Tokyo Game Show 2023" has begun! The biggest game show in history, from new titles from major manufacturers to oddball titles! TGS2023 Special Report

Tokyo Game Show 2023, one of the world's largest game fairs, opened on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture.

For the first time in four years since the Corona Disaster, the entire Makuhari Messe building was used for the show, and the number of exhibiting companies and organizations reached a record high of 787, including 381 domestic companies (11 exhibiting online) and 406 overseas companies (30 overseas). The exhibition will be open to the public on September 21 (Thu.) and 22 (Fri.) for Business Days and on September 23 (Sat.) and 24 (Sun.) for General Public Days.

This year's theme is "Games in Motion, Changing the World. and so "online venues" have been set up on YouTube, Steam, etc. In addition, influencers and creators have been invited for the first time on the Business Days (21st and 22nd).

The booths of major manufacturers were all very busy, even on the business days! Konami Digital Entertainment offered test-play of "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1" and "Momotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyu wa HOPE de Mawarueteru! ～and "Momotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyu wa HOPE de Mawarueteru!

METAL GEAR SOLID: The Master Collection Vol. 1" includes seven games, including three from the METAL GEAR SOLID, METAL GEAR SOLID 2 SONS OF LIBERTY, and METAL GEAR SOLID 3 SNAKE EATER series, as well as video works, Momotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyu wa HOPE de Mawarueteru! ～is a sequel to "Momotaro Dentetsu World - Showa Heisei, 2025, 2038, also a classic! ～is a sequel to "Momotaro Dentetsu ~Showa Heisei Reiwa mo Standard!

In addition, "Trigger Heart Exelica," which was released in arcades in May 2006 and became a hot topic for its unconventional character design for a shooting game and the anchor shot (a.k.a. Murobushi) system that grabs an enemy, spins him around, and throws him toward other enemies like a hammer throw, has been ported to Nintendo Switch after a long period of time. The porting of the game for the Nintendo Switch version was decided, and a revival event was held on stage. Due to complicated copyright issues, it took six years to port the game, and at the event, Shiho Kawaraki, the voice actress who plays the role of Exelica, and others involved in the project took the stage to talk about their thoughts on the revival of the game.

At the Koei Tecmo Games booth, visitors were able to try out "Fate/Samurai Remnant" at the earliest opportunity in Japan, and even on a business day, people waited in line for over an hour. The game was available in two modes: "Hana to Hariyuke, Nogure Futari" (Scatter with the Flowers, Nogure Futari) and "Kakkou ni Myself to the Fire" (Crash Yourself Into the Fire).

Other exhibits included a photo spot inspired by "Les Leliana's Atelier," which will be released on September 23, 2023, and displays of the company's flagship "Ambition of Nobunaga" series, including the latest title in the series, "Nobunaga's Ambition: Shinsei.

As for Sony Interactive Entertainment's booth, although it was present this year, it was only a small booth, not a large one like the one in front of Corona.

However, the large booths of other manufacturers filled the space, and the "Happinet Game Fest! in TGS2023" featured a large stage and space to try out multiple titles.

The PS5/PS4 packaged version of "Stray," a game in which you become a cat and explore cybercity, was available to try out.

In an unusual twist, D3 Publisher revealed details of "CUSTOM MECH WARS," which made headlines by deliberately opening its official account on the release date of From Software's latest installment in the legendary "Armored Core 6" robot game series.

The game, like existing robo-games, features fighters who can reassemble their bodies and weapons, but the game has become a hot topic on the Internet for its mysterious parts that are clearly not suited for robots, such as trains, hamburgers, and swimsuit gal-like lower body parts. The manufacturer claims that the combination of these parts is a "magic modification system" with an extremely high degree of freedom.

When I actually tried the game, I found the controls to be like a simplified version of the original "Armored Core,"" but the radio communication seemed similar to that of the manufacturer's "Earth Defense Forces" series.

Other attractions at the Namco Bandai Entertainment booth included a "Tekken 8" cosplayer and a full-size "SANDLAND" tank.

Tokyo Game Show 2023 will be held until September 24, with the 23rd and 24th open to the public. Akiba Research Institute will be reporting on the show in detail as it progresses, so stay tuned!


Event Information

Tokyo Game Show 2023
Dates: Thursday, September 21 - Sunday, September 24, 2023

Business Day: Thursday, September 21, 10:00 - 17:00, Friday, September 22, 10:00 - 17:00
General Public Days: September 23 (Sat) 10:00-17:00, September 24 (Sun) 10:00-17:00
　*Doors may open at 9:30 a.m. depending on conditions.
　*First admission is until 16:00. Re-entry is until 16:30.
Venue: Makuhari Messe
Organizer: Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA)
Co-sponsored by: Nikkei BP, Inc.
Supported by: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry