To celebrate National Cat Day in Japan on February 22, Atlus started a new poll to select the most popular cat character from a variety of the games. 17 feline characters have been chosen as examples, and the deadline for voting is February 24, 2025.

Anyone can participate in the poll regardless of region. To vote for the most popular Atlus cat, all people need to do is like the X (formerly Twitter) post featuring their cat of choice on the Atlus social media . Multiple votes are allowed, and people are also free to vote for any other Atlus cat character other than the 17 selected, by adding their own vote alongside the hastag #アトラスねこの日総選挙 (which translates to Atlus Cat Day General Election) in their post.

Here is the list of pre-selected 17 cat characters for the Atlus poll:

• Morgana from Persona 5
• Maneki Neko (Lucky Cat Statue) from Persona 2
• Helios from Persona 2
• Lieutenant General Zula from Persona 2
• Plateau from Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Neko Shogun from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Cait Sith from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Nekomata from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Senri from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Ose from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Flauros from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Byakko from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Schrödinger from the Digital Devil Saga series
• Gouto-Douji from the Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha series
• Great Lynx from the Etrian Odyssey series
• Fluffy (Shippo in Japanese) from 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
• Socrates from Odin Sphere

You can also see the characters here:

In other related news for cat lovers and Atlus fans, Good Smile Company recently started taking orders for a figure of Morgana based on his appearance in Persona 5 Tactica, and the deadline for pre-order is March 5, 2025.

The post Atlus Starts Poll for Most Popular Game Cat appeared first on Siliconera.

Good Smile Company and Freeing will rerelease the Shin Megami Tensei (SMT) figure of Demon Lord Mara, a character also featured prominently in the Persona series. It will cost ￥55,000 (~$367), and it is only showing up in the company’s official Japanese store. The US one isn’t showing it, however other retailers like AmiAmi have English listings for prices like $367.22 and there's still an Amazon listing for the original one. It is expected to ship in August 2025. 

This Mara figure first showed up in 2017, and it was also available worldwide back at that time. It’s a non-scale figure of the phallic-shaped entity from Buddhist mythology. Instead of explaining how tall the item will be when displayed on a shelf, instead Freeing announced its length for each release. It is 400mm long, which is almost 16 inches. There are no additional parts for different poses, and the character arrives riding on its kart with knives on the front.

Photos of the figure, including one comparing its size to a CD, are available on the official English site. 

Mara has been a staple since the original Shin Megami Tensei game back in 1992, and the character returned in SMT Vand Persona 5. 

The Shin Megami Tensei (SMT) Demon Lord Mara figure, which also resembles its Persona form, will return again in August 2025. Pre-orders are open until April 16, 2025. You can see the character in SMT V Vengeance on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch, and PC and in Persona 5 on the PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.  

The post Shin Megami Tensei Demon Lord Mara Figure Returns appeared first on Siliconera.

As part of the latest 4Gamer New Year’s interview discussing 2025 plans with various developers, Persona 5 Tactica Director Naoya Maeda and SMT V and SMT V Vengeance Producer Shinjiro Takata teased new unannounced Atlus games. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

When asked what are their plans for the next year 2025, Maeda said that he’s sorry for not being able to give any details about the game he’s currently working on, but that he’s confident that players will enjoy it. Meanwhile, Takata said he hopes to be able to announce a new title as soon as possible.

The developers gave no more details or comments about the unannounced Atlus games. Takata’s body of work within Atlus has mainly focused on the Shin Megami Tensei series, while Maeda is part of P-Studio and has mostly worked on games belonging to the Persona series. With this in mind, the words of both Atlus veterans might be a hint that they are working on separate unannounced SMT and Persona games during 2025.

In addition to the aforementioned titles, Maeda worked as lead designer in Persona 5 and was a designer on the Persona Q series, with Takata acting as the Producer of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE and working as Director and Producer of the Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor sub-series.

