Censored blood or not, I'm still a big fan of Grasshopper's Suda51, the eccentric creator of Killer 7 and the new Wii game, No More Heroes. Sadly, it seems not even his native Japan appreciates his abstract work as No More Heroes kicked off to a disasterous launch in the man's home turf.
Suda and executive producer Yasuhiro Wada were on hand to sign copies of the game and give out the promotional toilet paper we'd all heard about, but after twenty minutes, not a single person had bought the game. Ouch! It's rumoured that a Famitsu reporter, there to cover the washout, eventually went ahead and bought a copy himself.
Horrible news for a very talented individual, but maybe it's the curse of third party Nintendo titles kicking in. The Wii has clearly found its niche in the toy/family territory by now and obscure, heavily adult and unestablished IPs like this are bound to have a hard time getting recognized among Nintendo's first party games. While the Wii could have been a breeding ground for quirky games such as No More Heroes, I don't feel they have much of a home there anymore.
With any luck, No More Heroes at least sells enough copies somewhere. I'd hate to see Suda's creativity stifled because people just want the same old stuff in their games.
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21 comments + 95764 views
You are a 100% correct, and this is sad. Well I now know that I am going to buy 5 copies and hand them out to friends if they have not got the game already. I know its not a big thing, but I hope it help.
The Japanese are too busy with their Wii Fits to care. :-\
This is terrible news but I have a feeling this game will do well in America.
I'd attribute this game's failure to the fact that his last one was an over-hyped piece of shit. I still talk to plenty of people who have tried to convince me that Killer 7 was actually a good game, but aside from the concept, nothing about it was even remotely good in my opinion. Games should be fun, and that one wasn't.
So yeah, maybe that has something to do with this game's failure, even more than any "third-party curse".
thats some fucking bullshit. There is finally a developer willing to take a chance with a wii title and do something other than shitty mini games and shitty ports and then the home market doesn't give a fuck?
Fuck you japan.
Which isn't to say that Suda aint talented, or that the possibility of Nintendo's poor third-party support rearing it's ugly head yet again isn't a factor. I'm just saying that maybe people aren't really moved to check it out, 'cause Killer 7 wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. But then, my opinion about the game is in no way a reflection on anyone else, so who knows?
Damn. Where is the love? That pretty much sums up what demographic the Wii has. Despite the bad news, I'm still hopeful that the sales are going to pick-up.
If people dont play wii or 360, does that mean everyone is playing ps3? im kind of under the impression that japan is all about portable games at the moment so console titles starting slow doesnt really surprise me.
I really do think that Nintendo captured the casual audience in Japan but still relies on core gamers in its other territories. That's a tough position to be in, when you can't market games effectively to all three territories; just ask Microsoft about Japan.
Cyberxion, no, that is all I will say about your opinion of Killer 7.
As to this not selling? It is a fucking baffling suckful "shame on you" to Japan. I'm pre-ordering mine and will nag all my friends to do the same.
This game will be a boatload of nerd fanservice, how could you not buy it? I'd have knocked over old ladies to get an autographed copy, too.
Not to mention, rubadub, that suggesting that this game's failure is indicative of a bigger problem is a little hasty. This game could really just suck. I guess we'll see when it comes out here.
I am afraid for the future of Grasshopper and games in general. All of the rehashed sequels sell like hotcakes and truly inspired games sit by the wayside and collect so much dust. Do gamers only want more of the same?
It really seems like the Japanese market has shifted. Its not like all the people buying wiis and ds's are new to the game world.
Good on you Soul! My opinion is rejected simply because you don't share it. Of course that's par for the course when it comes to the interwebz. Though at least you weren't an asshole about it, so I'll give you that.
It is indeed simply my opinion, something I did make it a point to say. I just don't think that Killer 7 was anything even remotely resembling a good game, and maybe there's a possibility that I'm not the only one, and that could be why No More Heroes isn't doing all that hot over in Japan.
The real point though, is that it could be any number of factors. Who knows why the Japanese don't care to buy the game? @_@
@nilcam
That's been a trend for the longest time, unfortunately. But what can we do about it, but support the games that take chances and hope for the best?
Meh. The third party curse strikes again.
They're afraid little kids are goin' to pay for this game with the huge blood (or not now) in it..wait,do they ever read manuals when they buy one?...or worse,do parents check ESRB Game rating things?...
Anyways thank god i dun own a wii...but a PS3!...Free online play FTW
I thought killer 7 sucked big balls.
