English-named Pokémon 'big in Japan'

49 Comments by Tony Carnevale Apr 25th 2007 2:51PM
Filed under: Nintendo DS, RPGs

Japanese Pokémon players are making what seem to be strange trades with American players, giving up semi-decent or hard-to-catch creatures in exchange for such lowly drones as "Magikarp." (Even if you don't play Pokémon, it's obvious that anything named "Magikarp" is lametown.) This is great news for gaijin gamers, but why is it happening?

A "Quarter to Three" forum poster who goes by "DeathMonkey" offers a hypothesis: "I believe Japanese players will make unbelievably great deals simply to have Pokémon with an English name." Such a name, notes DeathMonkey, would be impossible to create in the Japanese version of the software, just as American players are unable to use a Japanese alphabet when naming their own digital beasties.

Are Japanese players giving you sweet deals for your lowly Magikarps? And if so, could DeathMonkey's explanation be the reason?

Tags: ds, multiplayer, pokemon, trades

Source

(Page 1) Reader Comments

quazi: Apr 25th 2007; 3:06PM

it makes sense americans think jp letters and words are cool.魔法のコイ(magic carp)looks so cooler in jp theyre missing out.

Periodical: Apr 25th 2007; 3:08PM

I got all the starter pokemon for some Kricketots. Love my Japanese neighbors.

Jonathan Tran: Apr 25th 2007; 3:12PM

Anyone who ever watched the TV show has to admit the Magikarp episode on the fake Titanic was the best. James, you're a riot.

IslandLife: Apr 25th 2007; 3:13PM

@Crono

You know if Pokemon's in the title, it's gotta be slow.

Brandon: Apr 25th 2007; 3:20PM

It's not just the names. There is actually a new dex mechanic in 4th gen for tracking out-of-region entries on 14 different pokes.

http://serebii.net/diamondpearl/foreign.shtml

You know, in case catching 500 species was over too quickly.

Tuatara: Apr 25th 2007; 3:21PM

This is good news!! I can't wait to take advantage of little Japanese kids!!

...

Wait a fucking minute...
o.O

LowerHouseMember: Apr 25th 2007; 3:23PM

Certain Pokemon can have foreign Pokedex entries, such as Magikarp.

http://www.serebii.net/diamondpearl/foreign.shtml

Also, you can create English names on the Japanese version, but you're limited to 5 letters.

Yourself: Apr 25th 2007; 3:24PM

They just want Pokemon with big penis. American have sucha laarge penis. Japanese penis microscopic (soo small).

Zertoss: Apr 25th 2007; 3:26PM

That's a pretty neat little cross-culture feature. I didn't know the new games had such a function.

So I guess the Pokedex entry is in the language the Pokemon was traded from? Which means bookmark Babelfish if you haven't already?

Jack of No Trades: Apr 25th 2007; 3:37PM

Yourself

Have you ever been with a Asian woman?

Man, I tell you what. You only have to put your dick half way in to bottom out. But the only bad thing is that hitting it hard from the back feels like ramming your dick into a wall.

Brandon: Apr 25th 2007; 3:39PM

I've heard of this too. My friend got a rare high level Cranidos for a very common less that great Zubat named UglyBatty

Tom: Apr 25th 2007; 3:47PM

A friend of mine traded a Ponyta for a Turtwig...we were like what a stupid trade, but alas it is true.

haywood jablomey: Apr 25th 2007; 3:51PM

Tony, How much more garbage must Jack spew before he is finally banned for the troll that he is? Just curious.

Joe: Apr 25th 2007; 3:54PM

Jack:

Watch "Chinpokomon". South Park Season 3, widely regarded as one of South Park's top episodes.

LowerHouseMember: Apr 25th 2007; 3:54PM

Another conspiracy theory is that Nintendo is just automatically filling all orders themselves to make everyone happy, while pretending to be Japanese Pokemon players.

But who really cares? Enjoy the sweet deals.

Jack of No Trades: Apr 25th 2007; 3:56PM

haywood jablomey

How am I trolling?

Do I get on your nerves?

Fact: They would rather ban you than me.

Some people like me here on Joystiq for my idiotic/insightful/factual arguements.

Miles: Apr 25th 2007; 4:00PM

Just when I thought I wouldn't find something worthy of reading in a pokemon article, I get this gem:

"Man, I tell you what. You only have to put your dick half way in to bottom out. But the only bad thing is that hitting it hard from the back feels like ramming your dick into a wall."

Funniest line on Joystiq ever.

Jack of No Trades: Apr 25th 2007; 4:01PM

Chris G. got my back son.

Hold me back Chris G! Hold me back! This fool gonna get smoked! lol

Ease up man. Don't be so serious. Enjoy life. Getting make a a blogger is pointless.

Rubang B: Apr 25th 2007; 4:14PM

"Getting make a a blogger is pointless."

You should get banned for that assault on the English language alone.

Jack of No Trades: Apr 25th 2007; 4:22PM

Rubang

"mad at a blogger"

I'm Sorry for assaulting the greatest language in the world.

CaptNink: Apr 25th 2007; 4:28PM

@ Jack of No Trades

"Have you ever been with a Asian woman?

Man, I tell you what. You only have to put your dick half way in to bottom out. But the only bad thing is that hitting it hard from the back feels like ramming your dick into a wall."

