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What the hell is going on with Fatal Frame for the Wii? photo

Waiting with bated breath for Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse? Me too -- the Fatal Frame series is one of my very favorites. Considering the the game has been out in Japan since last July, US fans are starting to wonder what's up. Is it not coming here? Nintendo says ask Tecmo, and Tecmo says ask Nintendo. This sounds mysteriously like a question that no one knows the answer to.

Tecmo says about the title:

"Nintendo holds the publishing rights to 'Fatal Frame Wii,' which was developed by Tecmo LTD. and Grasshopper Manufacture and released in Japan on July 31, 2008. Nintendo of America has since then decided not to publish the title in North America – consequently, the title will not be released in this territory. As the owner of the IP, Tecmo feels very unfortunate that the fans of the series in North America will not have a chance to play the game, but respects the final decision made by Nintendo of America."

Nice. Thanks a lot, Nintendo. It's not like the games were a cult favorite here in the U.S. or anything.

[Via Kotaku]


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58 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Josh Tolentino's Avatar
Josh Tolentino at 04/08/2009 09:45
I liked Fatal Frame. The first one was the last survival horror game I actually found scary, which is saying something since I am very easy to frighten. Somehow I found Fatal Frame 2 less scary, and a friend and I RUINED Fatal Frame 3 after we switched the controls to what resembled a console FPS.
mr spooky's Avatar
mr spooky at 04/08/2009 09:48
ps2 version and cut out the Nintendo reference.
SephirothX's Avatar
SephirothX at 04/08/2009 09:50
I'd like to see Holmes come and try and defend this one...
JoZo's Avatar
JoZo at 04/08/2009 09:51
-Initiates insane rage mode- RAAAAAAAAGGHHH... -coughs up blood- -bashes everything nintendo and kicks the wii-
Gen Eric Gui's Avatar
Gen Eric Gui at 04/08/2009 09:53
XSEED said a while back that somebody other than them, Nintendo, and Tecmo had publishing rights for this game. They wouldn't say who it was though, and I don't know what's become of it since then.

Looks like it's import time.
CypherVR's Avatar
CypherVR at 04/08/2009 09:55
copypasta from Cadtalfryn's blog:

..and once again, reggie your moniker "My name is Reggie. I'm about kickin' ass, I'm about takin' names, and we're about makin' games."


Has been revoked, indefinitely.

And has been replaced with "My name is Reggie. I'm about suckin' cocks, I'm about takin' assraepings, and we're about NOT' games."

-dtoiders feel free to add your spin or add to the defunct moniker
killatia's Avatar
killatia at 04/08/2009 10:00
Why nintendo, why?
JoZo's Avatar
JoZo at 04/08/2009 10:02
"My name is Wedgie. I'm about kissin' ass, I'm about takin' t bags, and we're about to CRAP out games."

Lame spin off, sorry
silvain's Avatar
silvain at 04/08/2009 10:06
boo. At least I can read Japanese so I can import, I guess.
tsunamikitsune's Avatar
tsunamikitsune at 04/08/2009 10:06
Nintendo is laaaaaame.
kevinski's Avatar
kevinski at 04/08/2009 10:10
My spin-off: "My name is Reggie. I'm - " *gets pushed into moving traffic*

Seriously, is NoA that fucking retarded? Not releasing a Fatal Frame game in the U.S.? I wouldn't consider myself to be a HUGE fan of the series, but damn...considering the complete shit that gets released for Wii, it's just horrible that they're not releasing a game in a series that pretty much ALWAYS puts an emphasis on quality.

Fuck you, Nintendo.
zombiekiller13's Avatar
zombiekiller13 at 04/08/2009 10:11
Okay, up until now, I've given Nintendo my support. Sure, we old-school fans are being dicked over with Wii Music, Wii Fit, and all the other crap being peddled for the soccer moms and grandparents.

There were glimmers of light in the cesspool...Metroid Prime 3, SSBB, Zack and Wiki, No More Heroes, Madworld, Mario Galaxy, House of the Dead...

Not all published by the big N, but still.

