Whether it is due to cultural nuances or just a more established presence, there are just some video games that perform better in certain regions. For example,Maddenwill tend to do better in North America whileFIFAoreFootballdoes best with the rest of the world.
Related:The Best 3DS Games That Never Left Japan
The PS5 is home to a variety of games, and while titles suchGran Turismo 7orThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimhave universal appeal, there are still a fewJapanese-centric games. Despite these games getting worldwide releases, they perform better in their home market through reception, sales, or just a better understanding.
6Neptunia re★Verse
Neptunia re★Verseis a remake of the original 2010 releaseHyperdmimention Neptuniagame for the PS3. The franchise is known for its satirical take on the console wars and the gaming industry. While the West still has its fair amount of console warring that continues to this day online, there are a lot of Japanese references inNeptunia re★Versethat the average Western gamer won’t understand.
A few of the side characters are the personification of Japanese video game companies that never made it big in the West outside a niche audience. There are characters based on CAVE Entertainment or 5pb. Inc (now MAGES).
5Yakuza: Like A Dragon
TheYakuzagames have been awell-established franchisein the West for a few years now. While a part of that has to do with memes, it is also thanks to the localization efforts of SEGA that gamers have been able to experience the captivating stories the series has to offer. For several gamers, theYakuzaseries provides a glimpse into what Japan is like, albeit exaggerated.
Related:Hilarious Anime That Feature The Yakuza
Yakuza: Like a Dragoncontinues on that trend. There are quite a few details that are only fully appreciated or understood in Japan. Some mini-games available inYakuza: Like a Dragonlike Koi-Koi or Shogi aren’t typically played in the West. Establishments like hostess clubs or pachinko parlors are also rare to find outside of East Asia.
4Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy
For the most part, JRPGs have a commanding presence worldwide.Final FantasyandPokemonhave ingrained themselves as staples of video games. Even smaller franchises such asTales oforTrailshave their loyal following.
WhileAtelier Ryza 2and its predecessor were commercially successful, its presence is still more prominent in Japan. A lot of the merchandise, such as figures and keychains is only available there. The gameplay can also be an acquired taste. Unlike the more popular ones out in the market, there is a strong emphasis on gathering and crafting, which could be intimidating for those who are only used to traditional JRPG mechanics.
3Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation: Code Fairy
Mobile Suit Gundamis a beloved anime franchise spanning back to the 1980s. As of late, it has gone to the wayside asnewer mech animeshave taken the spotlight. Regardless, newGundamshows and video games continue to pop up. This year alone will see a newGundammovie and anime.
Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation: Code Fairyis one of the latest video game entries in theGundamfranchise. It is an action game where players control a Gundam on various battlefields. It features new characters and a story not shown elsewhere. There was seldom marketing of the game in the West compared to otherBandai Namcotitles that were released around the same time, so this entry was only enjoyed by theGundamfaithful out here.
2Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Waterwas released in 2014 as a Wii U exclusive. It has since been ported over to other consoles like the PS5 in 2020.Fatal Frameis a survival horror series set in Japan using tropes usually found in various Japanese horror films and manga.
Related:Why Fatal Frame 2 Is Still The Best Game In The Series
As the title suggests, this entry features shrine maidens, or miko as they are known in Japanese. The main location, Mount Hikami, while fictional, is roughly based on a real-life mountain in Japan, Mount Osore. This along with some design choices that the West might deem inappropriate or questionable has the game more appreciated in its home market.
1Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires
TheWarriors(Musou) franchise has been popular lately in the West,thanks to collaborationswith well-established anime and games. Examples includeFist of the North Star,One Piece,Persona 5,The Legend of Zelda, andFire Emblem.
Dynasty Warriors 9: Empiresis the latest entryfor the mainlineWarriorsfranchise. It combines both hack and slash and strategy. The game and its predecessors are influenced heavily by Ancient Chinese literature, one of them being theRomance of Three Kingdoms. The game contains a lot of references or homages to the novel. Those volumes of work have a large following in Japan compared to other regions.
More:Switch Games That Are Much Bigger In Japan Than In The West
