Tokyo Game Show (TGS) is an event where even the most casual gamers can dive into the excitement. It offers something for everyone — from massive, eye-catching booths to charming indie games.
2024's TGS has a lot in store, with game companies showcasing elaborate setups, playable demos of unreleased titles, and engaging performances. The event feels packed with energy, reflecting the vibrancy of its pre-COVID days.
Notably, TGS 2024 is more international than ever, with overseas companies outnumbering domestic game developers. On September 26, opening day, JAPAN Forward stepped in to capture the excitement and buzz surrounding this global gaming celebration.
Sony's Return
This year marks Sony's first return to the Tokyo Game Show since 2019, and the company made a big impression. Its massive booth showcased the highly anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro exhibited publicly for the first time.
Attendees had the chance to experience the new console firsthand by playing games like the newly released and highly acclaimed Astro Bot and Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds (MHW). Those took up half of Sony's booth this year. We caught IGN Japan's Daniel Robison, who spoke about the hype around MHW:
The biggest game at the show this year, for us, for our audience, is Monster Hunter Wilds, which is the first time that you can play the game in person in Japan.
Sony's event space was filled with exciting gameplay and exclusive TGS activities, including photo opportunities with characters from Monster Hunter, an Astro Bot Gacha game.
Additionally, Sony unveiled limited-edition 30th-anniversary consoles. These paid tribute to Sony's classic systems from the past. It was also their first time being exhibited to the general public in Japan.
KONAMI's Metal Gear Solid
From the eerie Silent Hill exhibit to the exhilarating gameplay area for Metal Gear Solid, KONAMI brought a thrilling showcase to this year's event. One of the major highlights is Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a highly anticipated remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 from 2004. Rumors suggest it will be released in November.
Fans eagerly lined up to experience the game for themselves. Meanwhile, KONAMI's public relations person Ema Koshinuma shared insights into the new version. "We've preserved the story, world, characters, and game design while remaking the visuals and sound to create a fresh experience," she explained.
Koshinuma also emphasized: "This will be the first opportunity for the Japanese media and users to experience the game." She further noted that the jungle-themed booth, complete with novelty items, was designed to immerse attendees in the atmosphere. Reflecting on the crowd's excitement, she added, "Many international and domestic fans of the Metal Gear series have been enjoying the game. It feels like a global event."
Sega Hedgehogs and Pirates
Sega's booth at Tokyo Game Show 2024 is nothing short of spectacular. A massive balloon model of Sonic character Shadow the Hedgehog took center stage. It was promoting the newly released Sonic Shadow X Generation, which launched on October 22.
Another standout was the recently announced Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This one's a tropical twist on the Yakuza series, also set for release in February 2025.
Sega's PR representative, Asami Ogami, ensures the booth remains lively and engaging. She's also lined up "various performances every 30 minutes to entertain visitors, even those watching from afar." It brings the booth to life.
Reflecting on the show's broader impact, Ogami further notes, "Tokyo Game Show is pushing a more global approach this year." Of course, this is evident from the diverse international attendees seen during the business days. Fans enjoyed Yakuza shows, Persona performances, and other live events.
Meanwhile, Sega promised the general public "more elaborate performances than during the business days." The company also offers a range of brand-new, world-first, and Asia-first games for visitors to experience.
International Indie Games
Notably, the 2024 edition of Tokyo Game Show placed a strong emphasis on its global reach. This was particularly evident from the 80 indie games in the Indie Feature. That made it the largest indie showcase in TGS history.
Polish indie game company Render Cube was one of the featured developers. It was there to showcase Medieval Dynasty, a survival RPG that has already sold over two million copies. Producer Marcin Warszawski shared their motivation for attending TGS: "Even though our game already sold two million copies, we decided it would be great to be more open to the Asian market, because right now, for us, the Asian market is not the dominant part."
Kevin Lai, developer of Bionic Bay, a game produced in both Taiwan and Finland, had similar comments. He spoke about the challenges of gaining visibility outside Taiwan.
Outside of Taiwan, only a few people know our game. So I think being featured in Tokyo Game Show helps more players see it. Feedback from players in other countries, with different opinions, is really valuable.
Lai also highlighted the influence of Japanese gaming on Bionic Bay, noting, "Our game is a 2D action platformer. And there's a lot of inspiration from Japanese games, especially in our pixel art."
Launching a Foothold in Japan
Spanish developer Danilo Barbosa is the studio head at Retro Reactor Studios. For this company, the important point was establishing a foothold in the Japanese market.
We mostly focus on casual fighting game experiences. We released One Strike seven years ago, and now we're working on its sequel, Two Strikes. This isn't our first time showcasing a game in Japan. We've been at BitSummit for two years now, and we love how people here react to the game.
Similarly, Carl Hartman, from publisher Hyper Real, shared his thoughts on the indie game Dome-King Cabbage by Cobysoft Joe. "Being represented internationally is great because everyone gets a chance to play characters from different backgrounds and experience stories from other cultures," he told JAPAN Forward. Dome-King Cabbage offers players an interactive movie experience, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in its narrative.
Art and Gaming
An unconventional yet captivating display could be found at The First Berserker Khazan gaming booth, where renowned live muralist Shinn Uchida was creating a dynamic panel to promote the game.
"This time, instead of using my original characters that I drew in a cyberpunk style, I'm taking inspiration from the game's art style," Uchida explained. Reflecting on the contrast between live painting and the gaming world, she noted, "In the game industry, it's a completely digital world. I think it's a new approach to creating an analog live painting. It's important to do things that others don't."
Uchida also shared her excitement about the rare opportunity to perform in her home country: "I haven't had many opportunities to do live painting in Japan. [And] I don't think I've ever done it here. So I'd love for everyone to come and see the mural."
This year's event truly showcased the unity of the gaming community with audiences and companies from diverse backgrounds.
The event is open to the public until September 29. For more information, check the Tokyo Game Show website.
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Author: Natasha Takahashi
