(This article was originally published by Simy on Game Teahouse. Please credit the author and source when reposting.)
Introduction: Japanese mobile games are undoubtedly outstanding, and the Japanese mobile game market is both extremely attractive and extremely competitive. Today, let’s take a closer look at the essence of these best-selling games—their gameplay—by examining the weekly sales charts on the App Store and Google Play in Japan.
————————————————Top-Selling Games Chart————————————————
App Store Weekly Sales Rankings for Japan, Released on March 15
Google Play's Weekly Sales Rankings for Japan, Released on March 15
————————————————Keyword Roundup——————————————————
Keyword 1: Cards: In mobile games, cards are a highly versatile in-game item. They serve four key functions—art design, acquisition (gacha), progression, and strategy—offering a great deal of creative freedom.However, Japanese developers’ obsession with card-based games has reached outrageous levels, with a constant stream of bizarre combinations being released—such as cards combined with match-3, tower defense, strategy, and shooting games, among others.Based on the games we’ve reviewed, it’s clear that cards remain popular in the market (if you have time, try counting how many games don’t feature cards), but gameplay innovations vary widely; pure card-based games don’t seem to be very well-received (Sengoku Enbu ranked 7th on the A Chart and 8th on the G Chart).
Keyword 2: Match-3: Among the 12 games ranked in the top 20 on both of Google’s app charts, four are match-3 games (Puzzle & Dragons, Disney Match 3,Puyo Puyo Puzzle, and Pokopang). Add to that *Monster Strike*, which emphasizes casual, laid-back gameplay, and it becomes clear that games with a low learning curve dominate the charts.
Keyword 3: Strategy—There are three games that focus primarily on strategy (*Chronicles of the Chains*, *Blue Three Kingdoms*, and *SD Gundam*), and *Dragon Slayer Poker* also features solid strategic elements. These games account for 33% of the total.
Keyword 4: Distribution: Games currently distributed by domestic publishers include Brave Frontier, Chain Chronicles, Monster Strike, and The Magician and the Black Cat Wiz. With powerful competitors making a strong entrance, it remains to be seen whether this will spark a fierce battle in the Chinese market.
Key Point 5: IPs—Among the twelve titles, three feature high-profile IPs: *Blue Three Kingdoms* (does that count?), *SD Gundam*, and *Disney Match 3*. While *Disney Match 3* ranked highly on both charts, the other two titles ranked toward the bottom of a single chart (relatively speaking, one at eighth and the other at ninth). This proves that among the top-performing titles, quality remains king. At the same time, however, many games from GungHo—the recent dominant force on both charts—have launched in-game events featuring collaborations with well-known game and anime characters, which also demonstrates that IPs are indeed a crucial way to attract attention and build a following.
Keyword 6: Interaction: As a social game, interaction is extremely important. After reviewing these games, the one that really stands out is *Monster Strike*. In addition to online multiplayer via the internet, it also allows players to use Bluetooth to play face-to-face with friends and family. Personally, I think this is a major breakthrough for social games.If not now, then when?
————————————————Game Roundup————————————————
● Puzzle & Dragons — GungHo
I’m sure everyone is already familiar with this game—it’s truly the undisputed king of Japanese mobile games! In short, *Puzzle & Dragons*’ innovation lies in combining match-three gameplay with dungeon adventures, while incorporating *Pokémon*-style pet collection and training elements.It’s incredibly engaging and addictive—anyone who loves fun match-3 puzzles, adventure games, or collecting items simply can’t resist it.
As for GungHo, it rose to become Japan’s most successful game company overnight with *Puzzle & Dragons*. Recently, several of its titles have partnered with well-known Japanese anime and game characters, and the company is truly riding high.
Core Gameplay: Match-3
Additional Features: Dungeon Adventures, Pet Collection and Training
● The Magician and the Black Cat Wiz—Colopl
The game *Black Cat Wiz* features a Japanese "moe" art style with fresh and natural visuals. The core gameplay revolves around trivia quizzes, blended with Japanese RPG card game elements. It cleverly combines puzzle-solving with a card battle system, allowing players to exercise their minds while experiencing the thrill of card battles.*Black Cat Wiz* boasts an extensive question bank that is continuously updated, which significantly reduces the likelihood of repeated questions and makes the game more challenging. Enjoy the joy of progression in an RPG and challenge yourself to push the limits of your brain!