I am really baffled by this and other games in japan not selling... maybe it will be like SMG and take off after a few days.
Suda you can come here and sign all my personal hygiene products.
I think either console are the thing of the past and DS and PSP are things they really enjoy since it's small and you can take it anywhere.
Maybe they felt like it was too much of a GTA clone. whatever the problem is I sure hate that this happen to Suda, regardless of how you feel about his gmaes
I still think that if you are going to make a niche game, the best system to put it on would be the Wii or DS since they have already sold so well and will continue to sell well in the near future. It is the fault of the ignorant Japanese gamers that No More Heroes was not an immediate success. And we all know that when Japan talks about games, they really mean Dragon Quest (aka the definition of "lack of evolution in the RPG genre"). Seriously, in Japan to evolve is to fail. Unless we are talking about Pokemon...
This is what killed Sega's home console...people will (for the love of god please!!!!) eventually get sick of Mario games & Nintendo will die....fingers crossed. haha
Cyberxion sound like you have not played killer 7 or know of its marketing. It was never marketed well at all, most do not even know what it is. But even top reveiws world wide know that it was a good game. It was not a 10 out of 10 by any means but it was solid.
It has nothing to do with the fact that it's 3rd party. It's because people who buy Nintendo consoles want sequels. People can tell you what games they want for their Nintendo before the games have even been announced: Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Mario Kart, Smash Bros., ect...
I can't believe more people haven't figured this out by now. That's why Resident Evil did well on Wii, because everyone is familiar with Resident Evil. I'm sure No More Heroes 5 will do great on Wii.
I'm going to buy a Wii to play this game.
Dead Rising sold me on 360.
Uncharted sold me on PS3.
No More Heroes is going to sell me on Wii.
If only they would make an elite beat agents Wii game...
Even if the game sucked hard (34/40 from Famitsu) wouldn't you expect to see at least some die hard Suda fans? Not only is it getting a signed copy, they're handing out free stuff. Goichi Suda has a pretty large cult-like following (he's released a lot of crazy Japanese games, and they love crazy), and not one of his fans showed up for a signature on the game?
It's extremely odd, I could understand meager sales, but no one showing reeks of a lack of advertising or a unannounced change of venue. Then again, Japanese people are crazy...
Why can't they do cool shit like that over here in the states where it would be appreciated, I can always use some free toilet paper!
Yeah, and to top it off I heard that they had a hot Asian chick there too. Although, I guess if you live in Japan, you can go anywhere to see hot Asian chicks. Still, did they bother telling anyone that this event was taking place? Even if the game wasn't highly anticipated, I can't believe no one would show up for the event.
I really tried to like killer 7. Stylistically it was awesome. Great graphics, sound and the story was really interesting. Unfortunately, the gameplay was about as much fun as a grass cutting simulator. I would have muddled through, but I had a lot of other more worthy(as in actually fun) games on my plate at the time, and I've not had time to go back to it since. Hopefully no more heroes will deliver more in terms of actually having gameplay.
Also, hardcore gaming in japan seems to be dying out by the year. Which sucks. 360 seems to be becoming the choice for niche japanese developers, seeing as at least it means westerners will buy the games.
Japanese just want things that help them forget WW2 the fastest way. This apparently didn't.
Nicely polite reply cyberxion, when I say such things it is a facetious disagreement with your view, that is all. I once threatened butmac with a violent beating for saying Thrid Strike sucked, I wasn't serious.
I replied in that manner as it would take a huge wall of text to reply with any eloquent point making.
Fuck it, when I get drunker, I'm gonna write a blog about the appreciation of Killer 7.
Japan, as a market, is dying. The 360, PSP and PS3 sales are slow, and the Wii and DS are really only selling to non-gamers who want non-traditional games.
So here's an interesting fact: Japan no longer matters. It's a nice market to have control over, but North America is the new Japan, with Europe running a close second. The regions should be what shapes decisions, not the Japanese market.
And to Nyreshade: When is a 34/40 from Famitsu a bad thing? Do the math, and that's about an 8.5. That's not bad.
@NihonTiger - I said "even if the game sucked hard," if being the key word.
I didn't mean to imply that it does suck, just that if it did suck, there would still be people buying it.
EVERYONE’S GRABBIN THEIR COLLARS
This is possibly the last Wii game that I will buy...if it lets me down then the Wii will need a miracle to get me to buy another game. Other then Wii Sports the Wii has been nothing but disappointment for me :(
Galaxy was a disappointment? You might be too hard to please, like a bitch.
