Topic: The "Bring Excite Bots to Europe" Campaign

I'm a firm believer in contacting game companies to let them know not only what you think of their existing games, but what you'd like to see from them now and in the future.

Excite Bots is a game I originally thought sounded silly and figured would be a throwaway sequel, but my opinion quickly changed when video started coming out and then the previews on IGN. I had my money in hand and ready to pre-order and then NoE announced they had "No Plans" to bring Excite Bots out; even a Japanese release hasn't been confirmed to my knowledge. The game may not have sold well in the States, but that doesn't mean it won't get traction over here with the right marketing.

I've decided to write Nintendo today about this and I'm pleased to say I already have received a reply. Sure it's canned, but the more people mail in to say they want this game the better the chances are folks. Remember, there's a marketing adage regarding consumer complaints that for every person who takes the time to write a letter of complaint there may be 10 people who feel the same but couldn't be bothered. Cut-and-paste petitions may not count for much, but taking the time to write a polite email can make a difference.

Here's what I've written:

I'm hoping this gets passed up the chain to the people who make such decisions because this is one game I had originally thought was going to be crap, but from the videos and the previews it became apparent that this would out-do Excite Trucks in the mental racing stakes with online to boot. I had the money put aside and was ready to put in a pre-order and then zippo, nothing.

I'm hoping Excite Bots won't be for Europe what Disaster Day of Crisis was for North America with gamers pining away and wondering why their region was the only one not getting a Nintendo-published game (assuming Excite Bots comes to Japan, that is -- I hope it does because importing it for my Japanese Wii is my back-up plan!). I'm a regular contributor of reviews and features to the Nintendo mega-fan-site Nintendo Life -- it's based in the UK and we get a lot of commentors and forumites from the EU and Australia and I can tell you there are loads of people who want this game.

Please make it happen!

and the just-received (and yes, canned) response:

Dear Mr. Aaron, thank you for your email.

Unfortunately, there is no definite European release date for ExciteBots: Trick Racing on Wii, although this may be announced in the future. We recommend that you keep an eye at www.nintendo.co.uk, as any information regarding this would be posted there first.

Do whip off a quick mail to: nintendose&... and make your voice heard!

I really enjoyed Excitebots: Trick Racing and I'm a bit surprised that Nintendo of Europe isn't bringing it out. I'm with Sean, it can't hurt to voice your wishes to NOE about bringing the game to Europe.

Good luck! Money talks, sadly, and since the game sold like crap here I doubt they'll take another chance with it. Can't hurt to try, I guess.

Well, there is the opinion that if a game doesn't sell well in one territory it may not be worth the expense to bring it to another, which is valid. Equally valid is the notion that a game may sell better in a different territory or even if it doesn't, any sales will help offset the original development costs.

Obviously I hope the latter logic prevails in this case!

Is the game out of print already? I'm getting it for my birthday before it happens.

Surprised they don't release it!

For new games this year (excluding uhn wiiwares) I have bought Wii Sports Retort and Excitebots.

Both were exceptional.

You might aswell call the topic. "Americans please buy excitebots so that we in Europe have a chance to enjoy it"
With a good marketing campaign I could see this title being a big sleeper hit in Europe.

For me Excite Truck is the best racing game on the Wii, really, so it's a kick against the head that we won't get Excite Bots.
For me it has the best controls, action&speed gameplay, track design. I just think Nintendo is chicken, because it is definately better than their own Mario Kart Wii.

I already mailed Nintendo of Europe about that months ago. I still hope Excite Bots comes to Europe.

By the way - Disaster: Day of Crisis isn't the only good EU exclusive Nintendo game that's not available in NA.
Another Code R and Pikmin 2 are even better. So it's 3:1 for EU on the Wii, but who cares? I want EXCITE BOTS!
It's a cult Nintendo franchise and a shame Nintendo considers it wouldn't sell on the EU market!

I'll wait some more, but at some point (the end of the Wii's life span) I really consider this to play on my brandnew unused Wii Freeloader.

Count me in! I'll spam them now! Nice idea Sean.

I know me and at least three other Wii owners I know, have been waiting for this for what seems like an age. Why aren't we allowed it NoE, I see no reason. Grrr.

It's not in Europe? That's why I never saw it in the shops even though it had positive reviews.

Go Terra! Right, I'll 'encourage' others also.

I'll support, even though I don't live in Europe. A'' countries deserve all games.

I just send Nintendo of Europe a mail ... again!
Come on, Excite Bots is the sequel to Nintendo's first racing game series ever: Excitebike! A cult classic.
It's ironic that they don't plan to release it in EU.

And I asked for a Super Mario Sluggers release too, since I'm a big baseball fan!

Americans are too lazy to go out to the store and buy it. If you want the game to sell well, then Europeans will have to do the work of buying the NA copies.

Seriously, why not just import?

@Clickety I thought you were with us in NA?

@DaDun - ya exactly. I'm too lazy.

Do it yourself, europeans! We Americans are sick of helping you out and saving your sorry butts every time you get into trouble. **smiles sweetly**

Lol true true ill admit i havent bought it either hahaha

Think about it this way europe, you have rogue squadron exclusive to u guys, we don't, be happy with your games

@Terr: The Homebrew Channel will not mess up your Wii, and in any case, the latest way of installing it also allows you to back up your Wii's memory even if your system files corrupt (as they seem to do quite a bit, regardless of whether you have homebrew.) The only real threat to your Wii is from the specific homebrew applications you choose to install, not the channel itself.

I wouldn't consider importing this just because I don't think the online bit works if you boot a different region game using something like GeckoOS and I really want to play online poker runs. I suppose if it never ever comes to EU or Japan (surely the latter at least!) then some day in the future I would consider importing; until then I can wait!

Hey thanks all for writing; hopefully it will have some impact. For all we know NoE are holding off due to online infrastructure issues or to avoid stealing thunder from the release of New Super Mario Bros. Hopefully next spring we'll get some robot racing action!