Japan’s gaming history is rich with iconic characters, gameplay innovations and retro favourites (some of which date back to the 1970s). Many of Japan’s most popular gaming characters can be found on the App Store, alongside new and original titles that have taken the world by storm. Here are some of our favourites.

Drift, boost and battle your way to the chequered flag in classic Mario series locations and on tracks inspired by real-world cities, including London, New York and Tokyo. New vehicles, characters and costumes are frequently added to the game, so you’ll always have something new to try when your kart speeds into action alongside the crew of Mushroom Kingdom.

Hatsune Miku is a digital superstar who tours the world and performs catchy songs created by a global community of musicians. Discover these tracks and more in Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage, a rhythm game featuring the kawaii (the Japanese word for cute) character and her friends.

Fight alongside fan-favourite Pokémon characters, including Gym Leaders, Elite Four members and Pokémon Champions, in dynamic 3v3 battles. Gain the advantage by assembling a strong team of Pokémon and building up their strength through items and evolutions. As you progress, you’ll discover new stories based on familiar Pokémon characters, plus special seasonal events.

Get your claws into some tower defence action in The Battle Cats. Build your cat army to take over the world and beyond – there are loads of different units to unlock and grow. These kitties may surprise you as you level them up and witness their horrifically cute “True Forms”.