Gamebrink.com Expands U.s. Market For Import Japanese Video Games
Federal Way, WA (ContentDesk) June 9, 2005 -- It is a little-tapped market in North America, but that is precisely what convinced GameBrink.com founder Jeromy Stroh to go into business. Stroh, who had been importing video games from Japan for his own use, knew how interested gamers were in playing new titles like "Bleach: Heat the Soul," a PSP game based on the popular "Bleach" anime series by Kubo Tite, or the so-cute-it-hurts simulation series "Nintendogs," which allows Nintendo DS players to care for virtual puppies.    "There just aren't many stores that compete in this niche," Strohexplained. "Demand for import Japanese video games is growing, however, primarily because PSP and Nintendo DS systems require no modification to play Japanese games, and very little effort is required to be able to play PS2 and GameCube games from Japan."    There is also the draw of being able to play the latest video games long before their English versions are available in this country: Many games are released in Japan months before they hit the U.S. It is perfectly legal to import them, but GameBrink.com is one of the few companies doing so.    As a result, the site's sales are already brisk - and growing with ever new release. Pre-orders scheduled for this month include "Coded Arms," a wireless PSP multiplayer fighting game that simulates

Age of Empires II

Ragnarok

The Sims 2

StarCraft

Baldur's Gate II

Age of Mythology

Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne

SimCity 4

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Zoo Tycoon

virtual reality; "Bomberman: Panic Bomber," a four-player PSP WiFi action puzzle game; "Adventure Player" for PSP, where players make their own adventures; and "Trauma Center: Under the Knife," a Nintendo DS game where players must make use of the stylus and voice recognition system to operate on patients with a myriad of ailments.    Part of the allure of import video games, said Stroh, stems from the fact that games from Japan won't play on U.S.

PlayStation 2, GameCube or GameBoy systems without a modified chip - which can void a system's warranty - or an adaptor, so not just anyone can play. GameBrink.com will soon offer the adaptors.    In choosing to carve out a niche market, GameBrink.com and other importers could be changing the face of gaming in America. As more U.S. gamers are able to purchase import Japanese video games, a larger American fan base is created for games that manufacturers have thus far released only in Japan. A larger fan base translates to increased sales - and that, in turn, could convince manufacturers to bring more games to the U.S.

market. GameBrink.com might just be on the brink of something big.Contact:Jeromy StrohGameBrink.com Import Video Games253-874-2297e-mail protected from spam botshttp://www.gamebrink.com.