Western Games in Japan
X-Men Origins: Wolverine has just been released in the theaters over here and despite the amount of moolah that they are pouring into TV advertising and what have you, there are no plans to release the game "X-Men Origins - Wolverine - Uncaged Edition" in Japan.
The game has our Wolverine running around and slashing evil folks with a load of blood splashing about.
The game was release in Europe, US and Asia in May on many platforms and has apparently received good reviews.
But there are no plans at all to release the game in Japan and one theory is that the brutal slashing is problematic. A game creator says that cutting up bodies with claws is a nono in Japan - even if they made the game 18+ they would probably have to make a load of changes.
The author of this news article at Ameba expresses his disappointment in how the game is not being released here but tells users that they can get the game on import.
So what do the Japanese netizens have to say about all of this over at VIP?
-The sad fact is that games in Japan dont sell unless they have Moe characters
-Is this game actually selling well overseas?
-No its because games from films usually turn out rubbish
-Games that have characters made of Lego do well over there - is that some sort of game you want to play?
-Games overseas give me the impression that its all kill
-Well if they called it "Se-x Men" instead and had tentacles instead of claws then it will probably do well here
-Well how come they release Ninja Gaiden2 in Japan which is full of slashing?
-Well Japanese only play RPGs
-Japan is tough against grotesque expression while the west is against ero - how has it become like this?
-But Japan is full of eroge. Japan is after all an ero country - brilliant!
I'm not familiar with what games Japanese releases do and do not get released officially in your region but what is it like? Do you go for the import Japanese version or wait until an official release?
I know many eroge are released only in Japanese but JList do a load of English versions.
I remember back in the good ol days of the Sega Mega Drive - no 16bit were officially out in the UK and we had to get everything on Import - games like Altered Beast!
And how about Gynoug!
Wow - this post is bringing back memories! ThunderForce III!
After a while, official machines started to come out in the UK but I always stuck with the Japanese versions for the Japanese language content to help my Japanese study and I preferred the Japanese boxart too...
...and this is why...
Speaking of Wolverine - this is out by HotToys in Jan 2010.
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Otaku Graphic Designer
http://neoprolacus.spaces.live.com
I've finished the game months ago and I must say this is THE Wolverine game we're waiting for...
Multimedia Technology Student
http://thehappyninjadrawn.wordpress.com
I haven't actually played the game, but I've seen a mate play it and it looks pretty good. Might borrow it off him and play it.
When it comes to games I usually get the English version, but with anime I stick with the Japanese version w/ subbs. When I start learning Japanese I'll remove the subs so it'll help me learn.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
"Well if they called it "Se-x Men" instead and had tentacles instead of claws then it will probably do well here"
LMAO!
student
I loled also!
And the wolverine figure looks so realistic but... still do not want
Multimedia Technology Student
http://thehappyninjadrawn.wordpress.com
LOL
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Oh, that Japanese-forum-which-will-not-be-named...they always come up with the most interesting responses, self-mocking and judging and extremist all rolled into one. I wonder if they think the same way when they read our comments?
Wanderer of the Mist
http://hangmen13.16ops.com/
I LOL'd at that as well, but sadly, it's 99% true. Replace all the characters in the game with KyoAni characters and surely someone will rip and tear their own guts out to buy the same copy twenty times over.
Time Traveller/High School Student
http://thetsundere.wordpress.com
LOL because it's probably true xP
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
http://dixinfernal.wordpress.com
the game is pretty good and brutal as hell!
it's mindless, gory fun for all^^
NEET
http://austrianotaku.com/
Didn't play it.. not into that X-Men stuffs.
But censoring of western games is mostly weird. (For example: They removed a quest in the Japanese version of Fallout 3 were you can nuke a settlement, quite hilarious if you think about the games scenario imao.)
We get massacered versions over here too. Especially WW2 games, cause no swastikas and other 3rd Reich insignias are allowed over here. Too much blood and gore is also removed. That's why I'm going for the US version usually.
Student
Well thats the way the worlds turned out.
Student, Bowler, Collector
http://carldica.wordpress.com
The movie is just out in Japan? That's so late.... It's an awesome one though
The game is also a nice one, with many hack and slash accompanied with gory and bloody scenes...
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
Welcome to where moe rule the world
Otaku-in-training
http://www.flickr.com/people/terrorhunt/
Dang...
That's one cool looking Wolverine figure.
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
It's weird, noh? Japan is pretty lax when it comes to ero stuff compared to other countries but they're strict when it comes to violent games. If that isn't weird enough, the opposite happens to other countries! XD
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
Spose thats a good likeness of Jackman if nothing else... not a fan of him though, and didnt think the movie was all that great. Saw it for Liev Schreiber mostly lol.
