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3DS

The Binding of Isaac 3DS Release Blocked

by James Dawson - February 28, 2012, 8:50 pm EST
Total comments: 61 Source: (Edmund McMillen), https://twitter.com/#!/EdmundMcMillen/status/17469...

The popular indie PC title did not pass Nintendo's content review process.

The Binding of Isaac is no longer under review for release on the Nintendo 3DS. According to Edmund McMillen, the game’s creator, “After a long internal debate Nintendo has decided NOT to allow the Binding of Isaac on the 3ds. As many assumed the reasons were due to the games 'questionable religious content'. Thank GOD Steam exists!”

Earlier this year, McMillen announced that his popular Zelda-esque PC game was being pushed to Nintendo for review by an unknown company, which was later revealed to be Nicalis. McMillen noted that Nintendo was okay with the gratuitous violence, gore, and nudity, but not the religious content.

Talkback

leahsdadFebruary 29, 2012

Eh...I've got the feeling that a lot of people are going to complain about this, but I played the demo and was really not impressed with this game.  But then again, I didn't like Super Meat Boy either.

nickmitchFebruary 29, 2012

Nintendo's been a bit touchy on religious stuff in the past, so this shouldn't be too surprising.

What is the point of having M and AO ratings if platform holders like Nintendo aren't going to allow such games to be licensed? This game doesn't have "questionable religious content" -- it has religious content, and whether it's questionable is entirely subjective (and irrelevant). Let the consumer decide if it's tasteful.

By the way, this comes in a year when Nintendo itself will publish games featuring both angels (Kid Icarus Uprising) and demons (Onii Training).

Luigi DudeFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: nickmitch

Nintendo's been a bit touchy on religious stuff in the past, so this shouldn't be too surprising.

Only in the 80 and early 90's.  Ever since the ESRB was created Nintendo has actually been the most liberal company and will allow third parties to release anything on their consoles as long as it's rated by the ESRB and doesn't have an AO rating.

The REAL reason The Binding of Isaac isn't coming to the 3DS is because the game hasn't been reviewed by the ESRB because if it did, it would get an AO rating.  This is why Edmund McMillen is a lying asshat who's trying to pass the blame on Nintendo for why the game isn't coming when in reality it's completely his fault for creating an AO rated game which Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony all have policies against releasing on their consoles.


Plus it not exactly the religious themes that would get it an AO rating, it's the fact the game stars a young naked boy who fights enemies like aborted fetuses and giant vagina's, with some of his power up's involving killing himself.  I'm sorry but if you create a game that involves naked children killing themselves and fighting giant vagina's, it's going to get an instant AO rating no matter what religious themes it might have.

nickmitchFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

What is the point of having M and AO ratings if platform holders like Nintendo aren't going to allow such games to be licensed? This game doesn't have "questionable religious content" -- it has religious content, and whether it's questionable is entirely subjective (and irrelevant). Let the consumer decide if it's tasteful.

Well, retailers won't carry AO games. The large number of downloadable titles let's games like this get released, but let's be honest about this. The real issue is the possibility of getting the shit sued out of you. Small devs only have so many assets angry parents can go after before they need to hold Nintendo itself liable for scarring innocent children. But that's the point of the AO rating. It's a way of either censorship, blackballing, or self preservation, depending on your outlook.

EnnerFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: Luigi

The REAL reason The Binding of Isaac isn't coming to the 3DS is because the game hasn't been reviewed by the ESRB because if it did, it would get an AO rating.  This is why Edmund McMillen is a lying asshat who's trying to pass the blame on Nintendo for why the game isn't coming when in reality it's completely his fault for creating an AO rated game which Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony all have policies against releasing on their consoles.

Plus it not exactly the religious themes that would get it an AO rating, it's the fact the game stars a young naked boy who fights enemies like aborted fetuses and giant vagina's, with some of his power up's involving killing himself.  I'm sorry but if you create a game that involves naked children killing themselves and fighting giant vagina's, it's going to get an instant AO rating no matter what religious themes it might have.

I had to check for myself on the game's Steam store page and was surprised to see that the game is unrated.

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

By the way, this comes in a year when Nintendo itself will publish games featuring both angels (Kid Icarus Uprising) and demons (Onii Training).