In the December 2023 version of the 4Gamer interview, Soul Hackers 2 and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Director Eiji Ishida teased another unannounced Atlus game. As of writing this, we still don’t know what this game is, or if it is related to the titles that Maeda and Takata are working on.

The post Atlus May Be Teasing SMT and Persona Games in 2025 New Year’s Message appeared first on Siliconera.

Wakatsuru has announced that it will sell Shin Megami Tensei if-branded whisky bottles via its Saburomaru Distillery. The alcoholic drink will also appear to mark the 30th anniversary of the RPG that first appeared on the Super Famicom (SNES) in Japan in 1994.

This Japanese whisky drink is made with single malt, and it will have 59% alcohol. Atlus and Wakatsuru depict this drink to be the same one distributed at a reunion event for the Karukozaka High School graduates after 30 years have ed since the events in Shin Megami Tensei if.

The distillery will produce 780 bottles of this drink with a capacity of 700ml and a tax-inclusive price tag of 16,500 yen (~$106.80). However, the bottles won't be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Wakatsuru will hold a sales lottery to determine people who can buy the bottles starting on November 22, 2024.

Shin Megami Tensei if will the ever-growing list of games from which Wakatsuru and its Saburomaru Distillery have produced alcoholic drinks. The company had previously released drinks branded with Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance and Persona 3, 4, and 5. Besides Atlus games, Wakatsuru also worked with Arc System Works to produce Guilty Gear-branded liquor.

Wakatsuru will open applications for the lottery sales of the Shin Megami Tensei if Single Malt Japanese Whisky on Friday, November 22, 2024.

The post Shin Megami Tensei if Whisky Will Mark the 30th Anniversary appeared first on Siliconera.

The Shin Megami Tensei board game Kickstarter campaign will start on November 13, 2024. The crowdfunding campaign for the board game has a goal of 30 million yen (roughly $197,000), and there is no announced end date for the campaign yet. [Thanks, PR Times!]

The first 1,000 people to pledge on the Shin Megami Tensei board game crowdfunding campaign will get the chance to do so with an "early bird" discount of 20% for some of the reward categories available. The price for the board game will be 60,000 yen (~$393) and the early bird discount leaves it at 48,000 yen (~$314.27).

The game will include 72 demon figures and will be available in both English and Japanese. Manufacturer Icrea revealed that each match can have between 2 to 4 players and can last around 180 to 240 minutes.

The crowdfunding campaign for the Shin Megami Tensei board game was originally announced in August 1, 2024 with a start date for September 11. However, on September 4, 2024 Icrea announced that the date for the Kickstarter campaign would be postponed due to the overwhelming response of the public to the campaign, and in order to include new stretch goals. Some of the figures, cards, and components of the game were shown during Tokyo Game Show 2024.

The Shin Megami Tensei board game Kickstarter campaign kicks off on November 13, 2024 with a goal of 30 million yen (~$197,000.)

The post Shin Megami Tensei Board Game Kickstarter Launchs Next Week appeared first on Siliconera.

The original Xbox was Microsoft’s first attempt at a home console. While the Xbox didn’t set the world on fire immediately, it still had some phenomenal games worth checking out. Though the Xbox didn’t have too many JRPGs, the best original Xbox JRPGs are great titles worth checking out based on their visuals, gameplay, and how well they hold up now.

The king of action JRPGs on the original Xbox and the progenitor of console MMOs is a must-play for retro Xbox JRPG fans. This is by far the best JRPG experience you’ll find on this particular platform. The action-based combat is pretty good and holds up well enough today. The sheer number of customization options and the ability to play with others also helps.

My personal favorite about this game is the sheer amount of content. You won’t find another JRPG on the original Xbox with this much quality content worth playing.

2. Shin Megami Tensei Nine 3ip2z

This is by far one of the lesser-known entries in the Shin Megami Tensei series, and for some understandable reasons. The UI and combat is a bit too confusing and convoluted, but if you look past that, there are great series staples like collecting demons and the like. I also think this initial switch to 3D, while not as timeless as Nocturne, still looks pretty solid even today.

