Though most updates to the 3DS just make the device even more stable than before, there have been rare occasions where new, major features were added, such as the introduction of Miiverse to the platform. Another major improvement was the addition of home screen themes, providing gamers with a way to customize their consoles on a level that no Nintendo handheld had offered before. Now, it's a fairly regular practice that major releases for the console also have a home screen theme, but it seems that the max number of themes per game differs between region.
Circle Entertainment has announced its intention to bring themes of The Legend of Dark Witch over to the West, but it appears that North America won't be receiving all of them. Nine are on the way to Europe, but only four are coming to North America. When a fan asked for clarification as to why this is the case, the response was that NOA simply doesn't allow more than four themes per game. It's an understandable rule; four is plenty for one game, and it's likely an effort to prevent one developer from constantly flogging themes and saturating the storefront. Here are the relevant tweets:
What do you think? Are you surprised at this new revelation? Do you think capping the number is a good idea? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 44
The number of themes is the epitome of a nonissue. Cue whatever number of people who don't understand that.
I recently got into Azure Striker Gunvolt (thanks to its eShop sale), and I was really hoping a few of the Lumen themes would come over (specifically Reincarnation and Pain from the Past) as I would love to have them. I figured it was already unlikely that they'd make it to NA (I'd imagine they'd have beeen out by now), but now it seems pretty much impossible.
Promoting variety by limiting choice?
I wonder how they manage themes tied to a series instead of a single specific game.
So why are there over 4 Animal crossing themes then? hmm?
OH RIGHT FIRST PARTY!
So why are there over 4 Animal crossing themes then? hmm?
OH RIGHT FIRST PARTY!
Arbitrary limits like this aren't a good idea, and it really shouldn't be different for each region.
Honestly, I don't think this is necessary. No developer has gone overboard in other regions, so what's the issue?
@PanurgeJr
Unless you actually like any of the themes that get arbitrarily excluded. Regardless of how trivial something is NOA shouldn't be doing stuff like this.
Gotta love how some people feel the need to declare if something is important or not though eh? It actually implies the opposite, making it rather counterproductive.
Nintendo's stupidity strikes again. Let me clarify, this isn't an issue really but as @sillygostly put it, limiting choice provides variety to NoA users?? So let me get this straight: it's okay for NoA to have close to 10 (if not more) Pokemon themes, among others, but third-party games are limited to four. Additionally, it's okay for one region to have 4+ themes for a third-party game - just not North America (or somewhere else, for that matter). ?????? All I can do is just shake my head... There's absolutely no reason why there isn't parity between all regions for something as non-critical as home themes.
Thats weird. I know there's tons of franchises and non-game properties that have more than four themes in Japan.
It's like how Nintendo limits comments and discussions on Miiverse... yes, that "social" network
How many Animal Crossing themes are there? Like, besides HHD themes, I mean?
I'm still hoping for CIRCLE to release their more recent titles in Germany, and hopefully, these themes will be part of that.
I'm against differences between regions. Either everyone gets all the DC or none. Why some should be favorized? It leaves bad taste to fans.
That said, I think 4 theme limit is enough. This should also be done in Europe (for equality). For developer, having less choices makes you focus more on the quality of the themes. Quality over Quantity.
Or, if someone is bothered by the 4 themes limit - they could add a "cooldown time". Like the dev can add more themes after a month or so.
Why would you need more than 4
I don't bother/care about themes. Why we still can't swap/change order of icons in home menu?
@DontPlayDumb You can. You hold an icon for a second (without lifting the stulus) and then you can drag away.
@sillygostly
"We learn to the rest of live"...
Thank you. Now my nick relate to me . VERY much.
I don't even look for it.
Maybe that "without lifting the stylus" cause the most problems.
Again. Thank you.
Weird that NOE allows far more. I agree that 4 is plenty for one single game. No need to go overboard.
I just want the Legend Of Dark Witch 2, damnit.
Im not exactly sure why, but I imagine it's because NA spend quite a lot on themes anyway whereas EU don't spend as much. So the variety for EU is to help draw that attention and level out the profit to match that of NA.
No, no, he said they can only have up to four "thems." That's totally different!
