Tokyo show

Sony has the Vita to pimp, Microsoft has the Kinect to peddle, Nintendo has the 3DS to prop up, which means that this years TGS will be the all portable/waggle/flail fest, and that for the first time in 20 years I couldn't give a flying fuck about Tokyo Game Show. Sad times. Luckily, this years show coincides with the Amusement Machine Show where the arcade guys showcase their latest. Or so it would seem.

There was very little news leading up to the show, and after glancing the report it seems there was very little to show at the show. If video games are slowly moving into casual/phone territory, arcades are becoming the redemption/UFO catcher centers. The lone game of note was the Persona 4 fighter, unfortunately developed by Arc System Works. It was on display in blue Viewlix cabs which usually means that the game will be available through NESiCAxLive. In addition, Taito announced that they're rolling out the Type X3. That's it. No specs, no game list, nothing. It's as if they don't really care anymore either with TGS happening next door. Even the Monster Hunter machine looked like some bullshit. Speaking of TGS, the most interesting news out of there has been Razer developing a new arcade stick for Xbox 360.

Grasshopper manufacturing process

Grasshopper Manufacture has always felt more like a lifestyle brand than a video game producer. To this end they've always had a groovy website and a merchandise webstore where one could buy all sorts of wacky GhM stuff. Sadly the site and store were both Japanese only, and the later went AWOL sometime after No More Heroes shipped. I recall this vividly as it was the only place to order that Dr. Peace single. Luckily for those of us who hate having money, the Grasshopper store has wisen fwom it's gwave and is available in both English and Japanese flavors. In addition to carrying the new Shadows Of the Damned OST, the old Dr. Peace single is in stock as well, as is the ludicrously priced Garcia tattoo shirt. I can get a guy to actually tattoo that design on me for that price. Jeebus.