Tokyo Game Life

Game localizer Stephen Meyerink joins as we dive into Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles! We explore this game’s many new additions, the history of FFT’s localization, and talk about this Final Fantasy spinoff’s enduring legacy. Plus, I take you inside the brand new Sega merch shop in Shibuya, Sega Store Tokyo! Follow our guest! BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjmtaelus.bsky.social Website: https://sjmtaelus.com/ (0:00) - Intro Games (0:49) - Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles w/ Stephen Meyerink Feature (0:54:57) - Sega Store Tokyo News (1:11:50) - Close To You Pikmin Short, New Tokyo Events Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Japan’s biggest gaming event, Tokyo Game Show 2025, just happened and video game PR guru Kyle aka Mr. KN1V3S is back to chat all about it! We dive into some amazing Switch 2 demos, the best booths, and talk about all the great upcoming games we tried out! Plus I look at the hotly anticipated Hades II and the not anticipated at all Fire Emblem Shadows! Follow our guest! Mr. KN1V3S: https://bsky.app/profile/mrkn1v3s.bsky.social (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:52) - Tokyo Game Show 2025 w/ Mr. Kn1v3s Games (1:21:19) - Hades II (1:31:17) - Fire Emblem Shadows News (1:38:56) - New Nintendo of America president, FFIX cafe Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Scott Popular and Mr. KN1V3S join the podcast to chat about Video Game Prom, the biggest video game related party in Tokyo! We talk about how they’re bringing a party atmosphere to indie dev meetups and strategies to become the prom queen! Plus I look at Hollow Knight: Silksong and the new Donkey Kong DLC! And of course, a big analysis of the Direct! Follow our guest! Video Game Prom: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-video-game-prom-tickets-1288063345139 Scott: https://bsky.app/profile/scottpopular.bsky.social Mr. Kn1v3s: https://bsky.app/profile/mrkn1v3s.bsky.social (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:55) - Video Game Prom 2025 w/ Scott Popular and Mr. Kn1v3s Games (27:35) - Hollow Knight: Silksong (38:46) - Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island + Emerald Rush News (44:26) - Nintendo Direct September 2025 Analysis Social media:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Type designer Kaihatsu joins to chat about Nintendo fonts! We explore how Nintendo utilizes typography in their games, the surprising NHK/Wii connection, and the joys of Pop Happiness. Plus, I take a look at Kirby Star-Crossed World and Hello, Mario! Small correction: The Japanese version of Super Mario Galaxy uses the Rodin Maria font. Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Kaihatsu Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kaihat.su Twitter: https://x.com/KaihatsuYT (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:51) - Nintendo Fonts w/ Kaihatsu Games (37:27) - Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World (45:04) - Hello, Mario! News (47:47) - New pop ups, Mega Pokemon, Nintendo Direct soon Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Chris from KaniPro Games returns to chat about his new game: Conjunctivitalizer! This indie shoot ‘em up made in Japan is aiming to upend shooter conventions, and we explore the genesis of the project, the new demo on Steam, and how Toshiya Yamanaka of Sin and Punishment fame wrote music for the game! Plus, I roll you inside the Katamari Damacy Collaboration Cafe in Shibuya! Follow our guest! Conjunctivitalizer on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3343600/Conjunctivitalizer/ KaniPro Games: https://x.com/KaniProGames (0:00) - Intro Games (0:52) - Conjunctivitalizer w/ KaniPro Games Feature (27:41) - Katamari Damacy Collaboration Cafe News (39:06) - Parco Games, Drag X Drive devs, Kirby Air Riders Direct Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Source Gaming’s Joshua Goldie returns as we chat about Dear me, I was… from some of the key staff behind Another Code and Hotel Dusk! We chat about this surprising return to Cing’s roots and how you should eat breakfast. Plus we share more in-depth thoughts on Donkey Kong Bananza! In the feature, I take you inside The Shape of Mother exhibit, featuring over 180 clay figurines from Earthbound’s history! Follow our guest! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nantenjex.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NantenJex (0:00) - Intro Games (0:55) - Dear me, I was… with Joshua Goldie (19:53) - More Donkey Kong Bananza Feature (37:29) - The Shape of Mother News (47:18) - Big DK, Partner Showcase and Indie World Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