I had hoped with Fatal Frame, since learning that they were the publishers of the game in Japan, that it would be released here. C'mon...the other three games came out over here. #3 even got a reprint.

Now? Fuck them. I've been waiting for this game...it's one of the main reasons I wanted a Wii. To tell us they don't own the publishing rights, only to be told by Tecmo that they do? What the fuck? Called out on a lie. They could give two shits about the people who would've snapped up this game in a heartbeat...all they care about is crapping out "mass appeal" titles that get forgotten a month later.

I know I sound like a bitter old man. But I don't care. I really want this game. Hearing that it may not come out over here really gets me pissed off.
Shoop's Avatar
Shoop at 04/08/2009 10:12
If Fatal Frame sold enough here to justify localizing 3 other iterations, why is this one so un-publishable?
Hiltz's Avatar
Hiltz at 04/08/2009 10:15
Look Nintendo, I'm real happy about Rhythm Heaven and later on getting Punch-Out!!, Sin & Punishment 2, Wii Sports Resort, Mario & Luigi RPG 3 as well as Legend of Starfy but there's something we need to talk about here.


It's bad enough that Japan and Europe received Disaster: Day of Crisis but now they also have Fatal Frame 4 while NOA leaves us in the dust by not releasing either of them. I'd really like to hear what dumb reason it has for choosing to skip out on both.
atastysammich's Avatar
atastysammich at 04/08/2009 10:19
Welcome to the US Graveyard, Fatal Frame! There's a spot with a nice view next to Captain Rainbow saved for you.
CypherVR's Avatar
CypherVR at 04/08/2009 10:25
mighti add, look nintendo - you're printing money, throw us a frickin' bone (or 10)

take some time out of your busy schedule of swimming in your money vault to publish some games that aren't casual and shovelware/cookie cutter

look at MadWorld for example
Magnalon's Avatar
Magnalon at 04/08/2009 10:34
To all the people who still support Nintendo hand over fist: this is inexcusable. I don't know about going so far as "Nintendo hates it's true fans", but this is hard to defend.
pseudo hero's Avatar
pseudo hero at 04/08/2009 10:50
I guess Nintendo doesn't like to make money with a demographic besides children. So lame.
Prince Ghidorah's Avatar
Prince Ghidorah at 04/08/2009 10:56
mumble mumble nintendo, grrr...release My Pony Adventures and Hannah Montana but not this? mumble..
Xonticus's Avatar
Xonticus at 04/08/2009 11:00
Nintendo, once again, you fail.

You lose, good day sir!
Discarded Couch Sandwich's Avatar
Discarded Couch Sandwich at 04/08/2009 11:01
I still have the original Fatal Frame (Project Zero here) on my shelf to play. I picked it up not too long ago, its a decent game but it lacked that J-horror feel that I expected to get.

However, I was really looking forward to Fatal Frame 4 being released over here... same as I was looking forward to finally finishing the one on my shelf, then picking up the next games in the series which I hear are much better. I'm hoping this doesn't get the Mother treatment..

Otherwise, boo Nintendo!!! Lets see how this story pans out...
MrSlippery's Avatar
MrSlippery at 04/08/2009 11:12
what I still don't get, is nintendo is making money hand over first, Reggie probably has a chopper made out of albino tiger cubs and gold.

nintendo could still publish this, and please everyone, it's a shame that they don't want to bring it over here.
MissHinasaki's Avatar
MissHinasaki at 04/08/2009 11:17
I literally cried upon hearing this news. I just wish that it was at the hands of Destructoid instead of Facebook.
Hiltz's Avatar
Hiltz at 04/08/2009 11:36
Fact, Nintendo isn't going to release EVER singe game you guys want. Earthbound/Mother is a classic and a favorite of many but Nintendo's got a lot on its plate already with making games for many different platforms. If anything, it should actually put more effort into making high quality Wiiware games by now. Thing is, there's no harm or good excuse for not releasing stuff like Earthbound on the virtual console by now when it was announced and rated by the ESRB last year... especially when Nintendo knows fans want it and Nintendo has complete control over what downloadable titles will be released and when.

