Hey, go figure. A good game comes out in Japan, and the Japanese buy it! Who would of thought?

You know what would be pretty funny?

If Gears of War became a bigger system seller for Japan than Blue Dragon.

"some believed that the game's blocky very American-style characters wouldn't fly with gamers used to more slender Final Fantasy-type heroes"

wow what a horrible belief for someone to hold! does everyone from one country like everything to look the same all the time? ....wow.

wow what a horrible belief for someone to hold! does everyone from one country like everything to look the same all the time? ....wow.

Based on the sales figures of countries, it is reasonable to assume the the majority of the people involved in the sales from said country like things in a way related to said sales.

Good. Now i can play against some uber japanese players.

Anyone feel awkward when playing against whats eems like a room full of japanese players? I'v done that in lost planet a bit and sometimes think they're making fun of me. Stupid americana.

But i like playing with japanese people anywyas. For the most part they're super polite.

Any 360 game that draws a pulse in Japan and is not named Blue Dragon or Lost Planet is a sign of something but what will that something turns out to be is another whole another story. A CERO Z-rating is not helping the cause for the game and yet it is at least selling out at some locations. Does Gears Of War have to power to make itself a hit the world over, it just might? Who knew the draw of Marcus and Dom would even entice the Japanese audience. Now we just need some Chibi figurines to complete the deal.

zealousd, I recall that one being of the seven signs that world will end.... please don't wish that... for our sake...

With a game as popular as Gears of War, it was bound to garner some curiosity.

But I do wonder, how would Gears of War feel if it were filled with male androgynous characters? Can you imagine Fenix in a svelte body suit?

You know what would be pretty funny?

If Gears of War became a bigger system seller for Japan than Blue Dragon.

You know what would be pretty sad?

If Microsoft takes this as indication that in order to achieve success in Japan, they need...more shooter games!

I'll attribute any potential success this game has in Japan solely to Cole Train. Regardless of culture or hemisphere, he is the man.

The Japanese finally overcome their racial prejudice to play... a shooter?

[i]I'll attribute any potential success this game has in Japan solely to Cole Train. Regardless of culture or hemisphere, he is the man.[/i]

Tachiagaru! Ochiru!

Machine of Battle go kicky fast!

>.The Japanese finally overcome their racial prejudice to play... a shooter?

WTF does racial prejudice have to do with Japanese not liking violent shooters. Because another culture doesn't have the same tastes as Americans doesn't mean they are prejudice.

Yeah, they shoulda replaced the character models in Gears of War with Raiden. Just to keep him out of my Metal Gear games.

Does anyone know if Viva Pinata was ever released in Japan?

"If Gears of War became a bigger system seller for Japan than Blue Dragon."

I don't think MS would care either way. :)

scaramanga:

I sorta think there may be some prejudice according to sales figures.

The 360 has sold so pathetically in Japan so far even with its variety of games.

The PS3 sales in Japan destroyed the 360's so far and the top game is a first person shooter, very american.

It just doesn't seem to make sense to me so it would appear to me as though there is some national loyalty to Japanese products.

One of the things drawing them is the graphics. I know graphics don't make a game, but it is the first game released with the unreal 3 engine, which is amazing! And then there is a decent game tacked on to it. worth a look for sure, especially to graphic geeks.

"The PS3 sales in Japan destroyed the 360's so far and the top game is a first person shooter, very american."

To be fair, there aren't really any GOOD Japanese-style games at the PS3 launch, so having an American-style game as the top-seller isn't too surprising.

The Cole Train is the coolest character since Zack from DoA...

AND his voice was done by Terry Tate from the Reebok Commercials ^_^.

Also, the initial ps3 sales figures for Japan were misleading, as many were bought to be resold overseas.

It sold out... BUT, how many copies were available? Doesn't say anywhere.

/not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but that's been sorta glossed over

I went to buy GoW the day it was released in Japan at 6pm, and the Xbox corner attendant said I got the last copy. Score! :D

It's graphic lust period. Square lives off of this and here comes an american company thats beat all the japanese companies to the punch. I remember the first time I saw normal mapped graphics done right too... I'm still recovering from it...LOL

It truely is an awesome thing.

Also too the PS3 set them up for this...LOL now they have to get their graphics fix some where.

>>The PS3 sales in Japan destroyed the 360's so far and the top game is a first person shooter, very american.<<

Ummm...Resistance is not the top selling PS3 game in Japan. Last time I checked, Ridge Racer and Mobile Suit Gundam's sales were above Resistance's. So there goes your logic of Japan being prejudice. FISSION MAILED.

It just doesn't seem to make sense to me so it would appear to me as though there is some national loyalty to Japanese products.

You should probably reread some of the older Kotaku discussions on the subject, they may help you to make sense of it without falling back on the "I don't understand, hence, racism" crutch.

Does anyone know if Viva Pinata was ever released in Japan?

Yes. "あつまれ！ Pinata"

I can't wait until I get my copy. Viva seems like such an underrated game--I bet if Japan had a broader 360 install base, it would be a shoe in there. Right now the 360 install base is the, well, the kind that would buy gears.

In all the small local game shops near Kyoto, Gears has been sold out since day one, as well as Viva Pinata. I've had gears since launch, but I was looking forward to getting Viva since it's a "discount" title (only 5000 yen), and completely in English (since I'm bi-lingual, but extremely lazy).

As someone who tried and field to pick up the game on Friday, I take this as good news. I went to (what I believe to be) the largest videogame store in Hachinohe, but found no trace of Gears of War. I went to another store that had a decent selection of 360 games back in early November, only to find it's shelf space replaced by PS3 and no trace of 360 games anywhere. Even Amazon didn't have any to sell directly. I was afraid the 360 was truly nearing it's end here! Luckily my troubles seem to be due to the opposite. I guess that's why the other sellers listed on Amazon had jacked up the price to 9000+ yen.

Oh hey Al, just noticed your post now. =)