3. Digimon World 4 6r3g3v

This action RPG dungeon-crawler-like game in the Digimon series is far from the best of the franchise but it is still worth a look. There are four different Digimon players pick between to hack and slash their way through numerous enemies. The usual gimmicks like Digivolution are present, and the up-to-four-player multiplayer is where the most enjoyment lies.

4. Rent a Hero No. 1 4k1b6z

This remake of the original Mega Drive classic was sadly canceled for an official English release. That said, it is still possible to play the Xbox remake and it is the definitive way to check out this action JRPG. The world is fun to explore, the story is a bit ridiculous, and the third-person brawler-style combat works surprisingly well.

5. Shenmue 2 6vk5g

Shenmue 2 is far from the typical JRPG experience but it was one of the most influential games in of exploration, open-world, and role-playing as a character in a story. This slower RPG lets players explore a highly detailed version of Hong Kong with so much to see and do. There are arcade games, minigames, fighting game-like brawls, and a solid enough storyline. Just know that the gameplay doesn’t hold up as well as some of the other JRPGs on this list.

Let us know what your favorite JRPGs on the Xbox were below!

The post Best Original Xbox JRPGs, Ranked appeared first on Siliconera.

Atlus and Bandai will release more hanging mascot keychains based on Shin Megami Tensei demons, and Jack-o'-Lantern will be one of them. These items will appear in Gashapon capsule machines across the whole of Japan by the end of the second week of October 2024.

Atlus noted that the first batch which launched in late March 2024 was successful. That led to a new wave of the lineup getting greenlit. While the first batch focused on the Jack Frost family of demons, the second one will feature more varieties.

Jack Frost will still appear in the second batch. This time around though, it will be accompanied by Jack-o'-Lantern, Decarabia, and Mothman. Just like the first batch, each demon mascot can come with one of the two chain variants: ball chain or trigger clasp. People will have to spend 300 yen on the Gashapon machine to pull a capsule containing one of these items at random.

Here are the sample images for each item in this Gashapon lineup:

The second wave of Shin Megami Tensei hanging mascot keychains will be available soon in Gashapon machines across Japan.

The post New Shin Megami Tensei Keychains Will Include Jack-o’-Lantern appeared first on Siliconera.

Atlus is one of the best Japanese publishers and developers today. From Persona to Shin Megami Tensei to even the new Metaphor Re:Fantazio, this is a team that knows how to make and release some of the best JRPGs and Japanese games. But what is the most underrated Atlus game of all time? Here is our staff ’ picks for the games you need to play.

Siliconera Speaks Up: Most Underrated Atlus Game 6e5y53

I mean, of course Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker should be brought up here. This spin-off, tactical series is fantastic. But I'm really going to cite Princess Crown. This is a VanillaWare game that is a precursor to games like Odin Sphere and Muramasa: The Demon Blade, and it's just so much fun. There are multiple viewpoints. You see how it influenced more recent releases. It's wonderful. -- Jenni

One of my favorite Atlus games and most underrated series in their catalogue is the Trauma Center games, especially the sequel to the original Nintendo DS game. I fondly the mix of hospital drama visual novel elements with the frantic gameplay and outlandish bioterrorism plots that seemed appropriate for a Resident Evil game. Unfortunately, as an European, I never got to play Trauma Team, which means that Atlus personally owes me for not bringing the game to PAL regions and it now has to develop a new one to make up for it. That's how this works, right? -- Daniel B

In of games that aren’t the obvious choices in the mainline Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series, I have to say that Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is the most underrated game from Atlus. This JRPG holds a special place in my heart as the first 10/10 I gave a game, of which there aren’t many. The time travel storyline leads to so many unexpected twists and heartbreaking moments. You spend so much time with the cast and come to care for them in a signature Atlus way. What I truly love, though, is how this game feels like Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward — one of my favorite games of all time — in its branching paths structure and a classic Atlus JRPG mashed together into a masterpiece creation. -- Cody

The post What’s the Most Underrated Atlus Game of All Time? appeared first on Siliconera.

