mullen

After reading this article, I almost think that I made a right decision to not buy it. No online mode means I seldom have chance to play this game with friend. Short single-player experience means that's not a game for me to play along. Some mode requires 4 human means I may never have chance to play them. Lastly, maybe I will only know it by Jan next year, but if the region-lock policy is same as Mario Kart 7 and Mario Tennis Open, that means I even can't invite my friend without 3DS to play the game with me by using my another 3DS from different region, and can't play with my friends who have 3DS from different region. Overall, no matter this is a good game or not, all those stupid policy or decisions make this game not something I can even play for most parts.

@ferthepoet I think the 1 card that used to see the opening will be included in normal version as well, while all other cards are just optional, you can play the game without them (just can't play the special AR mode). It's also possible that the drama cards will be provided through official website, and you can scan them from your monitor, tablet or phone.

@ferthepoet Check my comment under another article
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/10/bravely_default_deluxe_collectors_edition_detailed_for_europe#comment1975942

I don't have EU 3DS so I can't test the demo, but if that's same as JP version, the demo is something you don't want to miss even if you already have the game, because you can unlock several items by your demo's save data. The items are not very valuable, but can make you game significantly easier at the beginning when you don't have lots of money to buy any equipment.
Also, by playing the demo, you can have the idea of how to handle the battle system. You can also streetpass & collect villages which can be transferred to the release version, which is another benefits.

@luigifan2000 Flipnote's similar service was terminated at the same time in Japan, so forget that.

@Smitherenez I can understand. I thought it's great before I played the very last chapter.
Really want to give more comments, but that will be spoiler.

This game does a good job on almost every aspects except the story. I mean, you may only feel that this game may have one of the worst stories in the whole series after you complete the whole game, but most players haven't beat it yet. I know most players will praise this game and don't agree with me at this time point, but disappointment will eventually come after more and more players finished this game.

@Drop-Dead-Fred Hi, since I played the Japanese original version, I can answer your question (If the function is not changed from the original version to this FTS version).
There are generally 3 types of AR cards if my memory is correct. One is used at the very beginning of the game. Use that card and you can see the opening movie, and you can move your 3DS to see it from different angle. You must use this AR card to start the game. Second type is short drama, very similar to the first type, but can be optional. The short dramas give you brief idea of the 4 main characters. The last type is character cards, similar to Pokedex / AR game app on 3DS. The characters also include bosses. You can take photos for these AR cards, here is my example.
http://mullenstudio.net/my3dsalbum/photo/HNI_0004.jpg (3D if you check it on 3DS). The flying fairy is AR character.

As someone already pointed out, China has iQue, 3DS and DS, which are legal produced and supported by Nintendo. That's exactly same as what will happen to XBox One, which will be branded under BesTV, and supported by Microsoft. Someone also pointed out that there is only few games playable on i3DS. That's true, but that's Nintendo's fault. They could legally localize games, as they have already done that for several years and have several titles (before 3DS), but they didn't continue that way (when the system was not jailbroken so piracy was not a problem at that time; actually that was Nintendo's best chance, because as I know, at that time lots of Chinese players were already preferred to pay high price for games (even higher than the price in U.S. due to shipping fee)). Meanwhile, I assume BesTV's XBox One will not suffer from lack of games because XBox One will not region locked. However, it's already somewhat too late for 3DS, cause it has already been jailbroken, and you should know that what does it mean in China: either play very limited localized games with high price, or play all games from all regions, free. So, I can't see it as good news for Nintendo, as it has not changed their situation in China at all, but only make their competitors in a better position.
Btw, iDS actually sells well in China, because of warranty, price, and not region locked. But the games are not due to piracy. I don't know if anyone actually buy i3DS so far, I only heard 1-2 out of hundreds, and if they buy, it just because the exclusive Mario theme cover only available in China. Most Chinese players buy JP or NA versions (both versions are equally popular) 3DS instead of i3DS just because region lock, even that means the machine has no warranty, and may be actually second-handed one (but sold as brand new).
Sorry to type so much since I think most readers, and even Nintendo itself, don't really know Chinese video game market.

