For those in the know, the end of September represents an exciting time for gaming enthusiasts in Japan and within the region. The annual tradition that is Tokyo Game Show (TGS) has continued to attract crowds over the years, and its 2025 iteration proves no exception to the rule, with returning juggernauts like Bandai Namco and Square Enix radiating presence on the show floor.
Taking place from 25 to 28 September, the event retains the same format and venue as previous years, with Makuhari Messe opening its doors to the public after two business days of gameplay demos, mascot appearances, large-scale display pieces, and more. The opening time is officially listed as 10am, but expect snaking queues even before then, as attendees aim to be the first into the exhibition hall and try their hand at grabbing exclusive merchandise or a hands-on session of popular upcoming releases.
Heading the Bandai Namco lineup are Code Vein II, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, Little Nightmares III, and Once Upon a Katamari, each decked out in their respective theme decorations. Instead of demo booths, the Code Vein II area treats fans to a mini-theatrical experience that shows off its cinematic and action set pieces, alongside real-life recreations of its various elements, and guest cosplayers who captured hearts with their intricate costumes.
Over at the Digimon Story: Time Stranger booth, visitors are greeted with holographic visuals of different Digimon, an adorable sign-holding Agumon off to the side, and a prone, majestic-looking Garurumon at the designated photo spot. Swing by at the right time, and Agumon will even come to life in the form of a lively mascot!
The energy carries over to the Once Upon a Katamari space, in which a mascot – sometimes accompanied by other characters – grooves to upbeat music and pretends to roll the gigantic ball of uh, things, just like in the series. Scale-wise, though, the Little Nightmares III installation takes the cake, featuring a massive hand breaking out of the wall and reaching out for its new protagonist pair, Low and Alone, who will make scheduled appearances across all four days.
The Square Enix experience, meanwhile, promises to be a good time for fans of the JRPG genre and the HD-2D aesthetic. Alongside demo booths for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles, Octopath Traveler 0, and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, they can also snap a photo with the fat chocobo from Final Fantasy XIV, arguably the highlight of the show floor, and a beautiful Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles backdrop.
As for those who wish to revisit Cloud’s journey in Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, the Nintendo Switch 2 port allows them to do so in hand, while Killer Inn pits two groups of players against each other in a unique spin on the Werewolf formula.
The Bandai Namco and Square Enix booths are located in Hall 7 and Hall 3, respectively, with the full line-up of featured titles for TGS 2025 as follows:
- Bandai Namco
- Code Vein (experience)
- Digimon Story: Time Stranger
- Little Nightmares III
- Once Upon a Katamari
- Square Enix
- Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
- Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Nintendo Switch 2 demo)
- Killer Inn
- Octopath Traveler 0
- The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
Yonk
