Mature-themed Wii games get the black box in Japan

by Andrew Yoon on Jan 22nd 2010 1:30PM

Nintendo of Japan has launched a new program to better differentiate its diverse Wii software lineup. According to the company, future Wii games that earn a CERO C rating (equivalent to ESRB's Teen rating) or above will be packaged in new black boxes. Likely, this initiative was started due to the upcoming release of Zangeki no Reginleiv, Nintendo's first CERO D–rated game (ages 17 and up) in Japan.

It seems this is a platform-wide mandate, as Biohazard: The Darkside Chronicles looks to become the first third-party game to sport Nintendo's black packaging. By differentiating "hardcore" games from the rest of the Wii lineup, core gamers should have a much easier time identifying the titles they might like. As for helping "casual" folk make the quick decision, it's as yet unconfirmed if Nintendo will continue to use that striking red box for all Mario-themed games.

[Via Siliconera]

Source

Tags: black, box, cero, japan, nintendo, packaging, ratings, wii

Reader Comments (67)

This is a great idea! Part of NSMBW's success could be because it stands out from the rest of the games on shelves. I hope they start this outside of japan too.

Agreed. The idea of marking mature games completely differently is simply brilliant.

The most exciting part of this is that once again Nintendo is letting Mature games gain traction. This is a big step for them. Almost like when they let conker get raunchy on the N64.

That is one sexy looking box.

I approve of this idea.

I do too.

Phew, I was waiting on that...

Sorry to keep you waiting so long, Shadow! :)

You do realize that the standard color of boxes used to be black right? I think white is sexier than black.

@ Morisato

That sounds a bit racist to me.

@BrokenTriforce:
So, it's okay to say black is sexier than white, but not to say white is sexier than black?

That's some messed up hypocrisy, man.

I don't know where you guys are from, but in modern society we don't refer to boxes as "black" any more. Urban Amaray is what they prefer to be refered to now.

I rather like this idea, I hope it comes here too, and maybe spreads to other systems. It'll be easier when digging through bargain bins and whatnot.

Yet at the same time, it just further compounds that whole silly "casual vs. hardcore" mentality and debate by further implying a significant difference while also trying to be objective about something subjective based off relative value.

Casual games are games that are deisgned in to appeal to casual gamers, ie..gamers whos main hobby is not gaming, who dont spend a lot of time playing games. These games usually feature quick play, small play cycles, and learn as you succeed game mechanics.

Therefore there is a very definable and real difference between casual gamers and hardcore gamers and the games themselves.

That is *your* definition of casual, which is innately based off your own relative experiences in regards to other games, just like the majority of definitions of "casual gamer".

What you described is about 90% of video games as a whole.

It's all terrible neologisms.

For the most part, I agree with Shag's definition. There are casual games, the gaming market is split between casual and other games. This is not something that gamers have just made up, but is actually used by a lot of developers and studio heads. Just read through are watch their interviews, they realize that there is a major difference. If you disagree with that definition of casual, than what is yours?

Well, what I mean is, the term derives relative worth from other games, the "hardcore" which in turn do the same. There's no clear cut definition, it's all just relative values and subjective concepts that end up becoming inconsistent, since they're all based off those relative values.

I don't even make the difference because I don't see a point in doing so.

That's like saying a sports car is no different from a station wagon.

No Shag, that's completely NOT what he's saying. Poor analogy, and yet another poor effort from you in general.

Cody your such a douchebag. I would take the time to re-explain my point, which you obviously missed moron, but instead, i'll stick with being an insulting git as thats obviously your only form of communication.

So basically just dig through the shovelware bins looking for buried black gold?

Can we get this for the DS as well?

Why the downvote?

Stores throw all sorts of gems in with the rest of the stuff that doesn't sell well all the time.

Pick a goddamn color for your boxes and stick with it already Nintendo.

Everyone else has multiple box colors, so why shouldn't Nintendo?

Dude, the fuck are you going on about? At the moment there are a whole 2 Wii games without white boxes: Metroid Prime Trilogy and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. I love my NSMBW box, it really stands out from the rest of my boring white Wii games, and I hope that we get more colorful boxes in the future. Admittedly I realize that box colors are mostly a matter of personal preference, but I really don't understand why you seem so hurt by their decision to introduce more colored boxes.

lol, you guys are too easy.

That's exactly what your mom said to us last night!

That's right. We were *all* there.

Even Bradwart was there swinging his penis around and making lightsaber noises.

Well duh, she gotta make money for me.

so like 4 games will have black boxes?

Did you read the article? it's only 1 for now.

jk, i know you were trying to be funny.

@ Gun Barrier

Did you read the article?

Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles is getting the black label...

And why does everyone bring up core vs casual?
The initiative is for all games rated C(T) and up! Is everyone saying "casual" games are only E/E10 or that hardcore games can't be rated E/E10?

Oh, oops. I thought that was the boxart of biohazard, i didn't know that was a different game.
sry

It looks sexy until you realize that 99% of your DVDs are the same colour.

I also think they should make all Nintendo first party titles a different colour to save us having to sift through a billion copies of Imaginz Poniez. With this and the black boxes, you've got almost every good Wii game covered and differentiated!

Except Okami, of course. But, alas, nobody seems to buy that game anyway.

Maybe they'll make the new zelda wii a gold box games, similar to majora's mask. Each of their 1st party games should have a specific color from now on. Red mario, gold zelda, etc.

half gold half silver for pokemon stadium was awsme, it should stick out alot! they should make one of those

Knowing Nintendo's audience, they will be confused into thinking they have to buy a black Wii to play the black case games. LoL.

"By differentiating "hardcore" games from the rest of the Wii lineup, core gamers should have a much easier time identifying the titles they might like."

This makes it sound like core games can only come in T or M rated, and core gamers are to dumb to find the mature games on the Wii so they have to be color coded.

That's why he put the quotes there.

I would certainly think that any joystiq author wouldn't make that fallacious assumption

Nintendo: "NO MORE FUCKING AROUND NOW"

Nintendo, if your next Zelda's box isn't gold, you're dead to me.

DEAD!!

Gold plated or gold...ENCRUSTED?!?!!?!!?

:D

Gold encrusted would be best.
Gold plated would be good.
Gold coloured would be acceptable.

Gold encrusted? Like, it's some other metal and pieces of gold are sticking out of it?

It's gold with gold pasted on. Also there's a little bit of gold in the glue.

Solid Gold!!

Great idea. Hope it helps gamers and uninformed parents alike. I like the gold Zelda box idea and doing this with DS games, too.

It's a good idea, and could potentially help draw the eyes of the intended audiences for the games.

Not us, of course. We're not that superficial, but you figure a random teenager is going to see a black box and think that it's contents are more likely to be badass than the white box

Mostly superficial changes, but the boxes look good, at least. This seems to be part of a larger thing they're doing with Reginleiv, too. Hopefully they're really going to push the title in Japan, and localize the damn thing.

"By differentiating "hardcore" games from the rest of the Wii lineup, core gamers should have a much easier time identifying the titles they might like."

The facitious undertones in this sentence are almost nauseating.

I like the looks of the black box, but if they are doing that for 'core' gamers, I don't really think it's needed. 'Core' gamers already know what game they want. They don't sift through hundreds of games on the shelf and make a guess based on the box art or something. It being in a black box isn't going to help them out any, is it? It could actually help the game sell itself to more casual gamers that are interested in it's box colour.

Maybe it's just me...

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Mature-themed Wii games get the black box in Japan

Reader Comments (67)

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