Japan has arguably had a bigger influence on gaming in the west than any other country has, and some of the most important consoles and games have originated from the eastern nation. There are a lot of similarities between the culture of Japan and places like the USA and the UK, which is why games have always appealed to gamers from both sides of the world.
When it comes to attempting to decide what the best Japanese games of all time are, it’s a tough decision. Rather than list all the top contenders, it may be better to discuss a few of the most pivotal titles that have helped push the industry forward.
Japan and Western Countries Have Similar Taste in Gaming
It’s clear that Japanese and western players have similar tastes in gaming, with many titles crossing from east to west and vice versa. This is seen in all areas of the gaming industry, from console to mobile. For example, the likes of Call of Duty, The Last of Us, and Grand Theft Auto were all developed in the west but enjoy mass sales in Japan.
It’s the same scenario in the online casino sector. There are specific Japanese sites that cater to players in the country, but western casino online brands have also found success there without having to adapt their offerings for the different markets. Indeed, all the best casino games like Big Bass Splash, Age of Gods, and Irish Riches all appeal to Japanese gamers. This suggests that the preferences of Japanese and western players are similar. That’s not even mentioning the Pachinko industry found within Japan.
Nintendo Offerings Over the Years
Nintendo is up there with the most influential game companies ever, and the introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System to the western games market in 1985 was a landmark event in the industry’s evolution. There were countless amazing games on the console, some of which spawned franchises that are still going strong to this day.
Source: Pixabay
The most notable Nintendo game of all time is Super Mario Bros., which kickstarted one of the most iconic series of all time. Indeed, the Mario franchise has sold more than 380 million copies and is in the top four most successful game series of all time. Some other much-loved Nintendo games include Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda.
Some of the Best Role-Playing Games Ever Made
Japan is famous for having created some of the best role-playing games ever made, and these have been hugely popular in the west. The Legend of Zelda was an early offering that spawned a sprawling franchise, but the most famous series is probably Final Fantasy.
Source: Pixabay
The main series began in 1987, and there have been 16 other titles since then. There have also been various spinoffs, and total sales have exceeded 168 million. The games have a Japanese influence in their art and stories, but the fantasy elements make them universally accessible.
Japanese games certainly give western offerings a run for their money, and it’s clear that gaming audiences don’t care where a game originated if it’s good. The titles that appeal to players in the east and west tend to have universal themes that are easily accessible to people from different cultures.