European Nintendo fans: air your grievances

Good god. Why don't they just import from the US? I know the TV standards are different for console games, but there's no reason to wait for a handheld game anymore.

The first Animal Crossing took, what, two? Three years? Amoung the excuses which cropped up from various spokespersons were:

It's not getting released in Europe.
It will be released if Doshin the Giant is a success, to establish that a market for the game exists (WTF?)
Translation delays

In that order. Fantastic. The DS version's speedy release is miraculous in comparison (guess they hired 10 times the translation staff to hurry things up). Many people do import, but you risk a customs charge (ranging at the discretion of customs from the VAT rate to 85% of the item's marked value, IIRC) or the item dissapearing via theft or ineptitude by Royal Mail or Parcelforce.

My own grievance is with the PAL release of Metroid Prime 2, which wonderfully didn't support the PAL50 standard: only the blend of PAL colour standard and NTSC refresh rate known as PAL60. I had to replace my two-year-old TV for that. Admittedly, most people had no problems with that, but it's still irritating (the house I now rent has an older but huge TV, also not 60Hz-friendly).

It's certainly possible to import American DS games, and I've done so with almost all of mine. The argument here is that gamers don't like being forced to import if they want something at the same time as their friends abroad.

does anyone know if the delays are related to the 8 (i'm pulling a number out of the air) languages spoken in Europe?

and RallyMK1 is right, you can buy from virtually any online retailer and get shipping to EU for a fair price. I have a friend in Australia who buys american games on release day and never complains... and AU is the worst with delays and cancelations.

About Another Code, it was released three months later in America but guess what game was released there three months earlier? Meteos. Out of those two, Meteos is infinitely superior.

#1

Yes. Why doesn't Europe just support your economy and not their own? And as we all know... shipping and importing is totally safe and can always be trusted.

Yeah MS really won me over with the world wide launch and getting the 360 games to us within a 1-2 week time frame from our US bretheren. i remember waiting to get my hands on animal crossing Gc for ages , by the time the thing arrived in the UK the GC was sitting in the cupboard gathering dust due to month's of no new games that i wanted. i love nintendo but if they cant realise how important the EU market is and throw a REV our way months after the rest of the world , id be P***ed to say the least. i dont get it , consoles sell like hotcakes here in the UK and we do our fair share of contributing great games for these systems , the UK has some fantastic game companys .

RallyMK1 wrote:
"Why don't they just import from the US?"

Mainly because you can't play wifi with european and american carts, you need to have the same region...

:(

i'm from europe and i imported both meteos and mario kart ds from the states, i even got electroplankton way back whenever that was released in japan. i must admit importing has been hassle free and i've been quite the satisfied customer nut...
there is nothing like walking to the shops and picking up a fresh copy of a game on launch day. besides the lovely european boxes with their fancy extra languages i love the feeling of anticipation as unwrap the glossy plastic plaything. getting stuff n the post it all a bit dull.
plus! i'm a nintendo.co.uk vip member and by buying an import game i'm not able to qualify for free nintendo stuff from the website. that;s a bit sucky.
delays are understandable from a technical POV (langusges/tv standards) but it seems to me that nintendo loves to agonise their fans. they are complete pros in that field.
but there are some other nintendo europe things that are far more concerning. the website is complete toss, the nintendowifi.co.uk website doesn't have a fraction
of the depth of it's american counterpart, they don't seem to know how to advertise and one other little thing, do they sell any games here? look at the uk multiformat charts. http://www.cubed3.com/news/4821
europe seems like the bastard child that nintendo doesn't really want but they still put up with.
besides if everyones importing due to delays they'll never win at royal ascot!

Wow, even New Zealand has had this game for months

I thought we got shafted more than anyone, but I guess Nintendo hates europe more than they hate New Zealand now

yay

I find it hard to try and make my friends see the merits of the DS as a system when the UK is lacking a lot of quality titles that america has had for yonks..we're getting a nice bumper release of Animal crossing AND Phoenix wright this friday, but thats not really a comfort when america got hunters and tetris LAST week. how long will we have to wait for those? D:.

