It doesn’t happen that often anymore, but there are still games from Japan that get released locally before they are shipped to other regions. There are still a number of games that don’t even release in the West altogether but compared to back in the day, it is rarer. This is true for the bigger games at least.
Some of these upcoming games released last year in Japan, while others have been exclusive for a while now. Some of these have actual set dates while others are more mysterious. Will they make it into 2021 or will they suffer the wrath of delays? For now, let’s start up the hype train and not worry about the what-ifs.
8 Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy released on December 3, 2020 in Japan and is set to release on January 26 in North America for PS4 and Switch. This is a direct sequel to the previous game which came out in 2019, so it hasn’t been that long.
The wait between the Japanese and Western launches is also not that bad compared to a lot of others featured in this discussion. This happy hour lucky alchemy infused turn-based RPG should be fun.
7 Disgaea 6: Defiance Of Destiny
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny will release on January 28 in Japan and is set to come out sometime this Summer in the rest of the World. The Japanese date is comprised of the PS4 and Switch versions but all the NIS America website has advertised right now is the Nintendo version for Summer.
This might indicate Nintendo scored a small console exclusive window in the West. Anyway, this franchise's last new main console game, not counting ports, was in 2015. Needless to say, the wait for this crazy tactical RPG’s return has been long.
6 Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox released on September 26, 2019 in Japan and is set to release on February 2 in North America for PS4. It will also come to PC and Switch sometime later in 2021.
Two years between launches is a big gap and the wait has been even longer if one considers the last main game in the series was released in 2016. This long-running action RPG series has been going strong since 1987 even if it is still a niche property more than 30 years later.
5 Persona 5 Strikers
Persona 5 Strikers released on February 20, 2020 in Japan and is set to release on February 23 in North America for PC, PS4, and Switch. This will be a direct sequel to the original release of Persona 5, which debuted in 2016 in Japan and a year later for North America.
That is to say events and characters from Persona 5 Royal will not make it into this game. For those unaware, this is a spin-off to not only Persona but Dynasty Warriors as well. This might be the strangest crossover yet.
4 Earth Defense Force: World Brothers
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers released on December 24, 2020 in Japan and is set to release sometime in 2021 in North America for PS4 and Switch. It features the same basic formula as the other games in the series, so players will still be slaying giant bug aliens and robots.
The biggest difference is the game's look, which is now more akin to Minecraft. This is all to say that this game should be a more family-friendly entry.
3 Neptunia re★Verse
Neptunia re★Verse released on December 17, 2020 in Japan and is set to come out sometime in 2021 in North America for PS5.
This is a remaster of the PS3 original which debuted first in 2010 for Japan and a year later in North America. The Neptunia series is quite a niche franchise in general, although it has proven popular enough to allow for a steady stream of releases. These RPGs are not without merit, but they put fan service first above gameplay and story which will not appeal to all.
2 Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster released on October 29, 2020 in Japan and is set to release sometime in North America for PS4 and Switch. A remaster of quite an old game, the original dates back to 2003 for Japan on PS2 and 2004 for North America.
That year's wait was worth it because it added Dante from Devil May Cry, a character who is returning for this version too. This year should also see the return of the franchise with its newest entry, Shin Megami Tensei V. Between these two games and Persona 5 Strikers, Atlus fans should be over the moon.
1 Gal*Gun Returns
Gal*Gun Returns will release on January 28 in Japan and is set to release on February 12 in North America for PC and Switch. The original, which was the beginning of this franchise, debuted in Japan on the Xbox 360. This remaster will be the first time it has been seen outside of Japan although its sequels have been localized since.
All of these games boil down to shooting galleries although they are very different from games like Time Crisis or House of the Dead. Players instead are struck by a love shot from an angel that makes them irresistible to women. It is a very odd premise, to say the least.