fantastic music too.