Oh, that's just Nintendo using familiar beings of various mythologies. The Binding of Issac's premise:

Quote:

When Isaac’s mother starts hearing the voice of God demanding a sacrifice be made to prove her faith, Isaac escapes into the basement facing droves of deranged enemies, lost brothers and sisters, his fears, and eventually his mother.

is on a wholly different level.

TurdFurgyFebruary 29, 2012

I didn't expect this to ever be released on the 3DS. Although I kind of wish more mature games(not boobs and splattered brains) would make their way on to Nintendo platforms, although there isn't really an audience for that sort of thing.
But if they started bringing games like that, then perhaps the appropriate audience would form,
"If you build it, they will come."

MorariFebruary 29, 2012

It's a very entertaining game, best to just go get it on Steam though. It doesn't take much in the way of computing power to run it. Leave the ESRB ratings to the console kiddies. PC gamers aren't afraid of showing religion for what it is. :P

Chozo GhostFebruary 29, 2012

This is the reason why they changed Link's shield in later games. In the original LOTZ on the NES Link has a Christian cross on his shield. I guess that was a no-no.

I can't say I'm surprised Nintendo is choosing to block this game, but I am disappointed. You know there's a saying "there is no such thing as bad publicity"? Well, doesn't that apply here? And considering Nintendo's marketshare is under threat by the Vita and of course mobile stuff they shouldn't be turning down 3rd party support, no matter how controversial it may be. If people are offended, let them direct their complaints to the makers of the game not to the system itself.

Quote from: Morari

PC gamers aren't afraid of showing religion for what it is. :P

Then why did Firaxis strip religion out of Civilization V? And even when they had it in Civ IV it was just some generic "all religions are the same" bland way of implementing it.

MorariFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: Morari

PC gamers aren't afraid of showing religion for what it is. :P

Then why did Firaxis strip religion out of Civilization V? And even when they had it in Civ IV it was just some generic "all religions are the same" bland way of implementing it.

Developer laziness.

PodingsFebruary 29, 2012

I get it.


Nintendo got huge through the American market, and would never give up their status as a publisher of family oriented products. They don't want this discussion with parents.


It's too bad, because I hoped they had changed. That the game is otherwise a gross, semi-repetitive, taste-ridden, Zelda knock-off, can hardly be the reason for the rejection. With all due respect of course, those are not detractors to me, and I dig Super Meat Boy.

oohhboyHong Hang Ho, Staff AlumnusFebruary 29, 2012

In Civilization V it recognised what religion really is. A form of control and pacification. Also some laziness as the game preforms surprisingly poorly for a turn based game.

Hey guys, let's back away from religious talk outside of that directly relevant to the article. Thankfully, it hasn't really gotten anywhere yet, but let's try to keep it that way.

Also, if Luigi is right about why the game got blocked (which, from a quick Google search, may be the case), I agree. They would be putting Nintendo in an unfair position to expect an AO game to be published by a company interested in making games playable by all ages, especially if it has policies against such games. Even if a game being adults only is no excuse, taking any stance on religion is a HUGE no-no for Nintendo, sometimes even if the themes are "positive" (remember how many biblical games had to be released unlicensed because Nintendo refused to do so themselves)?






StrawHousePigFebruary 29, 2012

It's not an AO game, it's an unrated game.

I agree with the assessment that this guy is just passing the buck.

ejamerFebruary 29, 2012

Game not rated by ESRB seems like the end of story for me.

However, I'm no insider to the process.  Maybe they could check for approval from Nintendo before applying for a rating to see if that was all that would prevent publication in the current state?  Applying for a rating costs money, so it makes sense that they wouldn't want to pay unless there was a strong feeling it would be published.

Sadly, even though McMillian is pretty good at making games he's even better at running his mouth to build controversy. That's part of the reason I was skeptical about this from the first announcement, and part of the reason I have a hard time believing anything he says now.

leahsdadFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: ejamer

Game not rated by ESRB seems like the end of story for me.

However, I'm no insider to the process.  Maybe they could check for approval from Nintendo before applying for a rating to see if that was all that would prevent publication in the current state?  Applying for a rating costs money, so it makes sense that they wouldn't want to pay unless there was a strong feeling it would be published.