I kinda get sick of saying 'sure guys, the DS has a lot of great games..theyre just not out in europe yet':p

#4, my thoughts exactly. while localization from japan -> us and vice versa only concerns one language, a simultaneous release in europe has to have at least 3 languages (english, french, spanish), I'm sure. and since most nintendo games are heavy on in-game text and light on the voices/fmv, you can imagine what takes the majority of the translation time.

In reply to "Gaye Mann":
Ah! Honestly, I wasn't even thinking of who was supporting who's economy, I was only remarking that as far as importing goes, as a member of the US, if I want a game that's already out in Japan and won't be released here for awhile, I'm usually SOL because of the language barrier.
Of course, getting a game released in your own country is always nicer, but on the few occasions where I've imported games from reputable companies I've had nothing but luck. Shipping takes awhile, but nothing has ever been kept in customs or anything like that.

Whiiiiine. I personally don't live in the UK. And I know how painful it is to wait for a new game (especially if it's been released years ago in another country), but I would think that EU gamers could appreciate the amount of effort Nintendo puts in to creating great quality games, and the amount of work that it takes to relocalize the game into 4 other languages and resolutions. With the case of Animal Crossing taking 2 years, it had a very detailed speech building engine that would have to be changed and tested to work with 4 other dialects, as well as having the 3d engine reworked to operate on PAL. Obviously they could just quickly work the English version into PAL and release it, but that wouldn't solve the problem would it? People who speak another language would still be left out, and by then it may not be economically reasonable to release localized unique title to each region.

Give me a break, and eat it up! If you have a problem, buy up a cheap ntsc tv and power converter and go nuts with US imports. Considering your country uses a completely different system than what the games are developed for (in japan) I'd say people in the UK are pretty fortunate to get the games they do.

And besides, you got TERRANIGMA in ENGLISH. NO COMPLAINING!

I always import my DS games. I have Metroid Prime coming now. It's relitively safe I find. Only problem is the cost. Or are Americans just generally poorer than the UK? Or is it the strength of the UK economy (higher £ worth etc)?

I've imported most of my DS games from an canadian online retailer. Concering translations I actualy prefer the english versions over the german, for the quality varies a lot.

Worst example is Oblivion, they rather had taken some more time an done a good job than release it almost at the same time.

And, as already pointed out, you can't register imported games with you local nintendo club. Not that bad as the stuff you can get is not that good anyway, but for some it might a reason not to import.

Also, you need to have a crdit card to order online, and as the DS is actualy meant for kids that's another obstacle.

Concerning the WiFi compatibility I realy hope this is not true. I have played online, but you there is no way to know where the other players are from. If it's true and you have to have the same region version that would realy suck, anyway, imported or not.

And about the reliability of importing I have never had problems. Sometimes the customs think, or rather don't think, and make some trouble, but this realy only happens when they screw up and don't see the declaration that's actualy in plain view. But if they do their job right it usualy takes a little less than a week for games to get from there to here. And the price is usualy lower due to Euro Dollar conversion.

All in all, I don't see the fuss, import and enjoy.
As I'm doing with Metroid, which incidentally arrived yesterday ...

What really grinds my gears is getting the game (after waiting for additional languages to be added) and then finding out that the English, is actually American and words are spelt wrong! Why can't they update that as well? It is a minor nusiance to me but someone still learning to spell it could be a right pain for.

Even did it with Rare games as well, which I thought was bizarre.

It's all too easy for people to say "why don't they just import", but for kids who don't have a credit card or the money to pay shipping and customs charges on top of the game (if a parent orders it, for instance), it's impossible to get games from anywhere but the local game store.

I've been importing DS games since the machine was launched (My Phoenix Wright, Advance Wars and Animal Crossing are all the US version); I'm keen to take advantage of the slightly lower prices (before shipping, and if HRMC&E don't decide to violate me) and several-month head start on some people, but even the low number of importers for non-WiFi games is discouraging. I can't find anyone for an Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan multiplayer, and even my Japanese Resident Evil won't hook up with my little brother's American copy. There's similar problems with the Metroid Prime Hunters demo.

Yeah, people could import, but it's not always an available or tempting option.