Lazy Gamer at home
http://www.espadakiller.wordpress.com
I played the game and it's so-so only i guess...
And why put the 360 boxart for Wolverine? You have a 360 as well? lol
Anyway for epic games like FFXIII and White Knight Chronicles i don't have patient to wait for the English version, so i will just import it (actually shops in Singapore import overseas games) :P
http://moemoekyun.wordpress.com
actually i prefer western game shooting killing slashing than just moemoe eroge feel bored with that and just like that for the same price >_<
Boy, I wish they'd still westernize the boxart nowadays for a few laughs.
graphic designer/ illustrator
http://www.zerodegreedesigns.deviantart.com
Wise from your gwave!
Seeing these games take me back- I had a load of Japanese games imported for the megadrive, too- was a huge influence on me growing up, which is why I like japan so much now. Just wish more Japanese-only games were availible in the us and europe though.
apprentice otaku, collector of figures, sometimes sysadmin ^_^
http://www.giusepped.com
Movies are something of wonderful, and just yesterday we were transmitted on TV. The game did not know, because I never tried. And the figures, even if someone disagrees with me, I do not like much. ^_^"
Wolverine is a mythical character, and on TV I think it's even more like the comic, in fact I am convinced!
Responsible also for Hugh Jackman ... perfect interpretation!
Student
Gore no go in Japan? What about Tokyo gore police than all others? It's no good if in game?
thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
Too bad not being release in Japan, though I understand the whole knife thing it revolves around. Games not released in one region is happening something common sadly, though can't really think right now of games that were only released in Japan and not in US XD
Student
Activison no longer publishes games in Japan. Though, Square-Enix is publishing Modern Warfare 2 in Japan. http://www.modernwarfare2.jp/
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
nonsense, ninja gaiden 2 had limbs flying all over the place. biased towards western games perhaps?
student
http://listlessink.wordpress.com/
I took an Asian Studies course last year, and in one of the lectures about Japan, the guest lecturer talked about eroges and dating sims. That was the first time so many people in my class heard about that genre, and did not understand at all why anyone would want to play multiple choice dating scenarios...
Further, eroges and visual novels, even though translated, can not be found at most game stores, and the only place to get them here would be online.
Developer/Student
http://threedeecomplex.wordpress.com/
Ero games do get released in the US, but they either are unrated or get slapped with an Adults Only rating, both of which preclude them from being sold in major brick and mortar stores like Best Buy or Walmart or major online e-tailers like Amazon.
And most video games made from movies do turn out rubbish, but Wolverine was decent, and even better than the movie it was adapted from I think. Most of the good games based on movie property are the ones that aren't directly tied-in to and released alongside the movie. A lot of Star Wars games (like KOTOR, Jedi Knight) aren't based on one of the movies, yet are excellent. Same thing with the Chronicles of Riddick games.
Overman
http://myplasticmoustache.blogspot.com/
Man, I played the heck out of Thunderforce III when I still had my Mega Drive. Did you ever get to play part IV, Danny? Still one of the best shooters that came out for the MD/Genesis.
Dental Technician, i make teeth!
http://antsizedman.blogspot.com/
Kinda surprised, all the cyber punk anime i use to watch had massive amounts of gore in them.
http://thisblogissuxor.blogspot.com
Haven't seen the movie but heard good things about the game
Is it frustrating to get movies so late in Japan?
Student
"Japan is tough against grotesque expression while the west is against ero - how has it become like this?"
It's a very interesting comment and it does seem to be true.
Student
http://otakuinvancouver.wordpress.com/
Meh, just chip your console for unlock and you're good to go.
http://www.asgphoto.com
Oh man, Altered Beast, that brings back memories. Makes me wanna put on some Hammer pants and high top sneakers...I should, that style needs a comeback ;)
College Freshmen
I a bit prejudiced against movie games although good reviews are good reviews. That said, I don't even have an xbox360 or PS3.
College Student, Computer Science Major
http://www.projectsaber.com
Ditto, I never buy games that are based off movies. =/
???Confused???
Games like ninja gaiden have plenty of gore, although they are mostly monsters, but still...
Oh man speaking off lego, i just through out all my old legos last night.:*( There goes my favorite toy. And lol Se x-men i was thinking about something like that when i saw it wasnt go on shelves
Graphic Designer
LOL @ the Megaman box art. Of course, only the Americans would deface adorable little robots. I still love the series to death tho.
Graphic Arts Student
Those are some interesting comments.
Whether I get the English or Japanese version depends one what kind of game it is and what system its for. Since my consoles aren't modded I have to wait for the English release, so the only imports I ever get are for my portable systems.
Although I am a bit surprised at the reason they aren't bringing the game to Japan.
http://www.marvinryan.com
I loled on the Se-x Men Tentacle comment. ^^;
the English Rockman boxart looks hideous.
