Nintendo up to their old tricks

[Robo-robot]

I love my Ds i really do, i also love my Wii but im starting to worry slightly with regards to the release schedules.

With the DS its not really a problem as its pretty much designed for importing so the fact that Star Fox, Elite Beat Agents and Hotel Dusk, seem to be years from getting a Euro release, doesnt matter as they can be imported. But the Wii is an altogether different matter. I still cant find a release date for the critically acclaimed Trauma Centre and so far our VC release schedule isnt as good as it could be.

I would have thought that Nintendo would be trying to release as many games possible in these inital months but so far not much seems to have changed.

[estel]

I think I read a Q3 release for Trauma Centre...

[-Jay-]

I think I read a Q3 release for Trauma Centre...

Good lord. They really don't care a jot for their european customers do they?

Jay

[rumblecat]

With the DS its not really a problem as its pretty much designed for importing so the fact that Star Fox, Elite Beat Agents and Hotel Dusk, seem to be years from getting a Euro release

Ah, I wondered why I couldn't find Elite Beat anywhere. Importing is a pain, I want to be able to wander into Woolworths and by on impulse...

I wonder if one of the Nintendo execs had a really bad holiday in Europe once...

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Nintendo have always been very hush-hush with their release dates, as they like to slip releases without much fuss and confusion. They usually only announce dates close to release, so as to not hype titles up too much. Also, I only go by the official lists published by Nintendo themselves (Such as on the VIP website), and don't go by what magazines say, as often magazines don't usually have a clue, and just estimate a reasonable release date.

Just look at the whole Animal Crossing for GameCube release fiasco, where the USA and Austraila got a release, but they were um'ing and ar'ing about whether or not we here in the UK / Europe would ever see it... It was only due to public demand that we even got it released here ~ A whole 18 months after Japan

[RivaOni]

Also, I only go by the official lists published by Nintendo themselves (Such as on the VIP website), and don't go by what magazines say, as often magazines don't usually have a clue, and just estimate a reasonable release date.

That statement right there is complete and utter bullshit! Magazines don't go on what they see fit, they're supplied release dates via PR executives who recieve the details from the publishing companies themselves.

The ONLY problem with magazines release dates is that mags are published monthly, and a release date could potentially change more than twice in the time it takes to write the mag, send it off to the printers, print it, send it off to the distributors then put it onto store shelves.

[NEEMAN]

It's post launch, so Nintendo are concentrating on what are traditionally their biggest markets; USA & Japan. It sucks, and I don't like it, but thats life.

On the brightside, in the longterm Europe is going to be the most important market for all 3 companies, as it's where the most potential for growth is. I predict we might get a bit more love in the coming years.