Tokyo Game Show 2015 2nd-Highest Attended Ever; TGS 2016 Dates Announced

CESA has confirmed the final attendance numbers for the Tokyo Game Show. Over its four days (two limited to press, two open to the public, as usual) this year’s event drew 268,446 visitors. That puts it in second place all time, narrowly behind 2013’s tally of 270,197. It should be noted, of course, that if the same person goes on multiple days, they are counted once per day that they go. So I’m three of those numbers, because I was on the show floor three days.

Last year, the show brought in 251,832 total visitors. It ranked in second place, though of course it now gets bumped back into third. While we’re here, hey, fourth place was 2012, when 223,753 people were counted. So you can see that the general trend is going up.

The media-only days account for about 60,000 of that, with over 29,000 people on Days 1 and 2. The remaining 210,000 came on the two public days, Saturday and Sunday.

The 2016 Tokyo Game Show will be held from Sept. 15-18 in Chiba’s Makuhari Messe, the same place as usual.

The show is over, but coverage is ongoing. I promise I’m typing as fast as I can over here!

Tokyo Game Show Reaction Gallery

Tokyo Game Show 2015 Reaction

TGS 2015 took place earlier this week, and after missing gamescom, there were actually some stunning PlayStation announcements for Western audiences, which was unexpected. Daily Reaction is giving you a breakdown of the big announcements with DR newcomer, Tyler Treese (round of applause!)
PlayStation VR (Tyler)

Tyler: I am really excited that virtual reality is one step closer to being in the hands of console gamers. With an official name, it finally dawned on me that this is actually happening soon! I haven't had a chance to go hands-on with any VR headsets yet, but having talked to several developers about the future of virtual reality gaming, I find it very difficult to not get excited. I firmly believe that this will open up the way developers can interact with players, so I can't wait for PlayStation VR to be out!
PlayStation VR (Chandler)

Chandler: Just wait until you get to try it Tyler! I was hyped for it, and the first time I put on a VR headset, my excitement increased at least tenfold. This is not a gimmick. It's another dimension of immersion.

That said, I love the name change. Leave it to Sony to keep it simple and call it what it is. The specs look right too, and now, all we wait for is the price (hoping for under $300) and the release date.
New Danganronpa V3 (Tyler)

Tyler: Danganronpa is a series that seems like it was made for me since I love games like Zero Escape and Ace Attorney, but for whatever reason I stopped playing the initial game after the first chapter. I've always meant to get back to it, though, and the announcement of Danganronpa V3 being on both PlayStation 4 and Vita has me digging out my copy. I feel like going on a console that people actually own is a huge step forward for the series in North America, and I'm also excited about the Danganronpa VR game.
New Danganronpa V3 (Chandler)

Chandler: You stopped playing!?! Well, you've got a homework assignment now! I love the Danganronpa games. True, they can be a bit of a slog with the traditional habit that Japanese games have with unnecessary dialogue, but they easily rank among the best and darkest mystery games I have played (Zero Escape 3 hype!).

I hope that this one steps up the bar even further with the dark, twisted murder mysteries that make you question your trust in everyone, complete with the signature black and white bear and bright pink displays of blood.
New HDD Covers and DualShock 4s (Tyler)

Tyler: I just recently bought a new DualShock 4 controller, and I really wish I didn't! I really love the crystal design, and wish I had bought that instead. Oh, well. As far as HDD Bay covers go, I really don't see the appeal. I barely look at my console, so I don't need to accessorize it. If there is a market there for those types of accessories, though, then Sony should absolutely profit off it.
New HDD Covers and DualShock 4s (Chandler)

Chandler: I have to agree on that crystal DualShock 4. My favorite DS3 controller is my smoky black see through one, so that crystal design is right up my alley. I also love the slate black design.

I also agree on the HDD covers, though D'yani's white PS4 sits out in the open and would look pretty snazzy with one of those blue or purple ones on there. Hell, knowing her, she probably wants them all. Options are a great thing, and I'm happy that Sony is listening.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (Tyler)

Tyler: Every single year Square Enix finds a way to absolutely floor me. Not with a high quality game, but with how stupid their naming schemes are. Kingdom Hearts II.8 Final Chapter Prologue? Are you kidding me? How can a final chapter be a prologue? My brain hurts! Regardless of how dumb the name is, I am excited to see Dream Drop Distance make it way onto PlayStation 4. I'm also interested in figuring out whatever Kingdom Hearts x Back Cover is. Square Enix, never change.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (Chandler)

Chandler: Hi, how are ya? The name's Chandler. Huge Kingdom Hearts fan here, so any news is good news. To be fair, I think that the naming is in reference to this being the prologue to the final chapter, Kingdom Hearts 3. Though yes, I highly agree that the name could have been much simpler.

I loved both 1.5 ReMIX and 2.5 ReMIX, and I can't wait to play Dream Drop Distance and whatever other little additions they are throwing on there, though the price has me concerned. The previous games were $40, and seemed to contain much bigger titles. Either way, it's one more step on the Kingdom Hearts 3 hype train, I reserved my seat months ago.
Gravity Rush/Daze 2 (Tyler)

Tyler: Sony is really good at playing with my emotions! I went from, "Well, I guess it is good that people can actually play Gravity Daze," to "Hell yes! Gravity Daze 2 is finally happening!" I'm psyched to see one of the Vita's under appreciated gems getting a sequel. I want to see what Kat is truly capable of, and it looks like we'll find out on PlayStation 4.
Gravity Daze/Rush 2 (Chandler)

Chandler: I love the whole Rush vs. Daze thing? It's like Aeris vs. Aerith. To me, it will always be Gravity Rush, one of the first games I had on my Vita. It's always bittersweet to see Vita exclusives lose their home to the console big brother (Tearaway anyone?), but let's be honest, they're moving on to bigger and better things, with a far larger audience.

I don't think I'll take the time to go through Gravity Rush again, but I'm certainly curious to see how they utilize the PS4's power to make Gravity Rush 2 even better.
Hot Shots Golf PS4 (Tyler)

Tyler: I love the Hot Shots Golf series. Clap Hanz has done a great job of taking Camelot's formula for golf games alive on PlayStation systems, and I've thoroughly enjoyed each entry in the series. I put a ton of time in World Invitational, so I can't wait to hit the links in this new installment. I just hope the online play isn't as stupidly complicated as in the last game.
Hot Shots Golf PS4 (Chandler)

Chandler: The thing that excites me the most about this isn't necessarily the game itself, but rather seeing Sony approaching old classics that the PlayStation is known for and bringing them back to this new console generation. There are so many new gamers that never got to experience the wonder of these games, and nostalgia's a hell of a drug for those of us that did. With this commitment to the classics, what else might we see Sony try to resurrect?
Anything Else? (Tyler)

Tyler: One of the biggest talking points of the presser was actually the lack of a big ending. It seemed like they were saving Persona 5 as the final game, and then the presser just kind of ended. It was a bit anti-climatic, but now we know why it wasn't shown. I'm not too disappointed, though. The presentation just was a bit loaded upfront.
Anything Else? (Chandler)

Chandler: I didn't expect as much as we got, though I'm happy for what was announced. What I'm even more exited for is the fact that Sony has even more up their sleeves, as they have PlayStation Experience coming up. I'm expecting a ~~Morpheus~~ PlayStation VR price and release date at that time, and more awesome game announcements with an even bigger focus on Western audiences. TGS impressed and primed the pump, PSX will go further to cement the PS4 as this generation's champion.