Nintendo of America has been getting a a lot of bad press lately. Operation Rainfall, and their efforts to convince NoA to localize Pandora's Tower, The Last Story, and Xenoblade, continue to make headlines. More aggressive fans are pledging to boycott all of Nintendo's Wii titles until the company commits to publishing those three games. Club Nintendo went from giving out free games to commemorative pins. And don't even get me started on the 3DS eShop.
So lets take a look at the bright side for a change. Nintendo of America has committed to publishing Rhythm Heaven on the Wii, and from the looks of this footage from the game's official Japanese site, things are looking good. There will be no use of motion controls (so you can expect spot on timing), the songs are as catchy as ever, the challenges are looking quirky and fun, and multi-player looks simple but effective.
NoA's willingness to show this game at E3 proves that they aren't totally risk adverse. At least, that's what I hope this proves. Though they did announce the game for Western release at E3 2011, they are yet to show anything of the game translated into English. Even the E3 demo was completely in Japanese. Let's hope that NoA doesn't pull a bait and switch like they did with Monado/Xenoblade.
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I've been upset about Nintendo's recent actions ( I want Pandora's Tower so bad), but one thing I'm not getting is how most people are saying that the last noticeable Wii game coming is Skyward Sword, I thought a lot of people were upset when we didn't get Rhythm Tengoku (I was), and now that the series has made it over, and we get another entry we're completely ignoring it, it's like throwing one niche game under the bus because we're upset about three other onea. I fear that this is going to be the last Rhythm Heaven game to make it to North America because of poor sales.
Don't get me wrong I've been voicing my distaste with NoA's action, and I've been participating in some of the Op Rainfall actions, but I don't think we're sending the right message when we're demanding to get 3 niche games, while ignoring another. It seems counterproductive.
Nintendo of America will look better once the Tier list comes out for the multi-player portion of Rhythm Heaven.
That and bring Xenoblade, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower to the Americas.
Anybody who listens to Jim Sterling and Yahtzee for long enough(or played Dragon Quest 8) is bound to be able to figure out what the characters in those games are saying with no further localization past the European versions of the games.
Not a whole lot, its a lot less risky of a game to release here state side as it probably took a quarter of the price to produce than those other titles and its already an established brand over here rather than a new IP like those games.
The day Nintendo is not all over a minigame collection I'll eat my hat. In the meantime.... they still look absolutely ridiculous asking for the hardcore to jump on wii-u meanwhile demonstrating their continued lack of faith in any sort of hardcore gaming.
From the success that nintendo got from the ds game is it any surprise they are bringing this over? What risk are you talking about? Nintendo still fucked up bad and this isn't going to make anything better.
Holmes nothing will make NOA look good. I love Nintendo's products, but their PR could really use some work, and while this is a step in the right direction, it's still not enough to make up for all the refusal over the years.
I still don't see where Nintendo said they were never bringing those games over.
I saw "No plans at this time."
Atlus USA said "no plans at this time" for Catherine and people freaked out. Then they said it was coming just days later and people tried to pretend they never went batshit.
I say keep Operation Rainfall going - as its barely started - and drop any empty threats like boycotts. Because gamers have been so consistent about boycotts.
I'll be supporting this game and sending extra letters to Reggie to remind him I want more niche stuff like The Last Story and Xenoblade.
@ SayWord- My understanding is that Rhythm Heaven on the DS sold well below Nintendo of America's expectations. That said, I'm not sure exactly what those expectations were. They were willing to shell out God-knows-how-much money to get Beyonce to advertise the game in the U.S., so I'm guessing they expected the game to sell at least the +800,000 copies here that it sold in Japan.
From what I've read, it didn't even sell half that, well below 400,000. The fact that Nintendo is willing to localize a the sequel to a game that sold that few copies, and one that will require localization costs (hiring English speaking singers, etc) is pretty cool.
But like I said in the post, I wont be sure that they're really bringing the game out here until it gets a release date and some English gameplay videos.
I'm still thinking this could all be an elaborate troll post.
Look, I want those 3 games as much as the next guy, but I'm not an over-entitled fuck who shits all over a company just cause they won't give me some games I want. Sometimes you just can't have things you want.
The first was really a perfect diversion seemingly tailor-made for handhelds since the levels are so bite sized. Even with how good it was, I'd say it was only worth about $20, which is how much I payed for it.
I can't see paying anywhere near $50 for basically the same game on the Wii. And I don't think a lot of other people will buy it either.
This is a perfect example of a game that SHOULD be a WiiWare game.
@jonathan holmes but those are still good numbers for what seemed to be a niche title. If they are willing to take the risk to bring this game to the wii why can't nintendo take the risk to bring over those 3 games that people have actually ASKED for.
I feel really bad that while I love niche games, I have horrible rhythm. I was never able to enjoy the DS game, and I don't plan to pick up the Wii game.
The letter writing campaign starts in a few days for Xenoblade in case anyone is interested. You should send the letters so they get there between July 11th - July 13th.
@ Sayword- Good question. I've asked Nintendo for answers. I think a lot of videogame news sites have. So far, I haven't heard back.
