A guide for the aspiring import gamer: Part 2

Back for more import tips? Alrighty then, you want it? You got it!

Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS, like the Game Boy, is capable of playing any game from any region. The DS phat, DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL all can play any game. However, the DSi and DSi XL can not play DSi Ware games from outside of the system's region, so no Japanese DSi Ware titles will work on an American DSi, and vise versa. Another thing to note, is that as of now, the 3DS is region protected, and no ways have been found to get around it. But it is possible to play imported DS games on a 3DS without any problems.


Titles of interest:
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan

Need help? Have nowhere else to turn? Call on the ouendan to assist you! Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan is a rhythm game where you tap spots and follow patterns on the touch screen to the beat of the song. While the songs are in Japanese, there are some that Americans will recognize (if you watch anime, that is). The gameplay is highly addictive and the songs are catchy, what more could you want? If you're curious about this game, I suggest checking out Elite Beat Agents, as that was the localized version of Ouendan, featuring a decent list of songs that are well known in the American culture. There was also a sequel released in Japan titled Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2.


Jump Super Stars

Like Super Smash Bros? Like manga from Shonen Jump? Then have I got a game for you. Jump Super Stars features characters from Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, Eyeshield 21, Deathnote, Yu Yu Hakusho, and many other manga duking it out in a no-holds barred brawl. Now this one is a bit trickier to navigate without knowing any Japanese, but there are plenty of helpful guides on the internet to help you navigate through menus. There is also a sequel for this out title Jump Ultimate Stars, featuring even more characters than this one.


Freshly Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

Now for a title that's a bit more.....umm.....odd. For those unfamiliar with the Legend of Zelda series, Tingle is a grown man that is obsessed with faries and believes that he is a fairy. He floats around using a giant balloon, and in the games, you shoot him down and get a map of the area from in (at least, in Majora's Mask). Anyways, in this game Tingle falls victim to a curse, and he needs to collect rupees in order to live. It's a very peculiar title that never saw an American release, unfortunately. However, it was released in Europe, which means that it was translated into English!


That's it for today, come back tomorrow for my next import tip.