@Technosphile You will not. This is a enhanced version. Just modified a few in chapter 7&8, which is not very good in original version. All the other modifications are all about the system, which only add options (e.g., faster gameplay, more save slots, can reply movies, and more languages even in Japanese version, and the last factor propably explains why Europe and US will get this version).

I read a comment under another news yesterday (or earlier) asking why there is no 3D promotion video for Pokémon X and Y on eShop. Now here is the answer...
I would say if I rate this game 100 points before I read this news, now the game is only 75 points.

"I suspect that a lot of them must have gone home disappointed after not having passed anyone." I suspect they will be even more disappointed if they can't pass anyone from a relay point. So, please at least make sure all relay points works well. Also, I understand that the reason they don't want to make International pass, but now Homepass is actually international pass, and works much better than those relay points.

Japanese Monster Hunter 4 was released at the same time as this update. So maybe this update also helps that game in certain way (or maybe just because they want to make sure that game not be easily cracked)

@ThomasBW84, have you received any reply from NOA?

I also noticed that. At least certain Nintendo Zones, used to be able to obtain tags, no longer work.
Also, I tried to obtain AC:NL's download item from McDonald, but failed. I don't know if that's because the network connection was too poor, or also something related to this streetpass issue.

@shinpichu You can use the free trial period to transfer your BW/B2W2 Pokémons. However, it's possible that there will be no more free trial when Z, or 7th gen release, but who know what will happen at that time.

@Ecto-1 I think it will use NID or whatever account system that let you be able to recover your Pokémon even you lost your 3DS system. An information that seems not be available to NA/EU is that the release date for Pokémon bank (at least) in Japan is 12/25/2013. Why it's so late? The only reason I can imagine is that they are waiting for NID on 3DS.
Also, even if you use SD card, the data is encrypted by the 3DS system. You can't use any data on that card with another 3DS system. So if you lost your 3DS, you still can't recover it.
What's more, another reason that I think they don't what to use SD card is because that means it will be easier for crackers to duplicate or create Pokémon, and also that they need to use a stronger way to encrypt the data, that you can't recover anything if your SD card broken. Take animal crossing new leaf for example, you can't backup your save file on SD card, because the system track the latest save file, and if you restore your save file from a backup, that one is not the latest, and the game will refuse to load it. I assume the same thing will happened for Pokémon, which means SD is not a secure place for storage at all.

@FishieFish I read some Japanese versions of this news, and it seems that the download version is a DLC. The quality of the scanned version magazine I found online is just too low that I can't recognize the original text, but there're much more characters used to describe the DL version than physical copy. So I guess you can play the DL version only if you already have BDFF, and that's why it's cheaper. (Actually I hope so because I already have the original version and don't want to thing that's useless now...)

Update: now I can confirm what I said. The download version is only for the gamers who have original version.

@Aqueous @WinterWarm
For the streetpass, please read my description again. What I said is CHARATERS, not DLC classes or skills. There is no problem with the additional classes or skills, but you can't have DLC characters, like Marth, in your team. I also want to claim that this is a known bug only for US version; you can find that in wiki sites. EU and JP versions have no such bug, you can have DLC characters in your team without any problem.
For WinterWarm's first question. There is such options, so that's why certain players want to use them. If it's totally useless, developers have no reason to include it. My reason is that Japanese voice actors are much better. Whatever, bug is bug, you can't deny it.

@TheLilK98 I think that's the reason. After you watched the movie, you probably switched the language back before you got the chance to notice that glitch.

@TheLilK98 @WinterWarm There is such glitch, but only if you choose to use Japanese voice, so maybe that's why you never heard it. If you choose Japanese voice, each time you exit or reset game, although in the settings it still set as Japanese, the actual voice is English. The only solution is changing voice language twice each time before you load game.

@DarkKirby Exactly. I suffer from this bug, too. Also, there is another bug in Fire Emblem Awakening (NA version only), that if your streetpass team has any paid DLC or spotpass characters (characters from previous titles, not additional side quest chapters), anyone who streetpasses you will only receive a random team instead of your real team. Just think about have you ever received any team with DLC or spotpass character, and you can confirm it.

@Silvervisiona I just searched over Internet, and it says that ACNL seems to generate a new code each time you play it, and save the code on both the system and SD card. So if you SD card's save file is not latest (which means the codes don't match), the game will refuse to load it. There are also some cases to support that. I think Pokémon XY may use the same way.
I think that make playing digital version very dangerous if your SD card is not reliable.

I can't decide which version to go with. I want both for digital because that's convenient, but also want to have the box and card. I want to be able to trade Pokemons between 2 games, and I don't know if that's possible with 2 download games (e.g., will there be an official special tool from eShop for Pokémon trading). I don't know if there's any preorder bonus in US, and if that's interesting. Meanwhile I will not be in US when it get released, and I will suffer from region-lock if go with local card version... I hope I have get all these necessary information before the release date so I can make decision in time.

@Silvervisiona I'm not sure you really can do that thing. I think Nintendo will try all the possible way to make sure you can't obtain extra benefits from backing up game saves (e.g., otherwise you can duplicate Pokemons). It's said that you can't backup Animal Crossing New Life's save file, although I have not tested it myself.

I'm platinum but I don't like any of those platinum exclusive rewards. I just want the calendar and the downloadable games, but it seems a waste of my statues, especially that I bought few games I don't really like before the deadline just for the last few coins. I don't want to compliant whether the rewards are good or not, I just hope that they can allow platinum member to choose 2 gold rewards instead of one.

On the one hand, you say nobody need that, but on the other hand, you say that if region free, there will be a big impact to Nintendo or game manufacturers. Your one reason is against you another reason. Actually, it's true that only few player need that, so region-free can't be a big impact. But meanwhile, it's important for those few players, who are more likely to be die hard players that region-free will not harm Nintendo but only make them buy more games. Also, you said it's games in different regions are released nearer at this time, but meanwhile, you also say that if players buy games from one region, they will not buy games from another region when it get localized. If they really can and work hard to make games released simultaneously at different region, than they don't need to worry about anything. But the reality is for lots of games, they can't, or even they may not release then in other regions at all. So, buying games from different regions are still necessary. Just check all the games mentioned in this site, especially each weeks sales chart in Japan, and count how many games on that charts released on 3DS that not and may never released in other regions. If localization can't help (you can't deny that if you're not blind), why not region-free.

I think the region-lock is even worse than what is mentioned above. The power adapter can only accept 110v or 220v depending on the region, which means if you want to travel to another region, you may need to buy another power adapter (I use USB power adapter). Also, lots of games' local wireless function is region locked, so if you find players from another region, you can't play with them. Also, few Nintendo's game even locked internet play in different region, e.g., Mario tennis, totally meaningless. I don't think Nintendo just want to say "keep your 3DS at home, never bring it aboard", otherwise there should be no such maps and achievements in Mii Plaza. But Nintendo is really tried their best in every aspect for region-lock.

Also, just want to have some general comments on other's comments. First, I think "offensive" is not a proper word for this game. It's true for several other Japanese games, but this one should not be included. Otherwise, Nintendo will not let it on DS since several years ago, and they will not ask girls playing the game in the TV ad. However, different player have different feeling. Second, it's better never get released outside Asia, and will never. Otherwise, several contents will surely be cut, voice actor will be replaced, and voice system will be removed, etc.. Btw, even Nintendo's Tomodachi Collection can't find a way to western world, not let to say this one. Finally, there is no marriage in the game.
Btw, someone mentioned Idolm@ster, and I also want to say Hatsune Miku (this site said nothing about Project Mirai 2, which will be released this fall ). I think these games may be able to find their market in western world, if they don't change song's language. (I know the market may be very small, but the localization can be quite easy, so not a big investment)

I'd like to correct one of the information in the article. Akira Yukino is not the 4th heroine in previous 3DS game. She is only available in latest mobile platform (side game on ios/android), and never appeared in mainstream series. It's not surprise that she is not included in next mainstream game.

