From September 26 to 29, Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS) was held at the Makuhari Messe. This year’s edition was the largest in the event’s history. A total of 979 exhibiting companies, including 529 from overseas, showcased the latest video games and gaming technology across 3,252 booths that covered every hall of the Makuhari Messe. Throughout the 4-day event, 274,739 visitors attended, comprising video game industry professionals aiming to conduct business negotiations with developers, as well as game enthusiasts from the general public looking to be the first to playtest unreleased titles. Japan’s leading MICE news outlet, POP Inc., covered the event.
The excitement in the air was contagious throughout the entirety of Tokyo Game Show 2024. From some of the largest game production companies in the world like Sega and Capcom, to individual indie developers, the passion for video games was palpable. In addition, featured games being available on console, PC, smartphone, and even AR and VR offered options for every type of gamer.
Sega
Sega unveiled new entries in their beloved franchises.
Sonic X Shadow Generations will contain two all-new adventures, one with each Sonic the Hedgehog and Shadow the Hedgehog as the protagonist and set in each character’s respective universe. The TGS 2024 playable demo’s Sonic version highlighted classic fast-paced 2D platforming that was what originally endeared players to the franchise. Shadow’s campaign, on the other hand, wowed attendees with massive action-packed boss battles.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii stars fan-favorite Goro Majima battling gangs of pirates in scenic Hawaii, a location recently featured in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. However, developers insist that the game is not a spin-off, as many players feared, but actually a continuation of the story from the previous title. The Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii display at TGS showcased an impressive pirate ship set being sailed by a life-size Majima statue.
LEVEL-5
LEVEL-5 held a demanding presence again this year with its debut demo of the newest entry in the Professor Layton adventure puzzle game series.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam is the eighth entry in the iconic franchise, after the series was originally considered to be completed when the sixth game was released in 2013. In the New World of Steam, Professor Layton himself returns as the protagonist, following games previously featuring both his son and daughter. The TGS demo introduces Steam Bison, USA, a town haunted by a gunslinger’s ghost, to which Professor Layton is invited by his apprentice, Luke Triton, to visit a famous inventor and solve some puzzles along the way.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time was originally planned to go on sale in October 2024, but the release has recently been postponed to April 2025. This change occurred due to the inclusion of “open world” game elements. The TGS 2024 demo (which contained entirely new content not featured in the TGS 2023 demo) allowed attendees to explore the continent of Ginormosia, which is “the largest open world in the series.” In Ginormosia, players can battle enemies and collect resources while exploring a sprawling landscape. Characters can switch manually between paladin and wizard combat “Lifes,” and passive “Lifes” like woodcutter and miner were automatically switched to as needed, which is a huge quality-of-life improvement over the previous requirement of constant visits to the Guild Master.
Japan Electronics College
Game development students from multiple universities were eager to show off their skills to potential buyers and hirers, without fear of being overshadowed by larger companies.
Fishing Within the Stars was developed by three undergraduate students from Japan Electronics College. The game features a stranded astronaut who fishes for space fish in order to use their power to travel home. The fishing mechanics are partially motion-controlled, which makes for a reasonable challenge that feels rewarding to overcome.
Devolver Digital
Japan was not the only country making waves at the Tokyo Game Show. American game developer Devolver Digital showcased Skate Story, a fresh take on the skateboarding video game genre. Skate Story features a demon skateboarder that gradually learns skateboarding tricks in order to improve its lot in afterlife. Compared to other established games in the genre, Skate Story is more notably story-based and atmospheric, which will likely make it an easier entry point for beginner players.
Tokyo Game Show 2025 will be held from September 25 to 28 in-person at the Makuhari Messe alongside simultaneous online content.
