Blue Dragon sets Japan ablaze
by Jonti Davies 
{ Dec 7th 2006 at 3:50PM }
Akira Toriyama, Nobuo Uematsu, Hironobu Sakaguchi: all three are famous names in Japan. And all three are closely associated with Blue Dragon, the Mistwalker Xbox 360 RPG that was released in Japan this morning. For an Xbox 360 title here in Japan, where the format has to date been failing spectacularly, Blue Dragon is set to become the system's most successful game by some distance.
Pre-orders for the Blue Dragon Xbox 360 hardware bundle sold out some weeks ago, while gamers queued for their copies in Akihabara this morning. We had no problem finding a copy of the game in Osaka today, however -- it's popular, but it's not unobtainable. Regardless, at this rate, Blue Dragon could still become a flagship series for Microsoft in Japan. No wonder Sakaguchi recently revealed plans for Blue Dragon 2...
Jump for more photos from this morning's in-store launch event at Akihabara's Yodobashi Camera.
Black is the "in colour" with Japan's trend-setting gamers this season...
Hardware sales for the week should see a significant rise, as many customers bought 360 + Blue Dragon bundles.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aex @ Dec 7th 2006 4:05PM
I think this game is exactly what Xbox 360 needed in japan.
Ironhide Delta @ Dec 7th 2006 4:15PM
Now all Microsoft needs to do is to keep up the momentum with these games. More Japanese-centric games means more acceptance, and that means more support over here for these genres and gameplay styles.
teknomusik @ Dec 7th 2006 5:48PM
Awesome :) I can't wait for it to hit the US!
Sanchinos @ Dec 7th 2006 4:09PM
Can't wait till this hits North America.
Papa @ Dec 7th 2006 4:04PM
Could possibly be Chrono Trigger all over again.
Andrew @ Dec 7th 2006 4:37PM
Japanese sales clerks dress so well.
crono141 @ Dec 8th 2006 8:24AM
The better question is: How many 360's did it sell?
The even better followup question: can it consistently sell 360 in the immediate and mid future?
If so, I'll be waiting for my FFXIII port :)
cubbiechris @ Dec 7th 2006 4:52PM
It looks like MS has finally cracked Japan. Let's see if they can maintain it. Impressive.
Hunta @ Dec 7th 2006 4:14PM
Microsoft should knock on Kojima's door with a suitcase of cash TOMORROW... it would be money well spent, shall we say a $100M advance for MGS Solid 360 exclusive?
That would REALLY get Sony worried... then maybe a knock on Namco's door?
Come on Microsoft, you've got the cash, lets make it interesting...
]-[
Adam @ Dec 7th 2006 4:15PM
How many of those Xbox 360's will be returned in a couple months after those people beat this game?
Pince @ Dec 7th 2006 11:57PM
I think this game is exactly what the Xbox 360 needs, not only in Japan, but everywhere. Xbox has always been really really weak in the area of traditional RPGs, a genre that cannot be ignored.
Blue Dragon adds some much needs variety to a console library that, at a glance, appears to be flooded with FPSs and similar action games (or rather, the entire American game market is flooded with FPSs and similar action games).
I am planning on getting a 360 soon and I hope to see more titles like this in the pipeline for the console.
Crashman06 @ Dec 7th 2006 4:28PM
Does anyone know if there is there a firm date for this to hit the US?
Pip @ Dec 7th 2006 4:18PM
I just hope this adds more word of mouth about the 360 in Japan.
I think Live will blow Japans socks off once they have good exposure to it. Being able to talk to friends across multiple games, invite them across games and sit and chat should really appeal to them. It's just getting that exposure out to them first. I don't think Microsoft pushed this hard enough in Japan.
urbanstorm @ Dec 7th 2006 4:44PM
Good for microsoft!I always said that japanese gamers just need games they are into (like how americans are into sports and FPS games) to drive up xbox360 sales.
But the question I have for my fellow 360 fans,did microsoft shoot themselves in the foot by backing mistwalker? Its clear that blue dragon and lost oddessy is microsofts version of dragon quest and final fantasy but where does this leave support for sqaure-enix .......
If people are buying xbox360s for blue dragon whats goning to happen when Final Fantasy XIII and Dragon Quest 9 comes out for the playstation 3 ?
This console war going to come down to who can land the best 3rd party games for there systems.
funkonaut @ Dec 7th 2006 4:35PM
All those poor Japanese, buying a 360 and having no idea how loud the system is. They'll turn it on, put the game in, and have a major freak out. :(
madcaliban @ Dec 7th 2006 4:35PM
i guess Brian Ashcraft should have gone here instead.