Ugh, same old story. I, too, am in New Zealand and I'm a little shocked that we got this first. But then an Australasian release only needs to come in one language. Howeveeeeer, I still don't see why Nintendo chooses to shaft us on the titles that come late and in only one language. Because they can? Awesome. The bottom line is that if you want Gamecube stuff here, you have to go out of your way to find it. That means, for the most part, I've just given up. The DS isn't so bad, however(but you're still able to find PSP stuff easier, and that's a fucking joke).

The bottom line is that, yes, we did get shafted on the 360's release, but we have it now. And we know the PS3 worldwide launch means "everywhere but Australia and New Zealand," so that'll get delayed. And we probably won't see the Rev until June 2007. By that point I will have had my 360 for over a year (and we got it late) and I will have just lost interest by then. Especially when you look at the Gamecube's performance -- You can't help but feel that, Down Under, the Revolution is doomed to repeat it.

Another importer here. Most of my friends also import games via Lik Sang, and we have no issue doing so (despite shipping costs). It would be really awesome if they could just release the games worldwide at the same time, but much like the film industry, I can't see this happening any time soon.

wow, europeans are whiners.
hey, you know what will help you all? crying. it helps everything.
seriously, people, deal with it. it's just a bunch of (video) games. I don't get to watch the UEFA Champions Cup here in the states. I'm not bitching about it. They're just games.

Another import guy here. I hate the fact that I am not supporting the local economy, but still what can I do when NoE keeps screwing up?

70% of my DS games are imported. Some European boxes are nicer but even then they are often cluttered with 'awards'. Like this Dawn of Sorrow box:

http://tinyurl.com/nobm4

I know this is just more whining, but the one that is really getting on my tits is metroid prime hunters. This game was just released in the US last week, but according to my local Game, it won't be released in the UK until sometime in May.

OK, fine, I understand that they need to translate it. That takes time, right? But if you were to check around, you'd find that some people have figured out how to crack it to access five other languages stored on the cart: French, German, Italian, Spanish & Japanese.

So if the game is already translated, why delay the release in europe? The reason must be either logistical (releasing a big game in multiple territories simultaneously = tricky) or related to optimum release windows (eg. film industry - best weekend for blockbuster in USA is different than for UK).

Still, the americans are quick to call us whiners, but how much would you be whining if you had to put up with these delays? And how much do you whine already about the big japanese games that you want released quicker?

Hey Stop with the slurs!

First you have to understand by how long and how frequently games are delayed.

On the DS Yoshi, Kirby, Advance Wars, and Meteos were no where to be found for a very long time. Mario Kart and Castlevania were released with only a minor delay, but the first batch decent titles were delayed getting here for months as Nintendo tried to pad out their release schedule. Sure you got those shitty 3rd part launch titles too, but that was when there were no good first party titles. We had to sit on the shitty titles for roughly 5 months while decent software was avaliable in the US and Canada. Not only that but when I caved and started importing the titles were at least $10AU cheaper including postage and currency conversion fees. NoE's policy seems to be release later at a higher price.

Sure we get the odd title first. Here in Aus we got Donkey Kong Country first all those years ago, but the overwhelming majority of cases will see us waiting much longer for a release.
Its not just Nintendo though... Sony is just as bad, as is Microsoft - The Xbox 360 was launched here (Aus) last week.

Also in the case of Trace Memory or Another Code it was released here whith zero publicity. The online campain for the game was missing from Nintendo because they were not releasing it in the US so deemed no advertising or pressence necesary.

Alright, I can understand why converting NSTC to PAL may take awhile (so that rules out console games) but why does it take months for a DS game to come out in Australia?

No need to connect to a TV - so it's not the PAL settings.
Wifi troubles? Well, let's take: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Not wifi compatible.

We only have the one language, but even if you assume Nintendo converts all PAL region games to different languages - DS games don't need a TV to run! It doesn't make sense why games are taking so long to arrive in Australia! Is NoA just lazy?!

Sure, it takes time to translate games into extra European languages and convert to PAL. In fact, ropey PAL conversions (missing chunks of the screen and slowed down dramatically) were still coming out of Nintendo during the N64's lifespan, although the worst recent example is Capcom's slow-motion letterboxed version of Devil May Cry.