On the bright side, Nintendo has acknowledged that there are cult titles that it does want to bring back that some fans do want like with the remake of Punch-Out!! and the sequel to Sin & Punishment as well as Legend of Starfy coming to the DS and the new Rhythm Heaven just being released or the sequel to Wii Sportsm improved motion control and an improved storage solution that fans wanted. No one can say that Nintendo doesn't ignore the core userbase. However, it isn't a perfect company (no company is) and for whatever the reason may be, it can't fulfill your every demand... even when crap like what happend with NOA deciding to not release Disaster and Fatal Frame in North America and yet all of the other territories get it. I don't see a good excuse for Nintendo to use.
Grimhound's Avatar
Grimhound at 04/08/2009 11:40
I'm wondering at this point whether Nintendo is simply nationalist in favor of the Japanese, or if Nintendo of America is using the same sort of marketing strategy as Disney. They have no issue pumping out an endless supply of shovelware, but kill most actual import games that would sell consoles to the mainstream and cult gamers.
ghets's Avatar
ghets at 04/08/2009 11:50
Bullshit.
robwho2's Avatar
robwho2 at 04/08/2009 11:51
Well, since getting an Xbox I almost never play my Wii. And you know what, there's a few games like Madworld and House of the Dead that are completely "my thing" and I'd get in a second if they were on Xbox and yet I put off buying them just because they're on Wii. I don't really know why. But it's amazing how much this "generation" has changed my opinion of Nintendo.

This is one game that would have definitely got me playing my Wii again. Oh well.
CypherVR's Avatar
CypherVR at 04/08/2009 12:02

http://i42.tinypic.com/t8nuye.jpg
Black Nexus's Avatar
Black Nexus at 04/08/2009 12:04
This game was the only reason my freind kept his Wii hooked up to the tv,some cussin shall be done when he finds out this isn't coming to NA.
necrozen's Avatar
necrozen at 04/08/2009 12:18
It is like Nintendo is TRYING to make me hate them now. I just don't get it.
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar
DinnertimeNinja at 04/08/2009 12:23
Yep, Nintendo sure does care about the hardcore audience.

Ths isn't even an RPG here. It's already made and only needs to be LOCALIZED!

I'm pretty damn sure the other Fatal Frames sold more copies in the US than they did in Japan (it's hard not to with such a huge user-base), and Nintendo can't take a couple of weeks to translate the damn thing?

Nintendo has forgotten the people that made it what it is today. And no, re-releasing old games that older gamers liked with updated graphics or controls does NOT count.

I resolve to no longer give you any of my money for ANY system (it's not like the DS situation is much better) or game purchases. You simply don't deserve it.
Danzflor's Avatar
Danzflor at 04/08/2009 12:40
Nintendo is failing at core gamers. Sadly they still swiming in money thanks to the EVIL causal games and good advertisement :(
Unassuming Local Guy's Avatar
Unassuming Local Guy at 04/08/2009 12:44
"But it's amazing how much this "generation" has changed my opinion of Nintendo, " -robwho2.

Ditto that. At least the DS is badass.
odber's Avatar
odber at 04/08/2009 12:45
Here's to hoping that atleast Europe gets it
Spectreman's Avatar
Spectreman at 04/08/2009 12:46
* The worst part is that will be releae in europe. And so the people with modchip will play. Nintendo sometimes do everything in the wrong way. They like call this the "different way", but is the wrong way in various cases.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 04/08/2009 12:58
Its looking more and more like Nintendo is ignoring the very fanbase that got them where they are now in favor of the new one they've attracted. And I really doubt this will happen but I'd love to see it...when the soccer moms get tired of playing the Wii and no one else is buying it Nintendo will be forced to go back to their hardcore fans, but will they be there and forgive them? There is only so much you can put up with, and for Nintendo's "hardcore" fan base I'll bet a lot of them are on thin ice right now, MS and Sony will be under it when it breaks.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar
Cowboy TTop at 04/08/2009 13:21
No dude. Europe/U.K aren't getting Fatal Frame on Wii, either. So, yeah, it has all of us scratching our heads in wonder, especially after House of the Dead and Madworld, both just done well on Wii.

