DS Cookbook a Japanese hit

by Ross Miller { Jul 31st 2006 at 2:25PM }

Nintendo's portable just keeps getting stranger. Already heralded as an educational pet simulator, brain trainer and a Japanese-English dictionary, the DS is about earn a new title: interactive cookbook. Chris Kohler of Game|Life takes a look at Shaberu! DS O-Ryouri Navi (translation: Talk! DS Cuisine Navigator), a DS title that features over 200 recipes that are broken down to many steps and read aloud to you by the narrator. You can bark voice commands at your DS, such as "next page" and "more detail" for even simpler instructions.

Like all bizarre DS titles, the cookbook was a hit in Japan, selling more than 120,000 copies in its first week available. Kohler continues, comparing last week's Japanese hardware sales of the DS and Sony PSP (hint: Nintendo's portable outsold Sony's more than seven times over). Is this popularity due to Nintendo's ability to capture nearly every demographic in Japan?

Kohler's final point highlights the Long Tail theory developed by Wired magazine editor in chief Chris Anderson, which proposes that the combined sales of of many lesser-known products from a company account for more revenue than the sales of its most popular products. Here, Kohler's quick calculations show that nine titles like Shaberu! DS O-Ryouri Navi would equal the sales of New Super Mario Bros. and likely would cost less time and money on development. The discussion leads up to a comparison of Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console to Xbox Live Arcade. Nintendo is offering their entire back catalogue as is, while XBLM sells only the highest-quality products, hand-picked and sometimes seldom released. From the perspective of a consumer, who really has the most advantageous online structure here?

[Image inspired by this NeoGAF forum post]

Tags: culinary art, CulinaryArt

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Pickypants @ Jul 31st 2006 2:34PM

Hand picked eh?

So the arguement is that by releasing less products on XBLA, they must be higher quality?

Does that mean the Atari 5200 was the best system ever due to its incredibly stagnant releases?

Don't get me wrong, I love having the ability to download games for a nominal price on XBL, but I have more than once been aggrivated by the lack of new titles.

/DRTFA

sonofnone @ Jul 31st 2006 2:35PM

See, this is why MS can't sell Xbox 360's! All they need to do is come out with "Cooking With Cortana" or "Master Chef: With Master Chief" and they would sell like hotcakes...or sushi.

DG @ Jul 31st 2006 2:38PM

So Joust and Paperboy are "hand-picked" super-duper quality? Right....

What does that have to do with DS Cooking?

pandlcg @ Jul 31st 2006 2:43PM

It's saying that something like DS Cooking was inexpensive to make and in turn can have large profits. Also, it is less expensive to release games as they were originaly on the Wii console instead of upgrading them like MS does for multiplayer, leaderboards, etc. So many many less expensive products can outsell a few big hit titles.

Pip @ Jul 31st 2006 2:46PM

An interactive cookbook is a brilliant idea. If they can make an American version I would so be all over this.

Raynre @ Jul 31st 2006 2:47PM

No idea. Blogging has long been plagued by "run ons" that dont actually relate to the central story in any form. Joystiq and Kotaku are both guilty of this; heck even IGN and 1up give in occaisionally. Just a sign that gaming journalism has yet to reach maturity...

Spottednigel @ Jul 31st 2006 2:52PM

Would it be too smart if they made a "Good Eats" version of this for the states? How about a Martha Stewart one? Or Nigela Lawson (Nigela Bites)?

Those would do pretty well in the states I'd imagine.

Ross Miller @ Jul 31st 2006 2:55PM

DG --

Honestly, I've no idea why Kohler went on to plug his editor's book, but it was an interesting point I thought I'd add to the bottom of the post (sorry if that makes the posts' title misleading).

A blog post, by theory, should be one subject for maximum effect, and I probably should have adhered more to that so as not to confuse readers / keep the topic on the pertinent discussion (i.e. a badass cookbook). Oh well, c'est la vie -- qu'est-ce qu'on fait maintenant?

