This was only the beginning.

Ow, how people never change.

  
  
While companies got smart during the last TGS and didn't give out certain information or products until the public day, it was quite not so this time around. Other than a lot of people and additional stores opening in the public day, there was no true difference between the two.  
  
  
  
  

Sentimental 2 -Click to enlarge

 
While people may have predicted that the Playstation 2 was where all the croud had gathered, things proved not to be so in the public opening days. Most of the cround gathered around the companies which had nothing to do with the next-generation machines, such as NEC Interchannel and MediaWorks. 
 
Why? -The reason is simple: otaku gamers in aim for the gal games such as Sentimental Graffiti 2.   In a similar manner, it was very obvious that the focus between foreign press and domestic press were different. Then again, not much domestic press were seen at the Tokyo game show, and more invited visitors were. 
 

While the TGS didn't have as many companies as last time, the size of the rented convention rooms did not change. Instead, some companies hogged up a peculiarly huge amount of space- namingly Sony, Sega, Capcom, Namco and SNK. 
 
 
 

The awaited PS2- click for full image.

 
Sony's booth filled up more than a quarter of a convention room, full of their new Playstation games and Playstation 2 showcases. While some games were playable, the graphically and program-wise flashy games like "The bouncer" were only on display as demos, but it was very obvious that the quality even exeeded Full Motion Video in console games of the present. Visitors were given a packet full of joyful surprizes which included many game demos, Sony product leaflets and a special issue of Dengeki magazine dedicated to the Playstation 2. 

Sega. ...had their Shenmue and Warp's D2 in full promotion, but nothing dramatic like Sony. As usual, their hefty plastic bag proved the most useful tool at the TGS, carrying around documents and freebees. 
 
 
 

2 Jils are better than one- Click to enlarge.

 
Capcom's booth was promotiong a lot of zombie killing. Note: if you ever go to the Tokyo Game Show, never forget to jump to Capcom's booth with a good camera- they have the best cosplay (costume play <Image>) workers such as these two sexy Jils.  
 
 

Time for a new hairdo. Click to...

 
Wondering what that wacky picture in the front was about? It was about, Capcom's two most well known faces in development- Funamizu (Street Fighter Alpha series, SNK vs Capcom, etc) and Okamoto (Most games in Capcom existance, and now Zelda for the ColorGB) had a fun time assulting the Madman's Hair.  

Namco's booth- as usual, had no handouts, no demos, no nothing (cheap ass). However their booth was full of Pacman and RidgeRacer fever, promoting their new Pacman anniversary game and Playstation 2 racer.  

SNK's booth was full of their portable machine, and while it may have been fun for gamers who enjoy pocket-type games, it did not make their booth look flashy for sure. SNK handed out a really nice plastic bag which can be used by visitors to carry around leaflets.. of other companies as well.  
 
 

DOA2- click to enlarge

 
Tecmo had their DOA (arcade version) machines up on freeplay. The graphics are extremely good in real-time as can be seen in these snapshots. However chracters.. um... don't bounce anywhere as close. Sorry Ed, no posters of the game were distributed.  <Image> <Image> <Image> 
 
 
 
 

Oh the dance fever..- click to enlarge

 
Compile 
This unique company is now making a Dancing game, featuring their cute PuyoPuyo characters. Ooh, look at that Skeleton-T go at it... 
 
 
 

The merchandise  shops        

Ahh.. the fun stuff. While the TGS itself is hectic and covering booths is strenuous, the game goods stores is a place to relax and look at interesting objects... ok, so it's not really a place to relax, sue me.  
 
 

Packs of PACs. 100 yen each.

 
However, the game goods area did present some interesting supplies as usual. In example, this Pac-Man Chow Mein adequately named "Pac-Men".  
 
 
 

2500 yen to start, 2500 yen to continue.

 
Capcom's booth sold the usual items such as the Megaman dumplings and Chunli stamps. However the most eye boggling was the funland on the side, where visitors must purchase a ticket to ender and play the mini-carnival games. Quite obviously, noone was brave enough to check inside. 
  
  
  
 

Err...click to enlarge

 
At SNK's booth, the company took a step too deep into merchanising and sold these "nakoruru Desks", which costs as much as they look peculiar. Of course they also sold the usuals, such as their fanclub only phone cards. <Image> 
 
 
 

Flammable dollies. Click to enlarge.

 
Square's booth was full of expensive merchandise as usual, the largest being their life-size Cactrot swimming pool floater. And the weirdest being their Parasite Eve dollies. An Aya Brea poster + phone card was in sale for only 1800Yen <Image> . ...damn I forgot to get it. 
 

As usual, the TGS had their traditional practices... 
 
 

The Costume Contest full of....    um... . ..Maid in Japan is always the best.

Those Faces.. I've seen them before somewhere...    Go Kernel, Go Kernel...