@ DinnertimeNinja- I wonder if it would fit in WiiWare's filesize limit? I sort of doubt it. I know the Bit.Trip games barely fit, mostly because the music takes up so much space. I imagine the +50 tracks of music on Rhythm Heaven Wii would cause similar problems.
What if they released it for $30 new? More so, what about bigger, longer Wii games like The Last Story? Would you buy that for $50, or would you save your money for a similarly styled game on the PS3 or 360?
"There will be no use of motion controls (so you can expect spot on timing)"
Correction, you can expect delayed timing because you're using buttons which by the very nature of buttons must be delayed. Spot on timing *would* be using motion controls.
What bothers me about the Operation Rainfall games is that they're coming out in Europe which means they've for all intents and purposes been localized. Are you telling me that Americans can't play a British game and be able to follow it. Just release the UK version here, spend no money, on marketing and still sell tons of copies. Why wouldn't they do it?
@The Silent Protagonist:
Nintendo--no, hardcore gaming fans are all bratty, spoiled children who think only of what they want and throw fits when they don't get it right away. They can whine all they want, but it isn't getting anything released here any faster. At least Operation Rainfall, professional crybabies they are, are putting on a facade of rationality, unlike their sympathizers who think Nintendo abandoned them when Nintendo never cared about them in the first place.
This was a horrible game on the DS, I don't know how anyone played through Rhythm Heaven on the DS. I don't hate many games on the DS, but this was definitely one of the few I hate.
I can bet that at least half of the Xenoblade complainers will buy a WiiU. Nintendo fanboys seem to buy whatever the company puts out yet they still complain. Instead of you know, not buying whatever they put out at launch and waiting a little bit to see what happens with it before they buy it. If you don't like it, don't buy it. I have learned long ago NOT to buy systems based on games that are promised, but to wait for those promised games to actually come out, then get the system since many games are always promised, but they never come out.
Didn't they promote the last one as a fun music game with Beyonce? I'm also fairly certain it sold quite well on the DS. Not brilliant, but well enough for this to be a solid move.
I don't think this game is quite *that* big a risk. They package it as a fun quirkly music game that everyone can laugh at, not so much as an obscure Japanese game with limited appeal.
The reason they are bringing this is because there is hardly any real localization effort going in to it. This costs little and they will make a bit. This does absolutely noting to reaffirm Nintendo of america as cheap and lazy.
Thanks for bringing this game, I may think about buying it. Its a step forward holmes, but only a very small one.
I have to admit I'm sad that they're not doing The Last Story or Xenoblade, but we're getting THIS, of all things. I've never played a Rhythm Heaven game, but wow.
@Matt Welch- Uh, I don't know what motion games your playing, but for me, there is always a bit of lag, even with Kinect. With a button, you get a response as soon as your thumb to pushes the button down into the controller, just a fraction of a millimeter. With motion controls, at least as they are to day, it's a lot more complicated.
@ Jim Sterling- Yeah that's right, and Nintendo said they were disappointed with the sales. My guess is that it made money, but not "Beyonce" money. I doubt we'll be seeing her advertise this sequel, unless they paid her upfront for a multiple game advertising contract or something.
Eh, unless it's going for a bargain price, I can't imagine buying this, especially if it was $50. It looks like something I'd get a kick out of though if I paid around $30.
Well that and seriously, fuck NoA. 3 RPGs are a risk and this game isn't? I guess they saw it was a rhythm minigame collection and figured it'll sell a million copies, the greedy bastards.
Since we're not analyst I don't think we really know how well it did, since we're not trained to analyze numbers. We can't tell how well a game performed unless it's a blatantly obvious success or failure, most games fall into a somewhat grey area and comparing them to other games isn't always the best indication of how well they did since their are a number of factors involved that makes the cost differ greatly.
The thing that made me think it didn't do to well was that it dropped down to $15, most Nintendo games don't drop in price unless they're selling below what was expected, and they have to do that to sell units. I just hope this sells well enough for them to continue releasing these games in America, the music/rhythm genre is slowly disappearing, and this is one of the few game series still going.
I predict NOA will announce the big three at their press conference thing, If I'm right you heard it here first! :P
Most anticipate Wii game right now besides Zelda, loved Rhythm Heaven DS!!
@DicesukeInuzuka what press conference? You're probably right. Nintendo has always loved keeping their plans Hush-hush, like they were some secret move in a fighting series. At any rate, while I am definitely more excited about Skyward Sword and Kirby, I'll keep my eyes open for this game.
@Masaji1223
I forgot about Kirby,
and forget what I just said >_< Its July 19th but its in Europe apparently and for 3DS, aah gotta read more into these things
I'll be waiting though, I think all this negativity is a little ridiculous, give it some time, in the mean while I'll enjoy Rhythm Heaven, Zelda, and Kirby.
NOA has serious issues, this was zeldas 25th anniversary, instead of buttons,
doesn't anyone think that a Zelda-themed pen set would have been nice, one pen as the master sword and then the shield as it's holder????? even it it was made by plastic it would be far better than buttons.
