What if the best game at Tokyo Game Show wasn't a big-budget blockbuster, but a simulator about ripping hair off hairy men? That's exactly what former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida is hyping.
Yoshida, who produced iconic PS1 games and later became a champion of indie titles at Sony, has continued his indie advocacy since leaving the company in 2025. In a recent interview with 4Gamer (translated by TheGamer), he shared his favorite games from Tokyo Game Show. His list includes the delightful-looking Finding Polka, first-person horror Haunted Streamer, and the new Sonic the Hedgehog indie collab Sonic Pico Park. But one game stood out above the rest: Hair Removal Salon Simulator.
Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. You run a salon where men come in to get their body hair removed using methods like sticky tape, swords, burning, and even a mini goat. Yoshida described the game by saying, "It's like Power Wash Simulator except you relentlessly remove hair from hairy men. It's creepy, but it feels good." He also appreciated how the setting and grotesque appearance were built on top of the basic satisfaction of making someone clean.
While the idea of simulating a mundane task you'd never want to do in real life might not appeal to everyone, this one at least seems to have a humorous edge. And it's a perfect example of why Yoshida remains such a beloved figure in the indie scene. During his time at Sony, he was known for constantly tweeting out indie recommendations, which even led to him being added as a playable character in Capybara Games' Super Time Force Ultra.
Since leaving Sony, Yoshida has kept up his indie advocacy in interviews, and his Tokyo Game Show picks show he's still got his finger on the pulse of quirky, experimental games. Whether or not Hair Removal Salon Simulator becomes a hit, it's clear that Yoshida's passion for indies is as strong as ever.
So, what do you think? Would you give Hair Removal Salon Simulator a try, or is it too weird even for you? Let us know in the comments!
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