The game *Black Cat Wiz* has reached market saturation in Japan, so Colopl has positioned its 2014 growth strategy toward the international market. The game has also been licensed by a Chinese company and is set to launch soon.In most games currently available in the domestic market, players primarily take on the role of a controller who commands the entire game, and a character’s strength largely depends on the time and money invested.However, in *The Magician and the Black Cat Vez*, a broad and well-informed mind is the key to victory. Given the varying demands of players for mobile games, it remains to be seen whether this “brain-boosting” title will be able to gain a foothold in the domestic market.
Core Gameplay: Trivia Quiz
Additional Elements: Card Battle, RPG
● Monster Strike — Mixi
"Monster Strike" is a mobile online game developed by Japan's mixi, Inc. It is a physics-based action RPG with a unique gameplay style that eschews the card-battle mechanics popular in the market in favor of marble-style combat.You can defeat enemies through your own skillful controls, and when combined with the game’s sound effects, it creates an undeniably exhilarating experience.The game also incorporates monster collection elements similar to *Puzzle & Dragons*. With simple, easy-to-learn controls paired with satisfying visual and impact effects, multiplayer and offline interaction are major highlights of the game. In addition to online multiplayer via the internet, you can also use Bluetooth to play face-to-face with friends and family.
"Monster Strike" will be exclusively distributed in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and the Macau Special Administrative Region by a major internet company.
Core Gameplay: Physical Action
Additional Highlights: Diverse Interaction Methods, Simple Controls, and Excellent Combat Feedback
●LINE Disney Match 3 — LINE
"LINE: Disney Match" is a casual game developed by LINE in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company. Although it’s a casual game, the involvement of the fairy-tale kingdom of Disney makes a rich storyline essential.The graphics in *LINE: Disney Match 3* are also quite impressive, with an overall fresh and charming aesthetic. Mickey Mouse’s character, in particular, strikes many players as both familiar and adorable, and the other character designs are incredibly cute.The game’s color palette is quite vibrant—a hallmark of match-three games—and the attention to detail is excellent, with textures clearly visible on the screen.
Core Gameplay: Match-3
Additional Features: Disney IP, Cute and Fresh Visuals, Compatible with the LINE Platform
●Chain Chronicle—SEGA
The game combines RPG, card-based, and strategy gameplay. The combat system is inspired by Plants vs. Zombies but is more flexible. It places greater demands on unit composition and real-time in-game control; the wrong unit combinations can easily lead to defeat, a problem that becomes increasingly apparent as the game progresses. Of course, having a powerful teammate is also key to winning the game.
The game features oil-painting-style graphics, 3D chibi-style characters, and a Japanese anime aesthetic. In terms of gameplay, the game offers innovative mechanics that go beyond simple card collection. Highlights include the card system (such as "Breaking Boundaries" and weapon upgrades), the card recycling system, the exchange system, strategic combat controls, and the game’s overall optimization.
Core Gameplay: Strategy
Key Features: Unique Art Style, Star-Studded Voice Cast, In-Depth RPG System, Card Game
● Military RPG: Blue Three Kingdoms — Colopl
This is an RPG that combines real-time strategy with nation-building simulation, set against the backdrop of the popular Three Kingdoms era. The game’s biggest highlight is its clever use of swipe controls to create a realistic experience of commanding vast armies.Basically, you tap the general (or unit) you want to move, hold down the screen, and swipe toward the target or destination. Once your troops come into contact with enemy forces, they automatically enter combat.
In terms of the game system, there are three types of units: “Pikemen,” “Cavalry,” and “Archers.” Each type has units that are either strong against or weak against other types. In battle, players must identify the units their opponent has deployed and select units that are strong against them in order to remain undefeated.Additionally, attacking from behind an enemy unit deals greater damage. Players can utilize these characteristics to employ various tactics, such as launching a surprise attack on the enemy from the rear. Hmm, just a personal question—does this really have nothing to do with SEGA’s *Three Kingdoms War*?