B33 @ Dec 7th 2006 4:36PM
All the Xbox 360 fanboys are getting excited. This game isn't going to win the 360 more fans in Japan. The 360 is never going to be the leading console in Japan. And one game is not going to change that.
BIGmog @ Dec 7th 2006 4:33PM
"Microsoft should knock on Kojima's door with a suitcase of cash TOMORROW..."
That won't help Msft in Japan. MGS is one of those series that is more popular with Americans than with Japanese.
VampireHunter Z @ Dec 7th 2006 4:40PM
Well, this is the moment of truth we have all been waiting for. Are Japanese biased towards MSFT or will they show support to any console with good games? This has been debated many times as to why Japanese do not support the 360. Now here is a game that is very Japanese centric. Can't wait for the numbers.
fester @ Dec 7th 2006 4:34PM
Great news for MS and Blue Dragon, I can't wait for that game in the west.
"shall we say a $100M advance for MGS Solid 360 exclusive?. then maybe a knock on Namco's door?"
Don't forget my favourite co - Capcom!. Resident Evil 5 EXCLUSIVE for Xbox360 in 2007!!! You read it here first people! ;)
Wii360dsPSPpc @ Dec 7th 2006 4:40PM
Am I the only one that sees the irony of a December 7th launch?
1941, Japan attacks US
2006. US company attacks Japanese Market
flymolo @ Dec 7th 2006 4:41PM
Isn't DOA X2 in Japan also? That could help 360 sales.
They'll probably at least keep it as long as they're waiting for a PS3
Mr. Khan @ Dec 7th 2006 4:46PM
Would this be a Death Knell for Sony in Japan? We shall see
It is up to Microsoft to continue a marketing blitz in Japan, but it'll really take a marketing coup to save them in Japan now, since they are currently behind the Wii and slightly ahead of PS3 in Japan (only 200,000 or less units)
In Japan, all of MS's "advantages" that put them ahead in NA and EU are nothing, and they'll have to get by on games alone
Although Halo did prove that a console can succeed based on one game alone, hmm...
FoneBone @ Dec 7th 2006 4:43PM
Moore said that this game and Lost Oddesy was "take or break" for the 360 in japan..
There are few complains conserning Blue Dragon on 3 DVDs.. Isn't that signifcant? Considering all the fuss Sony makes of the BluRay space, and how important that is to the quality of games?
No one cares about 10 hours gaming - swap disc - 10 hours gaming - swap disc - complete game. NO PROBLEM!
- How far are you in Blue Dragon?
- I've just started on Disc 2!
- Oh! I'm still on Disc 1...
brings back memories :)
JetSpike @ Dec 7th 2006 5:09PM
Did anyone else get some good extras when they bought this game? I got it on Thursday at Sakuraya and it included a mousepad and 2 sets of Blue Dragon decals to put on the standard plain white 360 faceplate (i.e. different than the faceplate bundled with the BD 360 Set). Japan is known for these little bonuses, I think especially on the first day of release and was wondering if other fellow Joystiq viewers living in Japan got some good stuffs. Thanks!
Jetspike
B33 @ Dec 7th 2006 4:47PM
"No one cares about 10 hours gaming - swap disc - 10 hours gaming - swap disc - complete game. NO PROBLEM!"
If one disc is defected or messed up, it'll be a problem. Thanks, but I don't feel like constantly inserting discs to go through a game every time I play it (and want to replay it). And taking the risk of being screwed out of the game if one disc is broken or messed up. This is why Blu-Ray is better then the DVD format.
Tyetheczar @ Dec 7th 2006 7:47PM
Who is that girl in the top picture oy? Is that Uematsu Nobuo? NO WAI! YEW FO REAL, OY!?
Daryl @ Dec 7th 2006 4:53PM
"Blu-Ray is better then the DVD format"
Well Blu-Ray and HD DVD are both much more effected by dust, finger prints and scratches. Small marks can make these discs useless.
jaysins @ Dec 7th 2006 4:57PM
@ B33, your looking at this completely the wrong way. If you already beat the game and one disk you still get to play 2/3rds instead of none of the game. This is why DVD is then the Bluray format. /Sarcasm
Lol but seriously that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I want you to go to the doctor right now and make sure that you can never had kids... trust me it's for the best.
taliesin-nine @ Dec 7th 2006 4:57PM
B33, is every changing discs every ten hours constant for you? And how often are DVD discs defective??? If anything, the new Blu-Ray tech would be defective more often.
Thats why the DVD format is the same as Blu-Ray, but cheaper.
James @ Dec 7th 2006 5:02PM
B33,
Please go shovel you BS elsewhere. Go be a PS3 fanboy elsewhere.
If you are afraid of a defective disc, it goes without saying that having Blu-Ray won't be any less problematic.