None of those excuses apply the the one-year delay of Wario Ware Twisted, mind you.

The problem is that Nintendo are one of the worst offenders: other publishers get games out more quickly. Other publishers also have the sense to do a PAL conversion of the English, North American translation and release that ASAP in the UK, while Nintendo wait until all the languages are translated before releasing any copies.

Why you ask? Realy? You realy don't understand why there are delays at all? Again, you realy wonder why it takes time to release the same game, even without any conversion, in different parts of the world?

Well, let's think for a moment ...

Maybe it takes time to produce the cartridges.
Maybe it takes time to ship the cartridges.
Maybe it takes time to initiate promotions.
Maybe it takes time to plan all of the above.
Maybe there are half a dozend appartments that need coordination.
Maybe the the NoJ CEO doesn't care about the rest of the world.
Maybe the NoA CEO is to busy with other business deals.
Maybe the NoE CEO wants to see the revenue of NoA before deciding how much to spend on the release.
Maybe there are a million other issues ...

So please don't ask why there is a delay at all.
And we haven't even touched the issue of conversion yet.

I agree that waiting sucks, but to ask why is just stupid.
If they could get to your money faster they surely would. You can bet on that ...

And again, even if there are obstacles, you can import the games if you realy can't wait ...

Europeans play video games? What’s the point when your lives are already exactly like an RPG? You could just go to the stone castle up the street and battle a real knight. Instead of getting quests from a digital king why not get a quest from your real one. I'm sure you'll make a bounty of gold. Then you can travel by horseback to the next village and buy some armor.

vegas john is right. lets all go down to the local valley and save some comely maidens from the local dragoon. but horses are slow man and these comely maidens aren't the loose type so we need to touch some ds to keep us occupied.

if you think us europeans are whiney then please compare theses two web pages.

american animal crossing online hub
http://www.nintendowifi.com/gaminghub/AnimalCrossingGamingHub.jsp

euro animal crossing online hub
http://www.nintendowifi.co.uk/gaminghub/AnimalCrossingGamingHub.jsp

then take into consideration that NOE had an extra four months to do something about it. it sucks.
i need an ale from the local tavern after that. disssssmount!

An American here.

Yeah I feel your pain, Europeans & Aussies.
A small delay isn't so bad. A month or two between releases. We see this between Japan & US.
But years waiting on a title??? It's ridiculous.

And I feel that Nintendo is dropping the ball on a market that could be very supportive of them.
I'm a Nintendo fan & I understand how it would feel if I liked the product put out but the company never seemed to value my appreciation.

Whatever it is logistics or whatever they need to work on it. Nintendo of Europe should be a major revenue source for Nintendo. And obviously Australia being closer in distance.

The easiest transition would be in the UK. Taking American English & turning it into English English. A few spelling changes & some syntax modifications & that works perfectly.
Same with Australia, another English speaking country.
Since America's such a big trading partner with Nintendo products that country being with a majority English speaking populace it seems natural that AT LEAST UK & Australia would get first crack at localizations.

Furthermore with America being also Spanish speaking it should follow that Spain be next in line. And how hard is it to transition into French & Italian from there? German & Dutch too.

One day some company is going to take advantage of this oversight & cause a whole continent to ignore Nintendo's products due to years of misuse.
X-Box is catching hell trying to break into the Japanese market & one day Nintendo may find themselves in a similar condition.

People buy Nintendo because Nintendo puts out quality games that give great gaming experiences.
Don't forget about others just because your biggest market is America & Japan.

My Mario Tennis: Power Tour on the GBA has multiple languages built into the cart. They can get this done.
Doing it that way will make it easier to sell to multiple regions in Europe instead of trying to sell to one country at a time like Italy alone, France alone, Romania alone. That's not profitable but making multiple language options on the cart WOULD be.
And it would only cause a slight delay. Certainly not years & years down the line.

You shouldn't be FORCED to import unless you want a game that wouldn't be released in your region for cultural reasons & you're curious about what you're missing.

Maybe one day Nintendo will come to appreciate their European & Australian market. It can only do them good.

John Lucas
P.S.: And hopefully the rest of the world as well.