According to Siliconera, yes. And if you just clicked that link and found it dead, you can either take that as confirmation that someone let the cat out of the bag, or that this is some kind of misunderstanding.
Before the page conveniently disappeared, Siliconera reported that Cave's horizontal gothic lolita shooter, DeathSmiles, was currently undergoing localization by a well-known (but unnamed) publisher for release in North America. If true, this is pretty big news for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, because Cave isn't exactly known for sending their games outside of Japan, (the closest we've ever come being the region-free release of Mushihime-sama Futari Ver 1.5), and this is a very unexpected move for them.
Secondly, because what I believe to be the best horizontal shmup in years is quite possibly on its way to North American retailers, for use on a North American 360. I've contacted Cave for comment, so we'll see how that goes. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for news on this and we'll bring you the latest as we get it. Hit the jump for a video of the game in action.
Naw, no misunderstanding I can tell at this point. All the pages are down, but the main site is still "there". Looks like Spence got an overload more than he bargained for! He's got close connections to publishers, too, so I take that he's spot on in this. He's never let us down, yet!
If you missed it, his clue (I guess) was "yummy", on how they were already scripting on their PCs. I don't get it either.
@Toph: Princess Debut really opened my eyes.
When Vince was my dance partner and he ditched me to go fishing, well, if you ever wanted to actually feel like a little girl this is your game.
Makes me glade I don't bother dating.
Man, I played Princess Debut, I'll admit it. It was fucking weird. I ended up with some guy who made it his point to remind me how much I looked like his sister, and gave me one of her dresses. That was when I stopped playing.
Holy crap...I'm not alone in liking Princess Debut?
But please god let this be true. I can't afford to import Mushihime, so a localized release of Deathsmiles would be downright amazing. It's a 360 game I've wanted for some time, joined by the likes of Otomedius G, Idolm@ster and Zegapain.
One of the big import publishers should pick all of those up. They feature half naked anime girls, Jpop music/relationship building and giant mechs, respectively. All of which have seen relative success in the form of at least one game.
I haven't played a good Horizontal SHMUP since Einhander, and this looks good.
Are these Cave shooters on the Marketplace in Japan or are they full retail releases?
It seems to me that the consensus on retail SHMUPS, like the recent Raiden IV (excellent game), have burned some people because of it's length, content not being justified, blah blah blah. Which is a shame.
They're all retail releases. The Japanese marketplace, especially with arcade games, is almost identical to the US. They don't have any Japanese exclusive arcade or indie games. The only big differences are the GoD's and the videos/themes. Even demos are similar. They have a handful of exclusive demos, a good portion of which are sound novels.
Thanks for the good news, Topher, and thanks even more for continually covering shmup-related news. All of the bullet-hell games that Cave produces for home consoles should be region-free, even if American buyers have to use distributors like Play-Asia.com to acquire them. I'm still trying to decide if should buy a new PS2 slim and mod it with the Swap Magic flip top, if only to play Japanese-only titles like Ibara and DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou.
I've been on a huge shmup binge lately, as I just got a hold of Konami's Gradius, Salamander, and Twinbee compilations for the PSP. The latter two are only available as imports, but are thankfully region-free. The Salamander pack contains the only legit port of Xexex, a beautiful game that is like crystal meth for lovers of Gradius and R-Type.
My fiancee got a Wii for Xmas, so I also picked up Castle of Shikigami III and the Ultimate Shooting Collection (includes former Dreamcast titles Chaos Field, Radirgy, Karous). Both are a complete blast and cheap as hell. Both also let the player use the Gamecube controller, which is a nice option to have.
Was wondering when you'd snag this bit of news - glad to see it on the front of DToid. And yeah, if the localization's good I'll buy it again, same as I did with Raiden Fighters Aces.
first of all, that trailer makes the game look amaaaaazing.
secondly, and I know this probably won't happen, but uh, Europe as well? pretty please???
if this sells well more developers might release shit like this outside of that one country kinda shaped like a banana. (says the man living in Sweden.) this is great news all around. except for that Europe part.
I'm glad it's getting imported. I have trouble with some of the really old shmups (having...not played them in my childhood, and not having the whole nostalgia factor), but I love the Touhou games I've played and the other random ones. And Ikaruga. Oh Ikaruga.
Even though I just paid 98 bucks for it's JP release a few weeks ago, I'll still be picking up the US release. I'm also really hoping we get to see more of Cave's titles make it's way to a US release.
This is the best news ever. If this does get a US release, everyone needs to buy it. Twice. That way, ESPGaluda II, and all future Cave releases, have a chance at being region free and/or localized in America.
