The 2020 Tokyo Game Show, which was scheduled to take place From September 24 to 27 this year, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The announcement was made today in a press release by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA).
“Due to the outbreak
of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on
a global scale and the situation remains
unpredictable in Japan
as well, the organizer and the co-organizers
have reached
this decision after a long consideration to
place the utmost
priority on the health and safety of visitors,
exhibitors
and stakeholders. We ask for your kind
understanding and cooperation.”
However, the CESA did state that the Tokyo Game Show 2020 will be released online. This means we can probably expect a handful of videos showing off new games and hardware.
Despite the Tokyo Game Show 2020 originally planned to be four months from now, and considering how Japan has managed to keep the number of infections at a much lower rate than other countries, it still comes to no surprise that CESA decided to cancel the event. Besides TGS being famous for its array of upcoming games and game-related devices, the event is also known for its gigantic crowds – especially during the weekend public days.
To check out our presentations of previous Tokyo Game Show events, visit our VIDEO page.
Our Tokyo Game Show 2019 Video Presentation, featuring such highlights as Final Fantasy VII Remake, promotions for the recently released Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, as well as numerous other titles like Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Persona 5 Royal, and many others. Also, we cover a slew of upcoming Indie games, as well as some cool VR titles and innovative accessories. Check it out!
Just two days after a typhoon ripped through the area, game developers,
distributors, gamers, and otaku alike filed into the Makuhari Messe Convention
Center just outside of Tokyo, to attend the Tokyo Game Show 2019. While there
were slightly fewer companies attending this year, TGS 2019 did see a new
record of 2,417 booths (2,338 last year) which means plenty of games to try,
and things to see.
The largest promotional event was Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Remake, being shown-off at both the Sony PlayStation and Square Enix booth. The original Final Fantasy VII was released on the PlayStation One in 1997, and is arguable one of the most beloved titles in the series. Visitors at the Sony booth could have their picture taken while wielding Cloud Strife’s massive sword.
The other big title this year was Capcom’s Monster Hunter World: Iceborne expansion, which is actually a game in itself than simply an expansion. While Sony had playable demos of the game, the Capcom booth displayed life-sized monsters. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne was released last week.
This year, SEGA combined their booth with their subsidiary Atlas, promoting the upcoming Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Persona 5 Royal, both for the PS4, as well as the Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for the Nintendo Switch. Other titles included the Hatsune Miku: Project Diva MegaMix for the Switch, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim for the PS4, as well as games in their SEGA Partners division including Granblue Fantasy: Versus, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Shenmue III, and Star Wars Jedi: The Fallen Order.
Konami continues to make its comeback with such upcoming titles as Contra: Rogue Corps, and Super Bomberman R. Though most of their efforts are being put into the mobile gaming market, with such playable games as Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, Dance Dance Revolution, and Beat Mania II DX.
Due to the lack of room, this year saw a lot less arcade-targeted VR titles, and more home oriented ones, including the dancing game Space Channel 5, and a meteor shooting game by students at Kobe Denshi College. Also, with over 4 million units sold, Sony is far from giving up on their PlayStation VR, with such playable games as Marvel’s Iron Man VR, Concrete Genie, and a new Hatsune Miku VR game.
One of the cooler VR accessories I saw were the Cybershoes by a
Kickstarter group. Resembling beach sandals, you strap them to your feet or
shoes, sit in a chair, and simulate walking or running while playing your
favorite VR title. Simple but effective.
With all those extra booths this year, the Indie game area was packed tight with playable titles. Some that I played included Magical Girl’s Chronicle: Magusphere, which combined the cuteness of magical girls with the violence of blowing up tanks and enemies with guns and bazookas. And Liberated by Polish company Walkabout, where you literally play through the panels of a graphic novel. Both games will be out on the PS4 next year.
Overall, there were no big surprises this year at the Tokyo Game Show
2019, but still had plenty to offer and gave us a peak at what’s to come.
Our Tokyo Game Show 2018 Video Presentation, featuring some of the highlights and such anticipated games as Kingdom Hearts III, Devil May Cry 5, God Eater 3, and more! Also we test out some of the unique – and bizarre – Indie games, as well as give a few new VR titles a try. Check it out!
It’s that time of the year again, when we push through the crowds under humid weather, and make our way to Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, on our way to the Tokyo Game Show 2018. The event is expected to be even larger this year, with 668 companies and organizations (609 last year) showing off a total of 1,568 game titles from across 41 different countries and regions. Plus, the Japan e-Sports Union (JeSU) was established just this past Spring, marking the Tokyo Game Show 2018 the first time e-Sports will be holding professional competitions.
One of the most anticipated titles being presented in the main hall was Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts III. It has been 13 years since the Square Enix / Disney cross-over RPG had a full sequel, after multiple remakes, prologues, and side stories. Set for release in January 2019, Kingdom Hearts III will feature returning worlds such as Olympus from Hercules and the Caribbean from Pirates of the Caribbean, new stories from Big Hero 8 and Toy Story, and a completely new, original world that has not yet been disclosed. Visitors at TGS 2018 were able to learn more at the Square Enix booth, as well as play the demo at the PlayStation area.
Also, Capcom was a big hit at the Tokyo Game Show 2018 with their presentation of Devil May Cry 5. The last we saw Dante battling demons was ten years ago, when the PS3 was still fresh on the shelf and trophy support was on its way. We did get a reboot/prequel called DmC: Devil May Cry in 2013, and while the game was critically successful, fans weren’t too happy with the changes. The long-awaited Devil May Cry 5 had playable demos at the PlayStation area as well as the Capcom booth, with a scheduled retail release on January 25.
And speaking of Capcom, this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Mega Man (Rockman in Japanese) series. Not only were there playable demos for Mega Man 11 scheduled for release next month, but a museum dedicated to the platforming, shooting robot, complete with commemorative coins, figures, stamps, illustrations, and soundtracks, while also showcasing the game’s history.
Finally, Bandai-Namco had several titles on display – the most notable being God Eater 3, a game which made its debut on the PSP back in 2010. The God Eater series, which features battles against huge monsters known as Aragami, may not be huge sellers overseas, but are smash hits here in Japan. God Eater 3 is set for release in Japan on December 13, though no world-wide launch date has yet been decided.
Virtual Reality is still a hot item here in Japan. The Japanese company JPPVR had a booth that was at least eight times larger than last year, showcasing VR games with sleek, cool looking vehicles to ride, creating a 4D experience. They ranged from motorcycles and racing cars that looked like something out of Tron, a Gatling gun on the top of a starship, and a bicycle for traversing across the top of skyscrapers.
Sony, meanwhile, still continues to promote their PSVR, with visitors trying out Everybody’s Golf VR, and the platforming Astro Bot Rescue Mission scheduled for release on October 2.
Overall, the Tokyo Game Show 2018 had some delightful surprises and some unique – and hilarious – Indie games. I was glad to see that VR is still going strong, with more titles to look forward to on the PSVR.
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Stay tuned for our video presentation of the Tokyo Game Show 2018!
