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DeathSmiles gets a surprise US release? photo

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.

DeathSmiles magically gets stateside release [Siliconera, link no worky]

Yes please.


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40 comments | showing # 1 to 40
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Kraid's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:26
Kraid
FUK YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAARRR!!

That's fantastic news!
The-Excel's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:28
The-Excel
Somehow I get the feeling that Atlus isn't the publisher like some think it is.
Issun's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:32
Issun
Hope that when they bring it to the States, they make it Region-Free, because that would be awesome for us poor Europeans.
Anyway, great news WOOOT !
Nolan South's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:32
Nolan South
Why bother? These games never break 200k sales in America, let alone 50k.
matty125's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:37
matty125
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.
matty125's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:42
matty125
By the way, the States saw one Cave game back in 2008. It's not a shmup, but you shoot your feet while dancing, so to speak.

"Princess Debut"

Play it. It's a really fun game. I'm serious.
Mazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:43
Mazed
I wonder, if this'd ever take off, if the "Touhou Project" games ever might make it stateside through a legitimate publisher.

(Probably not, knowing ZUN, but it's an entertaining thought)
callmeAlex's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:43
callmeAlex
Looks fun and I love the anime style! I hope this is indeed getting a North American release.
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:45
Topher Cantler
Matty is right, Princess Debut is actually legitimately fun. I still can't believe that's a Cave game.
Daxelman's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:47
Daxelman
Was that a giant cow?
GundamJehutyKai's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:55
GundamJehutyKai
read this somewhere last night, think it was hongfire...

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...
matty125's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:57
matty125
@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.
Cataract's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 13:59
Cataract
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.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:04
eternalplayer2345
i honestly believed this wouldn't happen but I'm so glad it might :D
RenagadePanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:04
RenagadePanda
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.
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:06
Los255
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.
RenagadePanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:11
RenagadePanda
@Los255

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.
JusticeDude's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:11
JusticeDude
I got a taste of this game at MAGfest, and I can't wait for the US release.
Nastysoda's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:14
Nastysoda
HELL YES
lolipantsu's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:14
lolipantsu
Sweet, I'll definitely buy this game again.
Zagieman's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:16
Zagieman
I guess getting a Japanese console was still a good idea since this wont be seeing PAL regions ever. Plus, you know, Espgaluda II!!!
Caostotale's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 14:27
Caostotale
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.
ninjikiran's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 15:08
ninjikiran
When when when when when. Ok I am done :D
BulletMagnet's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 15:15
BulletMagnet
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.
SetoChaos's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 15:23
SetoChaos
This is great news, I hope for this to either be region free or get a European release too :D
eskimo bob's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 15:27
eskimo bob
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.
RiotMonster's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 16:07
RiotMonster
Not only do I still want to play Princess Debut, but I want to get my grubby hands on this game.. O_O Looks fun!!
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 16:09
Jon B
Oh hey there, another game I want but will never get an EU release.

;_;
Lucas Says's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 16:31
Lucas Says
Shmups my one weakness!

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.
Diverse's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 19:10
Diverse
AWESOME FUCKING NEWS

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.
toruokada's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 20:41
toruokada
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.
ParaParaKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 20:43
ParaParaKing
OMG! FUCKING YESSU!
toruokada's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 20:44
toruokada
Oh, and here's to hoping this might affect Ketsui's 360 release, and make it region free. But I doubt it, if that fucking game ever even comes out.
de BLOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 21:54
de BLOO
@ParaParaKing

So I take it ending a word with "u" is supposed to do....what?
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/16/2010 23:18
Shin Oni
...no fucking way.

time to came all over Mushihimesama while I wait...and pretty much hope.
Quoth's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/17/2010 06:14
Quoth
Now, if the american version would be region free, so I can have greatness on my PAL box, I would be happy. Really really happy.

You listen, well-known unnamed publisher? :3
Demtor's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/17/2010 15:53
Demtor
This is awesome news! I'm sold.
BGFUSAB's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/17/2010 22:49
BGFUSAB
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.
MesonW's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/18/2010 07:25
MesonW
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.
henkboom's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/18/2010 07:47
henkboom
link works here

also, YESSSSSSSS
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