Though the majority of major Nintendo releases have aligned releases globally, or at least in the West, the recent glut of 3DS releases have been somewhat scattered between North America and Europe. One example is Yo-kai Watch, which was marketed as a major Holiday 2015 release Stateside but is only now dated for the EU.
It's arriving on 29th April, with the announcement giving the big N a little time to align its marketing for the title. In addition to the first game in the series we're likely to see a co-ordinated effort with the anime series - confirmed to start on 23rd April in the region - and merchandise also coming to the fore, as was the case in North America. Though it doesn't appear to have taken off as significantly as in Japan in its Western releases so far, it seemed to have a solid launch in NA nevertheless.
It's just the start for the Level-5 franchise outside of Japan, in any case, and with Nintendo on publishing duties there'll be a desire to push it forward globally.
We gave this one a recommendation in our Yo-kai Watch review last year - how many of you in Europe are tempted to pick it up?
Comments 41
Finally!
When is FATES!?
Makes me think these announcements means there will be no more Direct at least until after E3.
Yet still no Fates release date. You're killing me Nintendo EU/UK
Probably not
Good news, but hope it's not bumped FE: Fates out. Awakenings Euro release date was announced 4-5 months before or arrived.
@Peach64 @Jolt @Splatburst For those of you guys wanting a Fates release date, there's this petition....
https://www.change.org/p/nintendo-of-europe-give-fire-emblem-fates-a-european-release-date?recruiter=61792053&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Hopefully, a release date will be announced soon but if it isn't maybe NoE will acknowledge this petition.
This announcement seems to confirm 2 main annoyances.
1. No Direct this week and more than likely not in March either because that month is packed with games (TPHD, Pokken Tournament, HWL, etc.).
2. FE Fates probably won't come out until the summer.
@Grumblevolcano
Hey we can still have Miitomo and My Nintendo/Account Direct.
@lewieboy124
No need for that. The call for Fates release date is always mentioned in every NoE tweet.
The anime helped Pokémon to become what it is, and it boosted Yokai Watch sales in Japan as well. It's a smart strategy. I only wonder how they're going to catch up with the quick paced release schedule in Japan...
At this point I fear Fates will be a released in the holiday season, so sad...
According to this page (it's in Spanish) http://www.xtralife.es/nintendo-3ds/fire-emblem-fates-edicion-especial/20351. Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition will be released on 6th may 2016.
It's been a long time coming, but it's good to finally have a release date. I'll be sure to play it when it's eventually available.
Don't care, I already imported it from Australia months ago
Finally! I'm actually ok with this date as it will give me plenty of time to play Bravely Second and the mountain of other games I have yet to play.
Oh my, I have to be honest, I completly forgot about Yokay Watch!
Not sure what to think, I was very hyped about it, but with all the upcoming games my interest deplated. They better do a good job with the advertising and the airing of the anime if they wanna bring back the hype!
I have been wating for this news.
@Grumblevolcano I think we could still get an ND next week - Miitomo, My Nintendo, Pokémon Go, Cloud and Bayonetta amiibo, Pokken amiibo usage, Starfox Zero update, Zelda U re-reveal (it's been a year since we've seen anything meaningful and they still need to announce the name and say "holiday 2016"). Maybe Pokémon Z, though Game freak usually handles that. Mario and Sonic in Rio on Wii U.
First week of March for the last of the big Wii U and 3DS games, first week of May for NX hardware.
On topic - FE:F and Yokai-Watch making Reggie look competent.
Goddammit. Why April!? I expected late February at most!
@rjejr I don't think there'll be one next week simply because TPHD comes out on the Friday of that week. Then you have Pokken Tournament on 18th March, Hyrule Warriors Legends on 24th/25th March (EU gets it a day early because of Good Friday) and then the end of the financial year the following week so early April seems most likely.
While I am excited for the Youkai Watch anime to come out in Europe, I can't help but wonder how good/bad the dub will be in my country(Norway) as with past experiences the Norwegian dubs doesn't tend to be that good here ;^^.
Still I am looking for the Youkai Watch 3DS game regardless if the anime will be dubbed in a good way or not in my country :+).
@Rhydas You... know that it's already late February, right? Also, they usually don't just confirm release dates days before the actual release.
