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Does Nintendo Hate America?

July 25, 2007 in News comments 16

Since the Nintendo DS came out, Nintendo seemed to really focus on the Japanese market, not so much as the American market. Nintendo is a Japanese company, so it's no realy surprise, but what we wonder is how many exclusives that Japan has that America doesn't. In the quote, there is a list of 7 game that weren't released in America, but they were released in Japan. Why is that so?

Before the interview that you can see below began, I listed for Reggie a list of Nintendo-made DS titles tailored for the Japanese market, some of which certainly seemed suitable for the U.S. audience, some not so much…

Tingle Adventure (I didn’t use the full name of this adventure starring the “Zelda” series goofiest character, which is “Freshly Picked - Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland“)
The Talking Cookbook (It’s really called “Shaberu! DS Oryouri Navi“
“Jam With the Band” (This is a rhythm game I imported for the DS in early 206. It’s great fun, and was given an English title for possible release. Then it didn’t come out. It’s called “Daigasso! Band Brothers“)
“Jump Superstars” (This is a “Super Smash Bros.” clone starring popular Japanese comic book characters)
Dictionary (It’s actually called “DS Easy Dictionary” and was a best-seller in Japan.)

English Training (Full title is “English Training: Have Fun Improving Your Skills!“)
Kanji Training (It’s actually called: “Kanji Sonomama Rakubiki Jiten.”
I wanted to know why non-Japanese gamers don’t get as many specialty titles from Nintendo. I also ran through a long — but by no means exhaustive — list of games developed by Japanese independents but published by Nintendo. You’ll hear that one in the video.
Synergized via multiplayerblog.mtv.com »
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  • 4
    FRoGBuster Jul 26, 07
    I could use some Kanji training!
    It's too bad.. It's not Nintendo.. it's just part of gaming fact. America has always been left out in a lot of games. Americans are more in the Hollywood mentality, where they will buy what's advertised, and whatever has the best explosions and boobs. Action . No weirdness is tolerated. Japanese have all different tastes and is open to a lot of new things, so the games can sell. in America, people are not likely to buy games that sound remotely weird.

    [AND, NINTENDO IS NOT A COUNTRY, xsynergyx!!]
    • 2
      Synergized Jul 26, 07
      Oh, oops.

      My bad. I'll fix it now.

      Anyways, this doesn't seem too bad. The titles don't look that interesting.
      • 0
        Storm* Jul 26, 07
        Haha, nice one I don't think some things are just left in Japan because they favorite their original country. Look at some huge titles, like the first Final Fantasy game. That only stayed in Japan for years, and we got hit with the 2nd...or was it the 3rd?

        It's just where they'll think they'll benefit the most from, I believe. Although...I would like more Fire Emblem games imported to the USA, as many others would.
  • 0
    Insanity Prevails* Jul 26, 07
    Games aren't released into markets that the publisher doesn't think it'll do well in. It's marketing, not favourtism. They're not going to invest money on translations, production and marketing if they don't feel they'll get the profit returns from it.
    • 0
      tallteen86 Jul 26, 07
      Yes, exactly...some titles in Japan, might not be 'mainstream' enough for the NA market...but Jump Superstars probably would have done well enough, at least...
  • 0
    bbb7002004* Jul 26, 07
    Jump Superstars would have done well, but since the series represented in the game are all handled by different publishers outside of Japan, it would have been a logistical nightmare to get the game over here.
  • -1
    Final Blade Jul 26, 07
    Well seeming as how you don't need to worry about the ps3 games, since we could just port them. I don't think Nintendo hates America thats just stupid. Im pretty sure its where they believe the sales will really go up.
  • 1
    Tom Jul 26, 07
    I don't see how Americans can complain about Japan getting a few exlusive titles. It's hardly something which is going to make big important changes to the gaming world, and America get loads of advantages which Europe don't.
    • 0
      Final Blade Jul 27, 07
      Its cause were greedy, or American companies.
  • 0
    Evanster48 Jul 26, 07
    We americans need to hax into all of their websites to get them back.
  • 0
    Light Warrior Jul 26, 07
    I actually would by 2-3 of those games. The SSB based game I have in Japanese but I want to know what it says and not haff to look at a guide -_-.

    Plus, the english game sounds funny.
  • 0
    Airashii Jul 26, 07
    10-4 Catfire!

    Yes, it's not often that America has something to complain about when on the subject of games, consoles and release dates etc.

    Those games sound a bit naff to me, and like others have said, they will review how they think these 'odd' games will sell in a different market and if the results aren't sufficient then they won't.
  • 0
    Inuyasha19 Jul 26, 07
    Americans have enough games? Besides, with the DS... There's that R4 chip that people could get to download the Japanese games. Americans tend to pirate everything, so why bother selling something to people that are just going to get it free some other way? Thats probably what they are thinking.
  • 0
    Capn Droid Jul 27, 07
    quote
    “Jump Superstars” (This is a “Super Smash Bros.” clone starring popular Japanese comic book characters)

    Dictionary (It’s actually called “DS Easy Dictionary” and was a best-seller in Japan.)

    [Japanese] Training (Full title is “[Japanese] Training: Have Fun Improving Your Skills!“)
    /drool
  • -1
    tidus04 Jul 28, 07
    Its all a marketing view of it, they have to make there money by bringing it over the the states. Anyways I dont see why it is America moaning, im sure Europe dosnt get these titles as well ¬¬
  • 0
    King_X2 Jul 28, 07
    America likes to complain about everything that goes wrong (ie taxes, gas, oil, food, etc.) and I couldn't see why Japan doesn't dislike America a little bit. We are the greedy country, the powerful country, yet sometimes the whiny-ass country. Video games are pletiful in the US, and imported FE and Earthbound games may not be a bad idea. Still, America can't complain since Japan makes many great games.

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