The world’s most renowned Donkey Kong journalist, Hyle of DK Vine, joins the podcast to chat about Donkey Kong Bananza! We explore the game’s development history, how it reimagines Nintendo’s iconic ape, and analyze Kong name lore. In the feature, I take you inside the newly opened toy store, Kiddy Land Shinjuku! Follow our guest! Website: https://www.dkvine.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dkvine.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DKVine (0:00) - Intro Games (0:50) - Donkey Kong Bananza w/ DK Vine Feature (53:34) - Kiddy Land Shinjuku News (1:00:53) - GiGO No.1 closing, Pokemon Presents Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Video essayist IdolismJ joins to look at Buriki One, SNK’s under the radar attempt at making an MMA fighting game! We dig deep into this obscure fighter, the Hyper Neo Geo 64, orange hair, and how it’s a perfect time capsule for a moment in Japanese pop culture history. In the feature, I take you inside Capcom Osaka, the company’s biggest merch store in Japan! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IdolismJ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/idolismj.yase.world (0:00) - Intro Games (0:48) - Buriki One w/ IdolismJ Feature (39:57) - Capcom Store Osaka News (49:25) - New stores and events at Shibuya Parco Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Pro Mario Kart player Vantox joins as we chat about the competitive scene and mastering Mario Kart! How can you go from 24th place all the way to the top? Plus I share more details on the Switch 2 launch games I’ve been playing, and share my demo impressions on Donkey Kong Bananza! Follow our guest! Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vantox_ Twitter: https://x.com/vnt__x (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:50) - Mastering Mario Kart w/ Vantox Games (21:45) - More Switch 2 launch games News (41:15) - Donkey Kong Bananza impressions, new events in Tokyo Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

YouTuber Dale Clayton is back as we delve into the Switch 2 launch in Japan! We chronicle our journey to getting one in Japan and chat about the hardware’s record-breaking launch in the country! Plus we look at Mario Kart World, Welcome Tour, and a smattering of other games we’re playing on Nintendo’s newest console! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dale_dpg Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/daledpg.bsky.social (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:50) - Switch 2 launch in Japan w/ Dale Clayton Games (29:08) - Mario Kart World (57:45) - Welcome Tour (1:14:32) - Other Switch 2 launch titles News (1:28:26) - Switch 2 sales, five upcoming games to care about Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

Game preservationist Caitlyn Pascal joins to chat about electro-mechanical games, the machines that dominated Japanese arcades before video games! We explore the fascinating history on how some of the biggest arcade titans got their start making these one-of-a-kind devices that showcased amazing technology, and talk about Caitlyn’s effort to preserve this important chapter of gaming history! And I look at some classic titles in Capcom Fighting Collection 2! Follow our guest! Early Arcades Japan: https://earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cpi.bsky.social (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:53) - Electro-mechanical games w/ Caitlyn Pascal Games (37:31) - Capcom Fighting Collection 2 News (54:03) - NSO games, new Pokemon merch, Death Stranding 2 in Tokyo Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

YouTuber Dale Clayton is back as we dive into a Nintendo Switch retrospective! We go year by year exploring the highs, lows, and weirds of Nintendo’s greatest console. In the feature section, I talk about one of Nintendo’s best merch partners, EDITMODE! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dale_dpg Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/daledpg.bsky.social (0:00) - Intro Games (0:50) - Switch Retrospective w/ Dale Clayton Feature (1:33:05) - EDITMODE: Nintendo Apparel News (1:39:57) - Switch 2 in Japan updates Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

YouTuber 4amLaundry joins as we chat about retro game shopping in Tokyo! We recommend our favorite shops, games, and analyze the state of retro game hunting in Japan! And I take a look at Kairosoft’s Heian City Story! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@4amLaundry Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/4amlaundry (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:55) - Retro Game Shopping in Tokyo w/ 4amLaundry Games (39:34) - Heian City Story News (46:14) - Switch 2 preorder updates, new game merch Social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

What’s up with moai in video games? You’re gonna find out as game developer and creator of moai.games joins as we chat about moai in Japanese games! We explore Japan’s fascination with these mysterious statues, why Konami loves them so much, and reveal our favorite moai! Plus I take a look at Koei’s ambitious strategy game Uncharted Waters: New Horizons before closing out with some Japan-focused Switch 2 news! Follow our guest! Website: https://www.gingerbeardman.com/ Moai website: https://moai.games/ Itch.io: https://gingerbeardman.itch.io/ YOYOZO: https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2023/11/21/yoyozo-how-i-made-a-playdate-game-in-39kb/ Emoji history: https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2024/05/10/emoji-history-the-missing-years/ ( 0:00) - Intro Feature (0:54) - Moai in Japanese games w/ Matt Sephton Games (30:50) - Uncharted Waters: New Horizons News (36:45) - Mario Kart World Direct, Switch 2 preorders in Japan Social media: Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social⁠ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Japanese mascots, yakuza, kei trucks, and more can be found as you explore the Japanese countryside in Promise Mascot Agency from Kaizen Game Works! Game director Oli Clarke Smith joins to talk about how this unique amalgamation of ideas came together to make the game, working with legendary game dev Ikumi Nakamura, assembling an all-star voice cast, and more! Also I give all the details on my trip to Nintendo Osaka, and dive deep into the surprising Switch 2 Direct! Follow our guest! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chopemon.bsky.social Kaizen Game Works: https://bsky.app/profile/kaizengameworks.com Promise Mascot Agency store links: https://kaizengameworks.com/portfolio-items/promise-mascot-agency/ eShop link: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/promise-mascot-agency-switch/ (0:00) - Intro Games (1:01) - Promise Mascot Agency w/ Oli Clarke Smith Feature (33:59) - Nintendo Osaka News (41:58) - Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLifeBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.socialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

