Extremely Japanese games

[Jack7]

Hi, I was wondering what other games either retained all their "japanese-ness" when they came over or were just an overly japanese saturated game to begin with. Examples would be anything in the vein of Pocky and Rocky or the unfortunate (well over here) Mystical Ninja/Goemon series

[starsoldier1]

I remember games like Bravoman and Ninja Spirit still have a ton of Japanese content in it from the Turbografx-16 version.

[treismac]

The Katamari series comes to mind. Jpop music and tons of quirky Japanese stuff to collect and interact with definitely make this a very Japanese game.

Taiko Drum Master for the PS2 is undeniably Japanese with the traditional instrument replica and the super-anime graphics and Matsuri (festival) theme. Against its authentic Japanese-ness I would point out that a good deal of the music selections were Western.

Domino Rally for the Wii is very consciously Japanese with its quirky, anime feel.

I'd say that the WarioWare series has large splashes of Japanese quirkyness and faux traditionalism to it.

There are, of course, many games that take place in a medieval Japanese setting such as:

Okami (PS2 and Wii)

Onimusha (PS2 & XBox)

Kessen (PS2)

Shingen the Ruler (NES)

Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii)

[Black_Tiger]

Depends on what you consider "Japanese-ness". Most games from Japanese feature elements that seem unusual over here or are in a Japanese style. Like mecha, cutesy/SD/chibi, thick lined, randomness.

Here are some that either have distinctly Japanese content or style:

Valis
Keio Flying Squadron
Parodius
Bonk (Super Bonk had Toykyo censored)
Bomberman
Kenseiden
Shinobis
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Lords of the Rising Sun
Shenmues
Samurai Ghost
Samurai Showdown
Magical Chase
1941
Paper Mario
The Space Adventure
Astroboys
Pokemons

[o.pwuaioc]

1941?

[SpaceHarrier]

Legend of Kage - NES
Romance of the Three Kingdoms series - NES/SNES etc..

[Drixxel]

No One Can Stop Mr. Domino on PSX has intact a strong Japanese vibe. Not only is the whole game design awfully quirky but also there's a host of distinctly Japanese details scattered throughout. The most obvious can be seen in the second stage, taking place in a store full of clearly Japanese brands and products.

EDIT: Another few that come to mind, more for their setting than Japanese quirks:

- Kuon on PS2, a survival horror game set in Classical Japan
- The Tenchu series
- The two Bushido Blade games on PSX

It doesn't seem like much was altered with these ones to dampen their Japanese feel, apart from the mandatory translation.

[Genesaturn]

The Castle of Shikigami series is pretty Japanese. There are a lot of very Japanese games out there. I think different people have different opinions on whats extremely Japanese....I think Jet Set Radio is really Japanese-y

[mobiusclimber]

Panic! on the Sega CD is filled with Japanese humor.

Some other games... Mister Mosquito, Guitaroo Man, Incredible Crisis, Earthbound (what better way to learn about Japan than by playing a game about midtown America?)...

[Eponasoft]

Although it's not a "classic" game... Genji: Dawn Of The Samurai was very very Japanese still when brought to the US. It got subtitled in English, as all the voice acting was still in Japanese and the game itself was set in Japan.

[treismac]

The Castle of Shikigami series is pretty Japanese. There are a lot of very Japanese games out there. I think different people have different opinions on whats extremely Japanese....I think Jet Set Radio is really Japanese-y

If I recall correctly, you fight a tengu at some stage in the game, which is pretty damn Japanese by most standards.

[Emperor Megas]

Alex Kidd series
Catherine
ChuLip
Fatal Frame series
Incredible Crisis
Mister Mosquito
Odama
Otogi series
Sakura Wars: So Long My Love
Space Channel 5

Practically any JRPG.
Practically any licensed Anime title.

[djshok]

Trouble Shooter for the Genesis is quite Japanesey, the sequel Battle Mania Daiginjou was though to be too Japanese for North America so they never localized it.