Now I'll once again have the upper hand on my Japanese gaming buddy.
If they are truly Nihongo-nese, then it is impossible to have an upper hand at gaming against them. A true Japanese is actually a robot. They build Gundams over there for fun.
I feel like a fucking weeaboo for saying this, but Nihongo-nese should be Nihonjin-nese. Nihongo is the language; Nihonjin is the nationality.
EDIT:
I want to reference Nippon the Nipponese right now, but I can't find the images and I don't think anyone would know what I'm talking about anyway. =<
Also, why would you buy a gamepad when you can get a ps2>usb converter for even cheaper and ps2 pads are much more durable? The only reason I'd see is not owning a ps2, but really, what gamer doesn't?