Spartacus @ Dec 7th 2006 5:04PM
If one disc is defected or messed up, it'll be a problem. Thanks, but I don't feel like constantly inserting discs to go through a game every time I play it (and want to replay it). And taking the risk of being screwed out of the game if one disc is broken or messed up. This is why Blu-Ray is better then the DVD format.
Posted at 4:46PM on Dec 7th 2006 by B33 0 stars
Uh... Your chances of having a faulty disc are about zero. Nevertheless, it would be illogical to presume a tried and true technology (DVD) would be more error prone than a brand new technology (Blu Ray Disc). Therefore if you are worried about faulty discs being written and delivered to your local retailer, you should be much more wary of Sony's machine than Microsoft's...
Furthermore, multiple discs in a case gives the impression of value in the history of all disc media. People buy DVD's that have 2-5 discs just in crap and special features. Heck, so do I...
NorCal05 @ Dec 7th 2006 5:07PM
2 disc changes = $100 savings per change. Wish I could make $100 that easily all the time!
kinesis @ Dec 7th 2006 5:07PM
"And taking the risk of being screwed out of the game if one disc is broken or messed up. This is why Blu-Ray is better then the DVD format."
As opposed to the possibility of scratching your single blu-ray disc and not being able to play period? Better rethink your logic buddy
Benny the Cow @ Dec 7th 2006 5:09PM
no wonder its selling in japan, its an RPG! RPG's are practically heroin for Japanese people. (Hey its better than sport remakes and gory fps)If Microsoft manages to win over Square then it will get interesting.
polly @ Dec 7th 2006 5:15PM
Being on 2 discs didn't keep me from considering RE4 to be one of the best games of last gen.
Yoshi Likes Boys @ Dec 7th 2006 5:15PM
B33 is an idiot, but the rest of you are blind on this too, multi-disc gaming works for an extremely restricted game design (small engine able to be included on every disc with massive amounts of linear sequential content throughout that doesn't need to be accessed past its first appearance in the game. For many other types of game design, "disc switching" is not a viable method of putting together your game. Then again, joystiq's comment section is not known for its insightful game design comments.
Pete C @ Dec 7th 2006 5:19PM
"If people are buying xbox360s for blue dragon whats goning to happen when Final Fantasy XIII and Dragon Quest 9 comes out for the playstation 3 ?"
I hear you, but it will be at least 2 years before we see a FF or DQ game on the PS3.
"If one disc is defected or messed up, it'll be a problem. Thanks, but I don't feel like constantly inserting discs to go through a game every time I play it (and want to replay it). And taking the risk of being screwed out of the game if one disc is broken or messed up. This is why Blu-Ray is better then the DVD format."
Oh cry me a river. So, you simply MUST leave the disc in there, huh? What about when you have to remove the game to watch one of your Blu-Ray movies or play a different game? Oh, so it's not a big deal then, right? And then you have to put the game back in when you are done with the movie.
Next, I have had exactly zero defective discs, EVER, in all my CD/DVD-based gaming years from the PS1, PS2, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, GameCube, Xbox, and Xbox 360. Not a single disc I have ever bought had any problems, and that is across hundreds of games. Your arguements just don't hold any water.
mrfreeze @ Dec 7th 2006 5:28PM
Microsoft needs to knock on Square Enix's door with a suitcase full of cash telling them that they want the Chrono Trigger franchise to be exclusive to the Xbox 360 brand. Resurrect that franchise.
Martin @ Dec 7th 2006 5:24PM
@Yoshi Likes Boys
OMFG, A smart comment - Joystiq close your doors fanboys may start dropping like zombies after a chainsaw.
Anyhow back to my PC games.
mrfreeze @ Dec 7th 2006 5:30PM
Then Microsoft should knock on Capcom and/or Marvel's door with a suitcase full of cash, tell Capcom and/or Marvel that they want to resurrect the Marvel vs. Capcom series exclusive to the Xbox 360 brand.
FoneBone @ Dec 7th 2006 5:34PM
To "#33 Yoshi Likes Boys"
That is true. But RPGs are the type of games that need more space. mainly because of prerendered cutscenes.
I do understand that a game like Oblivion or GTA would be hard (or impossible) to split into multiple DVDs like this.
- But these type of games uses the ingame engine for cutscenes. Then you have tons of compression techniques. What takes up space in games like this? Textures? - sure, but then we're back on the topic of what the hardware can handle.
