I just found out that Gamespot finally reported on this. However, all they did (for now at least) was use a report from Andria Sang's website. I mean...I know I'm not anyone special but it was all over Japanese 2ch forums and I reported it here within Gamespot's own forums way before anyone else in the West even reported it (check the time of the post to the times of everyone else) including Andria Sang (who lives in Japan as I do).

It's not even like it was hard to find...it was on the official website...oh well. Maybe I should make a Japanese gaming website too for the Western base so that Gamespot can publish my articles into their website. Jeez, they even pointed out the same exact stuff I did too...wow. :)

@DrRockso87 @Alberto_Gamer

They actually did make a anniversary edition (in Japan) to Metal Gear. It's too bad they didn't in other regions... I actually own it myself (it was a great bargain) it came with all the games from the original Metal Gear (the 8bit one) all the way to Metal Gear Solid 3 (PS2) and also included PSP Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops. http://www.famitsu.com/review/title/0000/0000/0002/5914/ (that's what the collection looks like) I am actually interested about the potential of Metal Gear Online 2 being created (as they did with MGS4). I was a huge fan of that (as it was very popular here in Japan and I was in many clans). For me though, any information regarding that, would be much further in the future. It would be nice though if Kojima did shock his fans with an announcement about ZoE this year. I think Kojima (in classic Japanese form) will give what the people want, but it will take time, but the payoff in the end will be great. :)

They need to calm down with all the Metal Gear Solid titles. Enough already. Yes, the franchise is amazing but don't oversaturate the series.

Besides, Hideo Kojima said after he finished Peace Walker and after Metal Gear Solid Rising is released he would start development on Zone of the Enders 3. What happened?!

DrRockso87

I agree with how you feel about Zone of the Enders 3, there are a lot of people anxiously awaiting that news too, since here in Japan "Another Century's Episode R" last year was a huge let down (a mecha formerly successful combat game similar to ZoE) by fans. As a result, the demand for another ZoE will rise even more. That and I believe the Board of Directors was pushing to get Kojima Productions to make Metal Gear franchise titles since they are strong sellers.

Kojima Productions is hiring for the next Metal Gear Solid game (and this is not to be confused with Metal Gear Rising). They are currently looking for a staff of about 15 members ranging from Character to Level Designers.

You can check out my lovely Gamespot Blog hereand for more information see it for yourselves at their official website (sorry, its only in Japanese).

I'm figuring GS will be on task to find out more information but as it stands this is what we know.

@enterawesome is exactly right

Don't forget the foreign exchange rate too you know... The dollar is getting destroyed by the yen here in Japan. As of this post it's only 1.00USD = 83JPY (that's as if 1.00USD gets you only =.83USD if you convert it, so you'd be losing money) so that can throw off these price estimates when you convert them to dollars or any other currency of lesser value. Sometimes it seems bloggers and game reporters forget to include that. So you can expect the US and EU (as enterawesome already stated) to have a more fixed price.

Also, this is the price of Japanese 3DS games. There is huge marketing and promotional differences between Japan and the USA for Nintendo products. Considering that a country like Japan only has a little more than a third of the entire US population and yet it sales can compare to the US sales is impressive so that's another reason for inflation.

Also, in Japan we expect most products (made in or invented by Japan) to cost more because of a higher quality standard that we are lead to believe. That's why we normally purchase domestic products and rarely import.

Last but not least, Japan inserts TAXES into the prices of all goods. So that price tag you generally see in Yen is the total price. They don't hide sales tax in Japan behind a retail price alone, they add it into the price tag so the consumer knows the exact price.

Nintendo just recently had it's first true public showing of the 3DS with a few demos, including the new Biohazard (RE) title. So Nihon Keizai Shinbun did a short video report on the show and caught up with three different people with different views on the new handheld.

http://www.nikkei.com/video/?bclid=67379774001&bctid=742414261001

The first consumer stated that, "It really pops out when you're playing. It's very interesting." (In regards to the 3D)

The second consumer stated that, "I played a lot of the games like Biohazard, but my eyes got tired after about five minutes (of play)" (Gotta keep a close look on that one)

And the final consumer stated that, "The way you can move around 360 degrees, it's very beautiful, and enjoyable." (I wouldn't expect anything less)

I'm excited for it but am still unsure whether or not to jump into it so quickly. Either way, it should be an awesome device that pushes the Nintendo legacy forward!

...if any of you who are a fan of this genre would like to see more games like, Initial D5 and Wangan Midnight 3 DX appear on the PS3?

I feel that as the economy has slown down in Japan (they bailed us out with nearly half the money we owe) just as it has here in the USA, game centers in Japan have been seeing losses for sometime.

However, this genre which is rather popular and a mainstay in game centers in Japan, USA, and others abroad. Namco or Sega given the chance could bring that arcade experience for the home consoles. They just would need major backing from a solid label like the two series i mentioned above. I think it would spark intrest with a lot of fans. Following that they could have full online mode, team racing, DLC (for new cars, modes, tracks, or single player challenges)

Another thing would to use Japan as the sole locale of it. I mean the world has many a great and famous areas to create a race, but as far as the drifting scene is concerned, racing on the Wangan (whether you know it or not, but if you don't you would after playing) would be just simply awesome. Just the look and feel of Japan seems so perfect for a video game. It's so unfortunate that Japanese developers (either out of fear of a lack of understanding or pure ignorance) haven't really taken it to this point (well maybe GT5 will but that's not Arcade style).

What is everyone's thoughts on a game like this? I'd like to hear from everyone either for or against the idea. I'll leave an example of the two games I mentioned earlier below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46hjpGqhS6Q&NR=1 (Wangan Midnight 3 DX - Story Mode)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X13dtYYxw6M (Initial D5 - Online Match)

Driving Force GT - Awesome for the price, if you don't want to spend the money on the G25 or 27 get the GT it's the next best thing. Also Initial D is great and love using the GT with it.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3855376&CatId=3145

360hammer

I am interested in getting Initial D Extreme Stage, Gran Turismo 5 (when its released), and Wangan Midnight for the PS3.

I have noticed that Logitech (Logicool in Japan) have made a lot of steering wheels. The cream of the crop which is the G25 and the soon tbe released G27.
While I love the quality, the price tag is out of my range. My main criteria is that the steering wheel have a gear shift which you can place either on the right or left side of the car for realism. I personally don't like to play a game where I'm driving a Japanese manufactured car that has gear shift on the right like an American model.

Can anyone who is really familar with these devices recommend something from Logitech or another high quality product? Thanks.