OK, my dad's going to japan, and he said he'll buy me some DS games there for cheap. However, I'm stuck on what to ask him to get! Please not I cannot read Japanese so something like pokemon where ther's a lot of talking would be stupid.

It would be best to get some japan-only games so I can show them off to my friends.

You could ask for the nw Phoenix Wright game, which is dirt cheap over there and contains the full english translation.

But if you want to get the most out of importing you're either going to have to endure some japenese at least, although it's not to much of an issue for import favorites Jump Superstars and Ouendan (which is suposed to have a better track list than the westernised Elite Beat Agents). I've not played either, but I've read nothing but good things about them.

This is probably a strange option (and an entirely non-sencical one if you're american), but if you really want to impress your friends, get a copy of Final Fantasy III. I have the american version, and you probably won't miss all that much storywise (it's a little light in that department) and the graphics are absolutely stellar. Although the text heavy menus will reqire an FAQ.

Um...Bleach DS 2nd comes out on the 15th of February, but if your dad's going before then, you can get the first one. They're both great fighting games made by Treasure. There's no Japanese knowledge involved. They have single cart and online multiplayer.

Jump Ultimate Stars is a bit like Super Smash Brothers, but with a heck of a lot of manga characters. It also has online.

I know Elite Beat Agents hasn't come out in Europe yet, but give Osu! Takatae! Ouendan! a try. It's the original Japanese version, and it's made by the same people who made Gitaroo Man.

There are probably more good Japan-only games, but I can't think of any more. Oh, why not get some great GBA games while you're there? Rhythm Tengoku is amazing. It's made by the same people who made Wario Ware, only it has longer minigames, and they're set to music. I actually like it more than Wario Ware. It even has a drum set with drum lessons, if you get bored of the wacky minigames. The Bit Generations series is great, too. They're pretty cheap, and the ones I recommend are Orbital, Digidrive, and Dotstream. If you want to show off, Soundvoyager only uses sound. Orbital is like Katamari Damacy meets, say, Sinistar. You can be attracted and repelled by gravity, and you absorb other objects and get bigger. Digidrive is a cool traffic puzzle game, and Dotstream is like Tron lightcycle racing.

Do some research, and figure out which games you'd want the most. All the games I listed above are very import-friendly.

And yeah, if you can't wait for the next phoenix wright game, get it there. It has an english option. It'll be called Gyakuten Saiban 2 there, just so you know.

Edit: whoops, almost forgot, if you like music games, Daigasso: Band Brothers is a good, but old, DS game. You can even write your own songs, and there's a GBA expansion.

Get the Prince of Tennis game.

Jump Ultimate Stars is awesome and so is Ooooooueeeeendaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!1, though Elite Beat Agents has some better music from what I've heard (even though it has a lot of bull****, too). If you like J-Pop, it's great; the Ready Steady Go level was epic, though not as good as EBA's Jumpin' Jack Flash ending. Coming from someone who disliked the original version of that song. But really, the Ouendan soundtrack isn't really better at all, unless you hate everything mainsteam and believe Japanese music is somehow superior to everything else, in which case you should try to get out more.

I've also heard a lot of good things about Bleach DS. It was done by Treasure, and I really can't think of more than one or two of their games that didn't kick vast amounts of ass. In the friend-impressing department, I'd say Ouendan is the best choice since it's very cinematic and foreign. Jump Ultimate Stars too, if your friends are interested in the manga/anime featured. Damn them for removing Rock Lee though; he was the best damn Naruto character ever.

Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Justice for All sucks greatly

it makes babies cry.. and makes Achilles (linux users may know what i mean) look like a fast action game...

Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Justice for All sucks greatly

it makes babies cry.. and makes Achilles (linux users may know what i mean) look like a fast action game...
Yes it does make babies cry. Pointless FPSs with "gangsta" plots and unrealistic amounts gore would probably appeal more to the "baby" crowd, while character development and humour might make them cry. :(

no, those games suck too.. locoroco however won't make babies cry and ***s the hell out of everything
and humour in PW AA:JFA.. well, it's not my kind of humour

the game is just so slow.. a sample of a dialogue:

>for more info look in the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"
< HUH!?
>you know the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" is really handy!
> you can find it on the lower screen in the upper left corner!
<the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" !?
> yes, the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"!
<what is the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"?
>the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" has a list of evidence and people related to the case!
< what a weird name.. a "COURT RECORD BUTTON"!?
> I know, it is funny indeed
> but it's called the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"
<|mm.. "COURT RECORD BUTTON" sounds handy indeed... ... ...|
<| What was it called again?|
<|oh right, "COURT RECORD BUTTON"|
< | if i look into the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" then maybe this could make more sense!|
<| where did she say it was again? |
< | Oh right, on the lower screen in the upper left corner! |
:(

no, those games suck too.. locoroco however won't make babies cry and ***s the hell out of everything
and humour in PW AA:JFA.. well, it's not my kind of humour

the game is just so slow.. a sample of a dialogue:

>for more info look in the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"
< HUH!?
>you know the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" is really handy!
> you can find it on the lower screen in the upper left corner!
<the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" !?
> yes, the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"!
<what is the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"?
>the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" has a list of evidence and people related to the case!
< what a weird name.. a "COURT RECORD BUTTON"!?
> I know, it is funny indeed
> but it's called the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"
<|mm.. "COURT RECORD BUTTON" sounds handy indeed... ... ...|
<| What was it called again?|
<|oh right, "COURT RECORD BUTTON"|
< | if i look into the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" then maybe this could make more sense!|
<| where did she say it was again? |
< | Oh right, on the lower screen in the upper left corner! |
:(

I betrayed you to steal the Supra Force Medal!

http://www.sheezyart.com/view/766704/

EDIT: Alternatively, "What's an airport again?"

I was fortunate enough to play "Osu! Takatae! Ouendan!" two days ago, and I'd say it is worth having, with or without EBA, which I have also played.

no, those games suck too.. locoroco however won't make babies cry and ***s the hell out of everything
and humour in PW AA:JFA.. well, it's not my kind of humour

the game is just so slow.. a sample of a dialogue:

>for more info look in the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"
< HUH!?
>you know the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" is really handy!
> you can find it on the lower screen in the upper left corner!
<the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" !?
> yes, the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"!
<what is the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"?
>the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" has a list of evidence and people related to the case!
< what a weird name.. a "COURT RECORD BUTTON"!?
> I know, it is funny indeed
> but it's called the "COURT RECORD BUTTON"
<|mm.. "COURT RECORD BUTTON" sounds handy indeed... ... ...|
<| What was it called again?|
<|oh right, "COURT RECORD BUTTON"|
< | if i look into the "COURT RECORD BUTTON" then maybe this could make more sense!|
<| where did she say it was again? |
< | Oh right, on the lower screen in the upper left corner! |
:(

Even without your gross exageration, you're citing an example of the game's speed from the TUTORIAL CASE.

How dare they take a couple of moments to explain how the game is actually played!

Also, what does Loco Roco, a PSP game, have to do with Muzer trying to pick some DS imports?
If you're only getting one game, go for Ouendan. It's pretty fun even if you dislike music games. I've seriously played it for months since I've gotten it and I still can't get past the final song on the second-to-highest difficulty setting. Damn those circle things after the first spinner; damn them to HELL.

You also might feel like replaying stages just to fail certain parts on purpose and watch the characters fail whatever they're doing; it's usually quite funny. :p Just ignore the really annoying songs (such as the secretary level, I forgot the name but it's pretty terrible) and it'll feel perfect.

Edit: [***FINAL LEVEL SPOILERS***]HOLY CRAP. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uLaW3T_wCA)[***Spoilarz lawl***] Proves how much I suck at this.