You know, I also looked up Binding of Issac on Steam again, and there is no ESRB rating.  I also checked on games that are on both the eshop/Shop Channel and Steam (VVVVVV, Bit Trip, etc) and noticed that there was no ESRB rating for them either. 

I was about to get hopping mad and call out NOA for being hypocrites when a did a quick google search for "ESRB" and "VVVVVV" and found my way to the NOA website (which was slow as crap) and found ESRB ratings for all these games (all E, btw).

Since they're rated anyway, I don't know why Steam doesn't display their ratings.

From having played this game on Steam, the AO rating seems like it'd be likely. As others have explained, it's pretty messed up.

I don't think we can solely blame Nintendo for not allowing a potential AO game on their system. AO games just don't really exist on consoles. It's unfortunate and I'm bummed, but what can you do?

CericFebruary 29, 2012

I think Religion was picked because its the least arguable of the others, but I'm fairly sure from what I've seen and heard from this game it was AO all the way and there is no way Nintendo would allow that on there download platform.

Wait a sec, does this game have an ESRB rating or not? I thought you couldn't get on any Nintendo system without having gone through the ESRB process, period?

CericFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: Kairon

Wait a sec, does this game have an ESRB rating or not? I thought you couldn't get on any Nintendo system without having gone through the ESRB process, period?

Isaac Asimov's Guide: Solar System is the only thing that shows up if you search for Isaac on the ESRB site.  I would figure that be pretty definitive.  Also that game is E for Everyone if you wanted to know.

I'm not sure if Nintendo has different rules for its download titles.

StrawHousePigFebruary 29, 2012

Not.

http://esrb.org/ratings/search.jsp?title=binding+of+isaac

Personal note, I have a son named Isaac so I am damn glad I or my kids don't have to see this game in the eshop.

ejamerFebruary 29, 2012

Apparently, if you trust McMillian's twitter account, the game has received an M rating in Germany. It hasn't been rated anywhere else as far as I can tell.


It's certainly possible that the game could've avoided the dreaded AO rating in other regions, despite containing material that is clearly intended to be offensive to some groups of people. Does anyone here actually know what criteria pushes a game from M to AO?

MorariFebruary 29, 2012

Personal note, I have a son named Issac so I am damn glad I or my kids don't have to see the Holy Bible sitting on book shelves.

ShyGuyFebruary 29, 2012

Thanks for insulting many peoples deeply held personal belief systems, Morari. I hope you don't catch any fish with your trolling.

KDR_11kFebruary 29, 2012

The game's rated 16 here, that's like a weak M rating. If the ESRB rates it AO they're silly. It's very stylized. There's a poster included with the retail edition that has a realistic painting of Isaac but it's also shaded so that there are no visible naughty bits (it's probably a parody of 80s videogame covers).

However I can understand Nintendo not wanting this game. I played it, it's awesome but it's also not something for weak stomachs. The graphics are cute and super simple but there are many disturbing themes in there.

I haven't seen any vaginas in the game though it's suggested that the ugly, fleshy blobs in the Mom fight might be her vagina poking in and releasing more horrible monsters but there's nothing to see there.

Also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB4tk1g-7os&feature=sh_e_se&list=SL.

Quote from: leahsdad

Since they're rated anyway, I don't know why Steam doesn't display their ratings.

Maybe the rating is platform specific and being indie games they didn't want to spend those 20k$ unnecessarily.


BTW, the game is about McMillen's childhood.

CericFebruary 29, 2012

I'm confused by this.
That Link didn't contain an ESRB rating.  It just says it hasn't found anything.
Putting in 'binding of isaac" yields nothing being found.

Quote from: ejamer

Apparently, if you trust McMillian's twitter account, the game has received an M rating in Germany. It hasn't been rated anywhere else as far as I can tell.


It's certainly possible that the game could've avoided the dreaded AO rating in other regions, despite containing material that is clearly intended to be offensive to some groups of people. Does anyone here actually know what criteria pushes a game from M to AO?

Being Porn will get you an AO.  Though in general it seems to come from either having a combination of all the offensive tags prevalently or really going to extremes with something.

StrawHousePigFebruary 29, 2012

Ceric, I would guess it's not Not Rated (as well as not found) because it hasn't been submitted. Also, the URL I posted contains what you then went on to search for.



