PixlBit

I'm not interested in debating everything in your reply, but I did want to comment on Dragon Quest V and its sales. See here for Square Enix's financial briefing on the title. It sold 1,176,000 copies in Japan, which contributed to a worldwide total of 1,350,000.

Some simple math reveals that the game didn't even pass 200k sales in regions outside of Japan. So back to my original point, Nintendo published VI and IX because Square Enix had no intention. Only recently did Dragon Quest V get a reprint and I only know because I hunted for months for a first print copy of the game before the reprint happened. After thorough investigation, I happened upon the information I shared in my previous comment.

Furthermore, as per the brief summary at the start of this article, we're talking solely about the perception of these games in America. Some perception is based in truth, some in fallacy. The truth of the matter is that most gamers in America don't care about JRPGs and have moved on to  WRPGs and other genres all together.

Spin it any way you like, but the genre is nowhere near the same popularity it once was. Sales are not a good indication of this either as game sales these days are much higher than they were in the heyday of the genre - there are are lots more people playing games these days in general.

During the PS1/PS2 era tons of JRPGs hit the market that would never come, or perhaps even be made, today. I know this because I own tons of them. I look at my collection for this generation and I just don't see the same thing on home consoles. Handhelds have always had a healthy offering of the genre, but that's where they primarily live these days.

Well first, we definitely cannot count the Operation Rainfall games in your argument. Their future in America pre-Rainfall was questionable at best, especially with Monado coming off the release lists and not even getting a mention at E3.

Also, we were never talking handheld. Obviously, these games are all console so the discussion was limited specifically to that. Nintendo began handheld RPG publication on the GBA, and in many cases (like Pokemon) even earlier than that. To say that Nintendo "loves RPGs" is disingenuous at best. They ride a few series generation after generation.

Whatever deal they struck with Square Enix for Dragon Quest is separate and apart. They merely published VI and IX to take the risk off of Square after the failure of IV and V. Nintendo clearly was playing ball with Square Enix to secure that series for their systems (and clearly that worked, see DQ X).

I find it hard to believe that there was any intention on NoA's part to publish these games and had NoE not footed the localization bill, they wouldn't have come. If Nintendo was so pro-RPG, why is XSEED publishing The Last Story? Nintendo clearly sees these games as a risk and has adequately protected themselves from failure. Fan response to Rainfall made these games come to America, not Nintendo (of America)'s own impetus.

I appreciate the comment, but what RPGs has Nintendo localized this generation? I'm really thinking hard and I can't identify a single one.

Traditionally, Nintendo has never been an RPG company. I'm sure part of the reason they own controlling stake in Monolith is for this reason exactly.

Ask and you shall receive.

This is unreal. I can't believe this is coming to America. I have zero interest in it, but it's certainly interesting that Nintendo chose to localize it.

I adore Super Mario Sunshine. It's incredibly hard, make no mistake, but it's also insanely fun when you master the mechanics. Like you said Michael, it's a game that just unapologetically kicks you in the junk and laughs as you writhe in pain.

I know Super Mario Galaxy basically killed open world 3D Mario games, but Sunshine was a fantastic sandbox that afforded you the ability to freely use the full platforming toolkit. I appreciated the water pack-less levels, as well as those that put the pack to intelligent use.

I respect that most people don't like Sunshine, but there's a lot to love there if you can crack its tough outer shell. The only mechanic that game provided that I really hated were the blue coins. I didn't mind the challenges present to collect them, but there's no way to keep track of them, so it's very hard to get them all. In one of my quests, I'm 1 coin short of 120 stars, which drives me absolutely insane. One day I'll find that stupid coin...

"False opinion"

Interesting. I didn't know opinions could be false. You learn something new every day!

Sexy, do want.

Yeah, Chessa and I nearly beat it already, it's utter crap. Stiff controls, uninspired level designs, and most importantly, it's not fun. The sound clips seem to be lifted from episodes of the show rather than voiced specifically for this release. I kind of wish they just made a sequel to the tower defense game.

This is a bad, bad game...