Rosco

.ed @ Jul 31st 2006 3:22PM

I would be all over this.

Ssj6Kirby @ Jul 31st 2006 3:27PM

Wow, that looks just like the roast w/carrots and potatoes my grandma makes. I've always wanted to know how to make it step-by-step. If we got it here, this game would be great for when I go away to University. :)

Cabbage @ Jul 31st 2006 3:30PM

Although Nintendo says that the entire back catalog of games will be available on the virtual console this does not mean that they will all be available from day one. I believe they plan to release 20 to 30 virtual console titles at or around launch, and periodically release additional titles. This gives less popuar titles a chance to stand out against the obvious blockbusters.

As far as why the DS cooking title is a hit in Japan, I would rather have a postage stamp-sized cartridge to hold recipes than a half dozen cookbooks lying around, especially if I didn't have much space. I'm sure the interface lends itself well to a cookbook as well.

Kn1ves @ Jul 31st 2006 3:31PM

as if video games already didnt make me fat...

Jeff @ Jul 31st 2006 3:46PM

One of my wife's friends came to see us from Japan and she had brought her DS Lite with one of those English translation titles that's really popular there. It was hilarious. She kept playing all these random phrases from it while we were in the car; stuff like "I want to know more about Barry Bonds" and "Tell me about the miracle mile", I mean things nobody would ever actually say in real life. We were all cracking up. But she apparently got some use out of it; this girl doesn't speak English at all, and it does have phrases that help you to order food in a restaurant and things like that. She was here with another girl who doesn't speak English very well either so it was actually useful for them.

The point being, while we all like to laugh at titles like this, there's an audience in Japan for whom this stuff actually serves a purpose. And this girl who visited us is not a gamer; she's the prototypical audience that Nintendo's aiming for with the DS. (She did bring Mario with her too, though...)

Crosswayboy @ Jul 31st 2006 4:23PM

@12

How much paint did you just huff before writing your comment?

If a cooking game is going to turn you away from playing the DS, then you must be (and judging by your comment its probably true) a very ignorant person.

I'll bet you've probably never left the US or travelled to a foreign country before (sorry, going to Mexico to find cheap booze and weed doesn't count).

This game probably won't make as big an impact in the US as it has in Japan, but that's because ignorant people like Bailama Pessima won't accept something that's 'different' or unusual, and therefore will be content just as long as EA rolls out another Madden every year with the same crap py graphics as last year's game, but now with this year roster...

Get a clue.

epobirs @ Jul 31st 2006 4:47PM

It isn't as if Microsoft has much choice in the matter. The only previous platform they can draw upon, the Xbox, is not a suitable library for online distribution.

Microsoft could have approached Sega or Hudson for emulation rights to their old platforms but plenty of those had already appeared as nostalgia sets on the Xbox and could continue. The idea for Xbox Live is to have content that drives the multiplayer aspect and other features distinct tot he online community rather than just another way to get an antique game on your machine.

Nintendo is focusing on their accumulated assets, which is what they should do. Microsoft is focusing on content that compliments the platforms main areas of appeal, which is what they should do.

For every gamer who loves the obscure items offered on one system there will be another who can no longer stand to see old games in their original form and prefers the updated version offered elsewhere. Something for everyone.

Which one makes more money in the long run is just score keeping. It doesn't mean they both cannot be highly profitable.

WamBam @ Jul 31st 2006 4:56PM

Japanese curry is the best curry on earth!

caller @ Jul 31st 2006 4:57PM

It's strange how people whine on about how the DS is "purely a game system" and the PSP is a crazy because it delivers so much.

Instead of cookbooks maybe they should make some games for the DS.

Chris Kohler @ Jul 31st 2006 5:03PM

I agree with #16.

DBR @ Jul 31st 2006 5:26PM

Here's a great idea for the US verison of the "game".