Troll, I believe you mean to say you have a son named Holy Bible and when the book named The Torture of Holy Bible came out you were damn glad it won't be on the store shelves your kids may have access to.

I assure you, you are mistaken about a great many things.

ejamerFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: Ceric

...

Being Porn will get you an AO.  Though in general it seems to come from either having a combination of all the offensive tags prevalently or really going to extremes with something.

If that's the case then I doubt that The Binding of Isaac would get an AO rating.  It's obviously offensive but not (as far as I can tell) extreme in a way that would really deserve being blocked from release.  Guess it depends on the rating board though.

I suspect the real sticking point is that everything on the eShop is published by Nintendo, and that they just don't want to be directly associated with any game that is so intentionally disturbed. Games like SMT: Devil Survivor and it's sequel have direct religious themes, but had no trouble appearing as retail DS releases when published by other companies.

MorariFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: StrawHousePig

I believe you mean to say you have a son named Holy Bible and when the book named The Torture of Holy Bible came out you were damn glad it won't be on the store shelves your kids may have access to.

No, I meant just what you meant. That I'm glad that my son doesn't have access to forms of media where someone with a similar name (Issac) is offered up for sacrifice to appease inner voices of an insane person. The only difference is that you're talking about a fairly harmless video game that most people haven't even heard of, whereas I'm talking about a morally corrosive book that is available just about everywhere (sometimes for free even!).

More to the point at hand. I don't see how this game could really get anything more than a Teen Rating in the US. It's not really that graphic in either its violence or sexuality. In fact, it's so highly stylized that's it's difficult to definitively make anything out of what's going on. It's all just conjecture on the behalf of players. If the basic premises is truly what's bothering people, then I suggest we have much larger problems as a society.

Luigi DudeFebruary 29, 2012

Once again, the The Binding of Isaac is a game where you play as a naked little boy who fights enemies like giant vagina's that shoot blood, using attacks like peeing on them and gets powerups by killing himself with things like shoving a coathanger through his head or hanging himself.  It doesn't matter if it's stylized, the fact is these things are still happening which is what the ESRB has a problem with.

Yeah the game got a 16 rating in Europe but that's because European rating boards aren't as strict on sexual related content as America.  If the problem with this game was just it's violence, it would have easily gotten an M rating in America, but when you add naked children killing themselves and blood spewing vagina's, that basically guarantee's an instant AO rating in America by the ESRB.

Basically all they have to do is put clothes on all the kids and remove the giant vagina's and the game could probably get an M rating which allow it to released then.  Of course McMillen isn't going to do that so this game isn't going to hit any console service since Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony all refuse non-rated or AO rated games.

KDR_11kFebruary 29, 2012

Again, where do you see blood spewing vaginas in BoI? Monstro has a cleft lip, he's not a vagina. The Viz enemy (the goatse) is just the lower body of the Gluttony miniboss, he tears his stomach open to fire the blood laser, not his ass or anything else.

CericFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: StrawHousePig

Ceric, I would guess it's not Not Rated (as well as not found) because it hasn't been submitted. Also, the URL I posted contains what you then went on to search for.

The reason I was confused is that your post started with "Not" and then reiterated what I had posted right above you.  Therefore I could only infer you were responding to my post as if you had found the game on the ESRB website.  When I clicked the link it was just a reiteration of what I just proved.

KDR_11kFebruary 29, 2012

Come to think of it, I can't really find anything that contradicts the Bible in Binding of Isaac (well, outside of the standard videogame aspect of shooting enemies). Well, okay, using the bible on Satan gets you killed but that guy's the super hard bonus boss. Other than that the faith based stuff has all the holy things give benefits while the enemies are only based on evil entities (may change with the Wrath of the Lamb expansion but we don't know that yet) and making a deal with the devil is paid in blood, often turns you into a monster and may trigger additional enemies (e.g. Krampus may show up). Of course there's a lot of non-faith-related stuff, a lot of which is based on the kinds of cautionary tales children are told by their parents (e.g. the roid rage). The game is overall based on the impression that those stories have on small children and the actual gameplay is clearly a nightmare Isaac is having. I'm not sure he's even supposed to be applying the coat hanger to himself, in a nightmare context that may just be a fear of the things based on all the horror stories about abortions he was probably told.