Core Gameplay: Strategy
Additional Features: Simple Controls, Three Kingdoms Theme
●Brave Frontline — Alim
"Brave Frontier" combines elements from numerous Japanese-style RPG mobile games, featuring fast-paced touch-based combat, in-depth character development, and a village management system.The game also includes a variety of classic gameplay elements such as dungeon adventures, boss battles, character collection, and evolution. With over 200 playable characters—each featuring distinct races, forms, attributes, and skills—maximizing the value of the characters you collect is the game’s greatest appeal.Between adventures, players can use battle rewards and collected resources to upgrade their village infrastructure, thereby producing more powerful weapons and armor, as well as high-level enhancement items. This game is also distributed by a domestic publisher.
Core Gameplay: RPG
Additional Features: Dungeon Battles, Village Management, Collecting and Training
●SD Gundam G-Century: Frontier — Bandai Namco
The game’s combat system has shifted from a simulation RPG format to an RTS (real-time strategy) style. Players tap and drag to target enemy units and launch attacks. Battles aren’t just about comparing the conditions of both sides—the combat scenes themselves are also nothing to be taken lightly.Furthermore, to the delight of die-hard fans of the Gundam series, the game also features original characters from G-Century—such as Alice Claude and Mark Giller—as well as original mobile suits like the Cyclone Gundam. Players can lead their friends’ mobile suits on missions and adventures, and the game also supports mobile suit trading, offering a variety of social features to meet the needs of players at all levels.
Core Gameplay: Real-Time Strategy
Additional Elements: Gundam IP, Card Collecting, Fan-Oriented
● Puyo Puyo Puzzle — SEGA
Puyo Puyo Puzzle is a casual puzzle game.The game combines various popular elements such as RPG, social PvP, and pet raising. With its cute and refreshing art style, along with two major game systems—quest-based battles and player-versus-player combat—it can almost be called a nation-wide bubble-popping sensation.Similar to *Puzzle & Dragons*, the game combines the *Puyo Puyo* combat system with adorable character and monster designs, while introducing many new features such as player vs. player battles, monster formations, power-up modes, and a guild system!
Core Gameplay: Match-3
Additional Features: Cute Art Style, Player vs. Player
● Dragon Slayer Poker — Asobism
"Dragon Slayer Poker" is a real-time social card game.Teams of up to five players work together to conquer dungeons by each contributing one card to form a deck. Up to five players, including the player themselves, can gather on the screen at once. Each player plays one card, and once all cards are played, the resulting deck can be used to activate attributes, skills, and other abilities to attack the monsters on the screen.The main objective of the game is to capture, train, and evolve new card monsters.
Core Gameplay: Cards
Additional Features: Innovative card gameplay and highly interactive gameplay
●LINE: Pokopang — LINE
Players must use the various fruits generated while clearing blocks to help the Dumb Bunnies fend off monsters. Connecting three identical blocks clears them and generates fruit weapons to attack groups of monsters, while connecting four or more blocks allows you to collect “cherries” at the same time.The more blocks you connect at once, the more powerful your firepower becomes! Throughout the game, it doesn’t feel like the goal is simply to achieve a high score; rather, the focus shifts to how many monsters you can defeat in a single intense battle.“LINE Pokopang” is no longer just a simple match-three game. Beyond defeating monsters and collecting their cards, the real fun—and what keeps players hooked—lies in collecting as many “Cherries” as possible to upgrade your firepower and exchange them for more powerful allies!
Core Gameplay: Match-3
Additional Factors: LINE Platform—Data Collection
● Warring States: Dance of Flames —KIZNA— ————Sumzap
This is a card game set in the Japanese Warring States period. Yeah, that's about it~
Core Gameplay: Cards
Additional Element: Warring States-themed
Conclusion: Unlike in other countries, the rankings for Japanese games are relatively stable. This also demonstrates that this market has a relatively consistent demand for games. Social games differ from single-player games; the core of a single-player game can be creativity, free from constraints—you can choose what your players play and how they play it;However, social games are more about catering to the audience; in most cases, you need to cater to the tastes of the general public. Looking back at these dozen or so best-selling games, it’s as if they’re dancing while shackled—striving for innovation and breakthroughs while maintaining a certain level of homogeneity.
原创文章，作者：茶馆小二，禁止转载：https://youxichaguan.com/en/archives/209975
