Here Are The Top 30 Games Japanese Gamers Are Looking Forward To In 2013

2013 is only 1/12th over. With 11 months left and new console news on the horizon, Weekly Famitsu asked its readers what games they were looking forward to for this year. Here’s a list of the top 30 anticipated upcoming games for 2013 (note: All publishers and release dates are for Japanese release versions):(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=995c4c7d-194f-4077-b0a0-7ad466eb737c&cid=872d12ce-453b-4870-845f-955919887e1b'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "995c4c7d-194f-4077-b0a0-7ad466eb737c" }).render("79703296e5134c75a2db6e1b64762017"); }); 30 Disgaea D2 Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software Platform: PS3 Release Date: March 20th 74 votes. The new Disgaea featuring the characters from the original in an all new story. 29 Phantasy Star Online 2 Publisher: Sega Platform: PS Vita Release Date: rummy 51 February 28th 75 votes. Sega’s free-to-play MMORPG. The Vita version boasts compatibility with the already released PC version. 28 Sword Art Online -Infinity Moment- Publisher: Namco Bandai Platform: PSP Release Date: March 14th 77 votes. Based on the popular novel series that spawned an anime, the game will explore beyond the original story. 27 Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library and the Seal of the Demons Publisher: Aquaplus Platform: PSP Release Date: March 28th 78 votes. The sequel to the dungeon exploring RPG that featured characters from adventure game To Heart 2. This sequel will feature its own original characters. 26 Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy Publisher: Namco Bandai Platform: PS3 Release Date: February 28th 80 votes. The 30th anniversary Macross game that features characters from all the Macross series. 25 The Last of Us Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Platform: PS3 Release Date: May 82 votes. The highly anticipated post-apocalyptic survival game that wowed us all with its gameplay demo and ugly as Hell creatures. 24 7th Dragon 2020-II Publisher: Sega Platform: PSP Release Date: April 18th 84 votes. Sequel to the dragon hunting RPG with the cutesy characters. 23 Shining Arc Publisher: Sega Platform: PSP Release Date: February 28th 90 votes. The latest game in Sega’s Shining series. 22 Professor Layton and the Legacy of the Advanced Civilization A Publisher: Level 5 Platform: 3DS Release Date: February 28th 92 votes. The final adventure of the top hat wearing English gentleman. 21 Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen Publisher: Capcom Platform: PS3/Xbox 360 Release Date: April 25th 105 votes. Capcom’s open world RPG with additional quests. 20 Tomodachi Collection (Not official title) Publisher: Nintendo Platform: 3DS Release Date: Spring 106 votes. Sequel to the original 2009 game, Tomodachi Collection. The game is a sort of Sims game for your Mii. 19 Pikmin 3 Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Wii U Release Date: Spring-Summer 113 votes. The 3rd iteration of the classic GameCube game where you lead hordes of strange sentient plant life to perform tasks for you. 18 God Eater 2 Publisher: Namco Bandai Platform: PS Vita/PSP Release Date: 2013 116 votes. Sequel to the original God Eater, a Monster Hunter-like game with an actual plot. 17 Tales of Hearts R Publisher: Namco Bandai Platform: PS Vita Release Date: March 7th 123 votes. PS Vita remake of the original 2008 Tales of Hearts game. 16 Killer is Dead Publisher: Kadokawa Games Platform: PS3/Xbox 360 Release Date: Summer 127 votes. The latest game from the mind of Suda 51. 15 Soul Sacrifice Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Platform: PS Vita Release Date: March 7th 130 votes. The game that lets you pull out your own spine to use as a sword. 14 Hatsune Miku Project Diva F Publisher: Sega Platform: PS3 Release Date: March 7th 138 votes. The PS3 upgrade version to the PS Vita rhythm game. 13 Ace Attorney 5 Publisher: Capcom Platform: 3DS Release Date: 2013 146 votes. The 5th game in the Ace Attorney series (not including spinoffs), which sees the return of Phoenix Wright as the main protagonist. 12 Super Robot Wars UX Publisher: Namco Bandai Platform: 3DS Release Date: March 14th 157 votes. The ever popular tactical simulation game series that takes robots from multiple franchises and brings them together in what is often a quite convoluted story. 11 Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus Publisher: Marvelous AQL Platform: PS Vita Release Date: February 28th 165 votes. The 3rd Senran Kagura featuring the regular tropes of busty ninjas and break-away clothing. (They lose their underwear too this time) 10 JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure All Star Battle Publisher: Namco Bandai Platform: PS3 Release Date: 2013 170 votes. The fighting game featuring the ever-stylistic characters from all chapters of the JoJo series. 9 Grand Theft Auto 5 Publisher: Rockstar Games Platform: PS3/Xbox 360 Release Date: Fall 174 votes. The latest chapter in the ever popular open world crime mayhem game series. 8 Luigi Mansion 2 Publisher: Nintendo Platform: 3DS Release Date: March 20th 176 votes. Mario’s often-underappreciated brother’s game. 7 Shin Megami Tensei 4 Publisher: Atlus Platform: 3DS Release Date: 2013 180 votes. Considering the series is over 20 years old and in the current world of infinite sequels, it’s pretty amazing that only 4 main Shin Megami Tensei games have come out. Speaking of which… 6 Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII Publisher: Square Enix Platform: PS3/Xbox 360 Release Date: Fall 198 votes. The third and final chapter in the Lightning saga. 5 Shin Sangoku Musou 7 Publisher: Tecmo Koei Platform: PS3 Release Date: February 28th 204 rummy best votes. Better known in the west as Dynasty Warriors 8. 4 rummy golds Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 Remix- Publisher: Square Enix Platform: PS3 Release Date: March 14th 217 votes. The HD version of 3 of the Kingdom Hearts games as well as a video digest of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. 3 Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Publisher: Konami Platform: PS3 Release Date: February 21st 293 votes. The latest slice-em-up game from Platinum Games featuring the further adventures of the sword-swinging cyborg, Raiden. 2 Monster Hunter 4 Publisher: Capcom Platform: 3DS Release Date: Summer 367 votes. The ever-popular (in Japan) giant monster hunting game series strikes again. 1 Dragon Quest 7 Warriors of Eden Publisher: Square Enix Platform: 3DS Release Date: February 7th 545 votes. The 3DS remake of the PlayStation game from 2000. Dragon Quest 7 hit the shelves today, so I guess it means that the most anticipated game of 2013 in Japan is already out and it’s nothing but downhill from here… Just kidding. It’s natural for games to increase in popularity as their release approaches and they become more imbedded into the public consciousness. Still, this is a good indicator of where each of these upcoming games are in the minds of the general gaming public. ファミ通.com [ファミ通.com] Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.