So games about raping cute girls who look 12 is fine but games with bodies being cut up with claws is bad. Don't see one being a lessor evil. Maybe they should changed his claws to bananas. lol
I'm not really into games that are base on movies but this looks really good.
Assembly line worker, nationally certified madman
http://urisblog.morbid-sore.de/
a game about a guy who cut's up people with bananes? I would totally buy that :P
But you know the main problem of video games nowadays? Most lack innovation. Back in the older days a game was considered innovative if it was about, lets say a french chef riding a giant mantis wilding a gun that shoots Velociraptors. Today a game is consdiered innovative if the genereic, gritty, well amored soldier has a mustache.
University Student
saw the movie a long time ago that was up in the torrents with all the cg unfinished. I'm not much into games based on recent movies, tried a few and have always only put in an hour or so into it before its gone from my sight.
I have to say that most US made games suck. True, what is up with all those games based on lego and recent movies, do they even sell? All those wasted munny needs to be used to either localize japanese made games or use to make games that dont suck.
Like what many few people say, most westerners lack the attention span to enjoy a good game with a good storyline hence to them a game has to have action every second - this is also the sole reason why popular vnl are never localized.
electrical engineer
It's kind of an unfair generalization to say that most US-made games suck, as you can easily say that most Japanese-made games suck as well. For every good title, you can easily name three that you do not like, and that's true for any region. It's also terribly subjective, and completely reliant on opinions, which others may not share with you. Also... It's hard to tell what games are developed in the US sometimes, and not Canada or the UK. Seems to be everyone just assumes English games = US for some cockamamie reason. >_>;
The LEGO games are most akin to Parodius and games of its ilk, which in turn do quite well in the Japan. They're pretty much the exact same deal, acting as fun little parodies of established and popular licenses in a familiar gaming format, and they're good, amusing fun. Additionally they can all be played co-op, so if you happen to have a brother, sister, or roommate to play with and you don't want to race Mario Kart for the 1000th time then they fit the bill nicely.
RPGs are a mixed bag, as many of the good ones do indeed make it to the west. The issue I have with the genre is that it's horribly stagnant, replaying the same rehashed themes with identical character stereotypes ad-infinum. Every now and again something interesting will come along, but you'll also find those to be the ones that western companies pounce on.
Visual Novels are rarely translated because of a difference in cultures, probably, as they are literally nothing more than books-with-pictures at best, and graphic novels at worst. In general the only interested consumers in the west would be comic/game/Japan fans, and understand that this is an incredibly pirate-heavy demographic of consumer, especially with PC games that have no defense against copy protection. It's certainly not a difficult mystery as to why there is little commercial interest in porting such games for the PC. As for consoles, you may consider it a cultural difference, as it's hard in the west to justify $40-$60 for a book, as that works out to some rather expensive pictures.
I left out the ero-things, because that argument is obviously valid. You can disembowel anything save children in the west, but if one of them shows a nipple then you'd better be ready to fend off the rabidly frothing media blitz.
Japanese games tend to seem like they are designed for pedophiles. Either that or Japanese people have extreme child fetishes, lol.
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
Well, long story short, I don't believe anything should ever be censored.
But I don't think this is a censorship issue. It sounds to me like the publisher or developer dosen't want to spend the money on localizing or publishing the game for Japan because of piss-poor 360 sales.
At least they could offer it over live or something? I don't know if 360 can do that but digital distribution would seem ideal for filling the niche in Japan that actually want to play it.
Online Shop
http://wildarms.egloos.com
I never bother with games that is based on movies because they do tend to suck big times... But I did not know slashing people game is no-no in Japan, but what about Ninja Gaiden series!?
WebMonkey
http://rossbennetts.com/
Still no youtube in your RSS feed...
:(
You fixed it so quickly last time...
Illustrator, Autobot envoy
http://demoverexeno.deviantart.com
"Japan is tough against grotesque expression while the west is against ero - how has it become like this?"
Hmm, good point. How, indeed... :P
Freelance Illustrator
http://furudango.com
The Wolverine figure doesn't look Hugh Jackman-ish enough D:
Screenwriter Wannabe
meh, not a gamer..
do find it odd that they are slash-averse given some of the twisted stuff i've seen in their movies and anime (i'm talking about mainstream stuff).. i guess watching is more passive than plotting and strategizing, even if it is just a game..
Assembly line worker, nationally certified madman
http://urisblog.morbid-sore.de/
no it totally isn't. period.
geez, people need to stop to listen to folks like Jack Thompson.
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
What a strange rule... Sure it's not for kids, but this is almost normal here. It's become such a reverse here... Maybe Japan will have a committee trying to ban violent games in the US, just like what they did to Grapelay.