Atlus is practically a household name in the JRPG genre these days thanks to games like Shin Megami Tensei V, Persona 5, and Metaphor: ReFantazio, but it has been doing its thing for decades. Whether you're a longtime fan looking to revisit old favorites or a new one who wants to see the origins of the publisher, we've got some of the best retro Atlus JRPGs for you to check out.

Shin Megami Tensei 1z6t5n

While this isn't the first game in Atlus's Megami Tensei franchise, it's one of the most important ones. Initially released on the Super Famicom, Shin Megami Tensei was later ported to many platforms including PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, and even mobile phones. The only official English release was on iOS and is no longer available. It's an interesting game, as you can see the foundation of many of today's Atlus hits.

Revelations: Persona 5i641y

If you love Persona, this is definitely one of the best retro Atlus JRPGs to play. The Persona series got a massive overhaul with Persona 3, rocketing the series to its current stardom. These earlier games in the series might not be as stylish, but they deliver just as powerful a punch. Persona first released on the PlayStation and is included in the PlayStation Classic mini-console. Atlus also remade it for the PlayStation Portable.

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 2f5d14

The second game in the Devil Summoner series, Soul Hackers is a fantastic slice of 1990s cyberpunk. You play as a member of a hacker group called the Spookies, who must battle against a demonic invasion that threatens the city. The gameplay is similar to the first few games in the Shin Megami Tensei series, with first-person exploration and turn-based battles. What makes Soul Hackers one of the beset retro Atlus JRPGs is in its style, story, and excellent world design. Originally released on the SEGA Saturn, it was eventually ported to the PlayStation and the Nintendo 3DS.

In the wake of Pokémon's massive success, almost every publisher rolled up its own Pokémon-style game. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children was Atlus' take, starting on Game Boy Color with this pair of titles. Atlus released a PlayStation remake, and the series would continue on to the Game Boy Advance. Both versions tell slightly different stories, but either way you're searching for a family member in the world of demons. You'll have to assemble a team of demons to fight on your behalf, naturally.

Revelations: The Demon Slayer 251g68

One of the earliest in the Shin Megami Tensei series to get localized, Revelations: The Demon Slayer is also one of the most straightforward. This Game Boy Color JRPG differs from others in the franchise, using a fantasy setting. In series tradition, you'll have to recruit demons and fuse them to create stronger ones. As usual, you can count on a lengthy, challenging adventure. Atlus doesn't often dip into the realm of traditional fantasy, so you might want to check out one of its first attempts.

Let us know what your favorite retro ATLUS JRPG is below!

The post The Best Retro Atlus JRPGs appeared first on Siliconera.

Takarajimasha announced the release of a new figure of Atlus and SMT demon mascot Jack Frost that doubles as a lamp. The figure-lamp hybrid is set to release in Japan on September 30, 2024, and it will cost 4,719 yen (or approximately $33.16). [Thanks, Game Watch!]

The Jack Frost lamp is now available to pre-order from Amazon Japan, which also offers worldwide shipping. The figure depicts Jack Frost sitting down on top of a white base, waving his hand in a playful manner. The lamp button is placed on the back of the base, hiding behind Jack Frost's left hand. As for the intensity of the light, the lamp offers three different light settings with each one being increasingly brighter.

You can take a better look at the new figure lamp of Atlus and SMT mascot Jack Frost here:

Jack Frost alongside other iconic Shin Megami Tensei demons is also featured in a new line of rings based on the vast selection of creatures from the RPG series. The SMT demon rings are coming out in Japan in late September 2024. It is unknown if they will also be available worldwide.

The Shin Megami Tensei figure and lamp of Atlus mascot Jack Frost will launch in Japan on September 30, 2024 in Japan. The character's most recent appearance was in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, which is available worldwide on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

The post Atlus and SMT Mascot Jack Frost Turned Into a Lamp appeared first on Siliconera.