Ha ha ha!! I love it! Thank you! :D

satanisalesbian: Apr 25th 2007; 4:36PM

@ Jack of no play. Seriously you have never been with a woman. ADMIT IT!!!

Tuatara: Apr 25th 2007; 4:40PM

satanisalesbian = Out of the loop.

Jack of No Trades gets so much poon it's ridiculous. Seriously Jack, hook a brotha up!!

Booxatron: Apr 25th 2007; 4:42PM

"14. Tony, How much more garbage must Jack spew before he is finally banned for the troll that he is? Just curious."

I say keep Jack around forever. His comments are why I keep coming back (news is secondary) :P

Seriously though, Joystiq is my favorite part about coming to work.

zombiejim: Apr 25th 2007; 4:47PM

@ Jack of No Trades

Sir you are a king amongst men.

Hirsbrunner: Apr 25th 2007; 5:03PM

Jesus, I didn't realize so many barbarous individuals frequented Joystiq.

Brinstar: Apr 25th 2007; 5:07PM

@ Hirsbrunner: I think Joystiq has been getting Kotaku's cast-offs.

shoop008: Apr 25th 2007; 5:08PM

Jack of No Trades has not been with an Asian women before. If he had he would know they are sideways.

Jake: Apr 25th 2007; 5:08PM

It is hilarious how Jack went from one of the most notorious and annoying hardcore anti-Nintendo trolls his first week posting to one of my favorite posters. Digi, Jack, Sheppy when he is having a good day, and dolla dolla are the biggest reasons I like wasting my time here.

Rubang B: Apr 25th 2007; 5:09PM

That was seriously an insult to Asian women and big-penis-equipped men all over the world. Clearly Jack hasn't been with either.

AssemblyLineHuman: Apr 25th 2007; 5:09PM

Jack of No Trades: "Some people like me here on Joystiq for my idiotic/insightful/factual arguements [sic]."

Heh...most of your arguments are pure opinion. I like you, but only because you make comment sections amusing by getting people riled up over nothing.

satanisalesbian: Apr 25th 2007; 5:09PM

Date rape doesn't count. I take that back this guy couldn't even get a date.

Zertoss: Apr 25th 2007; 5:19PM

Internet. Serious business.

Tuatara: Apr 25th 2007; 5:19PM

I think it's time somebody linked to this image.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/TheOriginalTuatara/1171515501935.gif

As long as we aren't even discussing the Pokemon names anymore, what do you guys think of this?
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/TheOriginalTuatara/Test-1.png

Rubang B: Apr 25th 2007; 5:21PM

On topic: If I had Pokemon, I'd trade for some of lower quality with foreign names. I'd have a worldwide 1337 Pokesquad.

Off topic: Jack is a prick.

Neebs: Apr 25th 2007; 5:34PM

so i here u liek mudkidps?

Tuatara: Apr 25th 2007; 5:44PM

Aye. I leik kips of the mud.

Zertoss: Apr 25th 2007; 5:52PM

"so i here u liek mudkidps?"

u herd rite!

Joshua: Apr 25th 2007; 6:12PM

Wait, wait? Seriously?!

Damn, I'm hopping on to Diamond right now to get me some starters! ^^

Rocketboy: Apr 25th 2007; 6:33PM

Jack, so, what happens when you screw asian men?

Mr Khan: Apr 25th 2007; 7:32PM

I must admit, Jack has endeared himself in his tenure here, ever since i stopped suspecting him of being JJC's "sock puppet"

On topic:
I could totally see this. I love getting wierd, off the wall things, especially in Online (or, in this case, semi-online) RPGs. I could see where the craze comes in

I'm takin' my time with Super Paper Mario, i'll get in on the new Pokemon in May

joshua: Apr 25th 2007; 8:00PM

So where exactly do you just stumble upon japanese players? Its not like you can just randomly find people... you have to add them to get their pal number or whatever and add them to your pal pad thing.

religiousjedi: Apr 25th 2007; 9:16PM

Could be...I left a Murkrow and I got back a Chimchar from Japan!

SaraAB87: Apr 25th 2007; 9:23PM

I think it has to do with wanting US locations on their globe in the GTS center, the only way to do this is to trade with people from other countries, and the more locations you have on your globe the more bragging rights you have!

Also its the foreign dex entries...

AlloyNES: Apr 25th 2007; 10:13PM

@joshua

There's a building in the first big town in the game that allows you to drop off a pokemon and list what pokemon you want in return. It's like a worldwide trade thing. This function of the game requires no Friend Codes what-so-ever.

zoso: Apr 25th 2007; 10:35PM

Traded a level 4 Magikarp for a level 20 Cranidos. Wicked. Sure, I can't say the thing's name, but whatever. Metal.

perfectchaos: Apr 26th 2007; 2:01AM

glad i'm not the only grown ass man playing pokemon around here...

Jack of No Trades: Apr 26th 2007; 8:04AM

Thanks guys.

BlazingMonkeyFist: May 1st 2007; 11:57PM

I think that could be it. Considering i'm pretty sure the japanese are REALLY fascinated in western culture, and america. Why else do they mimic every single thing that westerners have done? Metal, rap, Hip Hop, and other types of music. Then theres TV gameshows, kids shows, clothing styles, art styles, video games, need I go on? ^_~

Plus i met a few japenese people, all young who want to move to america :D

Feel proud guys, we got friends beyond just politics in the world :D