Japan leads mobile game craze

Game makers have been offered a glimpse of the latest in games for mobile phones, with insights into the sort of things keeping Japanese thumbs busy.

They include virtual pets which are fed by photos, pronunciation puzzles and games that are the quality of PlayStation One titles.

"The Japanese market is years ahead of Europe and the US,"


"You now have a PlayStation One game running on a mass market handset in Japan, delivering a fully interactive 3D game," said Mr Collier.

But gamers are being asked to pay a premium for such high quality games. Ridge Racer is being sold in Japan for $11, about double the price of other titles.