Before Monolith Soft was developing the epic JRPG Xenoblade Chronicles, it was working with tri-Crescendo on Baten Kaitos.
Since the GameCube era - which saw the release of Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean in 2004/05 and Baten Kaitos Origins in 2006, there's been no sign of a return, apart from a cancelled Nintendo DS project.
So, will fans ever see this series make a comeback in any form? While there's no concrete evidence just yet, Bandai Namco has recently registered two trademarks in Europe for both of the GameCube exclusives - this includes Origins and the Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean.
While trademarks don't always necessarily mean certain games will make a return, there have been similar situations in the past where they have led to announcements or more trademark registrations.
Back in 2018, Monolith Soft artist Yasuyuki Honne said he would like to see Baten Kaitos 3 happen, as it was "in pre-production for a long time" before it was cancelled.
Could the return of the first two games perhaps be a way to revive the series ahead of an eventual third? Would you like to see Baten Kaitos return? Did you play the GameCube releases back in their prime? Share your thoughts down below.
[source euipo.europa.eu, via resetera.com]
Comments 69
Wow, now that would be very very cool. A series near and dear to my heart, despite probably not having aged as well as I want to remember.
I tried to like that game as a kid but got tutned off by the story and game mechanics.
I loved the music, though.
One can only hope. Well at least with the first game. I couldn't get into the second one for what ever reason.
Loved the first, never got around to the second, but it's there in my backlog, along with about two dozen other 100 hour RPGs. Would buy a new entry or remakes for the Switch equally instantaneously.
I kinda dismissed Baten Kaitos when it came out because...uh...way too many games were adding a card gimmick and I was sick of it after PSO episode 3. Considering who made it, in hindsight, I regret this. Wish I played it back then.
Growing up, an old friend referred to the game as "Bakin' Potatoes". Now that's all I can think of when I see this.
Absolutely love the Baten Kaitos series, especially Origins. Really hope we see the series return in the future, even if it's just a remaster/port.
I’m just gonna quietly sit here hopefully optimistic.
They were seen at the time as cheap ff10 knockoffs that after all these years, will probably get the proper look they deserved.
GameCube on the eshop confirmed.
Growing up, an old friend referred to the game as "Bakin' Potatoes". Now that's all I can think of when I see this.
@Broosh Apparently the title is a reference to the Arab name of a star in the constellation Cetus; it is the belly of the whale/sea monster. The star itself is not atypical or anything, so I assume this a reference to the sea monster.
Anyhow, I've heard the games are pretty good.
@Thatsalie Your username and comment, at the very least, represent truth in advertising.
I would love the games to come back! Never played origins since it didn’t release in the PAL region. Loved Baten Kaitos.
Mainly because of that art style. The music. The characters. They were absolutely amazing! Absolutely one of the best looking rpg’s on at least the Gamecube, but maybe ever. It’s like running around in a fairy tale. Way more creative than Crystal Chronicles if you’d ask me.
The voice acting wasn’t that good though. Sadly. And I can see one not liking the battle system though I loved that too as a teenager since it’s very creative too. Isn’t it one of the first card battle systems ever?
Isn’t this the game with a 48 hour speed run or something ridiculous?
Hopefully this is real, it's been a long time since I play BK Origins definitely would play it again on Switch. Now if they would be nice enough to give us a third game too sometime in the future.
Don't they do this every few years?
I gotta pull my 'cube back out and give this another try. Had the hardest time getting into it as a kid.
Really enjoyed both games in this series back when they released. Wonderful art, music, and the battle systems were incredibly fun. Would love to see a new entry or even a remaster. Playing through SteamWorld Quest reminded me of these games.
@Thatsalie I'll 1-UP you with another lie: Gamecube on Game Pass, Game Pass on Switch online.
We never even got the sequel, I had to import it much later, and never got to actually paying it.
@ArmoredGoomba however Origins never released in Europe. So why trademark Origins in Europe. 😉
I enjoyed the first game enough but one thing that bothered me was the how the voice acting sounded. It was like everyone was speaking in a tunnel and it sounded hollow. If there is one thing I would want them to fix is that. Never got a chance to play the second game since it wasn't released in Europe so if they were to actually release them at a reasonable I would probably pick them up.
@BloodNinja I don't know about that, but I remember the game was so long (and challenging) that I have no recollection whether I ever beat it or not.
I never played baiten kaitos but would love to have the opportunity to because of how much I like monolithsoft nowadays.
@echoplex Yep, all I remember is the game faded into my memory. I played it, can’t tell you a darned thing about it lol
If this comes back before Xenosaga HD I'm gonna lose my marbles.
Is it just me or does the character on the boxart remind anyone of Raziel from Soul Reaver?
Considering how Europe never got Origins and it costs an arm and a leg nowadays to get an imported copy.... I'd be down for a re-release ^_^
@BloodNinja I can remember the name the great Mizuti; I swear they said the name so many times. Can’t tell you I remember anything about the character though. Lol
I looked back at that game... it was beautiful... I don’t remember the story... and I’d NEVER play it again.
@geo-shifter hahaha same!!
I played the first game but it really didn't hook me. Quite a pretty game though
Another day of a company renewing their trademark to keep the rights to their ip, another day of pointless articles and speculation cause of it...
I loved the first Baten Kaitos, and it was a huge dissapointment for me when they didn't bring Origins to Europe. An HD collection for Switch would be great!
