Namco Bandai is releasing One Piece: Romance Dawn for the 3DS in Japan next month and has confirmed it will be localised in Europe at a later date.
However, there has been no mention of a North American release and unfortunately it appears the love affair is now over as Namco Bandai has informed Siliconera that it has "no plans" to sail the game over the Atlantic Ocean.
One Piece: Romance Dawn was released on the PSP last year in Japan and the 3DS adaptation will be the only version to leave the Land of the Rising Sun. The game, which is an RPG based on Eiichiro Oda's anime series One Piece, follows a character called Monkey D. Luffy and allows you to play through the main events of his childhood. It will also give characters such as Chopper and Sanji their own storylines to embark on as well.
Europeans can see what's in store in the trailer below, while North Americans can take a look at what they'll be missing out on.
What are your thoughts on this, North America? Are you disappointed not to be getting this one? Let us know in the comment section.
[source siliconera.com]
Comments 82
This is why region locking is stupid.
It's been a while since I've followed the series, but it's disappointing for any fans when such games don't make it to their respective territory.
Can't even bother to make it a download copy. There is some serious racism in Namco Bandai toward America. Its past the point of logic, its just irrational fear. Once the anime genre stopped printing thousand dollar bills every ten seconds and switched to every twenty seconds, they screamed "GAME OVER MAN! Can't wipe my donkey with 50 dollar bills! I have to be wiping with 100 dollar bills! THINK OF MY TENDERNESS" and ran off with their tails between their legs.
I'd throw money at them if they'd give me something worth throwing money at.
;_;
Very surprising! I'm a massive One piece fan from the UK and there ain't many of us here lol there must be millions in America though!
Dang...
One Piece's popularity has grown greatly since it started to re-air on Toonami. It's the most watched show on Toonami's line-up for crying out loud!
o wait its based on some anime. I pass :/
You know why American's constantly get the shaft? Because of First Person Shooters and our fascination with them, we suck!
I could care less about this game really, but i do feel the pain that the people who want this are feeling. Sega did this with Phantasy Star Online 2.
Even though it'll be translated into English, Spanish and French for us Europeans...
Oh, region locking. Thou art moderately annoying.
I wouldn't bother with the game but it still pee's me the Florida Keys off, WHY NOT NA, it's beyond stupid and there are lots of people who would buy the game, could they get another publisher or what ever?
Aw, don't cry, Nami...
I'll admit that this is a blow for NA fans but if more people start watching/following the anime on Toonami then perhaps they'll have to really consider it in the not-so-distant future.
By the way, where is the anime up to in NA? Water Seven? Enies Lobby?
And some people defend region locking.
And again, I REFUSE to support this company if it passes over games that actually interest me such as this in favor of absolute trash like this:
@Hunter-D: They just finished the skating filler for the Davy Back Fight.
Region locking strikes again...
Tch, we Europeans deserve this! We're still waiting for games like Etrian Odyssey 4 and Soul Hackers, and look at the article under this one! You get that cool Fire Emblem/SMT4 promotion, and we have no idea when we'll be getting the latter game! We'll be lucky if we do at all, we sure didn't get any of the Atlus DS games!
Also I hope this game is good, I love Chopper... and the other game where you can play as him isn't very good ;w;
Go screw yourself with a rusty machete, Namco-Bandai.
And this is why region-locking is dumb.
Even though I have no interest in One Piece, and live in an area where it will be released, this just shows how stupid region locking is.
^ agree...
My next 3ds games: Pokemon y, bravely default, one piece romance dawn
Um, hello, Damien McFerran? Didn't you just say that https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/07/soapbox_why_region_locking_is_a_total_non_issue ?
Then why do I get the feeling that NA One Piece fans would rather have either a European 3DS or a region free handheld?
Seriously, Damien's article couldn't possibly have a worse timing.
And THIS is precisely why we need to get rid of region-lock people. It's not just for people who want to play unlocalized Japanese games. There have always been far too many games released in America OR Europe and not both. Too many of the people (not all) who for whatever reason support Nintendo's decision to stay region-locked simply don't understand the issue.
Can't wait for the 3DS and Wii U to be hacked. I don't want to end up missing out on a Fatal Frame 5 or Fatal Frame 3 remake or have to wait 1-2 years for the already localized European versions of X or maybe a The Last Story 2 to reach America.
Weird, I would of least thought they would consider it since the re-air on Toonami. At least a digital only localization to test fanbase. Got to take chances just like the company who localized the Wii version (can't remember name off the top of my head).
@Hunter-D Its up to the "Long Ring Long Land Arc" in the US.
