Aug 28, 2007

Japan is one of the most inspirational creative places on Earth. Without Japan, we wouldn't have Star Wars (Lucas acknowledges The Hidden Fortress as a huge inspiration), or The Matrix (inspired by the Wachowski's fondness for anime).

What fascinates us most about Japan, however, is how its wonderful people can produce utterly bonkers creations. Tentacle-sex? Used pants in vending machines? Pokemon? Japan is a creative goldmine, but it's also a hotbed of bizarre brain-busting mental ideas.

And there are few cultural outlets that allow Japan's craziest elements to come into focus than the world of videogames. You should all know about the endless horse-racing games, the schoolgirl-wooing adventures and so on. But have you heard of all these mad masterpieces?

THE ONE WITH THE WITCH TOUCHING
Doki Doki Majo Saiban | Nintendo DS

In twenty words or less...
Use the stylus to poke and rub several schoolgirls in a search for their witch's mark. Nudge, nudge, wink, etc.

The blurb
"God has chosen two mischievous middle school students, Akuji and Tenshi ("Angel") Ruru, to search for witches. Using the touch pen, players engage in a witch hunt adventure." Translation: Kotaku.com

Buy it now
Wannabe witch-touchers can scratch that itch through Play-Asia.com.

Bonkers rating
A bonkers, ultra-Japanese idea. Plus you'd have to be totally out of your brainbox to play this teenage-touching oddity in public...