I LOVED the original back in the GC, but never had the chance to play the prequel. Perhaps this is the time? I wish!
@BloodNinja I thought the same and just looked and 100% speed run is 338 hours of the first game.
@nessisonett the combat system need some tutorial, but I think the graphic age perfectly, maybe just a little HD lifting.
One of my favorite RPG's all time. Beautiful art direction, incredible soundtrack by Motoi Sakuraba, creative story. More Baten Kaitos would be a dream come true. One that I've never dared hope could be possible.
They renew trademarks all the time. They did so for Xenosaga a few years ago and aren't going to do anything with them.
@Enigk THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING
Wow, that's a long time!!
How would this work though? Nintendo owns the development studio for these games (monolith soft). But bandai namco owns the IP. So if a sequel were to happen, BN would have to ask nintendo to use monolith. Which means it would be switch exclusive?
This would be all kinds of amazing! The more Monolith games on Switch the happier my world is.
I still have my copy for the GameCube. Never finished it though.
Would love to see Nintendo get their hands on this, Xenosaga and Xenogears too.
Omg please let this be true
Please
@locky-mavo I still have my copies too. But my GC starting to break down and won't run properly anymore
oh yes, this and a new Golden Sun game and I will say Nintendo has fullfilled its mission with Nintendo Switch!
Don't do this! Dont give me hope!
@kategray, is it thanks to you? I wish for it so hard in your "game genie" article, will my wish came true? PLEASE I'M BEGIN YOU
Yeah, Baten Kaitos would be a breath of fresh air with today's releases. I would certainly give it another go, Origins was never released in the U.K too so a dual release would still technically have something "new" for me. Bamco are supporting Nintendo pretty well on Switch, despite no Armoured Core, Ridge Racer, Tekken, Soul Calibur etc.
Yes! I was just talking about how I’d love a double pack of this and monkey ball 1+2! The first game had a better story, but abysmal voice acting, and the battles where tougher, but felt more rewarding. The seconds trimmed down cards made fighting sooo much easier, which was nice to just play without worrying about losing to a boss 10 times, and the VA was outstanding. Both had A + music
The first game got really annoying for me because of the card mechanics but I heard this was improved in the second game Origins. Not really bothered if we get another game in the series.
I've always got Chrono Cross vibes from this, pre-rendered backgrounds, combo-like battle system (this one cards obviously) and music.
Very different games however, I just get the Chrono Cross vibes... 👌🏿👍🏿
@kkslider5552000 I was so disappointed by PSO 3.
I still own my original copies so I hope there's enough other people purchasing re releases if that's what the do to prove the need for a third entry. I loved these games.
@nessisonett I replayed it a few years ago and I thought it held up really well. Very fun game with an amazing soundtrack
I hope this means we're getting a new one. I've been asking for years
This was serious a great game! I hope it makes a comeback.
Loved every bit of it.
A collection on switch would be great, these games look fantastic. Never paid attention to them before
@Friendly Agreed. Luckily you can turn the voices off and be left with an incredibly unique experience of a game! I just picked up the sequel but haven't gotten around to it yet. Glad I got it now before it shoots even farther up in price lol.
@Froid12 hmmmm interesting
Never got around to Origins so this is great news. Baten Kaitos us among the best RPGs of that generation. Now if someone would do something with the xenosaga /xenogears trademark...
Played the first game to death, incredible RPG with great visuals, soundtrack and characters, would absolutely love to play it again on Switch!
@Spoony_Tech This happened with me and my then-new SO. I had just beaten Eternal Wings and he had gotten Origins. I tried Origins and the battle system was just off enough it threw off my entire muscle memory. Eternal Wings was just off enough it threw off his muscle memory.
At least I enjoyed the first game and he enjoyed the second, even if it felt a little wonky.
Now I just want to play them. I at least have them backed up with Dolphin.
@Bryon15
As the IP owner, Bandai Namco can do whatever they want and Monolith doesn't get a say. Most likely Bandai Namco would have another studio develop it. However, if a hypothetical new game would be a switch exclusive, then Monolith could develop it.
Words cannot express my levels of geeking out and anticipation.
Really good games, People should try it and Xenoblade too.
These games would look so good in HD, and would probably sell way more now that Monolith soft is such a big name.
And I'm not being contrarian, I like BKO's battle system more than EWatLO's.
Oh yes please! I loved those games!!!
Let’s hope that we get a remake (it didn’t age well) and a third chapter.
The first is one of the best JRPGs of all time, great story and music.
The fighting system was also very unique; living in Italy I had to buy a USA GC and a copy of the prequel to get over that as well, it was totally worth it.
Hopefully they will invest on a remake to have less monotonous fightings (too many random encounters), that and a graphics improvement would be great news
@nessisonett I played both when they were new and absolutely loved them. Had to sell my gamecube and never finished them. I started over recently and there are some negatives that I had forgotten about. I'd agree it didn't age well. That said, it definitely still has a charm and originality that I have not seen since. I'm definitely enjoying it and plan on finishing both.
they're just gonna release remasters on anything but the switch and wait 3 years to sell it full price on switch. Bandai loves to do crap like this with nintendo so don't get your hopes high.
I'm now a pc player, so if that happens i will laugh because i'll get to enjoy the games while switch owners won't for at least a couple of years. Not that i don't want a switch version, it's just that it's kindda of a running gag for publishers to treat switch owners like trash.
@AlanaHagues @Liam_Doolan Yes, I would like to see Baten Kaitos return.
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