Takara Tomy will start selling little fashionable rings based off popular demons in the Shin Megami Tensei series from late September 2024. You’ll be able to get them in gacha machines and it’ll cost 300 JPY ($2.10) per try. [Thanks, Hobby Watch!]

In total, there are five variations of rings you can get. They are Jack Frost, Jack-o’-Lantern, Black Frost, Decarabia, and Chironnupu. Each ring is about 30 millimeters in size and shows the head of the demon in question. There doesn’t seem to be a way to buy an entire box set of the rings so if you’re going for a particular one, you’ll need to engage in real-life gacha.

All of the mascots above are quite popular characters throughout the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Jack Frost in particular is essentially a mascot for Atlus at this point considering the prevalency of this particular demon. Decarabia is also quite popular, likely due to its design. When Atlus held a popularity poll back in 2017 for Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux, Decarabia  came in 7th place. Finally, though Chironnupu is a relatively new addition to the franchise compared to the other ones Takara Tomy is making rings of, it has a very traditional “cute” design due to its fox mask and small body.

The Shin Megami Tensei series gacha rings will appear in Japan from late September 2024.

The post Shin Megami Tensei Rings Feature Cute Demons appeared first on Siliconera.

Icrea announced that a Kickstarter campaign for a new Shin Megami Tensei board game will launch on September 11, 2024. The new board game will aim to recreate iconic mechanics from the franchise and will include a variety of demon figures and other components. [Thanks, PR Times!]

The SMT board game is being d with a provisional generic name, and it will seemingly include 72 demon figures. Mechanics like the Demon Conversations and Demon Fusion will also be recreated in a tabletop format. The board game will allow between 2 to 4 players, and a game can be expected to last between 3 to 4 hours per player.

Other components teased in the announcement Kickstarter post include the board for the game, as well as various cards and tokens used for gameplay. Additionally, Icrea will be showcasing an in-development version of the SMT board game at Gen Con 2024, which will be held between August 1-4, 2024 in Indianapolis.

As a reminder, Bandai re-released the original Japanese Shin Megami Tensei Monument of Reincarnation Trading Card Game in both Japan and North America, and it appeared in August 2023.

The Shin Megami Tensei board game will receive a Kickstarter campaign on September 11, 2024.

The post Shin Megami Tensei Board Game Seeking Funding on Kickstarter appeared first on Siliconera.

Game Freak and Nintendo's Pokemon series is nothing short of a cultural juggernaut, dominating television, movies, merchandise, and more. However, in the midst of its franchise success, it’s easy to overlook the Pokemon series' roots as a simple, yet innovative, JRPG.

At its core, Pokemon started as a small JRPG with big influences, drawing heavily from other seminal games in the genre to create something both familiar and revolutionary. For example, its gameplay mechanics and core concepts draw inspiration from titles like the Shin Megami Tensei series. (The original Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei debuted on the Famicom in 1987, while Shin Megami Tensei started in 1992 on the Super Famicom.) In Shin Megami Tensei, players recruit demons to fight alongside them, much like trainers catch and battle with Pokemon. Both games emphasize the importance of building a diverse team to tackle various challenges.

Shin Megami Tensei's demon recruitment involves negotiating with demons, each possessing unique skills and attributes. Pokemon features a similar mechanic, though this JRPG series simplifies the idea by focusing on catching wild Pokémon using Poke Balls. The essence remains the same. Collecting a variety of creatures is necessary to progress through the game.

The differences, however, are notable. While Shin Megami Tensei often explores darker themes and complex narratives, Pokemon adopts a more simple family-friendly approach. The gameplay of Pokemon emphasizes exploration and the joy of discovery, encouraging players to "catch 'em all" and form bonds with their Pokemon. This collection aspect, combined with a much more vibrant world, made Pokemon accessible to a broader audience. This of course lay the groundwork for its widespread appeal.

Another significant influence on Pokemon is the Final Fantasy series, particularly in of party building. In traditional Final Fantasy games, players assemble a party from a set roster of characters with specific roles and abilities. Pokemon takes this concept and amplifies it exponentially.