How dare they take a couple of moments to explain how the game is actually played!

explanation is ok, but i don't feel like having the word stuck in my head for a couple of weeks.. and the words "COURT RECORD BUTTON" are in game red coloured, bold and twice the size of the other words...

explanation is ok, but i don't feel like having the word stuck in my head for a couple of weeks.. and the words "COURT RECORD BUTTON" are in game red coloured, bold and twice the size of the other words...
since a small, stupid detail during the game's short tutorial ruins everything, making a PSP platformer superior AMIRITE? :eek:

since a small, stupid detail during the game's short tutorial ruins everything, making a PSP platformer superior AMIRITE? :eek:

it really depends which platformer you mean.
oh right, locoroco.
even though it does embolden that bit a lot, I don't think it's really anything to hold against the game.

then again wh, it's down to the taste of the player.

I never implied that loco roco isn't a good game; it just can't be compared with a dialogue-based point and click lawyer game. It's a platformer more like Kirby than Phoenix Wright.

a dialogue-based point and click lawyer game.

It's a whole new genre.

Though I doubt DBPACLG will catch on.

Hmm... "Dibpaclag"... I suppose...

Hey Ouendan's multiplayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXE9KjdZugU) looks sort of fun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYxyzkqejAI). I obviously haven't tried it since most people here would rather play 50 Cent Bulletproof to a funny import music game.

I've tried EBA's multiplayer, and it's not bad. I mean, it's fun, and it has download play, but to me, it's not as good as the multiplayer in iNiS's previous music game, Gitaroo Man. I felt that Gitaroo Man was better suited for multiplayer than Ouendan/EBA. It's not an essential part of the game, but it's worth your time.

since a small, stupid detail during the game's short tutorial ruins everything, making a PSP platformer superior AMIRITE? :eek:

well, actually its half of the tutorial :p

Hey Ouendan's multiplayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXE9KjdZugU) looks sort of fun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYxyzkqejAI). I obviously haven't tried it since most people here would rather play 50 Cent Bulletproof to a funny import music game.

what!? people actually play 50 cent bulletproof!?
I just lost all my hope in this world.. even though it wasn't much

Sort of offtopic since this isn't a 'good' import game and not something I'd recommend importing outside of Japan unless you want a visit from the FBI but, what the HELL!? (http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/dokidokimajosaiban/index.html)

On the other hand, knowing Japan I'm quite surprised stuff like this didn't come out earlier.

This is a litle off topic as well, but Hotel dusk is an excellent game to import from america.

One of my first thoughts when I bought my DS was that it would be an excellent system for point and click adventures. It's great to be proved right.

If it's Lucas Arts-styled, I guess I'll have to add it to my list of DS must haves.

It's 3D, so no not really.

It's still so very awesome though.

Japenese trailer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I6FWRNvSXU) Actual game better translated. What A?

gameplay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHhSh4vcI7k&mode=related&search=)

It's a pretty serious game, but it does have a lot of warmth and humour. Think 'The dig' or 'Broken Sword', rather than 'Monkey Island' in that department.

Plus you play as Kyle Hyde, a hard boiled ex-cop, and have the option to be a complete ***** to everyone.

I'm only a couple of chapters in, but so far the game is absolutely stellar. There's been a few traditional 'find/steal item, use item' puzzles, usualy with a lot of clever and intuitive touch screen elements.

As I mentioned, kyle can be an absolute ***** if you want him to be, so the challenge really is in the conversations with other characters. You can be mean to the kid blocking the stairs, but you'll need to tread lighty around the paranoid hotel staff, as one false move can (and usually will) see you kicked out of the hotel (allthough there's a useful retry option which takes you back to just before you started the conversation in which you messed up).
.
It is, in short, exactly the kind of game that makes you want to enthuse about it on internet forums.

Ive got the game now, so talk offtopic all youl ike

I got Jump Ultimate Stars.

It ***s.