Ninokuni: Shikkoku no Madoushi [Japan Import]

I may not know the language, but the game is still quite fun. I am sure I am doing some things wrong, but I still manage to get further in the game anyway. The book it comes with is awesome (the same book you got if you had the Wizard's Edition, except it's in Japanese) and there are Familiars in this DS game that are not in the PS3 game. Now I haven't played the Japanese import of the PS3 game so I am not sure if the DS familiars are in the Japanese PS3 or not, but they are probably not.The game still has the Studio Ghibli cut scenes though some are slightly different (for example, the White Witch in the PS3 game is not in the DS game at all) because the story is slightly different than the PS3 version, besides the DS version came out first.To sum up you don't need to know Japanese to get around in the game but I know it will help tremendously if you do. If you are a fan of the PS3 version, pick up this version. You don't need a Japanese DS or 3DS to play as this is a region free game. No Ni No Kuni fans will be disappointed in this the very first Ni No Kuni game!

I liked that this product was brand new when I received it. That means it came in a very nice box, but also comes with the book that is mandatory (from what I have read online) to play the game. I am hoping that this purchase will help push me into wanting to understand how and learn to read Japanese.I am so grateful to this supplier! :)

I'm not a hardcore gamer but I recently bought this product after reading about the hype over its predecessor, the wrath of the white witch. I'm still halfway through the game. The whole game is in Japanese so to play this properly, you have to know how to read and understand basic Japanese. Or at least know how to read the characters and have a Japanese-English dictionary by your side. Even so, I found it difficult to follow quest instructions within the game due to my elementary level of Japanese.The graphics and music are amazing, as expected, and the story is quite interesting as well. Battle system is not difficult to learn, as they take time to slowly introduce each component to you.This is definitely a must buy if you know Japanese, and are a fan of studio Ghibli's animated films.

The media could not be loaded.  I am so in love with this game! I am currently studying japanese and this is the perfect game to help me practice.Beautiful music, great graphics, amazing storyline and anime-like cutscenes.The package included the Magic Master Book and the game with the manual, everything was inside a black and gold box with the game logo

I bought this game after purchasing a Japanese 3DS (even though as a regular DS game, it will play on our US versions because regular DS games are not region locked like the 3DS consoles). I speak, read and write Japanese so this game is easy for me to follow. There are no English subtitles and the spell book that comes with it is also all in Japanese. If you are fluent in Japanese this game is extraordinary! Well worth the $13 I spent on it. And I'll play it over and over.

Product was in great condition came with book , cartridge and instructional booklet. The only issue nowhere in the description it stated its all in Japanese language. My little one will not understand any of it and will not be able to play. I did no care if book is in Japanese but game has to be dubber or with subtitles for a non speaking Japanese person to play. Wish they stated it that its all in Japanese language before I bought it. Now I have to keep looking for non Japanese version.

Awesome game with captivating story line and graphics.You'd definitely need a basic-to-intermediate knowledge of Japanese to play this game - if you have a dictionary or translator handy you can decipher most parts even with a basic knowledge. The game is quite simple/intuitive so I wouldn't let the language barrier discourage you!

Absolutely cool collectible for any Ni no kuni fan; however beware of Nintendo's latest firmware updates that will prevent you from playing this Japan Import on your US handheld! If you don't or didn't update then you'll be fine, but if you did, you're SOL...Other than that, high quality but unreadable unless you've brushed up on reading Japanese? Still some pretty cool art, and one can also follow along from the plentiful pictures...Enjoy!

So I got this item. From Japan. At our house we played the ps3 version a lot, and because the DS version is different I wanted it even though it has no translation for the handheld. Why level 5 failed to localize due to difficulties, has been disproved in 2015 by a Spanish translation online for free - yes you can play the game in Spanish - however not on a flash card on a hand-held AFAIK, it does run fine on a PC in an emulator (such as desmume) but not having it on a hand-held kinda defeats its purpose. So I ordered the Japanese version, wondering how far I could get not knowing Japanese.So of course the item is unintelligible in its writing as it is mostly kanji. However, that does not stop anyone from enjoying the game significantly. I got the book (master something) with all the artwork, it's not that essential but nice to browse through once. I immediately put the cartridge in my 3dsxl, and put my nc headphones in and enjoyed the AWESOME opening. Fully orchestrated music, you wouldn believe the DS could produce something that good. Two hours in, I can tell you that the DS version is so much more Spirited away-like than the dumbed down non cute ps3 version. Instant appeal 5/5.Gameplay:main story = I found some partial translations, it's not that hard to progress. Just listen to the voices, and terms like okasa (mum), taskede (save me), tabe (eat), mada (later), asoko (there) are common knowledge of anyone who watched and enjoyed any anime.combat = You have much more control over the combat., it is turn based, story starts similar and has all the cool stuff the PS3 version had and then some. If you are in need of healing potions, click pale blue icon and in bottom line of top screen, the ingredients effects are stated clearly: #@#100 MP *_(*&) : Pretty simple. (X) button is auto battle, and the position formation is important when doing bosses.stats = creatures affinity details are color/icon based, and its type is color/icon based too, not hard to understand.The only thing I haven't figured out is how to make recipes because that is about 20 hours in-game - will edit this review when I get there.Bugs: The game froze once in the first hour, but I suspect that is due to the quality of my 3ds console.mechanics: the story has uniquely numbered main quest steps, and numbered quests/errands, and you get to draw magic spells (once, after that you can use the button if you don't feel like drawing). The only thing I haven't really figured out is the creature cage - how to care for the monster, when to tickle Mitey or hit him and why.My advice is get this item (including p&p and customs it cost me 45 pounds, but how much is a GBP nowadays anyway?) AND a cheatsheet with all the spells on your mobile. Then you don't need the book and have all the magic.EDIT: I did get stuck in the Trials thing, but loved it anyway. The enemy is often impressed showing hearts, but unfortunately Esther does not have her harp yet so she can't tame them. Did browse through the magic master book, and there are at least 40 familiars that are NOT in the PS3 version. The pictures in the book are absolutely gorgeous, completely in style, and there is (spoiler alert) also another world in this game, yes a third world. Sold it (at a loss) due to getting stuck, for GBP20. Oh wel.. I can wait for the english translation, have DQ7 to finish first.

A beautifully packaged game, with a lovely book. Although this is in Japanese, it is still playable and as a bonus, has encouraged the new owner of this game, to study the Japanese language.

One of my favorite games on the ps3 and just as good on the ds. There is a walk though available on line specifically aimed at people who don't speak japanese. I have found this very helpful at times for specific translations but having played it in English already I have not found the language a problem. It does run on my xl3ds no problem and the spell book that comes with it is beautifully.Highly recommend this to any ni no kuni fans.

The wait of the package can be a bit long (between 2 and 3 weeks), but is all in perfect status and the sellers are seriously (they answer the questions very fast if you email it). I recomend it to buy at 100%

Beautiful game, not as good as ps3 version but retains a lot of the charm. Playing in Japanese can be difficult but I'd still recommend for fans of Ni No Kuni.