I want to give different comment about streetpass battle. The number of soldiers of your enemy is decided by your own army at the first encounter. For example, if you have 100 soldiers, your enemy may have 75, while if you have 1000, you enemy have 750. What's more, you actually can defeat all your enemies at your first try if you're clever, and sometimes lucky.
However, since I'm in US, I have never streetpassed anyone with this game installed, so I'm not sure how the battle between two kings (2 streetpass players) work. I'm afraid that may be a nightmare for the player with a small army, and will be extremely difficult to unlock the 10 streak wins achievement.

Another thing I want to argue is that for streetpass mansion, one piece can have a maximum of 5 blocks, not 4.

Here are some my other opinions.
1. I'm glad that there (seems to be) no achievement that require you to finish the game entirely, and you don't need to play something like secret quest 10 times; and the game will not be finished once you collect all the hats. However, I don't think I can finish the squad with no damage for all missions, no matter how long it takes. That one is horrible.
2. At the beginning, I think if you really understand the battle one, you will find it's great. However, it seems that you may have nothing to do if you conquer the world 3 times or so (except battle with other streetpass players). On the contrary, the garden one is very boring at the beginning, but you will eventually find that it has most contents of all the games.
3. One thing I hate is that I will need to buy the game twice since I have 2 3DS, and I want to have all the hats on both of them... If those games are separated from Mii Plaza, or not related to any hats / music, then I can save a lot money.

@TigerThompson I don't have screenshots, but I hope my following instruction is helpful. 1. Go into the plaza. if you are not in the familiar interface, move to the fountain and press A. 2. Move to the very left icon (blue one), which is 更新する, press A. 3. press A, press A (which means select する！), press A. wait, press A*2. 4. move to the setting(設定) icon on the right, press A, and make sure the version on the top right is 3.1.
However, I updated it manually before the system asked me to do, so maybe your case is different. I think it's very likely that you only need to select する！when asked about 更新データ.

@Shugo You're wrong, the bug affceted JP version, too, just not so seriously. Now the update for JP is avaiable.

It seems that the update for JP's Mii Plaza is not available yet.

I once saw Japanese official guide book and it contains all the pictures of real and fake ones. Unfortunately in English version, the guide book only contains real version.

I have a Japanese 3DS and it crashes as well. It crashed even before I downloaded or tried to download any new mini games. For me, all the crashes happened when I browsed Miis in my plaza. I'm sure this is a huge issue for this update, and can understand why Nintendo didn't include it in NA's update.

I think there are some more important numbers. First, how much can an iOS game earn on average, and the 3DS. Second, how much money is necessary to develop an iOS game on average, and the 3DS. It's surely that there are much more (with lots of them are low quality) iOS games, and very few famous exceptions that are big succes. But does that means iOS are really more profitable for general game developers?
Its also interesting to see that if iOS and 3DS can be compared as TV and movie.
Btw, I think we can ignore Vita in this discussion at this time

I'm angry with you, nintendolife. I'm sure you know Japanese, so why you cheat us on what the updates contain? It's easy to translate the webpage on the Nintendo website, and it's nothing about what you said. Your previous news for this topic is a lie (all the "evidence" can be easily explained if you play that game and know Japan), and you're just using another lie to hide your previous lie. Shame.