Man, that's really bad news. Damn this casual gaming trend. Japan used to be a mecca of hardcore gaming, and now it's looking like there are going to be less and less games coming from that part of the globe.
Well first of all i need to find a friend like Nightv who will just show up and give me games. Second killer 7 was a solid title with some good writing and a decent story, tho i have to say it wasn't my kind of game i don't like being led along like that to much simplistic gameplay. Although i did kinda like the games off the wall graphics style and all
Damn you, Nintendo! Your schizophrenic and tepid marketing has sold all the Wiis to old people! Of course they aren't interested in violent and awesome-looking games!
Breaking news: No More Heroes does poorly in Japan; Wii system fails. Nintendo out of business.
Did they not buy it because it's obscure or because it looks like total shit?
No More Heroes is really amazing. i'm hooked on the Jap. version and it QUICKLY jumped to one of my favorite games; up there with Shadow of the Colossus, Castle Adventure, Animal Crossing, Forever Blue (Endless Ocean), and Hulk: Ultimate Destrcution.
this game deserves major attention!!!
Remember not too long ago, when Japan was a center of innovative videogame technology? Now, you can't sell a game there unless it's got "Final Fantasy" or "Dragon Quest" in the name. Oh, and bonus points if it's on a handheld and/or if it's first party. This can also be loosely connected to why the PS3 doesn't do too well; because creativity is stifled by low sales.
Point being, as I'm preaching to the choir here, that Japan is no longer relevant in the videogame market. North America and Europe can make their own games now that rival that of Japan's. The torch has been passed.
Japanese games RIP. I'll especially miss JRPGs, since the more prominent guys like Squenix are content wallowing in their own remake filth.
Nintendo does need to learn a thing or two from Microsoft in regards to advertising games (the Halo 3, Gears, and Assassin's Creed commercials are amazing), but I think it speaks more about Japan than third-party games on Nintendo platforms. The aforementioned Super Mario Galaxy had relatively weak launch numbers in Japan (far lower than projected), especially when compared to other regions. This reception is a damned shame when Suda put so much effort into this title.
No, this is more of an indicator of where Japan stands when it comes to video games. Brain Age, Wii Fit, and Nintendogs; and Final Fantasy whoring, Monster Hunter, and Dragon Quest. It would appear that apart from the "non-games" like Brain Age, Japan is still right in Sony's hand as the only "hardcore" titles aside from Dragon Quest that still draw a crowd are Sony games.
To all that complain about lack of third-party support on Nintendo platforms: Help out the cause and get a copy of No More Heroes when it releases in your country. And Zack & Wiki. And any other third-party game that's worth it, because you can't have your cake and eat it (demand good third-party support and when presented solid games say, "no, I don't want that!"). I'll be getting a copy of No More Heroes on launch day.
"Galaxy was a disappointment? You might be too hard to please, like a bitch."
Short answer: Yes.
Is it a good game sure...but not really anything new from Mario 64 which is not a bad thing, but I would have preferred a Super Mario World 3D to galaxy any day...
I can't say I'm suprised. This game looks like garbage.
This game kinda strikes me as unappealing to a Japanese audience. It seems to be a huge parody of American culture. Would that be something the average Japanese Wii owner would be into in the first place?
I'm getting this game, because Killer7 made me a fan of Suda 51's insanity. I can totally understand why that game doesn't appeal to everyone though.
No More Heros is a day one purchase for me in the US (and Zack and Wiki is under my tree right now). Some of us still love you, Suda 51.
I must also correct some of you on your inaccurate opinions of Killer7. In actually, Killer7 was a brilliant piece of pop-punk mind-fuck art that must be revered as one of the greatest examples of the medium. If you think of it more as a "point&click" adventure with some minor shooting elements, rather than a gimped FPS, it becomes infinately more playable. And as a narrative piece, it is unsurpassed.
hope this will still make it to Europe... i fear...
Wrong game,Wrong place!No More Heroes is designed for American tastes and Weaboos,i.e. GTA,gore,Anime fandom,unnecessarily huge vehicles and light sabers.And Travis touchdown is'nt effeminate looking enough and his sword is too short to appeal to Japs.
I dunno, I wouldn't buy a game just for a "cause" to help out innovative developers or whatever. I'll have to play Killer 7 first before I make my decision to support him.
Thats horribly sad news, but it will do much better in the States. I know Im buying a copy day 1
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