Brawl delayed in Europe, get out your pitchforks and lynching gear
by Candace Savino 
{ Dec 6th 2007 at 2:15PM }
Let's rip the Band-Aid off quickly, it might hurt less that way: Super Smash Bros. Brawl is delayed in Europe until after June 2008. A Nintendo spokesperson confirmed the bad news with VideoGamer.com, we're sad to say.
Oh, Nintendo. You burn European gamers over and over again, and yet, every time it happens, we're surprised. Perhaps it's because we're filled with the naive hope that you'll get your act together. Then you go and do something like delay the Wii's most anticipated game for an entire continent of people (and let's face it, probably Australia too, although that's not yet confirmed). We can grumble all we want about you, Nintendo of Europe, but you don't seem to mind at all.
Our only consolation is that if you live in England, you have the chance to use an A-Team limo service. Even when NOE fails, the A-Team will never let you down.
[Via Kotaku]
Oh, Nintendo. You burn European gamers over and over again, and yet, every time it happens, we're surprised. Perhaps it's because we're filled with the naive hope that you'll get your act together. Then you go and do something like delay the Wii's most anticipated game for an entire continent of people (and let's face it, probably Australia too, although that's not yet confirmed). We can grumble all we want about you, Nintendo of Europe, but you don't seem to mind at all.
Our only consolation is that if you live in England, you have the chance to use an A-Team limo service. Even when NOE fails, the A-Team will never let you down.
[Via Kotaku]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Calvin @ Dec 6th 2007 2:21PM
Doesn't bother me, I live in America. Although I don't really see why it would take so long for it to come out over there...
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 4:20PM
Wow, the release dates for the N64 SSB:
JPN January 21, 1999
NA April 26, 1999
EU November 19, 1999
GCN - SSBM:
JP November 21, 2001
NA December 3, 2001
EU May 24, 2002
AUS May 31, 2002
WOW THIS IS SO DIFFERENT FROM BEFORE! Oh, wait, it's not. ITS QUICKER! OH WELL, LET'S STILL BITCH FOR NO REASON!
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 2:36PM
Japan = One Language/Where the Company Is
Usually get games first
NA = Three Languages (Spanish, English, French)/Giant Market
Get games two-three months later a lot of the time
EUR = SEVEN Languages/Giant Market
Get games as soon as they can translate them and pack them in. If they aren't rushing to do that as fast as they can why do you think so many glitches creep into the PAL releases? They try, you mock them for the glitches, they don't try, you hate their guts.
I'm sorry, I know if I lived in EUR I would be pissed about waiting even longer. But it's not because of some stupid reason. If you don't like it, take your language translation degrees and go offer your services to Nintendo of Europe for free by the hundreds and work tirelessly for months, all the while hearing the bitchy jeers of the continent as you slave away translating the pages and pages of text in every game into tons and tons of languages.
Did you play Super Paper Mario? The translations were more than just 'change Japanese to english' they had to make sure it was culturally relevant, that there was 'cultural compatability.' There were things in that game that wouldn't have been funny if they were just left from jokes that would have been hilarious in Japan, just because we have slightly different senses of humor and mostly because of the references to things wouldn't match up. It's not a simple job of 'translating word for word,' but Idea for Idea. It's hard, intense, often creative but very important work.
Everyone is mad that Fire Emblem isn't announced yet over there. It came out in January 07 in Japan, just came out in the US in October/November. It must have BOOKS of text in it, its a friggin' RPG/RTS. So maybe that's your answer. There's no magic flippy button. Mario got delayed far far past its intended release date and got pretty much a simultaneously world wide launch. Don't expect the same for every game unless you are throwing down some mad language skills for free at the NoE headquarters, K?
Good_Bytes @ Dec 6th 2007 3:36PM
That's right, I live in Quebec, thus I don't enjoy French games, I must say I did see Super Mario Galaxy in French (Quebec), and it was not translated in French from France like many do, or half translated. It really French from Quebec, featuring pure French Quebec expressions.
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 4:20PM
Wow, the release dates for the N64 SSB:
JPN January 21, 1999
NA April 26, 1999
EU November 19, 1999
GCN - SSBM:
JP November 21, 2001
NA December 3, 2001
EU May 24, 2002
AUS May 31, 2002
WOW THIS IS SO DIFFERENT FROM BEFORE! Oh, wait, it's not. ITS QUICKER! OH WELL, LET'S STILL BITCH FOR NO REASON!
Paroxysm @ Dec 6th 2007 5:40PM
Troy how about Australia then? 1 language. PAL hasn't been a relevant issue for years. Any tv from the last decade plus is PAL and NTSC compatible plus once you use HD formats it doesn't matter at all.
Region locking screws everyone that isn't in Japan and US.
Of course I knew this which is why I bought a US Wii and import all my games. Because of this I have to suffer through getting my games much earlier and cheaper than I would over here.
It would be nice to support local game retailers now and then though.
