Floor

In the UK, at least, it doesn't even have a release date...or cover art. Amazon.co.uk is clueless to even what it is.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elite-Beat-Agents-Nintendo-DS/dp/B...

Wuffles

In Europe, I suppose we often have to get games to bypass our often strict and varying censorship as well as translate it into the many languages. However, the lack-luster advertising DOESN'T HELP. Over here, my Wii hasn't had a new game for Christmas mostly due to the fact many of the games that I would normally buy have JUST been released (Elebits/Eledees) or don't even have a release date (Trauma Centre, anyone?).

I'm simply tired and BORED. Thank God the DS is region free *plays Pokemon Pearl*

Wuffles

Elite Beat agents came out last month here...I've had it for 6 months via an import. You get the picture

QuickPick

Yes, they are. 360 games come out about a month later in Europe than in the US, if that. God of War 2 on PS2 was a month later. Wii games come out at least three months later. Final Fantasy III on the DS came out six months later, and they didn't even have to do a PAL conversion for that. I hardly ever buy European DS games any more because I get sick of waiting for them and stump up the cash for an import. Nintendo are very lucky that Sony completely dropped the ball with the PS3 and PSP launches, or they'd be nowhere near as strong in Europe (and presumably Australia).

cdammers

This is Kotaku jumping off the end of a conclusion already jumped to.

D.Lo

the strikers argument? fuck, i daresay most people here would have been happy to get SPM a month after NTSC regions (much like NTSC regions are getting Strikers a month later), but that never eventuated. its June and we still have no RELEASE DATE yet.

If i wasnt so busy and entertained by Odin Sphere on the PS2(do play!), id probably have gotten my Wii modded already.

PeterDavis

Due to shrinking margins, limited stock availability and early discontinuations we have to IMPORT almost all of our Nintendo stock because of their stupidity in these key areas.

That's why I blame Nintendo Australia, but I'm sick of ranting on them.

If only the Wii was region-free as NOA mentioned at one point before release...

jonny_foreigner

Actually, the PS3 gets Heavenly Sword, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Lair, Little Big Planet, Home, The Darkness, and DMC4. Every title - save DMC4 - is not only exclusive to the PS3, but should also be available in Euro/ Australia this year. Sony has really cleaned up their act with regards to release dates - maybe Howard and Phil are using their British influence. Keep in mind as well that of all three next gen systems, the PS3 is region free, meaning that you don't really have to "wait" for anything. You can order a US release via Amazon and pop it in your UK PS3. (Make sure to adjust your t.v. settings accordingly)

Oh and those are merely the games I can remember off the top of my head. There are sports games and whatnot too, if that's your thing. So when you say the "PS3 is no better" with regards to releases in countries outside the US, you're quite simply wrong. Do your homework please.

The Wii should hopefully have Metroid Prime 3 and some other Mario Pap out by Christmas. Maybe a remix of Cooking Mama if you're lucky. Wow, green is the color of my envy (or disgust at the Wii lineup).

Oh, I just remembered another one "Singstar" the kareokee game. Oh, and Eye of Judgement, the motion sensing (real motion sensing using a 120 fps camera, not just weight detection like the wii controller). I could go on, but I simply don't have the energy to continue to elucidate on just how misinformed you truly are.

Cheers,
- C

Christian399

so that would just be.., a gamecube ? :D

Latonone

Matshelge

mcderek3000

`

I'll be playing an American version of Galaxy through a mod-chip because I personally expect Nintendo Germany to screw over Europe as always.

I just wonder why it is that Sega can manage to release games for the Wii in a reasonable timeframe, with translations and Nintendo repeatedly screw-up.

TokeYo

I don't think so. Remember, this is to do with Nintendo actually bothering schedule release dates, not about getting it rated or how it will be shipped or anything.
A regional release date is an internal decision that Nintendo has to make, and they have just decided not to make it yet. That's basically what it seems to come down to.

khdownes

I'm glad you're optimistic... it at least gives me some hope I'll see these games in the next year.