Movies are the most space demanding information in a game. Games with a lot of ingame movies are Linear, and as you say, therefore splittable.
shadowfamicom @ Dec 7th 2006 9:52PM
i bought a 360 at Micro Center for $200 just to play this game. i cant wait. i have no interest in GoW or Halos. all i want is this game then im gonna sell the console on ebay.
urbanstorm @ Dec 8th 2006 10:01AM
Pete C don't remind me :P , I can't wait for final fantasy XIII to come out(Oh well i still have rainbow six).Also to the people that have blue dragon how is it ? I cant wait for that game to come out in the USA.Also Pete dont waste your time with people like B33 your just hurt yourself trying to understand what the hell he/she talking about...
Cow its gonna take more than blue dragon to stop sqaure-enix (remember the final fantasy series sells just as good in the western markets)but i wish sqaure-enix would give the xbox360 some love (final fantasy 11 doesnt count).
Though once you start trying to make your own series with someone who was fired (i think?) from sqaure-enix you pretty much screw your chances of getting there system sellers....
shivr @ Dec 7th 2006 5:58PM
"5. How many of those Xbox 360's will be returned in a couple months after those people beat this game?
Posted at 4:11PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Adam 0 stars"
That's why they announced Blue Dragon 2 ;)
Yoshi Likes Boys @ Dec 7th 2006 5:55PM
#38/FoneBone: Would you say, then, that any game that requires more than 9 GB of always-accessible data is without a doubt used by FMV and cutscenes? See, you're basing your expectations on what has been done in the past as opposed to what could be done in the future. Nobody ever got anywhere arguing against more space. I'm sorry, but it's a constant throughout recent computer history.
Ed @ Dec 7th 2006 6:30PM
"If Microsoft manages to win over Square then it will get interesting."-Benny
Actually I read an article stating Sqare-Enix plans on supporting all platforms this generation. Final Fantasy will stay with playstation, and chrystal chronicles will remain with nintendo, I'm not sure what the plans are for the 360.
charlie @ Dec 7th 2006 6:26PM
You guys are assholes. B33 is pretty much correct, even if he said it ineloquently. Having 25GB (or even 50GB) of space is clearly preferable from a game-design standpoint to having 8.5GB of space. And yes, developers can make use of the space. Some PC games are already pushing that amount of data, and as 2nd generation PS3 games get developed that support 1080p and the higher resolution textures needed, as well as dozens of hours of high resolution, surround sound audio, having more than 8.5GB will be nice.
Sure, having multiple disks is a workaround: for linear games like, say, Halo 3, the 1st 2/3 of the campaign could be on one disk and the last third and multiplayer could be on a second. That would mean you'd be swapping out disks sometimes when changing levels, which is at least annoying.
For "open world" type games like Oblivion, having to swap disks becomes more than annoying, it negatively effects gameplay. Furthermore, since a large portion of the basic data would be needed on every disk, its not like each additional disk would really provide an extra 8.5GB for textures in a new part of the world. Maybe 4.5GB of each disk would be needed for basic things that need to be included on each disk, and it could mean that "Elder Scrolls V" (just a random example) would need 3 or 4 disks. You cannot deny that you would rather have 1 disk without being the definition of an asshole. Remember, they can't count on being able to save data to the hard drive since not every xbox owner has a hard drive.
I think that being limited to 8.5GB a disk will have a slight but noticeable negative effect on game design. It will be similar, but definitely not as pronounced, as the design differences between, say N64 and PS1 games (where N64 had significantly less storage available for each game)
That said, Xbox360 is the only next-gen I currently own and I think its a great system. In fact, I would tell anyone currently in the market for a next-gen system that X360 is all you should buy right now. PS3, besides being impossible to get even if you wanted one, doesn't have any great exclusive games, and all their ports of X360 titles look no better. Wii has Zelda as a great game, but I would encourage anyone who considers them self a Zelda fan to look into Oblivion on the X360: basically, its what Zelda would have been if it was designed for a system with modern technology. The graphics and sound are better to the degree that they pull you into the game in a way that the new Zelda, with its scrolling text and low-res everything cannot. And its simply an unbelievable game, playing it was a similar experience to what I had playing through Ocarina of Time when that was new. X360 already has 2 "killer apps" (which I would define as games that are good enough to justify buying the system for alone), Oblivion and Gears of War, as well as a handful of other great exclusive titles (Viva Pinata, R6: Vegas, etc).
My real advice would be for anyone who isnt in a huge hurry to wait until after the holidays. You should see real availability for Wii and PS3 consoles and accessories, perhaps an X360 price break, and better information about future game development on each system.
MC Hampster @ Dec 7th 2006 6:32PM
I think Microsoft needs to bring a briefcase full of cash to my house.
bounchfx @ Dec 7th 2006 6:33PM
I don't understand how people bitch about the 360s 'loudness'. yes it makes noise, but it's barely audiable unless you specifically tune in to the sound.
no, I'm not deaf. but I haven't played with anyone else's 360 save for my one friend, and his was not that loud, although it was louder than mine.