Elite Beat Agents rocks up in Europe July 13th
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jun 6th 2007 at 12:41PM }
Apparently, not everyone believes the language of music to be universal. Pro-G reports that Nintendo of Europe has rolled out of bed (which is the size of Manchester), grabbed a nearby megaphone and proclaimed July 13th as National Elite Beat Agents is Out In Europe Its About Time Seriously What Took So Long...Day. The streets would normally explode in a jovial mass of gyrating gamers at that time, but it's likely that most of them would have imported the rhythm game when it came out in the US eight months earlier. Though some waiting period is to be expected for a continent home to as many languages as Europe, eight months seems an awful stretch for a game which primarily communicates through catchy tunes and brightly colored icons. As importers of Japan's recent Osu Tatakae Ouendan! sequel will attest, the game doesn't quite fall within the realms of text adventure or incomprehensible RPG. With cartridge space limitations working against the possibility of Nintendo recording different language versions of all the songs, it leads to the conclusion that the eight months were spent redrawing the game's many instances of "HEEEEEELLPPP!!"
Don't think this is the only case of a suspiciously long delay -- Metroid Prime Pinball also took eight months to make it across the ocean, and the Wii's Super Paper Mario is still without a release date. An instantaneous localization would be obviously be an absurd request, but perhaps it's time for Nintendo of Europe to take a few pointers from Square Enix, Mistwalker and Atlus. Starting the translation process during the game's development might just reduce eight months to something a bit more palatable to the impatient.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
deaftly @ Jun 6th 2007 12:45PM
this game had one of the worst soundtracks ever, totally ruined the game for me
treqie @ Jun 6th 2007 1:02PM
God... the song list is really horrible. I'd rather import the japanese version.
CaptNink @ Jun 6th 2007 1:04PM
"Don't this is the only case of a suspiciously long delay -"
Should be: "This isn't the only case of a suspiciously long delay"
Robotochan @ Jun 6th 2007 1:07PM
Always wondered why they don't release the US version in the UK, through the months it takes to translate it into the 6 or so other languages in Europe they don't even take the time to change words like "color" to "colour". Add that to the fact that all our TVs have been NTSC compatible for many many years, it really boggles the mind
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Jun 6th 2007 1:08PM
Thanks CaptNink, it was actually missing "think." I suppose I didn't. :)
CaptNink @ Jun 6th 2007 1:24PM
@ Ludwig
No problem! :D
jay @ Jun 6th 2007 1:48PM
Bowie and Freddy = yes. Even give me YMCA. Don't give me Avril Lavinge and that other rubbish.
Still. I'm not a fan of the music but I find the Japanese version still playable...
Earth, Wind and Fire :D
Geist @ Jun 6th 2007 1:50PM
Ugh. I hate it when people complain about the soundtrack, and say that they prefer the Japanese version better. I bet 99/100 times, they don't even know what the Japanese songs are saying.
I hate Japanophiles.
The soundtrack is damn varied, and while it may have some songs that aren't so great, when you've got a variety that extends through everything from Avril Lavigne to the Village People to Earth, Wind, and Fire to Rolling Stones, then you can't complain about how all the music sucks, and the jpop version is better.
navstar @ Jun 6th 2007 2:21PM
My main problem with EBA was that most of the songs were terrible -- plus I've never heard of most of them. I did much better with more familiar songs (like YMCA, Material Girl, September). But the first round of songs were completely lost on me. I tried to get my sister to play, and she was completely annoyed by the first song.
My other problem is that popping balloon sounds don't really add to the music. Why not some instrument? (The same problem I had with Taiko Drum Master -- huge echoey Japanese drums don't really fit into Britney Spears!)
For the sequel, they should start with a very familiar song that many age groups would be familiar with.
Matthew @ Jun 6th 2007 3:12PM
I liked the songs in Elite Beat Agents other than the very first one and skater boy (oops, i spelled it correctly). People are way too picky about music. Also, 'Let's Dance' and 'You're the inspiration' are very awesome. I also found the Ashlee Simpson song to be embarrassingly catchy, they must have really synthesized it a lot to get it into something so digestible
sheppy @ Jun 6th 2007 5:35PM
"The soundtrack is damn varied, and while it may have some songs that aren't so great, when you've got a variety that extends through everything from Avril Lavigne to the Village People to Earth, Wind, and Fire to Rolling Stones, then you can't complain about how all the music sucks, and the jpop version is better."
The original Japanese version not only had better scenerios but songs like Linda Linda and Ready Steady Go! I'll admit, EBA had some songs I enjoyed playing but nothing that really stuck in my head. PLUS, the entire concept was completely bastardized for the US. So you have elite spies that.. wha? Dance like they are on American Idol? Meanwhile the Japanese version had elite warriors going through karate poses. Which made more sense, actually.
I could go on, but you get the point. While Ouendon didn't make a whole lot of sense, it definately beat the hell out of a game that tried and failed to make sense of it all.
Mikael @ Jun 6th 2007 6:10PM
Geist, do you really need to understand lyrics? in 99/100 of the time I never understand what they are saying, but instead listen to the singing as an instrument. As they say, music is the universal language. Plus, even if the soundtrack is varied, it still makes my head ache when they chose artists like Avril Lavigne, Sum41 et c. Giving that game western music is like changing it into something it isn't.
And yes, japanophiles do suck.
Rubang B @ Jun 6th 2007 7:21PM
I prefer the Japanese songs BECAUSE I'm not familiar with them, so the fact that crappy cover artists are butchering them doesn't bother me. I can barely play a game when some asshat is trying to emulate David Bowie or Freddie Mercury. It's just not right! Anyway, I have both Ouendans and EBA and love all 3. The sumo scenario in Ouendan 2 might be my favorite so far, or maybe the weather reporter one to "September" in EBA.
dekox @ Jun 7th 2007 7:24AM
Goddamn it! This is ridiculous! Stop treating us like s**t Nintendo, this isn't 1985 anymore. Stop charging us ludicrous prices for a game that is 8 months late.
This is really pissing me off! Do you remember when Iwata said that he couldn't imagine first party wii titles costing more than $50 ? Well, one would naturally think that in PR speak, that would mean 50 Euros for Europe, right? well... no. Zelda costs the same as Gears of war, 60€. That's $68. And don't tell me that the price is not tax free in Europe. $68 is the tax free price.
I live in Switzerland. Here, a DS games costs 75 CHF, that's 57 dollars (tax free)! A wii costs $305!
Everybody says Sony is abusing us with their price point, but as far as Europe is concerned, Nintendo is the big rapist around here.
From the US to Europe, a 360 or PS3 game takes 13.3%
Wii games take 36%.
And we have to wait 8 months.
They've replaced the "Original Nintendo seal of quality" with the "turn around and put down your pants seal of quality"