Please point me in the direction of, WTF is running Nintendo. The ship is running aground. I remember in the past when the Nintendo Seal of Quality actually meant something, but now its just a dumb badge. Everytime they do something like this, shed a tear inside.

By all means people, kick up a fuss, so one of their suits gives a decent answer.
Shadowiii's Avatar
Shadowiii at 04/08/2009 13:31
First Mother 3 and now this? It is hard to say Nintendo doesn't hate their fans now. Honestly, why aren't they moving this stuff over here? This is getting to the point of absurd.
coffeesash's Avatar
coffeesash at 04/08/2009 13:40
It's time to do the Zelda hack and put the new working Wiigion Free software on.
viviextreme's Avatar
viviextreme at 04/08/2009 13:54
I'm a Nintendo fan boy and after hearing that Fatal Frame 4 (sequel to one of my favourite series) isn't coming to North America just upsets me. I've stayed with Nintendo through the Gamecube years and I've always defended them... but what's the point anymore. I've already had a giant *&^( you sign hanging over me from Nintendo for the past year and this just settles it. I'm sick of defending a company who obviously doesn't care about the core gamers who have stuck with them for so long. Why would Nintendo even buy part ownership to the franchise if your not even going to sell it worldwide? If Nintendo is ever in the rut they were in with Gamecube most of the people who were there for them won't be and its NoA's own fault
eternalplayer2345's Avatar
eternalplayer2345 at 04/08/2009 14:22
I just cannot understand why they make these decisions.
pedrovay2003's Avatar
pedrovay2003 at 04/08/2009 14:30
God, Nintendo of America sucks so badly. Why the hell wouldn't they bring this here? Do they not even know we already got the first three? :(

I'd import this if I could read a word of Japanese.
Monodi's Avatar
Monodi at 04/08/2009 15:14
FFS, FTS
Chronic Logic's Avatar
Chronic Logic at 04/08/2009 15:21
FUCK YOU NINTENDO. I thought you loved money...
jamie dickerson's Avatar
jamie dickerson at 04/08/2009 15:51
This annoys me, incredibly so. BUT, the core gamers will have their revenge. Next slew of consoles, with the X-box 720, PS4 and Wiicube out, Nintendo will be smiling, thinking they'll win that console war.

But they won't, the mums would be bored of their new toy now, and if they're not they won't spend £200 to play tennis again. The core gamers will now be leaving Nintendo to burn, whilst Microsoft and Sony pick up their franchises from the ashes and gives the fans what they want.

Fatal Frame 4, Mario: The Return of the Flood and The Legend of Zelda: The Little BigPlanet in 2012, anyone?
TheCleaningGuy's Avatar
TheCleaningGuy at 04/08/2009 17:31
Nintendo, I've loved you for nigh on 18 years now.
We've had some good times, some bad times, but we've gotten through them.
But first it was Earthbound 2/Mother 3. I was okay with that one for a while, but then Captain Rainbow came and went... I felt a little bit of love slipping away. But now that I know you have your hads on this, and you won't share it with me and the others who love you?
Nintendo, I want a divorce.
Paroxysm's Avatar
Paroxysm at 04/08/2009 17:36
After so many years of defending Nintendo I never thought I wish the company ill but each day just seems to bring more disappointment and insult to those who supported them. Burn it to the fucking ground.
CBunn's Avatar
CBunn at 04/08/2009 18:23
As an ex-rabid nintendo fanboy I say: It's okay ninty. I gave up on you too. :***
CBunn's Avatar
CBunn at 04/08/2009 18:25
Also, the best thing that could happen with Nintendo is they turning into Sega. Make games, let people play them on good systems.
RJG's Avatar
RJG at 04/08/2009 19:43
Aww, look at all the poot US babies who didn't get a game. Try living in Australia you hard-done-by tards. Even if you did get Fatal Frame, we wouldn't have. Hell, we can't even connect our Animal Crossing DS to our Animal Crossing Wii because we got the US version of the DS game and the PAL version of the Wii game and the two are incompatible.

Yes it sucks, but this is Nintendo. You all should have known better.
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