I would rather be overwhelmed by choice than underwhelmed by the experience I get every week when the download list releases.
Much like VC being nonexistent, they are limiting the themes because the 3DS is nearing the end of its life cycle. Whatever the NX ends up being, it seems pretty certain the 3DS eShop will only be partially involved. Why else would Nintendo stop almost all VC releases for it. Makes no sense to put the money into VC for a console that has 11 million sales and ignore the console that has 57 million, unless you are planning on moving to 1 eShop in the future and it seems that eShop will be a continuation of the Wii U version. NoA's way of saying lets have themes for 3DS, but lets limit it to 4 to save our staff hours for more important items. My opinion anyway.
Would you be okay with only 4 types of flower paintings for your wall? Or 4 types of Christmas decorations? Themes are about personalization and artstyle. You are very unlikely to poll 1,000 people on anything and get a concensus that these 4 are the best.
Very Nintendo decision though. They think fewer leads to better quality which is rarely true.
NoA are a bunch of clowns. It feels like they've actively tried to discourage use of custom themes since they arrived. There is no good argument to have such a small limit.
@Gerbwmu. But the themes are already developed as they have been released in other regions.
I get the idea that NX may replace both and work off the Wii U eshop. But it doesn't make sense to me to not support current consoles because you are releasing a new console in a year or two.
NX is going to have a lot of work to bring people back that skipped the last Nintendo generation already. No reason to turn your backs on the people that are supporting you and put yourself in a position you have to win them back too.
Not sad about this at all, but if it's true, it's just one more reason to detest the people in charge at NoA.
@cleveland124 - One of the weaknesses of Nintendo and their regions. Everything has to be submitted to each region it is being released in, check and approved. Silver lining thinking that is extra decent paying jobs for the people who have them but it means we have oddities in choices like this one.
I agree, Nintendo isn't doing itself any favors by not fully supporting the base it has for the current hardware, but from a business perspective I understand the hesitation, if they are indeed making the jump to a mobile like store where all purchases are supported on future hardware. It all depends on what is coming I guess. If they aren't making the big leap that seems obvious then I don't know what the heck they are thinking with their decision making over the last year or so.
This is very absurd. I've been waiting for the Lumen themes for so long. That's like limiting the amount each game in its series released on each console.
I love Nintendo and all, but I have yet to question their decisions at times.
@BinaryFragger Exactly. I wonder what made NoA break that on September 25, 2015, aside from the New 3DS not being the system by itself.
What a ridiculous limit. Nintendo can have tons of Mario themes on the theme shop, but a game can only be limited to four? That's just terrible to me.
Well, we don't need anymore Mario themes then. XD BRING ON SOME METROID, F ZERO AND KID ICARUS THEMES! XD
NoA just being an NoA again. Restriction, bondage, and disappointment forms the very core of the branch.
@Angelic_Lapras_King I couldn't agree more Lol
Restrictions like that are never a good thing. Nintendolife always acting like fanboys finding arguments to defend this. What a surprise.
Are there reviews for themes on Nintendolife? I would personally love to check out the special Badge Arcade themes before I drop cash on them.
Not that big a deal. As a workaround, I wonder if NoA would let them rotate the other themes onto the shop, so they never had more than 4 at one time, but could still offer them to the consumers eventually.
Now that we have badge arcade, whatever its shortcomings, you can easily spruce up your home menu for free. I've never liked the pricing on the themes. I bought one Mario theme. i bought a couple Atlus themes because they were 99 cents and looked decent. I'm good on themes unless they want to give one away to promote their game.
There is over 4 Sonic themes in NA.
Also Sega was able to release all their system themes which is more than 4.
Meanwhile there's like 38,000 Mario themes... They don't relate to a specific game, but still...
That's a fine rule but why have it if others don't?
There are more than 4 Mario themes. Oh wait, Nintendo can skip they own rules.
More bull **** out of Nintendo of America. Before Nintendo launches the NX, Nintendo of America needs house cleaning. Reggie and whoever the hell decided to stick meme's in Zelda need to go.
Meanwhile I just sit here and think, "I don't care". All I've been really wanting are the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu themes for the NA theme shop.
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