Tokyo resident and returning guest Genki is back as we explore Square Enix’s new store in Shibuya, Square Enix Garden! How many plushies are there? Which music box is the best? Should there be a Heartless statue? What’s up with the Square Enix Cafe? We answer all these questions and more! Plus I do a backflip and rave about Donkey Kong 94, now on NSO! Follow our guest! Twitter: https://x.com/Genki_JPN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GenkiGamer (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:53) - Square Enix Garden w/ Genki Games (26:03) - Donkey Kong 94 News (35:31) - Playtest credit info, Pokemon Center Hiroshima moving Social media: ⁠Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Suikoden is back, and author Aidan Moher is here to dig into Suikoden I & II HD Remaster from Konami! We explore Suikoden’s impact on the JRPG landscape, if this new version delivers, and reveal some shocking Super Bomberman R2 lore. And I give all the details on my latest trip to Donkey Kong Country in Universal Studios Japan! Follow our guest! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/aidanis.fun Newsletter: https://astrolabe.aidanmoher.com/ Upcoming book about Suikoden: https://astrolabe.aidanmoher.com/suikoden-1-2-history-boss-fight-books-2026/ (0:00) - Intro Games (0:50) - Suikoden I & II HD Remaster w/ Aidan Moher Feature (46:20) - Return to Donkey Kong Country in Universal Studios Japan News (1:07:27) - Pokemon Presents 2025 Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Brad from Game Vecanti joins to chat about retro Japanese games that finally got an English localization! From Princess Maker to Trails to Mr. Driller, we explore over a hundred Japanese classics that you can finally play in English! Plus I rave about the samurai roguelite Shogun Showdown and share the deets on Nintendo’s latest hanafuda merch! Follow our guest! Retro game list: https://sites.google.com/view/retro-games-with-new-locs Twitter: https://x.com/Baust528Site: https://sites.google.com/view/game-vecanti-index (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:52) - Retro Japanese Games Finally in English w/ Brad of Game Vecanti Games (24:50) - Shogun Showdown News (32:45) - Hanafuda merch, My Nintendo Gold Coins update Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

Author Lewis Packwood returns to chat about video game consoles you’ve never heard of, all which are housed in his amazing book Curious Video Game Machines! Consoles for girls, barcode gaming, machines you strap to your body… we dive into the wonderfully weird world of obscure consoles and how some of them had a major impact on Nintendo! Plus I take a look at the Y2K era inspired puzzle game Vividlope! Follow our guest! Site:https://lewispackwood.com/ Curious Video Game Machines (US Amazon):https://www.amazon.com/Curious-Video-Game-Machines-Compendium/dp/139907377X/ Curious Video Game Machines (UK Amazon):https://amzn.eu/d/iIRcDTG Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/lewispackwood.bsky.social (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:59) - Video Game Consoles You’ve Never Heard Of w/ Lewis Packwood Games (33:10) - Vividlope News (38:19) - Nintendo financials, mouse patents, Capcom Showcase Social media: Twitter:https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Threads:https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Website:https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Source Gaming’s Joshua Goldie returns as we dive into 1997’s cult classic Moon: Remix RPG Adventure! We dive into everything weird and wonderful about this anti-RPG and how it influenced so many developers. Plus, we take a peek at the next generation as we discuss the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal! And I take you inside a very busy Earthbound pop up shop in Shinjuku! Follow our guest! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nantenjex.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NantenJex (0:00) - Intro Games (0:53) - moon: Remix RPG Adventure w/ Joshua Goldie (56:09) - Nintendo Switch 2 reveal Feature (1:45:00) - Earthbound pop up shop in Shinjuku News (1:52:16) - New DK merch, Square Enix Cafe closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!