I cant help but think of that article that one of the writers for this site wrote a few days ago trying to justify region locking...smh.
@MAN1AC:
Exactly what I said.
No reason it can't be eShop only at least over there. Its translated, as well as the Unlimited Cruise games, so hardly any money to put in releasing those on the American eShop.
And i'm presuming nobody here has taken the time to see how much it costs to import any One Piece game? Yeah, i'd rather NBG stop being so lazy and just release the games here, even if it's just on the eShop.
How much more money could it possibly cost to bring it over to NA? It's not like it needs a translation.
Betcha Namco Bandai did this on purpose to encourage more gamers to persuade Nintendo to region free their system. Ninty you need to region free your consoles and quick cuz I'm starting to lose interest soon too.
There must be some kind of licensing issue because i cant imagine that they would willingly miss out on one of the biggest game markets in favor of one of the smallest (europe).
As far as im informed, one piece never had a good time over in the US, especially when it comes to censorship and stuff. Maybe there are some license problems that only affect the US. Or maybe its really the whole "only FPS games sell in the west" stigma thats getting bigger and bigger, driving japanese companies to beleave that their most common genres (in this case RPGs) will fail.
@Steveovig Localization is the most cost heavy part of game developing. Have you read the slightly older article about "Retro Game Challenge" for the DS ? The localization alone almost drove the studio to bankruptcy, so it is a thing to consider for publishers.
But One Piece is incredibly famous and widely loved, so i cant for the life of me imagine that the problem here is simply a "money saving" act.
Also, I'm shocked that this time the US are getting the middle finger instead of Europe. Isn't our region the one that usually gets screwed over and over?
Now I bet everyone wishes there was no region locking. Lol
@Retro_on_theGo Time to get a european ds, this actually looks good and I have been loving One Piece for a while now.
Would it hurt for a Digital Only release for the US?
They aren't releasing it in NA because One Piece is really niche. It's too bad that the few hundred thousand fans won't be able to import the European version, but I bet this will get blown way out of proportion now that region locking is suddenly a big bad thing.
Oh look, another argument against region locking. Thanks, Namco!
If the game is already translated, I don't see why they don't just release it on the eshop. I mean, I doubt that would require much more of an investment, and they'd reach thousands more fans.
This is somehow 4kids fault, i'll always blame them (even though they went out of business, I think?)
I would have gotten this, but it's not being released here
Well, thank goodness region locking is just a bunch of hot air! Oh wait... There goes me playing a game to my all time favorite anime series. Sure doesn't feel like hot air now.
The manga is doing well in the states, and it's been popular in its re-airing on Toonami as well. Baffling as to why Namco Bandai continues to give lackluster support to One Piece video games. I seriously hope they at least consider a digital eShop release, with it already getting an english translation, it makes no sense as to why they wouldn't bring it over digitally (at the least).
Wow what a major disappointment...as much as i hate this region locking what-not i can see why some games don't make it overseas...but One Piece REALLY!? that franchise is loved in the states, whats the holdout?
I hate freaking region locking.
REGION LOCKING = SUCKKKSS RIGHTTT !!!! believe me now -sighhhh---
Justice needs to be served...
NoA fails again.
@MrWalkieTalkie It is? Can you link me the view charts?
This is pretty bad, I was really hoping I could get this game in america.
oh my god remove region locking nintendo
@Zach777 How? What do they have to do with this?
Is it just me, or has NA been getting the cold shoulder lately...
This must be the work of black beard and akainu who're teaming up with legion of doom. We must call the superfriends right away!
America has been getting severely shafted with release dates and localization announcements recently. Thank god we have Atlus.
I wouldn't mind a handheld version of Dark Souls on 3DS or Vita thank you Namco Bandai.
This looks ok I guess, but aint got nothing on SMT 4!!
LOL at comment #3 wiping donkeys u crazy hahahaha. YO MAKE CHRONO TRIGGER 2 3D ILL GIVE MY LEFT EYEBALL FO DAT
This looks like a really good game. I love RPG's. Please bring this to NA. I'd buy it instantly!
Well now I want the game >.< and I haven't followed much of of one piece I think I stopped at about 500 eps in or something like that.
Region locking darnit! I really wanted to play this game!
I'd be less mad if the translation, the biggest expense in all of this, wasn't /already done/. >.<;;
@Hunter-D They are getting into Water 7.
If they already have an English version of it, why not at least make it download-only on the eshop?
