Famitsu

Famitsu
source
Title	Famitsu
Frequency	Weekly
Category	Video game magazine
Company	Kadokawa Game Linkage
Firstdate	1986
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese

Famitsu Famitsu is a Japanese video game publication produced by Kadokawa Corporation through Kadokawa Game Linkage and published by Enterbrain. Established in 1986 during the rise of the Famicom, the magazine has chronicled console eras including the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Neo Geo, and later generations such as the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Famitsu has intersected with companies like Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft, Sega Corporation, and publishers such as Capcom, Square Enix, Konami, and Bandai Namco Entertainment.

History

Famitsu began as a spin-off of ASCII Corporation publications in the 1980s, coinciding with the market expansion driven by the Famicom Disk System and titles from developers like Nintendo EAD and Hudson Soft. During the 1990s it covered pivotal events including the launch of the PlayStation and the Dreamcast, reporting on industry shifts involving companies such as Sony, Sega, Atari Corporation, SNK Corporation, and arcade manufacturers like Taito. In the 2000s Famitsu tracked transitions to 3D and online services pioneered by Microsoft Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and handheld developments from Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. The magazine's lifespan overlaps major industry milestones such as the releases of Final Fantasy VII, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, and the emergence of indie success stories like Braid and Undertale.

Publishing and Editions

Published in multiple formats, Famitsu has produced weekly and monthly magazines, special issues, and spin-offs tied to franchises and platforms including dedicated titles referencing Nintendo Power-era coverage, though produced in Japan. Editions have focused on regions, hardware, and genres, reflecting partnerships with companies like Square Enix, Capcom, Sega, Konami, Bandai Namco, PlatinumGames, and studios such as FromSoftware and Level-5. Special editions have coincided with trade shows and expos like E3, Tokyo Game Show, Gamescom, and GDC, and exclusive coverage has been timed with hardware announcements from Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft, and manufacturers such as HTC and Valve Corporation. Distribution involved retailers like Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, TSUTAYA, and digital archiving initiatives associated with publishers such as Kadokawa Corporation.

Content and Features

Famitsu includes previews, reviews, interviews, developer features, and sales data, often spotlighting studios and creators such as Hideo Kojima, Shigeru Miyamoto, Shinji Mikami, Hiroshi Yamauchi, Yoshinori Kitase, Yoko Taro, and companies like Capcom, Square Enix, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony. Regular columns examine trends influenced by platforms like PlayStation, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, handhelds such as Game Boy Advance, and PC ecosystems involving Steam and publishers like Electronic Arts. Coverage extends to genres and series including Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, Monster Hunter, Dark Souls, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil, with features on composers like Nobuo Uematsu and artists tied to franchises from Studio Ghibli-adjacent collaborations to independent developers. The magazine runs hands-on previews at events such as TGS and editorial pieces tied to awards from institutions like the Japan Game Awards.

Scoring and Influence

Famitsu established a multi-reviewer scoring system that became influential among readers, affecting public perception of releases like Final Fantasy VII Remake, The Last of Us, Persona 5, and Elden Ring. The magazine's scores have been compared against aggregators such as Metacritic and OpenCritic, and its "perfect score" selections elevated titles from studios like FromSoftware, Nintendo EPD, PlatinumGames, Capcom, and Square Enix. Famitsu's coverage influenced retail performance at chains like Yodobashi Camera and Amazon Japan and contributed to discourse alongside outlets including IGN, GameSpot, Eurogamer, Kotaku, Polygon, Edge (magazine), and GamesRadar+. The publication maintained relationships with PR departments at Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and third-party publishers, shaping access to demos, interviews, and embargoes tied to events such as E3 and Tokyo Game Show.

Reception and Controversies

Reception has ranged from acclaim for comprehensive Japanese coverage to criticism over perceived closeness to publishers like Square Enix, Capcom, and Bandai Namco Entertainment. Controversies included debates over review impartiality, score inflation, and editorial transparency similar to wider industry incidents involving outlets such as Kotaku and GamesRadar+. Instances of disputed scoring and exclusives drew scrutiny amid comparisons with western critics at IGN and GameSpot and fueled discussions during panels at conferences like GDC and Tokyo Game Show. Famitsu also navigated shifts in media consumption as digital platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, Niconico, and social networks like Twitter and LINE altered how readers engage with outlets and publishers including Kadokawa Corporation and Enterbrain.

Category:Video game magazines