Unless the issue has been officially claimed by Nintendo, or at least reported by Japanese game media (not social or joke media), I believe that western media is cheated by those players. The screenshots mean nothing, because the gender of Mii has no relationship with the appearance, voice, personality, or clothes. (Everyone should know that you can create a female Mii with all male component in Mii Studio, since none component has gender porperty). This trick is commonly known for this game, so maybe it's just those players created this news.
Whatever, if it's true, it will be interesting to see what Nintendo will do.

@rjejr Special LL version for tomodachi colleciton (Bundle)

@3Dash It's more like a coincidence. The Japanese name of New Leaf is totally different (とびだせ, literally means "Jump out"), and New Life (新生活) is not an official English name (and it's not likely that it will have one in the future; or if it has, may be totally different, because there is no "old life" for western players).

FYI: This post is about the situation in China. Somebody may know that N3DSXL is call as I3DSLL in China (produced by Nintendo, but for certain law reason, released by another company with another name). Every I3DSLL is pro-installed with MK7 and SM3LD (you can find the news on this site), but there is no eShop on the console: there is no such online service at all. Thus, if you erase your games from SD card, there is no way to recover it. There is a rumor that if such thing happens, you can send the system back and they can install the games for you. However, since every system comes with that 2 games, they don't need to identify whether the games are tied to the system.

For the 2 modes, I think it has been mentioned in the dialog at least twice (one is friendship upgrade, another is dlc), that the debate of which one values more: achieve overall victory, or make everyone alive. Also, I refused to think that soft reset for classical mode is cheating or equals to casual mode: I just consider it as that whenever your unit dies, game over, so you need to reset. Therefore, the game forces you to consider how to save every single unit instead of just think about how to defeat enemies, and you can't use sacrifice as strategy.

I see lots of people want it be localized, but I doubt that's a good idea. The game failed not because the market, but because the game itself. After tried the demo version released few weeks ago, I would say the mechanics is too simple, which can make the game boring after first few stages. It's very likely that it will be another big failure if it get localized, or players who buy it will disappointed.

After reading the comments, I just find how stubborn are the players, refused to any type of change. Now I know why almost never-changed cod, fifa, and so on can have that great sales number.

I think there maybe 2 reasons why it doesn't sells well. 1. There are just too many characters, and I think for most of players, they just know a few parts of them. Altough maybe some your favorite ones are included, you may still concern that the rest of them that you may have no idea may ruin your experience. 2. Why there's no demo? The BDFF wins because they released 5 extremely high quality demos, so everyone know that it's a really great game, even it's a traditional jrpg. But for PxZ, nothing, so we don't know whether the gameplay is really interesting, and don't dare to spend the money.

@Tasuki If they want they can just modify the game a bit to make it possible to catch all pokemons (just as some mod versions). It will not harm the trading system because they can disable the trade between VC version and all other versions (or all other 4th and 5th generations).
What I really want is that they can improve the VC system for GBA, just like what they did for NES. However, it may be technically impossible.

Thank you for the review. I was thinking whether this tiltle can be competitive eought with Colors! 3D, but it seems not. The lack of 3D ability is essential, which means they have no way to reproduce the amazing artworks production by Colors! 3D. No easy way to share your work is another big problem, and DLC can be potentially pricy. I don't think for it worth 5 times, or 10 times for this weekend, as that of Colors! 3D.

Rather than the price itself, I'm more considering about if I can easily transfer a digital copy from one machine to another, which, currently, the answer is no. Imagine that I bought all title in digital form on 3DS, than 1 years later, I decide to buy a 3DS XL, or whatever further model, then I only have 2 options: either transfer everything to 3DS XL, and made 3DS useless, or do nothing, and thus can't play any old games on 3DS XL. Since I'm a pokemon fan, I think the ability to use one game card on different machines is essential when trading pokemons between different game versions.

I'll not consider it at all. It's just too large, and can't fit my pocket. There's nothing really attracts me for this XL. I'm still waiting for the really upgrade of 3DS(l/i) as my 2nd 3DS, same body size (but bigger screen), and whatever real functional upgrade.