That looks pretty awesome for fans. Bad news everyone.
damn thats some bad news for one piece fans. and there is a lot of em . no wonder Nami cry like this. stupid region locking
Well, it's just lucky that nobody ever imports games, or even has any desire to play games from outside their region over ones they can already buy! I mean, otherwise region locking would mean this is a pretty disappointing announcement for fans in NA.
But...But...I love One Piece, and this looks good...I want it...Why can't I have it? For once, I absolutely despise this region lock crap. I didn't really care before, because there were no foreign games that were must-buys for me. But this... ;-;
Whelp... Get ready to feel the wrath of Project Rainfall, Namco.
It looks like fun. I would probably pick this up because I really like One Piece.
You might be able to tell by my username that my two favorite things are Nintendo and One Piece. So when I heard that this game was coming to Europe I was excited at the possibility of a NA release. Of course my hopes were destroyed, the one time I thought I might actually be able to play a One Piece game they decide not to bring it to NA. They'll bring Pirate Warriors over as a download on PSN but not Romance Down for 3DS? I want an explanation Namco.
@yoshisaredragon Trollolol
But seriously, region locking is never a good thing....people often miss out on games they want because of it. It seems bizarre to me for any publisher to spend a ton of cash localizing a game in English and then not even make it available on the other region's E-Shop.
no american version, that means no english voice option again just like with Unlimited Cruise 1 and 2 (i'm ok with subs but i would like the option of english because sometimes the subs go too quick to read or you miss the action because your reading the text)
@Hunter-D As far on toonami. They are in the Davy Back Fight. As far as dubbing and whats on DVD that can be bought. They are at Enies lobby. Specifically, the latest Dvd set luffy used Gear second... Or Second Gear... they went with Second Gear... I know it makes more sense But I still like Gear second better.
Plus this sucks... They can even Dub it here like they did with Unlimited Adventure. This looks like an RPG that goes through The entire first half of the series... that is just so... awesome looking... this is heartbreaking.
@Collision_Cat @Collision_Cat
Oh please.
Games that Europe is getting before the US:
One Piece(were not getting)
plus you guys had so much more promotions than us.
@mandrew257 Those releases are very weird because for a very long time, EU always had a snail mail release for games and even today with some games such as Soul hackers is due on Sept. SMTIV is still TBA, not getting Rune Factory 4. Inazuma Eleven is here is because they consider soccer the national sport here, so they hope to make a cash cow out of it.
Honestly, I don't mind if the release is just like a few weeks or a month or two... but longer is a bit excruciating. Certainly, the releases from NA and EU is closer than ever, so maybe it's getting better now. Maybe. They should just release the damn thing on all regions. Pokémon can do it. Project X Zone and Animal Crossing could as well (almost, with a few days delay). One Piece is a well-known franchise that probably have deep pockets to support development and marketing so it doesn't make sense not releasing it.
@Klunk23 @Kaizokuman @ultraraichu @TwilightV Thanks for the replies
Yeah, I like Gear Second too. I'm going to start buying those DVD sets soon. On Romance Dawn, I was talking to a friend about it. He had the game on his PSP and said that it was certainly an enjoyable RPG and that he was going to get this if it ever came to west or was ported to the 3DS.
Luckily for us, it is! we're both getting it day one. Unfortunate for our friends across the pond though.
Hopefully future OP games will be released in other territories too.
@Hunter-D: Yes, I too prefer Gear Second. The translations Toei wants are absurd, and the fanboys on Youtube aren't helping much either.
I'd only be jealous if that dessert part wasn't included.
I watched One Piece, but they spent the better part of the entire series in that dessert... And I got bored of it to be honest.
I dunno, maybe a game version of that would be fun?
Either way, I'm sure if it does well in Europe it'll come over this way. And if it doesn't, that's another game for Europe. No biggie.
Not even as a download. Well, if Vivi-chan is in it then I'll become upset
I agree. We wouldn't need to petition if they weren't NOA haters.
I am really annoyed by this region lock thing, I've seen some game play footage of Romance Dawn and the game looks amazing!! Also I found out that we only got a very limited amount of One Piece games here in North America, out of I don't know how many games from that series. I really do wish that the creators of this game would make an English version of Romance Dawn. But I also thought of a problem behind making the English version. The game's dialog and cut scenes are based on the anime, but the English Dubbed One Piece hasn't made it far enough to meet all the requirements to create the game in English (which is very unfortunate).
Why does NA never get the good games? Not all of us play FPS games! Do they realize how much more money they could of had? or how many fans there are in NA? They would only need to change all the menus and stuff to English and they can even add in English subtitles to the cut scenes and stuff...since the English version of the anime isn't very far. I like the Japanese version of the show better anyway.
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