Candace Savino @ Dec 6th 2007 5:44PM
It never ceases to surprise me how willing people are to accept the actions of a corporation with a "Well, that's the way things are and always have been, so why complain?" attitude rather than want the company to meet their expectations as consumers.
Sure, there are some instances (like Fire Emblem and Super Paper Mario) where the amount of text makes a speedy multi-language release unrealistic, but even so, the lengths of these delays aren't completely justified. Take Fire Emblem, for example. Like you said, it came out in Japan in February. Why does it take so much longer to translate the game into, say, German, than it does into English? And how come Microsoft can release a text-heavy game like Mass Effect in Europe three days after its NA release, but Nintendo takes months and months?
It's true that European gamers are constantly getting shafted by release dates, but one shouldn't think that means Europeans should just expect it, and that they should just be used to it. If they don't demand better treatment, then they'll never get it, and that's the bottom line.
And what's the moral of this rant? That sometimes, bitching about corporate policy is justified ;)
Fullmetal Salchemist @ Dec 6th 2007 6:35PM
Europe: SEVEN Languages/Giant Market (that's smaller than the other two markets)
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 8:51PM
It never ceases to amaze me that people that care enough to want the game so bad can't wake up the way things are done. If you care so much import a wii or mod it. Sure, complaining might help. Why not complain directly to NoE instead of on messageboards? I doubt they are scanning these comments. -I- certainly am not going to do anything about it.
I just figure their must be a reason. People are sitting around working every day on artwork you crave... it's like sitting around pissed off the beatles didn't put out Sgt. Pepper when they were only halfway done with it.
Fantus @ Dec 6th 2007 2:42PM
Sorry, the amount of text in Super Smash Bros is going to be so freaking small compared to super paper mario.
They will be the same amount of text if I am to make a gusse in galaxy and what happened. Released the same week.
Sorry nintendo but this is the biggest game to come out and should of been a world wide release, not a big gap.
Fucking peed off now.
Good_Bytes @ Dec 6th 2007 3:38PM
ok here is Nintendo choice.
Either make only EU delay and only make the EU mad, or make the hole world delay JUST because of EU, and make everyone mad.
Fantus @ Dec 6th 2007 2:46PM
Sorry for second post but this problem could of been solved if the console was region free as well....but nope.
Thats the only thing the PS3 has over the Wii.
RatMasterD21 @ Dec 6th 2007 3:07PM
Man... i feel bad for you guys in europe...that PAL system is realy srcewing you guys over....
james @ Dec 6th 2007 3:10PM
LEGO has it right, damn near no text or talking in their games.
GoldenPie @ Dec 6th 2007 3:15PM
June? What the hell, Nintendo. Even Melee's delay wasn't that long. Still, it's no suprise. Ah well. Guess I'll just have to hope that Galaxy will last me 6 months 'til Brawl comes out. >_>
TWOO DEE @ Dec 6th 2007 3:56PM
try 6 days, unless of course you go for 120 stars in which case it may be 6 weeks.
Shadow31 @ Dec 6th 2007 3:25PM
Hmm... I know I should care, but... meh... sorry European gamers... you could, of course, always just import, if you're really that desperate... or buy a region-free modded Wii...
To be totally honest, if I was a gamer in Europe, yeah I'd be pissed, and I'd consider moving to a more gamer-friendly region. Either that, or get used to it and just buy a PS3 to keep me occupied until Wii games actually came.
Oneiroi @ Dec 6th 2007 3:29PM
As long as this isn't another trickle down announcement that the whole game will be delayed even further...
Fantus @ Dec 6th 2007 3:32PM
@8
Tbh, I modded my PS2 back in the day and it stopped reading disc after like a year. Not going to mod my Wii, sorry.
Buying a PS3 is a waste of money still, can get a XBOX360 for cheap and also has alot of the games that the PS3 has as well and I know more people with a xbox360 than ps3. :P
TBH, I still waiting for some games for my PS2 which I think will never see the europeon like Odin Sphere & Soul Normad.
Man I hate these dam delays, sometimes they just don't even make sence.
Skippy @ Dec 6th 2007 3:37PM
Does it count as a delay when no European release date was ever announced in the first place?
Fantus @ Dec 6th 2007 3:48PM
Well its true there, but still its just an insult to EU gamers still.
I just hate all the delays alot of the time. I never recalled the orginal 2 smash games having alot of texts within them and to translate it.
I mean they got someone translating the daily updates on the smash bros website every day atm.
I'm just praying to God even though I don't believe in him/her/it that the PR person didn't have a clue. I just hope for a nintendo statement soon.
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 4:12PM
Fantus, the people translating the daily updates are working weeks ahead of what gets put up. Please read my post directly below for a clue why it might take longer than Smash 1 & 2.
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 3:40PM
True, skippy. Another true thing is that since nobody has ever ever EVER played the 'SUBSPACE EMMISARY' all those who seem to KNOW how much text the game will have or how much dialouge or whatever are talking out their friggin ASSES!!!!
