Post by: Nick DiMola on May 22, 2009, 07:46:46 AM
In a recent interview with Starfy developer, Tose, it was revealed that though they sought to bring the Starfy series to America, Nintendo of America rejected it based on the premise that it was "too Japanese."
Up until now, everyone had resigned to the fact that NCL had control of the brands and truly made all of the calls as to what stays in Japan and what goes.
Considering the first Starfy title was released nearly 7 years ago, it begs the question, how long has NOA been making these calls? Not only that, but what other game series has it barred from release in America?
Of course, Disaster: Day of Crisis immediately comes to mind, considering that it was even released in Europe. The same goes for Trace Memory Wii, Freshly Picked: Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Doshin the Giant, and Kuru Kuru Kururin.
I have to wonder what eventually made Nintendo of America cave on allowing the title to come to America (Rhythm Heaven too). When I originally imported Starfy, my immediate reaction while playing was "Wow, I can't believe they haven't brought this over yet." It felt accessible, fun, and very much like Kirby, a series that has thrived in America for many, many years.
Though Nintendo clearly makes a number of great business decisions, they also make a number of poor ones. Given all of the complaints during the GameCube era regarding droughts and lack of great software, you'd think an obvious choice would be to bring some of these Japanese titles to America to fill the gaps in the lineup, and possibly establish new, strong brands.
Given the release of Rhythm Heaven and the impending release of Starfy, let's hope we are witnessing some sort of trend where NOA, NOE, and NCL product listings are more congruent.
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on May 22, 2009, 09:31:14 AM
Post by: UncleBob on May 22, 2009, 09:47:41 AM
::hides in a corner::
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 22, 2009, 09:59:49 AM
Post by: TheBlackCat on May 22, 2009, 10:56:04 AM
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on May 22, 2009, 12:24:47 PM
Is it official that trace memory is not coming to the U.S.?
Nope, UB is just being paranoid. I think that Nintendo would publish it in America since they published Trace Memory for DS and Hotel Dusk.
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on May 22, 2009, 12:40:57 PM
Post by: NWR_pap64 on May 22, 2009, 01:40:34 PM
But everything else? Not so much. Starfy would have been a solid hit thanks to being a classic platformer. Disaster, even with its issue, was very American so its absence was weird. While I do remain hopeful that Trace Memory Wii will happen I am disturbed by the fact that it received an European release first before the US, leading me to believe that Nintendo is using Europe as a dumping ground for games they believe might not sell in the US.
Post by: Ian Sane on May 22, 2009, 01:54:48 PM
Post by: Cyrian on May 22, 2009, 02:20:13 PM
Post by: Peachylala on May 22, 2009, 03:52:07 PM
Quote
Though Nintendo clearly makes a number of great business decisions, they also make a number of poor ones. Given all of the complaints during the GameCube era regarding droughts and lack of great software, you'd think an obvious choice would be to bring some of these Japanese titles to America to fill the gaps in the lineup, and possibly establish new, strong brands.The GCN didn't exactly set the sale charts ablaze, even though it was the most profitable out of all the systems last gen. The only new franchise that was successful and also started on the GCN was Pikmin. Besides that, nothing else was that successful in terms of sales.
In terms of respect, the only Nintendo company that ever got my respect was NCL. NOA and NOE can suck it for all I care.
Post by: Stratos on May 22, 2009, 06:01:16 PM
We still haven't gotten ASH, Soma Bringer, Fatal Frame 4 and others.
I do hope Another Code Wii comes here. It would be ridiculous to not as they already brought one over so the brand has already been established.
Post by: UncleBob on May 22, 2009, 08:32:34 PM
Is it official that trace memory is not coming to the U.S.?
Nope, UB is just being paranoid. I think that Nintendo would publish it in America since they published Trace Memory for DS and Hotel Dusk.
I'm not being paranoid! Mr. Jack made an allusion in his post about TMWii not being released stateside. I just told him to shut up. :)
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on May 22, 2009, 09:48:25 PM
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on May 22, 2009, 11:32:20 PM
To be honest, though, I feel like this is more NOA not caring to figure out a new marketing angle. Atlus is able to sell VERY Japanese games in America--NOA clearly doesn't feel it can, or isn't interested in trying to do so.
Post by: KDR_11k on May 23, 2009, 05:26:32 PM
I only played the first game, it didn't seem out of place in the platform genre. Can't complain about kiddyness or japaneseness either, it doesn't seem that much different from Spongebob.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on May 23, 2009, 08:52:36 PM
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 23, 2009, 09:35:29 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on May 24, 2009, 02:36:16 AM
Maybe they thought that it was too much like Kirby, and since Kirby was already established, there was no point in bringing over a Kirby clone.
Which is kinda silly since Starfi has almost nothing in common with Kirby, the only really shared attribute is the cuteness.
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on May 24, 2009, 06:23:49 AM