McMillen said in an interview that it's about how he felt about the stories he was told as a child so many of the things in it are probably manifestations of fears brought by those cautionary tales.


Of course the game is also full of videogame in jokes, including various Zelda and Mario items.

AilingforaleFebruary 29, 2012

Just... wow...

Chocobo_RiderFebruary 29, 2012

I'm glad! That game suuuuucked.

Shock value without real value shouldn't be perpetuated.

EDIT: Oh, and yea, there's a difference between a game "with angels" and a game taking its premise right out of the Bible.  And Mr. McMillen can't be foolish enough to think that wouldn't close more doors to his game than it would open.

Mop it upFebruary 29, 2012

Wait, this game is popular? Really?

the asylumFebruary 29, 2012

Oddly enough, Nintendo had no problem publishing Eternal Darkness...

oohhboyHong Hang Ho, Staff AlumnusFebruary 29, 2012

^^That was based on an Eldar God type mythology that is more of a theme than a system of belief.

BoI is thematically disturbing, nothing there that screams AO or anything like that. It's just always disturbing, unsettled. The gameplay itself is solid even if team meat is a little over hyped.

My real guess as to why Nintendo didn't take it was that they weren't willing to bear the ESRB rating costs not only in America, but the rating costs it must incur everywhere else it is expected to be released at given the perceived smaller audience size do to the disturbing nature of the game along with a tenuous, but direct connection to an actual religion. While Super Meatboy made some relatively good bank, they didn't make that kind of money, enough to fund that many ratings hoops.

Personally I think examining the specifics of the game's content is a bit premature because I suspect the game never got an ESRB rating in the first place, without which I'm assuming it had zero chance of being allowed on either a Nintendo platform or a Sony Platform. It wouldn't be eligible for 360 or XBLA either... I guess XBLIG doesn't require an ESRB rating and is thus possible...

Also, I'm confused, why is it assumed that Nintendo would pay the ratings costs for the game?

Nintendo wasn't going to be the publisher, it was Nicalis, so presumably they'd be fronting the ratings costs, but they went to NOA first to make sure that it was even worth it. Anyway, not even talking about Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac has done around 0.5 million sales at $5 a pop (less in bundles, etc.), though it's hard to say exactly how much he's made from the game already.

StrawHousePigFebruary 29, 2012

Quote from: Ceric

The reason I was confused is that your post started with "Not" and then reiterated what I had posted right above you.  Therefore I could only infer you were responding to my post as if you had found the game on the ESRB website.  When I clicked the link it was just a reiteration of what I just proved.

I was on my phone at work, trying to surf, post, work, and not get caught. I saw the warning about a new post after but didn't really look further. The "not" was an answer to the post above yours.


Troll, Nintendo isn't selling a game titled "Holy Bible" (so why are we discussing it as if they are?) and even if they were the name would not have much impact on my kids because none of them are named "Holy Bible". There is no possibility of, "Hey Holy Bible, here's your game! Lets watch it!" One of your mistakes is assuming I object to the content. Today is the first day I learned anything about this turd game. Seeing the name on Steam was enough to make me say WTF I don't want to see that shit.

Think of it like a sex song that is about a girl that has your Mom's name (or sisters, grandmas, you get the idea?). I suppose you'd sing along, with her in the car. I sure as hell wouldn't. That's gross dude.

Except the game takes its name from the Hebrew story, the same original source as the name of your son.

Quote from: StrawHousePig

Quote from: Ceric

The reason I was confused is that your post started with "Not" and then reiterated what I had posted right above you.  Therefore I could only infer you were responding to my post as if you had found the game on the ESRB website.  When I clicked the link it was just a reiteration of what I just proved.

I was on my phone at work, trying to surf, post, work, and not get caught. I saw the warning about a new post after but didn't really look further. The "not" was an answer to the post above yours.


Troll, Nintendo isn't selling a game titled "Holy Bible" (so why are we discussing it as if they are?) and even if they were the name would not have much impact on my kids because none of them are named "Holy Bible". There is no possibility of, "Hey Holy Bible, here's your game! Lets watch it!" One of your mistakes is assuming I object to the content. Today is the first day I learned anything about this turd game. Seeing the name on Steam was enough to make me say WTF I don't want to see that shit.