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 4:14PM
Wow, the release dates for the N64 SSB:
JPN January 21, 1999
NA April 26, 1999
EU November 19, 1999
GCN - SSBM:
JP November 21, 2001
NA December 3, 2001
EU May 24, 2002
AUS May 31, 2002
WOW THIS IS SO DIFFERENT FROM BEFORE! Oh, wait, it's not. ITS QUICKER! OH WELL, LET'S STILL BITCH FOR NO REASON!
Fantus @ Dec 6th 2007 4:52PM
Yes I can see that Troy, but it still a kick in the bollocks! Plain and simple.
I support nintendo for a long time but these big delays shouldn't be around anymore between regions.
Microsoft is doing a good enough job of releasing game across the world within weeks of one another yet nintendo is still struggling.
You would think with the amount of money nintendo is making these days, they can afford to pay for a translation team. Espcially with one of their big 1st party games.
3rd party titles are a diffrent story so I will not touch them.
Anyway Troy, I bet any money you will try and flaws in my argument since you seem so determine to make a point about how hard it is to translate these days.
GoldenPie @ Dec 6th 2007 6:09PM
How do we have no reason? Surely by now Nintendo should have seen how annoyed we get when we get games delayed due to translation and done something about it. They could easily get a team of translators working on it during the game's production, or something.
DonWii @ Dec 6th 2007 4:45PM
LoL @ Troy.
I expect one for NA to April/May
Jay @ Dec 6th 2007 5:22PM
I cannot believe this! Nintendo just keeps on screwing us. If they told us that it would be June 08 in the first place then obviously it wouldnt have this much impact. This sucks.
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 8:48PM
There never was a EUR release date, so they did what you said they should have.
Sonic_13 @ Dec 6th 2007 6:00PM
Perhaps if Europe united under a single language - or just English, Spanish, and/or French - then they would get their games quicker.
It can take a while to translate certain games ... although I wouldn't think Smash Bros. to exactly be one of those games since it is not text heavy.
GoldenPie @ Dec 6th 2007 6:03PM
@TWOO DEE
I was being sarcastic btw. Should've used tags or something.
ALH @ Dec 6th 2007 6:29PM
To the guy who did the wall of text about translation issues- BULL SHIT. If we can get super mario galaxy within a week or two of you guys getting it there is absolutely no reason why we cant get brawl in the same time period.
This has me pissed at nintendo, and gutted at the same time. I was really looking foward to playing this game with my uni buddys, but now, by the time the game comes out, the course will be over and i'll likely never see them again. I'll go back to my hometown where i have noone to play it with because all my friends back there moved away and my family are too casual for stuff like brawl.
Fucking great.
Fuck you nintendo.
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 7:20PM
I forgot how you've played Subspace Emmisary and know how much text there is in it. I also forgot how SMG is Nintendo's flagship title and also was expected at launch so probably they've been working on it like crazy. I also forgot how you are all a bunch of whiney babies.
Mr Khan @ Dec 6th 2007 6:30PM
I call BS on this, for multiple reasons
Just read my comment on this article on joystiq, i feel too lazy to post it again
troy @ Dec 6th 2007 7:21PM
I agree, it's annoying. But it's how it is. Import a wii and be happy, expect things to change for no reason when that's how it's been since gaming's dawn and be sad. the choice is yours
D. @ Dec 6th 2007 11:17PM
This sucks for EU. It better not be delayed in NA or so help me...
ItsInTheCave @ Dec 7th 2007 3:14AM
And what about Australia and New Zealand? We've only got the one language and its exactly the same as the US as far as Nintendo's concerned. They dont make changes between American English and British English anyway so why delay it here? We don't even get the many languages included on European versions of games, generally the exact US version with different region coding.
ItsInTheCave @ Dec 7th 2007 8:55PM
And what about Australia and New Zealand? We've only got the one language and its exactly the same as the US as far as Nintendo's concerned. They dont make changes between American English and British English anyway so why delay it here? We don't even get the many languages included on European versions of games, generally the exact US version with different region coding.
velocitystrike @ Dec 7th 2007 5:21AM
Gotta say Troy, most of your points are invalid because you have no empathetic link to EU residents. Just none. At the end of the day, Nintendo should not be so keen on announcing a release date or release period if they have to then push it back.
And agreeing with Candice - Mass Effect is chock full of text and voice and stuff - yet we here in the EU got it only a few days after NA. Now, again as people have ALREADY SAID, SSBB isn't going to be a book. It's a video game with a few repeated phrases and some on screen words (like...Press Start...idk) - so to say that it will take so long to come over here because of localisation issues is a load of crud. And also to say that we Europeans should expect it is a load of...crud.
Unless Nintendo announces that they've been sued by some Belgian aristocrat for having used the word "Snake" in a slightly pejorative manner - there's not really much excuse.
And of course, that is ignorance at best.
TK @ Dec 7th 2007 6:19PM
Well, shit.