Stupid PAL gamers..

[olly]

I have a PAL cube, and I'm getting a PAL Xbox tomorrow. The more I read about games like Psyvariar, Dodonpachi and Shikigami no Shiro, the more I want to get a Jap PS2, but it's a lot of expense just for a few titles.

My point is this: If your average Joe Europe didn't think "omg its a lame 2d shooter, rofl!!1" I wouldn't have to import or mod my consoles. I don't mind the wait for PAL releases, but missing out on the top Jap titles is a real shame.

[dgnr7982]

Most of the casual gamers you are referring to probably have no idea what a Dodonpachi or Psyvariar is anyway!

[Robin]

It's not just PAL gamers, it's everyone outside Japan. OK, so Shikigami no Shiro got a US release but with all the story stripped out, ****ing awful box art and no tate mode. Europe does get a few shooters, but the market just doesn't exist any more outside Japan.

[vic_viper]

I'd be upset if i had a PAL Cube, but a modded XBox and PS2 are fine.

Over the lifespan of the console, you'd only have to add a couple of quid onto each JPN import that you wouldn't have been able to buy if you didn't have a modded machine to pay for the mod itself.

Its not the ideal solution, but its better than never playing the games you want to play.

Besides which, if games such as DoDonPachi and Shikigami no Shiro were being played by 'casual' (sorry) gamers and being advertised on the TV every night, i'm sure they'd lose a fair bit of their charm.

[olly]

Most of the casual gamers you are referring to probably have no idea what a Dodonpachi or Psyvariar is anyway!

Well it's a vicious cycle, the reason being that they aren't released here. Only the minority of gamers have a knowledge outside of their own region.


Vic: I could mod my Xbox, but as yet there's not enough Jap-exclusive titles to justify it, I feel. Perhaps later, or if I get interested in MAME.

[Geoff D]

Ikaruga's getting a PAL GC release isn't it? That should test the water with regards to sales...

[dgnr7982]

Even if they were released here I'm sure people would still walk right past them to get to the latest incarnation of FIFA or the latest film license pile of ****e.

Games that are a bit different to whats around don't do well - look at Ico and Rez loads of great reviews but largely ignored.

Look at the Dreamcast - great machine, great games, great reviews but criminally ignored by the masses.

We'll just see how Ikaruga gets on.

[olly]

The PAL release of Ikaruga did suprise me, but it is relatively high-profile for a shmup, and has received good reviews from the GC press. I think it'll be in the top ten - just.

[Leynos]

Is there any particular reason that there's still a market for these games in Japan, but not here? Is it because there are still strong arcades there? I understand the market's not exactly huge tho. IIRC, Shikigami did 70k across two consoles.

Later.

[dgnr7982]

There are just too many casual gamers here who don't read the gaming press and only know about games like Metal Gear Solid and Mario. Not too mention the huge amount of little kids who only buy WWE and Harry Potter games.

Why would the developers put out a game with such limited appeal when there is a banker with the next movie license

[Saurian]

The gaming press here are also on the whole - full of ****.

So many genius games just go over the heads of the staff of most magazines. Clueless people relying on clueless people sums up the PAL gaming scene.

[olly]

Anyone know the PAL release of Ikaruga?

[dgnr7982]

It's listed as 9th May

[olly]

It was originally scheduled for April 15th.

Great

[Molloy]

Dodonpachi isn't that wonderful really. It's just popular because there aren't many other decent PS2 shmups.

With MAME and more recently Saturn emulation ramping up I wouldn't go buy a foreign machine just to play these games.

Ikaruga for the DC went to #2 in the Jap charts before Christmas so these games certainly can sell. Treasure fanboys have been working hard in recent years and I think the company has become alot more high profile. Even more casual players are beginning to take notice of the companies with harcore credentials.