Think of it like a sex song that is about a girl that has your Mom's name (or sisters, grandmas, you get the idea?). I suppose you'd sing along, with her in the car. I sure as hell wouldn't. That's gross dude.

There's a difference between being uncomfortable in that situation and being happy that no one is able to enjoy the thing that you don't like for trivial personal reasons.

Chozo GhostMarch 01, 2012

Quote from: Morari

Personal note, I have a son named Issac so I am damn glad I or my kids don't have to see the Holy Bible sitting on book shelves.

If you don't like the Bible why did you name your son Isaac? That's a biblical name.

TJ SpykeMarch 01, 2012

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: Morari

Personal note, I have a son named Issac so I am damn glad I or my kids don't have to see the Holy Bible sitting on book shelves.

If you don't like the Bible why did you name your son Isaac? That's a biblical name.

So is my name (Timothy) and many popular names like John and Mark. You can just like a name

Also, I'm fairly certain he doesn't have a son by that name, and was merely mocking the person above him who said the same thing.

Chozo GhostMarch 01, 2012

Probably, but biblical names are extremely common so you never know. I don't know why anyone would want to name their children "John", or any of the other common names. There's like 500 million Johns or Juans or Johans in the world. Give your kid a name that is unique and awesome, not one that's been beaten to death.

TJ SpykeMarch 01, 2012

Popularity of names change over time. For example, these were the top 10 most popular baby names of 2011 (US of course):
Aiden (don't know how this was #1 TBH)
Jackson
Mason
Liam
Jacob
Jayden
Ethan
Noah
Lucas
Logan

And for girls:
Sophia
Emma
Isabella
Olivia
Ava
Lily
Chloe
Madison
Emily
Abigail

Spak-SpangMarch 01, 2012

You know I spent an hour watching gameplay videos of this game...and honestly the gameplay itself isn't that messed up.


It is basically a M rated horror themed game...or has the content of an M rated horror game.


The main problem is the story and content.  Basically, the story pushes the context of the events to an AO area.  For example the enemies are nondescript in appearance.  You can't really guess what they are just playing the game.  They simply look like monsters to kill. 


However, knowing the context of the story then it becomes more obvious what these creatures represent.  Not until you get to the final levels and face off against your mother and go into her womb does it get to the level were the game crosses any lines that should make it AO...even then a strong M is probably enough.


That said, watching the game, it looked fun, but it also looked generic and pretty uneventful.  Those people that are crying out Nintendo is keeping a great game from its system...probably think its a great game because of the shocking content...and its an "indy art game."  Which I would call BS too.

I don't really care about this particular game, but I'm still hoping there's an outside shot at a 3DS port of Super Meat Boy, which is from the same developer, and I'm worried that Nintendo denying this makes that less likely.

KDR_11kMarch 01, 2012

It's extremely fun, maybe videos don't get it across but there's a lot of learning involved until you have the knowledge and skill to win the game even once (I think I had my first win after 10 hours or so and the game's shorter and easier the first time through). I'd guess most videos are made by players who have already gained significant experience with the game so the learning process isn't visible. I have 47 hours in the game according to Steam and it cost me a fiver.

As for names, Isaac is still a kinda harmless one since that story went well. I don't think you'd want to name your child Cain, Abel, Job or Judas (two of which are alternate characters in TBoI).


The reason the game has a rating in Germany is that a publisher picked it up for a retail release as "The Binding of Isaac: Unholy Edition". They also published retail versions of Super Meat Boy, Limbo and Terraria, all on the PC. There's also a retail version of NyxQuest available here.

MorariMarch 01, 2012

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: Morari

Personal note, I have a son named Issac so I am damn glad I or my kids don't have to see the Holy Bible sitting on book shelves.

If you don't like the Bible why did you name your son Isaac? That's a biblical name.

Because I'm too generic to think of anything other than traditional Biblical names? No, really, I think you missed the point along the way there. :P

Quote from: KDR_11k

As for names, Isaac is still a kinda harmless one since that story went well. I don't think you'd want to name your child Cain, Abel, Job or Judas (two of which are alternate characters in TBoI).