NOA is getting lazy, and I'm one of the many gamers who is banning their products until they change.
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Contest:
3:00 PM on 07.03.2011 | 
NoA still looks like scum to me.
No amount of rhythm heaven will change that
Don't get me wrong I've been voicing my distaste with NoA's action, and I've been participating in some of the Op Rainfall actions, but I don't think we're sending the right message when we're demanding to get 3 niche games, while ignoring another. It seems counterproductive.
That and bring Xenoblade, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower to the Americas.
Anybody who listens to Jim Sterling and Yahtzee for long enough(or played Dragon Quest 8) is bound to be able to figure out what the characters in those games are saying with no further localization past the European versions of the games.
also, i like this so very much. I'm now sold on the wii U. First appliance ill buy for my new place.
It isn't any better when it happens to Europeans either.
I saw "No plans at this time."
Atlus USA said "no plans at this time" for Catherine and people freaked out. Then they said it was coming just days later and people tried to pretend they never went batshit.
I say keep Operation Rainfall going - as its barely started - and drop any empty threats like boycotts. Because gamers have been so consistent about boycotts.
I'll be supporting this game and sending extra letters to Reggie to remind him I want more niche stuff like The Last Story and Xenoblade.
From what I've read, it didn't even sell half that, well below 400,000. The fact that Nintendo is willing to localize a the sequel to a game that sold that few copies, and one that will require localization costs (hiring English speaking singers, etc) is pretty cool.
But like I said in the post, I wont be sure that they're really bringing the game out here until it gets a release date and some English gameplay videos.
I'm still thinking this could all be an elaborate troll post.
jewmuncher?!
I can't see paying anywhere near $50 for basically the same game on the Wii. And I don't think a lot of other people will buy it either.
This is a perfect example of a game that SHOULD be a WiiWare game.
Same reason I gave up on Patapon...
Oh no i've been found out
@burningsoup
The biggest thing here is the way nintendo has been acting towards them
http://oprainfall.blogspot.com/
@ DinnertimeNinja- I wonder if it would fit in WiiWare's filesize limit? I sort of doubt it. I know the Bit.Trip games barely fit, mostly because the music takes up so much space. I imagine the +50 tracks of music on Rhythm Heaven Wii would cause similar problems.
What if they released it for $30 new? More so, what about bigger, longer Wii games like The Last Story? Would you buy that for $50, or would you save your money for a similarly styled game on the PS3 or 360?
Correction, you can expect delayed timing because you're using buttons which by the very nature of buttons must be delayed. Spot on timing *would* be using motion controls.
Nintendo--no, hardcore gaming fans are all bratty, spoiled children who think only of what they want and throw fits when they don't get it right away. They can whine all they want, but it isn't getting anything released here any faster. At least Operation Rainfall, professional crybabies they are, are putting on a facade of rationality, unlike their sympathizers who think Nintendo abandoned them when Nintendo never cared about them in the first place.
But thanks for the well rounded article, Jon.
I can bet that at least half of the Xenoblade complainers will buy a WiiU. Nintendo fanboys seem to buy whatever the company puts out yet they still complain. Instead of you know, not buying whatever they put out at launch and waiting a little bit to see what happens with it before they buy it. If you don't like it, don't buy it. I have learned long ago NOT to buy systems based on games that are promised, but to wait for those promised games to actually come out, then get the system since many games are always promised, but they never come out.
I don't think this game is quite *that* big a risk. They package it as a fun quirkly music game that everyone can laugh at, not so much as an obscure Japanese game with limited appeal.
Thanks for bringing this game, I may think about buying it. Its a step forward holmes, but only a very small one.
@ Jim Sterling- Yeah that's right, and Nintendo said they were disappointed with the sales. My guess is that it made money, but not "Beyonce" money. I doubt we'll be seeing her advertise this sequel, unless they paid her upfront for a multiple game advertising contract or something.
Hey, and your commenting on one of my posts! Fun!
Well that and seriously, fuck NoA. 3 RPGs are a risk and this game isn't? I guess they saw it was a rhythm minigame collection and figured it'll sell a million copies, the greedy bastards.
The thing that made me think it didn't do to well was that it dropped down to $15, most Nintendo games don't drop in price unless they're selling below what was expected, and they have to do that to sell units. I just hope this sells well enough for them to continue releasing these games in America, the music/rhythm genre is slowly disappearing, and this is one of the few game series still going.
Most anticipate Wii game right now besides Zelda, loved Rhythm Heaven DS!!
I forgot about Kirby,
and forget what I just said >_< Its July 19th but its in Europe apparently and for 3DS, aah gotta read more into these things
I'll be waiting though, I think all this negativity is a little ridiculous, give it some time, in the mean while I'll enjoy Rhythm Heaven, Zelda, and Kirby.
doesn't anyone think that a Zelda-themed pen set would have been nice, one pen as the master sword and then the shield as it's holder????? even it it was made by plastic it would be far better than buttons.
NOA is getting lazy, and I'm one of the many gamers who is banning their products until they change.