*Japanese Game Consoles Explode in US Sales, Stunning the American Gaming Industry!*
While the headline was somewhat exaggerated, it wasn't far from the truth.
The following day, several Japanese television stations broadcast video reports on the phenomenon.
Some stations aired only excerpts from Nakayama Shūo's speech.
Others, however, broadcast Kobayashi Tetsu's entire closing address during their news programs.
*Is becoming the savior of the American gaming industry truly our duty?*
*The greatest prodigy in history!*
*Monster or deity? The God of Atlas!*
*As a god, he will lead Atlas to charge full speed toward heaven!*
Even fleeting glimpses of Naka Yuji and Iwata Satoru in the background were given brief screen time.
The media dubbed them: *The God's Right and Left Hands*.
After Atlas took a few days off, Kobayashi Tetsu's first action was to adjust internal compensation. The overall monthly salary and benefits package were raised to 200,000 yen. Simultaneously, he signed more detailed non-compete agreements with core personnel, including Naka Yuji and Iwata Satoru.
Kobayashi Tetsu knew this couldn't control everyone. If someone wanted to leave, they would still be poached.
As long as the core team remained intact, it didn't matter if others were poached.
People came and went, and he didn't have any hypnotic apps to control them.
With these matters settled, Kobayashi Tetsu finally had time for social engagements.
At the Takakura Club, Kadokawa Haruki wrapped his arm around Kobayashi Tetsu's neck, his enthusiasm practically radiating off him, sweat pouring down his face.
"Everyone, take a good look! This is my brother, a true genius! The God of Video Games!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
They couldn't help but be impressed. Even in this club, where every member was a second-generation heir with the freedom to start their own ventures and some degree of success, no one had achieved anything close to this level—not even Kadokawa Haruki himself, the club's owner.
Kobayashi Tetsu smiled modestly. "That's an exaggeration. I can't become the God of Video Games. Being the God of Atlas is enough."
There were insurmountable mountains in the video game industry, and Kobayashi Tetsu wasn't arrogant enough to think he could conquer them all.
Kadokawa Haruki glanced around. "Where are the God's right and left hands?"
"Iwata-kun went home to be with his family," Kobayashi Tetsu explained. "Their vacation ended, and they've returned to their hometown. Nakahiro-kun also went back home."
Naka Yuji had once vowed never to return home in glory until he created a truly great game. Now, it seemed, the time had finally come for him to fulfill that promise.
Kadokawa Haruki sighed regretfully.
"I was hoping to meet the right-hand man of the gods."
With a flick of his wrist, Kadokawa Haruki grabbed the latest issue of *Kadokawa Game Magazine*.
"Heh, these guys have good taste! Look at their review! *Sonic the Hedgehog*, MS's debut title, boasts the most outstanding AI on the market, meticulously crafted boss battles, and an unprecedented sense of exhilaration. The four editors' combined score: 10, 10, 10, 10! Forty out of forty! *Kadokawa Game Magazine*'s perfect score!"
Kobayashi Tetsu tilted his head slightly at the perfect score.
This was quite rare.
*Kadokawa Game Magazine* rarely awarded perfect scores. Historically, games that achieved this honor were almost invariably platinum-tier masterpieces.
Examples included *The Legend of Zelda*, *Final Fantasy*, *Dragon Quest*, *Pokémon*, *The Elder Scrolls*, *Metal Gear*, and even *Grand Theft Auto*.
While later titles like *Death Stranding* and *Ghost of Tsushima* were critically acclaimed but fell short of a perfect 40, even those games were far above average in quality.
Now, Kobayashi Tetsu believed that this early, refined version of Sonic deserved a perfect score.
"Oh? There's more!" Kadokawa Haruki exclaimed, as if he had discovered a new continent. "Nintendo is about to release a new game: *Super Mario Bros.*! Simultaneous launch in Japan and North America!"
Kobayashi Tetsu let out a long, drawn-out "Ooooh."
*That's quite impressive,* he thought.
He had heard that while Nintendo had been slow to enter the North American market, they had still managed to secure a respectable share, conservatively estimated at over 30%.
Given the quality of *Super Mario Bros.*, Kobayashi Tetsu had no doubt the game would be a massive hit, just as it had been in history.
However, due to their late entry and reduced market share, it certainly wouldn't achieve the tens of millions of sales it had in the original timeline.
Kadokawa Haruki put down the magazine, and the surrounding group turned to look at Kobayashi Tetsu in unison.
"Kobayashi-kun, what do you think of Nintendo's new game?"
Meeting their expectant and somewhat provocative gazes, Kobayashi Tetsu smiled. "I haven't played it yet, so I can't say for sure. But given Nintendo's track record, this game is definitely something special. It might become another massive hit in North America."
Kobayashi Tetsu couldn't suppress the sales figures, nor could Sega. After all, true quality can't be hidden.
However, that didn't stop him from seizing the opportunity to make a move.
"Does anyone have paper and a pen?"
Kobayashi Tetsu rolled up his sleeves and began writing directly on the small table in front of him.
"Video Games: Can We Become America's Savior?"
"In June 1985, a storm swept through the video game industry. Sonic's blue blur raced across American screens, igniting collective cheers across the nation."
"Since the Atari crash, the American gaming market had been in a state of unprecedented collapse. Experts predicted it would take at least twenty years for the industry to recover."
"Yet, in just two years, the American gaming market has been reborn! The game that achieved this miracle is none other than Sonic!"
"Therefore, we can confidently declare: Yes! We are America's savior!"
"It's heartening to see another new game enter the American market today, poised to rescue the industry. Nintendo's creations have always been masterpieces, never failing to impress. I believe Super Mario Bros. will deliver the same breathtaking quality."
"Today, there are no rivals, no enemies—only two solitary heroes rewriting their tragic destinies, one blue, one red, supporting each other!"
"I trust Nintendo as much as I trust Mario himself. So, charge ahead, Mario! Charge ahead with all your might! Charge ahead like Sonic!"
"Today, we will create a miracle! Together, Mario and Sonic will break through the barriers of the American gaming industry and truly become saviors of the world!"
"Charge, Mario, charge!"
"Charge, Sonic, charge!"
"For this is not merely a game; it is a symbol of pride!"
Kobayashi Tetsu signed off with:
*Ten cents.*
He refused to suppress what couldn't be contained. Today, Kobayashi Tetsu was determined to lavish praise on Mario while making one thing clear to everyone:
*We were here first. No matter how great you are, you'll always be second!*
Kadokawa Haruki, standing nearby, suddenly looked up, his expression turning solemn.
"So, the 'Ten cents' who submitted articles to me before was Kobayashi-kun! No wonder his writing style felt so familiar!"
In that brief moment, the pink-suited publisher's face broke into a smug smile.
"I've decided! This article will be published in every magazine and newspaper published by Kadokawa Shoten, including Kadokawa Game Magazine! I won't take a single cent! I want everyone to see this article!"
Not for any grand purpose, but simply because doing so would bring him immense joy!
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