Whenever we refer to the continual growth of the eShop platforms here on Nintendo Life, and in particular the continuing rise of download-only and 'Indie' developers, we're specifically referring to territories outside of Japan. At present a game can only be released in Japan if it's published by a company based in Nintendo's homeland, so titles such as Nano Assault Neo and SteamWorld Dig, self published on their respective platforms in PAL and North American territories, had to seek Japanese partners to make it into the country.
It's a notable contrast to the moves towards simplifying the publishing requirements in the West, and against this backdrop a company called Rainy Frog was formed, with the primary goal of supporting and publishing eShop games in Japan; its official website also states that it will, in addition, aim to bring Japanese games to the West. This company was founded by Anthony Byus and will target both the 3DS and Wii U stores, and he's been in touch with us to confirm that the company's first release in the region will be KnapNok Games' Spin the Bottle: Bumpie's Party, though it will be rebranded as Waiwai! Minna De Challenge.
The messaging for the title will be rather different, too. While in the West it targeted adults in trailers, the Japanese iteration will be made "more appealing to the family-orientated Japanese Wii U market". This is best demonstrated in the images above and below, with a trailer to be released soon.
Byus has told us that the company's second eShop release in Japan will be confirmed next week, and we'll bring you an interview soon to learn more about Rainy Frog's plans for the future. With the existing rules for publication in Japan, firms such as these will be increasingly important for eShop developers to reach a wider audience.
Comments 15
This is a great piece of news and bodes well some more quirky 3DS and Wii U releases in Europe, the Americas and AUS/NZ! Can't wait!
How about the other way around!
Very excited about this!
Wow! I'd buy that game.
Spin the Bottle, as much as I think it would be fun, just looks a tad too 17-year old for me.
What about bringing Spin the Bottle to Australia?
Spin the Bottle is a fun game that should have universal appeal. My daughter often requests it and it's been a great way for her to bond with my partner. Nice to see it getting a broader release!
Great news! I wish them all the best.
Rainy Frog?
@AugustusOxy
Seriously!!!!
This is very unfair...
@cyrus_zuo
You'd buy what game? Waiwai! Minna De Challenge? It's the same game as Spin the Bottle, they're just rebranding it and marketing it to a different audience--at least that's the impression I got.
I hope Mighty Switch Force HD, Ducktales Remastered, and Scribblenauts Unlimited get localized to Japan.
@Kaine_Morrison
Totally agree.
Nice Koryuger icon by the way.
@Baum897
Hmm, interesting.
We are doing the exact same thing almost 2 years now
Teyon has a Japanese subsidary licensed by Nintendo of Japan and we successfully released over 20 games in the eShop (www.teyon.jp/games).
Developers can contact us here: [email protected]
Edit: Oh... and we also release Japanese games in the U.S. and Europe. For example Groove Heaven, Clash of Elementalists, Cat Frenzy. You can send us suggestions for Japanese games you'd like to play on our Facebook page.
@Teyon Sweetness! I might have to go look some of those games up then, I think its great to share games with the world! More ports from Japan would be good, but so would more ports to Japan. Makes everybody happen and everybody wins.
Thanks for the help! (too bad I'm not japanese or I'd buy those games right now just because you guys helped bring them to me!)
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