Instead of a party of a few pre-determined characters as in other JRPG games, the Pokemon series started by offering players a roster of 151 creatures for players to catch and train. (It's a number that has grown significantly over the years). This massive selection allows for unprecedented flexibility and personalization in team building, as well as makes each player's journey completely unique. Even among longtime fans, players still find new ways to progress through the games using fresh parties of Pokemon.

Moreover, Final Fantasy's turn-based combat system can be seen in Pokemon’s battle mechanics, albeit simplified. Each turn, players choose actions for their Pokemon. You can attack, apply a status effect, use and item or switch to another character. The combat is simple, but leaves room for a surprising amount of strategy and advanced play. Adding in the "rock, paper, scissors" style elemental strengths and weaknesses, akin to Shin Megami Tensei's magic systems, ensures that battles are engaging at any level.

Pokemon carved out its niche by combining these elements into an accessible and endlessly engaging package. The game's premise inherently provides a simple, but compelling goal. Becoming a Pokemon Master by traveling the world, catching Pokemon, and defeating Gym Leaders. Its turn-based battles, exploration, and creature collection were perfectly suited for the Game Boy, making it an instant hit.

Then there's what Game Freak did all on its own to elevate Pokemon from a fun JRPG into a phenomenon. The ability to trade and battle Pokemon with friends added a social dimension to the game, encouraging community and competition. This feature has grown into a robust competitive scene, complete with tournaments and world championships, showcasing Pokemon’s unique blend of strategy and accessibility. I can't even name another JRPG with a competitive scene, much less one of Pokémon's level and engagement.

While Pokemon’s beginnings as a humble JRPG are often overlooked, they form the foundation of the entire franchise. While it's hard to ignore that Pokemon was in the right place at the right time too, it could have flopped without paying homage to what came before it. Pokémon’s success story is a testament to how simple JRPG influences, when combined well, can create something truly extraordinary.

The post Simple JRPG Influences Built Pokemon into a Phenomenon appeared first on Siliconera.

Former Atlus artist Kazuma Kaneko is working on a new game for COLOPL, an iOS and Android game company in Japan. This project is currently known as “project MASK" and been revealed by the company in its recent financial sales report.

Currently, not much is known about the game outside the following artwork, its code name, platforms, and the text used within COLOPL’s presentation.

The Slide pulled from the original sales report can be viewed below:

The text states that Legendary creator Kazuma Kaneko is:  “Creating a New Game Experience with [ God / Kami ]. ”

Kazuma Kaneko is a designer previously in charge of world and character design for the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series. After leaving Atlus in 2023 after 35 years of employment, he ed COLOPL in 2023. Since then an original IP, now known as “project MASK," began development with Kaneko’s guidance. 

Project Mask is currently one of five smartphone games in COLOPL’s development pipeline. The financial report also noted 10 previously announced games are still in development for console systems.

The post SMT Character Designer Kazuma Kaneko Working on New Game appeared first on Siliconera.

Atlus released a new trailer for the Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance updated release, this time showing off new gameplay and a host of demons. The game is slated for debut on June 14, 2024.

The trailer begins with an encounter with one of the Qadistu, a new faction set to play a major role in the new "Canon of Vengeance" story route. We also get a look at new character Yoko Hiromine in both cutscenes and combat. Towards the end of the video, we see a new form for the protagonist. It includes a facemask, a much shorter haircut, and the usage of the ability "Paraselene Blur." Lastly and perhaps most importantly, the trailer confirms the playability of Nahobiho, the previously revealed Jack Frost variant that looks like the protagonist.

You can watch the full Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance gameplay trailer via Youtube below:

Back in March, 2024, Atlus announced that the game would be launching a full week earlier than expected, on June 14, 2024, rather than on the 21st. March also saw new merchandise featuring the series' iconic Jack Frost demons arrive in Gashapon machines across Japan.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance will launch on June 14, 2024, for PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

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