GameGirl

Do you wish you were Japanese? Do you eat Ramen like it is the last food on this planet? Do you crave Japanese games?  Well as for the first two, I can’t help you, but for the last one: this is a weekly article featuring popular and quirky titles just released in Japan. Each article will feature brand-spanking-new games for each system, tell you what they are, what is new about them, and when (if) they are expected to make it over here. Grab your Pocky, Ramune, Pikachu slippers, and retsu go!

Highlights this week: Tomodachi Collection (Friend Connection)

DS
Tomodachi Collection (Friend Connection)
For anyone who is a fan of Sims or Animal Crossing, this will be your next favorite game. Essentially an online multi-player game, you can import or create your special Mii, dress them up, buy them things and take care of them in general. Money is earned based on how well you take care of your Mii. Each Mii lives in a town that can have up to 100 Mii’s living in it. The Mii's can be controlled by another player who can all, of course, interact with each other. This heavily resembles the Sims games, only with worse graphics and real players. However, knowing Nintendo, this will be big.
Will it make it to America? No set dates but I’m pretty sure we will see it sooner or later.

Golgo 13: File G-13 o Oe
Golgo 13 is one of Japan’s oldest adult manga series spanning 40 years and over 200 million copies sold in a large variety of formats. The manga features Golgo 13, a hired assassin, who only goes by the alias Duke Togo. The game will feature a mini quiz section that will cover the manga’s long life span. There will also be a single player mode where the player controls Golgo 13 as he attempts to punch people who walk up behind him. Sounds exciting… for the first 10 minutes, then I think it might get a bit old. Maybe I am just jaded because I underestimate the awesomeness of attacking sneaky people. Regardless, for any fan of the show, this will be a title to import. A story mode will also be included in the game where one plays as a journalist. The key to the story mode is of course Golgo 13.
Will it make it to America? Nope.

PSP
Fate/Unlimited Codes Portable
Capcom decided to pull a fast one on all the Street Fighter IV players and release a ported version of the arcade fighter Fate/Unlimited Codes from Japan. The game is based on the adult manga Fate/Stay Night, which was released as an all ages version of the story on the PS2. This title will feature 17 characters to play as, a wireless ad-hoc mode, and new features unique to this version of the game. What makes this game special is that it is one of the few fighting games based on an adult anime manga show, featuring many of the characters in a storyline as well.
Will it make it to America? No, looks like this will be a Japan only game.

Diamonds and Guns
A really interesting new game just released on PSP, Diamonds and Guns follows the life of those who do the negotiation in criminal cases. As the negotiator, the negotiations are made in real time, complete with an emotion meter at the bottom of who you are talking to. After each negotiation, a rating is given based on your performance. The player uses negotiations to solve the crimes, and beat the game. Definitely a unique idea for a game, although I’m not entirely sure how well it will work. I imagine it will be similar to the way the story can be controlled based on responses in games such as Oblivion: Elder Scrolls and Mass Effect.
Will it make it to America? No date set, and no rumors.