@Krisi Exactly. I had been expecting it this month at most. America have had it for how long already? The language barrier isn't THAT big a difference. I suppose it's probably just the licensing or the rating that was causing the hold up, but still...
Aha! This explains how I got no Yokai hits at streetpass London. I was like, wow this games unpopular 😄
@Grumblevolcano I was thinking the same thing but then again, I'm not sure how likely it would be, but they could have a Direct this weekend for the Pokemon 20th anniversary. Even if it was just a regular Direct and started with that unannounced Pokemon game coming this year. I mean, it's not likely, but it's an idea I had.
@Grumblevolcano End of the financial year would make me even more worried that early April wouldn't get one as everybody would be running around like chicken's w/ their heads cut off going over - Q4, previous yearly numbers, and also working on the 2016-17 yearly projections. That's a lot of work in late March early April.
And if they are going to miss covering all of those March releases in an ND almost no point in having one in early April, that only leaves SFZ and Zelda U, and OK Metroid:FF. And not that anybody cares, but if they have an ND announcing NX before Zelda U gets re-revealed w/ a name and date I am going to be very insulted. I think all Wii U owners should be. A port is one thing, even a simultaneous release, but Zelda U fans have been waiting since E3 2014 for some new Zelda U info - 20 long frikken months - if they announce it as an NX game now that's just plain wrong and inviting a pitchfork riot.
I have the game, but have yet to play it. I do recommend the anime as I find it entertaining, plus (in the English dub, at least) there are a few adult references.
@rjejr There was a Direct last year on 1st April, the first Wednesday or Thursday after the end of the financial year makes sense to calm investors from bad results. As for lack of games left to show in a Direct, not really. There's the 3 you mentioned, FE Fates for EU, Yo-kai Watch for EU, Bravely Second for NA, Dragon Quest VII and VIII, Mario & Sonic Wii U, GIR#FE and throw in some unannounced stuff like the rumoured Mother 3, the rumoured Paper Mario, etc.
If Zelda U is coming to both Wii U and NX like Twilight Princess for GC and Wii then I totally think they would re-reveal the game at the NX reveal. Yes it would probably cause riots among Wii U fans but so would the concept of it being crossgen in the first place (GC had Wind Waker as an exclusive) and I'd expect the anger to be on the same kind of level as when Microsoft announced Quantum Break for PC.
@Rhydas They were just waiting for the anime to launch. Nintendo have no control over that so they just had to wait.
Picking it up day one, been looking forward to this for ages.
@Grumblevolcano GIR#FE
I ALWAYS forget about that one. And you are right about April Fool's Day. Could work again I suppose. Though to many of those games you mentioned have already released someplace, and the DQ games are many years old.
I think the rioting would be worse, Nintendo can't afford to annoy it's shrinking fan base. And its hard to recall, but I feel like the Gamecube version of TP was getting more news than the U version of Zelda. Yes, the Wii version created a bit of negativity, but I feel like the Gamecube version was always out there, people weren't left hanging. It is hard to recall clearly from that long ago though.
I think at this point Paper Mario, like Pikmin 4, have to be on NX. No reason to waste them on Wii U. TP HD, PT, STZ, GIR#FE, Olympics and Zelda U, that's enough to end the Wii U on. Not a great year, but not completely devoid of games. Add in the Lego and toys-to-life games and that's almost a game a month for 2016, sadly like every other Wii U year.
What channel is the show going to be on?
@Peach64 Oh... Curses. Then I can only really be sour about the anime in that case. u.u
I've been thinking of picking the game up. I'm not sure. I live in NA. Anyone have any opinions on it? Or suggestions?
@Peach64 That probably explains the Sonic Boom delay too as the 2nd season of the Sonic Boom cartoon arrives in fall 2016.
Nintendo, I need to know when Fates comes out so I can plan my life around it.
Prepare to have less fun than expected!
The whole game is go here and watch a cutscene, go here and watch a cutscene, BINGO!!!!, do a mission you have no idea what the point is, forget about it because it takes too long for a while, come back and it still doesnt make sense WOW!!!
It only took several months. At this point my hype for the game has long died.
@Dankykong You are worrying me...
Despite I dislike the way they always point me where to go next in Inazuma or LBX, I kind of like the overall presentation of both, so I might be panicking over nothing.
I've been looking forward to this game for ages I'll check out the anime too.
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