Marlor

Link_the_Collector

Any chance the hold up could be due to the usual morons in charge not understanding what a video game is whether Mario might offer a serious threat to the psyche's of their already stuffed up younger generation?

Tarislar

I was born in the States but I live in Australia so no joy for me.

@ Sanada:

I was thinking the same thing but taking it a bit further:
- Getting a group of people to send in their Wii consoles to the headquarters in Melbourne, telling Nintendo to stick it...heck, if enough people did it, say 1 or 2 thousand or more, Nintendo would be stuck with a bunch of consoles, the knowledge of disgruntled fans and there may be some negative publicity from it too...surely they wouldn't want that.

Bah, who am I kidding, the best is to either import, mod or wait for Freeloader. And I'll take any opportunity I can to not buy from Nintendo of Australia ever again. I thought they were different this generation. I thought they had caught up with the rest of the world and were ready for business. I was so wrong.

I've said it many times and I'll say it again: "Screw you, Nintendo of Australia."

dremos

Just curious if anyone knows an email to contact them on? I've searched the website (which is informative as usual) and cant find anything..... typical!

KraazyCraig

But the translations probably aren't the reason these games are so late. How could translating a game take that long? They're just lazy as hell.

Devr

I think almost every PAL gamer is fed up with the way Nintendo is treating us (especially since in sales figures, PAL countries have become pretty big), so loads of people can sign.

Then when there's a huge list of support, print it out and send the open letter to someone from Nintendo that matters. Who knows, if it gets big enough, NoA and Japan HQ's might catch wind of it, and since negative publicity is never good, it might actually wake thém up to go and give NoPAL a push in the back.

Put in a few alternatives (like an early english only release for the top games), and wait for a response. If a petition like that is handled the same as every other letter to Nintendo ("Sorry, I just work here to get paid and I really don't know anything, KIND REGARDS"), at least we'll know for sure it's a lost cause.

Someone from Kotaku, a crew member perhaps, stand up and lead the revolution!!!

Please.

Enn

And since nintendo is the only one making a huge profit at the moment,

WHY THE FUCK DONT YOU EXPAND YOUR BLOODY LOCALIZATION CREWS.

/rant

im dutch, you lazy fucks dont even bother with my language.. yet here I am waiting for reasons to grab that Wii :(

Latonone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r7xtxvOnXs

Gee Luke, now would sure be a good time to post an article linking to my animation or my DA page, thus giving me bajillions of views wouldn't it? *hint hint*

khdownes

QuickPick

No one seems to praise Nin and PAL gaming when they get things first either... like Mario Strikers which we are waiting until next month for.... lucky sobs - ungrateful mofo's.

PLUS as far as I can see how is it Nintendo Australia's fault considering everything seems to coincide with with Nintendo in Europes release? I hardly see how people blame Nintendo Australia... lamers.

OriGiN

Ok MR. Obvious you failed to see the point entirely. I know the facts, thanks, you didn't need to regurgitate them. I was ridiculing your statement, which you seem to bring up again:

"Why waste your time and focus on a country already hooked on the other competition when you can put that towards the rest of the world? Just aim for the people that are sure to buy your stuff, forget the rest."

You don't know how business works do you? I mean really. Firstly, I'm from Australia, so I know the Wii sales are through the roof, debunking what you said, proving ignorance doesn't fly. Secondly, the whole point of sucessful business is to penetrate the market, and get your goods sold. There are enough Wii's in Australia to turn a profit for Nintendo if they sold SPM as well as the potential to sell even more Wii's. If you think, even for one second, that Nintendo doesn't want a profit then... then... wow, just wow.

