Every time a game is announced by a Japanese developer there is always a bit of uncertainty as to whether the game will make it to the United States or Europe. Localization is not a cheap prospect and developers need to be sure that they will be able to recuperate the associated costs with bringing the game to a new territory. So here are a few games that I would love to see come to the United States and my thoughts on if it will actually happen.
Ninokuni- The Another World
What: For the unknowing, Ni No Kuni (The Another World) is the upcoming and highly anticipated Nintendo DS collaboration between Studio Ghibli and Level 5. Ni No Kuni was first announced in the pages of Japanese video game magazine Famitsu over two years ago and it has been on my radar ever since. The thought of a game that encapsulates the unparalleled story telling and whimsical nature of Studio Ghibli projects with the accomplished folks at Level 5 should be enough to get any gamer with a DS excited.
Chance: With the game still having a somewhat nebulous release date in Japan (It was pushed from late last year to an indeterminate Spring 2010 date), it could be over a year before US gamers are able to get their hands on the title. With Ni No Kuni being the first DS title to use the 512mb cartridge due to the sheer size of the cinematics and music used throughout the game, any potential publisher (Nintendo included) may have reservations about localizing a game that is going to be relatively expensive to manufacture with little promise of strong sales. ‘Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea,’ the first Studio Ghibli film to receive wide theatrical release in the United States, was a relative box office disappointment, illustrating that the Ghibli name won’t guarantee strong sales in the US like it will in Japan. Honestly I would be surprised if we didn’t get Ni No Kuni in the US, but it may be a bit of a wait, as I don’t see it being released anytime before 2011.
7th Dragon
What: Luminous Arc developer Imageepoch’s attempt at a more traditional RPG from Kazuya Niinou (Etrian Odyssey Series) and Reiko Kodama (Phantasy Star, Skies of Arcadia). The game presents itself as a mash up of Dragon Quest style exploration with a battle system similar to that of Etrian Odyssey.
Chance: The game was relatively well received and managed 
steady sales when it debuted in Japan a year ago, but 7th Dragon has yet to be announced for any other territories. With the DS becoming the defacto RPG system for Japanese development studios, it’s surprising that the title continues to be a Japan only release. Not all hope is lost as Imageepoch’s last title, Sands of Destruction, just came out after a 16 month delay from it’s Japanese release.
Zangeki no REGINLEIV
What: A Nintendo-published Mature title from Sandlot (Best known in America for it’s Earth Defense Force series). I think that first sentence says it all… A Mature title from Nintendo. With a game that also includes 4 player online Co-Op and Wii-Motion Plus support it seems like a no-brainer for Western release. Added to the above facts is that much like New Super Mario Brothers Wii, Zangeki comes in a kick-ass black Wii case.
Chance: Middling review scores and the desire to protect Nintendo’s brand image in America ultimately make a US release unlikely. With Nintendo putting a focus on Monster Hunter Tri for the Wii, as well as the lack of an announcement at their recent media summit, I am lead to believe that Nintendo has no reason to bring out a Mature rated title in a territory where the Wii still reigns supreme. I think that Zangeki represented a test (which failed) for Nintendo of Japan in an effort to reinvigorate Wii hardware and software sales in Japan.
Michigan
What: Michigan is a Survival Horror title from Grasshopper and Gouichi Suda that was released in 2004 on the Playstation 2. Players take the control of a Cameraman that is sent to Michigan in hopes of solving some sort of mystery revolving around biological weapons. The gameplay all takes place as if viewed through a television camera and centers around documenting the anomalous happenings throughout the game.
Chance: In the US? Zero. In Europe? 100 Percent. Michigan was actually released in 2005 despite the fact that Suda had no idea until someone told him during an interview in 2008. The game wasn’t very well received in either territory, but I still have a strong desire to play it simply for the connection to Suda 51’s development history.
Sakura Taisen 5 – Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love
What: The fifth entry in the long running Sakura Taisen series finds players in an alternate version of 1920’s New York City as, much like every other Japanese role playing game, they try and stop an evil villain that is up to no good. Combat takes place in a traditional turn based role-playing style with the battles split between mechanized ground and air combat.
Chance: Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love is set for release later this month, coming to both the Wii and Playstation 2 on March 30th. Although this is a 5 year old game, I’m excited to finally see what makes the Japanese revere the Sakura Taisen series so much. Unfortunatly the Wii version only includes the English voice track, which based on the trailers, is not a good thing. Luckily the PS2 version includes a bonus disc with the full game voiced by the Japanese cast, making it the platform I’ll likely play it on. And Hey, it’s only 30/40 dollars on the Wii and PS2 respectively, so if you have any interest in picking it up you won’t have to break the bank to do so.
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