Why not make an agreement with Rachel Ray (or some other up and coming Food Network star) and tie her recipes in with the US version. Heck, why not make an agreement with all of Food Network and include recipes from Emeril, Rachel Ray, Alton Brown, Ina Garten, Bobby Flay, etc. More recipes could be available for download at kiosks in the grocery store or eventually through the Wii.

Not only would it be a boon for Food Network (who already advertises through TV in Jewels of the Midwest and Albertsons elsewhere), but it would reach a completely new demographic. I dare say the tie-in would boost the sales in the US dramatically.

New iterations could include all sorts of themed styles of cooking, just like cookbooks do today. You want to learn 200 recipes for Southern BBQ, just pickup this game. How about Easy Italian, then grab this game. And heck – at $19.99 or $29.99 a pop, they would be the same if not cheaper than a lot of the cookbooks out there. But with the DS, you get the benefit of clear instructions.

I've seen Food Network gaining in popularity in the states with its original programming and quirky but likable stars. Of course, I'll admit I'm not just thinking positively because I'm a rabid Food Network fan. I just see a lot of potential for both parties involved. Nintendo gets to sell more DS's to non-gamers and increase the installed base, all the while promoting its connection services. Plus, it would be good PR if it did promote healthy recipes. And Food Network gets more exposure for its stars and programming – boosting ad sales or sales of affiliated products.

Anyone else care to comment, elaborate or add to the idea?

devi8i @ Jul 31st 2006 6:00PM

#16 there are 246 announced and or released games for the DS and over 900 for the GBA so thats a little over 1100 games playable on the DS...... there are few consoles or portables with that extensive a library of games

devi8i @ Jul 31st 2006 6:07PM

really should have said "#17" because #16 is absolutely correct!

Stick_Man @ Jul 31st 2006 6:09PM

He really get's at some good points here. The long tail strategy is truely a remarkable strategy. We have been using it in our family business for years now.

Really his article uses the Cooking title as a kick off point to emphasize the importance of the long tail strategy. Xbox and Nintendo have the perfect format for incorperating the strategy. But Xbox isn't utilizing the function of the Arcade platform as well as it could. If xbox would open the Arcade up for more independent developent for all types of diffrent content they would see a definite increase in revenue from the Arcade service.

As it stands now it (Xbox Arcade) is a very closed service, and while that isn't a bad thing, when you look at the back log of immediate recognizable titles Nintendo will have to offer, the only way to compete with that service is to open the Xbox arcade to more independent development. With more open development and cheaper development and distribution costs more games will be made and more titles will be availible for Arcade in a chance to compete with Nintendo.

That's really what he gets at. But that game still looks cool. I'm not a cook and about the most I can make is Mac and cheese and grill some steaks. I would love to have an App that guides me step by step to make some food for me and my girl. Hope it get's ported here.

TeddyN @ Jul 31st 2006 6:18PM

Japanese people are so cool.

justagirl @ Jul 31st 2006 7:07PM

As someone who can only cook mac and cheese, I would LOVE something like this. I can't cook for beans and so having a device that not only has recipes but would dictate to me and "turn the page" for me would be really, really cool.

Gozan @ Aug 1st 2006 12:32AM

Spottednigel wrote:
"Or Nigella Lawson (Nigella Bites)? "

I'd be all over that! Especially if they took a page from Metroid and, if one finished all the recipes real fast, have her strip down to a bikini!

Zak @ Aug 1st 2006 2:34AM

Oh dear a Cook book for the DS for the U.S? Aren't those folks fat enough? What about a diet game where it shouts " Oi Lard butt put down the burger" or " uh oh you sure you should eat that" I think that helping American's eat more is a sin.....even closing the lid when you are sneaking in a chocolate Hobnob a mario voice would call out " I'm still watching you"

Better idea for the US would be a " shrink" game where you talk to an interactive therapist who will come out with positive and self affirming comments such as " Gee you look really great today" and " Gee didn't you lose a few pounds"