There's also the factor that the Ps3 isn't as big as you may think in Australia. $999 is not something the Average Australian can afford with the average income about $45,000 a year. So the Wii has even greater potential. But really that's not the issue. You see, Nintendo has ALWAYS been horrible with first party support, advertising etc in Australia. From before the times of the gamecube. They seriously need a restructure or a new strategy if they want to turn things around.

When I used to work for an Australian gaming site, I know exactly how bad Nintendo was at PR. Microsoft, Sony and heck the majority of third party publishers would heavily promote and work on getting releases pretty close to international releases. Nintendo on the other hand lacked this, instead hoping that their brand would survive their bad disservice to Australia. Who knows it might, but the fact is, Nintendo screws the pooch again and again in Australia. Lets not start attributing it to a 'noble Nintendo cause'.

excalibre

Luke Plunkett

Alyn

Aej

I'm tired of this shit. Chalk me up to the "Eagerly awaiting a reliable modchip/Freeloader" crew.

NeolithicAU

Dear NOE and NOAU:
Your userbases know all about the games America and Japan gets months ahead of them, even though you're always so mum about them.

It's a little something called the Internet. It's a really amazing little thing, it is.

BPMΣ

byrontendo

glamnesia

Link_the_Collector

PeterDavis

So add me to the modders/import crew then.

I hate the idea of doing it, but really what choice do I have?

FunkyJ

Its really good to see that Nintendo is changing its ways with PAL regions and doing their utmost to bring games out as fast as they can.

GeneralZod

I hope that was sarcasm. You see, because if it wasn't a statement like that has enough stupid worthy of some kind of stupid title, with a stupid prize and some stupid sauce dribbled all over it.

So if a competitors product takes the lead you just forget about that market? or worse screw them over? You do realize the 360 had a lead on the Wii EVERYWHERE in the world. By your logic wouldn't that mean Nintendo would completely shun the world?

Yes, that would go well with the shareholders...

excalibre

Btw wasn't super paper mario great when we all finished it a month ago?

Paroxysm

commanderdeek

humilitybecomeshim

Zio

Riscaa

I hope you'll be fine....

Janaff

Link_the_Collector

Raszor

Im going to need to get a region free mod for the Wii to satisfy my needs. Im into my gaming and hearing things being released in other english speaking countries then not seeing it for many months or so isn't MY DAMN SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE. Want to help the Australian Economy and keep 70% of your consumers happier? then work it out, please?!

Raszor

saunderez

totalwar23

marcus_ivo

Something isn't right here and I'm going to do something about it. You know what? I'm going to import. Fuck it. I was going to import in the first place but then Sony shut down Lik Sang and I caved and bought locally instead of through my favourite online retailer (R.I.P.).

Now it's over. I'm finished with NAU. I buy all my DS games online, mostly through import, so it's time NAU loses my Wii support as well. I can make a decent amount selling off my local Wii to a friend and put it toward a cheaper NTSC Wii with better support and more and cheaper games.

No more PAL for me.

RJG

totalwar23

I don't know if it is just me but Nintendo just seems to disappoint me all the time. They always seem to have great games being delayed or not even given a release date for. Very frustrating. I haven't even touched my Nintendo Wii for so long because there is no video games I want on the market at the moment. I'm just waiting for Super Paper Mario for now.

Nintendo DS was similar too but importing games seem to work well.

William Sun

Spartan1308™

Benzido

Nintendo Australia ought to be taken out the back and shot by the powers that be - either Nintendo Japan should do it, or better yet send Reggie down here to sort them out.

Delayed releases, lack of solid information to media and other areas of the industry plague the company here - compared to Microsoft and even Sony, Nintendo Australia doesn't have a clue.

Release first party games in a timely manner Nintendo or the Wii will go the same way as the Gamecube in Australia and the attach rate will continue to be the current 1.5 (Wii Sports + Wii Play) with all those 'new' gamers that Nintendo got in December and January.

jonny_foreigner

Finalboss

allabouttrust

It does piss us off though >_>

VOOK

Rhys