Judas catches far too much flak from uniformed people. He is perhaps the only person throughout the New Testament that plays as important of a role as Jesus himself. Cain's motives could also be debated, but then you leave the realm of straight canon and enter into the outer circles of apocrypha and outright mythology. Living religions are funny like that, always making distinctions between what is or isn't worth teaching.

As for the game, hopefully anyone that wants it already has it. It was in the Humble Bundle a while back, so it literally could have been obtained for free. It's well worth the playthrough, especially if you're a Nintendo fan. There are tons of little references to the Zelda series. It even plays akin to the 2D entries, though has a lot of Smash TV mechanics for good measure.

Ax23000March 02, 2012

Just want to point out that being rated by the ESRB is not free.  That's why Binding of Issac is not rated, it means just that...it has not been rated yet.  It has nothing to do with the game's content.  Had Nintendo agreed to allow the game to be published, McMillien would have had to submit the game for a rating and I'm sure WOULD have done so.

Since Nintendo rejected the game out of hand, there's really no reason for him to bother unless he talks to Sony or Microsoft and has better luck.

As far as what rating it would receive, I'd like to point out that Dante's Inferno received an M rating despite having bare breasts, religious content and far higher realism than Binding of Issac.  It seems very likely to me that Binding of Issac would receive either a T or M rating. 

To those saying the game is merely about 'shock' value, I disagree.  The game is legitimately fun.  I'm not easily shocked, nor was I shocked by this game, but I still enjoyed it a lot.  It's a good game.  The greatest weak point of the experience is probably the controls.  The gameplay itself is a mix between a rouge-like, zelda dungeon, and shooter.  It's a pretty fun combination of elements and for the price (cheap) provides a fair bit of gameplay due to the rouge-like nature.

Personally I don't think Nintendo should make themselves gatekeepers of what issues and concepts a game can touch on.  I understand that they need to ensure a game's quality (that it works and is playable).  I will even accept them keeping an AO game off their store.

Where I take exception is when they start trying to police thoughts and ideas.  That's what's really happening here.  Much like I don't want a bookstore to block sale of thought-provoking, but controversial, books like Catcher in the Rye nor do I think Nintendo should be blocking the sale of a legitimate (like it or not) and thought provoking (agree with it or not) game.

Thought, debate, and free discourse is being crushed down and that isn't cool.  Nintendo has the right to do what they're doing, but they don't have to and they shouldn't.

ejamerMarch 02, 2012

Quote from: Ax23000

Thought, debate, and free discourse is being crushed down and that isn't cool.  Nintendo has the right to do what they're doing, but they don't have to and they shouldn't.

I hear what you are saying but Nintendo is a business and, as such, are doing exactly what they should be doing: making decisions that (they believe) will protect their bottom line.  Nothing is being "crushed down" because the game is easily and cheaply available elsewhere.

Chozo GhostMarch 03, 2012

Speaking of Dante's Inferno, is that a game Nintendo would have allowed on their system? I hope so, because Sony and Microsoft obviously did, and there is very much a possibility that a sequel to that game could be made. If that happens it should be available on the Wii U as well, but would Nintendo allow it?

oohhboyHong Hang Ho, Staff AlumnusMarch 03, 2012

Another possibility is that there maybe a "No Flash" policy on the 3DS. It's written in Flash 10 and it slows down on even the highest end computers due to the limitations of Flash. To port it to 3DS under such policy would mean a re-write would be required.

KDR_11kMarch 03, 2012

Of course a rewrite would be required. I don't think it's even possible to stick a flash application on there and have it run the original version. VVVVVV got a rewrite in C.

oohhboyHong Hang Ho, Staff AlumnusMarch 03, 2012

Forget what I said, I should get more sleep instead.

2 Comments from December provides some insight into the process.

top_ramon1March 05, 2012

Well from my standpoint and being a person with 140+ hours into this game I have to say that it really isnt all that bad. Yes its a little demented but if you take out religion it really isnt even all that bad. I mean with games like dementium, dementium 2, metal gear solid, and resident evil coming out for the 3ds it doesnt even compare. I mean in resident evil your killing like mutated evil zombies with shotguns. But for some reason this game is turned down.... I mean with the binding of isaac your shooting tears at flies and mutated people and pixelated 2d objects. So to me it would only make is seem that nintendo didnt release it because of religion.

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