And, if you haven't bought Mushi Futari 1.5 yet, go do it. Three times.
Hmmm horizontal, I've been playing vertical recently this would be a nice change up. I'll definitely pick it up if it comes over.
@ Mazed: Yeah but it's not like ZUN has a publisher in Japan for Touhou either, because it's doujin. I can't really see Rokin Android taking a stab at it either. They've brought some other schmups over but the problem is Touhou is it's fairly easy to import and the English speaking fan base has already translated and patched all the games.
What ZUN should do though, is put the game up on Steam, that would be preferable to importing.
Is Mushihimesama worth 50notes off Play-Asia then?
Am damn tempted, but it would be the most expensive 360 I'd bought :s Considering the relative price of Ikaruga on xbla, this is very steep :o
PS. Yes, great news on US release, means the chances of PAL release are increased.
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Contest:
1:20 PM on 01.16.2010
| 
That's fantastic news!
Anyway, great news WOOOT !
If you missed it, his clue (I guess) was "yummy", on how they were already scripting on their PCs. I don't get it either.
"Princess Debut"
Play it. It's a really fun game. I'm serious.
(Probably not, knowing ZUN, but it's an entertaining thought)
But being a UK gamer, I'm still shaking my fist in anger unless they make the game region free.
Damn, I loved deathsmiles in the arcades...
When Vince was my dance partner and he ditched me to go fishing, well, if you ever wanted to actually feel like a little girl this is your game.
Makes me glade I don't bother dating.
But please god let this be true. I can't afford to import Mushihime, so a localized release of Deathsmiles would be downright amazing. It's a 360 game I've wanted for some time, joined by the likes of Otomedius G, Idolm@ster and Zegapain.
One of the big import publishers should pick all of those up. They feature half naked anime girls, Jpop music/relationship building and giant mechs, respectively. All of which have seen relative success in the form of at least one game.
Are these Cave shooters on the Marketplace in Japan or are they full retail releases?
It seems to me that the consensus on retail SHMUPS, like the recent Raiden IV (excellent game), have burned some people because of it's length, content not being justified, blah blah blah. Which is a shame.
They're all retail releases. The Japanese marketplace, especially with arcade games, is almost identical to the US. They don't have any Japanese exclusive arcade or indie games. The only big differences are the GoD's and the videos/themes. Even demos are similar. They have a handful of exclusive demos, a good portion of which are sound novels.
I've been on a huge shmup binge lately, as I just got a hold of Konami's Gradius, Salamander, and Twinbee compilations for the PSP. The latter two are only available as imports, but are thankfully region-free. The Salamander pack contains the only legit port of Xexex, a beautiful game that is like crystal meth for lovers of Gradius and R-Type.
My fiancee got a Wii for Xmas, so I also picked up Castle of Shikigami III and the Ultimate Shooting Collection (includes former Dreamcast titles Chaos Field, Radirgy, Karous). Both are a complete blast and cheap as hell. Both also let the player use the Gamecube controller, which is a nice option to have.
secondly, and I know this probably won't happen, but uh, Europe as well? pretty please???
if this sells well more developers might release shit like this outside of that one country kinda shaped like a banana. (says the man living in Sweden.) this is great news all around. except for that Europe part.
;_;
I'm glad it's getting imported. I have trouble with some of the really old shmups (having...not played them in my childhood, and not having the whole nostalgia factor), but I love the Touhou games I've played and the other random ones. And Ikaruga. Oh Ikaruga.
Even though I just paid 98 bucks for it's JP release a few weeks ago, I'll still be picking up the US release. I'm also really hoping we get to see more of Cave's titles make it's way to a US release.
And, if you haven't bought Mushi Futari 1.5 yet, go do it. Three times.
So I take it ending a word with "u" is supposed to do....what?
time to came all over Mushihimesama while I wait...and pretty much hope.
You listen, well-known unnamed publisher? :3
@ Mazed: Yeah but it's not like ZUN has a publisher in Japan for Touhou either, because it's doujin. I can't really see Rokin Android taking a stab at it either. They've brought some other schmups over but the problem is Touhou is it's fairly easy to import and the English speaking fan base has already translated and patched all the games.
What ZUN should do though, is put the game up on Steam, that would be preferable to importing.
Am damn tempted, but it would be the most expensive 360 I'd bought :s Considering the relative price of Ikaruga on xbla, this is very steep :o
PS. Yes, great news on US release, means the chances of PAL release are increased.
also, YESSSSSSSS