Games Considered Classics in Japan (But Not Over Here)

Whether poorly received over here, never released or just relatively obscure, these are all games that are held in high regard by Japanese players but not in the West. If you know of any other games that fit this criteria, please drop a comment, and I'll gladly add it. Some games are representatives for entire series.

Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo: Hoshimitou Kanashimi no Fukushuuki
Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo: Hoshimitou Kanashimi no Fukushuuki
Hammerin' Harry
Hammerin' Harry
Sanma no Meitantei
Sanma no Meitantei
The Black Onyx
The Black Onyx
Mahou no Shoujo: Silky Lip
Mahou no Shoujo: Silky Lip
To Heart
To Heart
Pop'n music 9
Pop'n music 9
Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!
Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!
Space Mouse: 35th Anniversary Edition
Space Mouse: 35th Anniversary Edition
Star Luster
Star Luster
Famicom Detective Club: The Two-Case Collection
Famicom Detective Club: The Two-Case Collection
Far East of Eden II
Far East of Eden II
Stop That Roach!
Stop That Roach!
Todo Ryuunosuke Tantei Nikki: Kohaku-iro no Yuigon
Todo Ryuunosuke Tantei Nikki: Kohaku-iro no Yuigon
A-Train
A-Train
Satsui no Kaisou: Power Soft Satsujin Jiken
Satsui no Kaisou: Power Soft Satsujin Jiken
Akai Ito DS
Akai Ito DS

16 Comments


1 year ago

every game made by ELF
True, I'll throw Yu-No on there for now, and Doukyuusei was added earlier

1 year ago

Live A Live, Tokimeki Memorial and Moon

1 year ago

EVE burst error
Ore no Shikabane o Koete Yuke

1 year ago

There's also Sin & Punishment Star Sucessor, the sequel on the Wii.

Thinking about it now, there's A LOT of jp exclusive Wii Games that fit this list, some of them are being fantranslated in recent years in the homebrew scene, includind Pokémon and Fatal Frame.

1 year ago

Pretty sure Shin Megami Tensei SNES games were one of the top RPGs of their time in terms of popularity in Japan, but didn't even get releases in NA

1 year ago

Man I wish we had more translated Summon Night games so bad

1 year ago

Tengai Makyō aka Far East of Eden

1 year ago

Offhand, I would say Otogirisou. It is considered a genre-defining game as far as sound novels go but lacks even a fan translation. March of the Black Queen also only sold 25k units here but was a lot more successful in Japan.

Also I disagree with a few entries here personally. Xevious, Clock Tower, and Wizardry offhand. Sure they were more popular in Japan but Wizardry is still cited as a highly influential game that sold hundreds of thousands of copies in its native land among various ports. Xevious earned $30m in NA arcades as well as 250k sales on NES in addition to it being in countless Namco collections. Clock Tower was always only a moderate success in Japan and still has quite the loyal cult following in the west to the point of getting romhacks to this day.

Great list overall!

1 year ago

The original version of Persona 1,Megami Ibunroku Persona
Actually and before the release of Persona 5,this was the best selled Megami Tensei game,as well Persona 2 selled well,it was not at the level of Persona 1.
Also,the lot of fanarts denote more the status of this game in Japan,demostrating the beloved that it is.

1 year ago

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1 year ago

twilight syndrome series

1 year ago

Armored core series

1 year ago

Is "The West" here only counting North America? Inazuma Eleven was kinda big in Europe and South America, aka places where people care about football.

I woukd suggest Yokai Watch and Puyo Puyo too, nice list.
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11 months ago

og Gagharv games should be on here. at least shiroki majou


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