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Nintendo has 'no plans' to localize Xenoblade

Fan campaign to bring Japanese RPGs to North American Wiis suffers setback as Mario maker says nothing in the works right now.

Nintendo has heard its fans' pleas...and denied them. A fan campaign to convince the publisher to import a trio of Japanese role-playing games--Xenoblade, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower--for North American Wii players was dealt a setback last night as Nintendo of America said there were no plans to bring the titles over.

You can look, but there are

You can look, but there are "no plans" to let you touch.

In a posting to its Facebook account last night, the publisher thanked the fan base for showing enthusiasm for the games, then broke the bad news. "We never say 'never,' but we can confirm that there are no plans to bring these three games to the Americas at this time," the status update read.

The campaign--dubbed "Operation Rainfall"--had been gaining steam. A push to preorder Xenoblade (under the name Monado: Beginning of the World) on Amazon.com was particularly successful, propelling the game to the top of the online retailer's best-seller charts for a time. (As of press time, the game had fallen to 11 on Amazon's chart, having spent six days in the top 100.)

While The Last Story and Pandora's Tower were never slated for release in North America, Xenoblade is another matter. Nintendo unveiled the game at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo under the name Monado: Beginning of the World. As recently as January, when the publisher reported its financial third quarter results, it still listed Monado: Beginning of the World on its "launch schedule of primary Nintendo products" for North America.

However, the schedule noted that the game's title was temporary, and the release window was given as "TBA." In March, Nintendo announced a European release for Xenoblade (under the name Xenoblade Chronicles), complete with optional English voice tracks and subtitles in five languages.

180 Comments

  • Son_Jazrin

    Posted Nov 29, 2011 11:43 am GMT

    @Zynqu I agree completely. I only wish they would give a reason why.

  • Zynqu

    Posted Oct 18, 2011 8:03 am GMT

    by the time this is released into the states everyone will have imported a copy. then reggie will use that as an excuse saying yea it dont sell well........

  • GreatWok

    Posted Oct 4, 2011 2:01 pm GMT

    It's a shame that these aren't coming to America but there's a lot more gold kept in Japan that never leaves it's origins. It's a shame really. I'd love to play Tales of Graces...

  • Hellavation

    Posted Sep 18, 2011 5:54 am GMT

    @Linaxel Non-tendo is just full of a bunch of idiots that's all! They're so scared to lose money on a game that they are just not chancing bringing these three games to America. Oh and it's soooooo hard to translate and localize these games! Excuses!

  • Linaxel

    Posted Sep 12, 2011 2:47 pm GMT

    I don't really understand why they want to leave out NA. We all know now that it's out that this game is revolutionary. I think many every player who has any connection to JRPGs wants to have it it is even translated in english. So i just can't think of a logical explanation. But i can see the consequences: 1. People will mod their wii = profit to modders 2. People will import the game from europe for example = profit to european retailers and Nintendo of Europe
    3. People will download the game after modding = no profit for anyone
    It's like everyone wins except Nintendo of America so again WHY?
    By the way I am european, i'm just trying to understand this!!

  • everlong12

    Posted Sep 10, 2011 1:58 pm GMT

    i think the only way nintendo can make this up to us is if they wait for the Wii U and release this game with some NA only content. I usually buy next gen nintendo systems right away but I'm losing faith. Too many dam kiddie games on Wii. Thats what the VTech and Leapster are for Nintendo, lets bring your fans with the money the games they want.

  • Keeper_Artemus

    Posted Aug 22, 2011 6:52 am GMT

    Sigh....what a shame, Nintendo. I have all this money here in my pocket that I was hoping to get rid of. Guess I'll just have to keep buying games for my PS3.

  • Charles3646

    Posted Aug 21, 2011 8:51 am GMT

    I really don't get it, Nintendo plans a new console (WiiU) to attract core gamers to their products but they pass on Titles such as this one but also games like Fatal Frame and The Last Story. The weirdest thing is that Xenoblade is already translated in 5 languages as the game review suggest it and published by Nintendo itself witch, I think, put them in good position in terms of publishing rights and budget. You won't attract core gamers with titles like mario party 9 or Kirby return to dreamland. We want RPGs !!!!! at least, Hopefully the new zelda is coming to north america lol :p

  • abbyrose

    Posted Jul 30, 2011 11:43 am GMT

    Oh well looks like I have to mod my Wii for the European version...Thanks for nothing once again NoA!

  • theJBlounge

    Posted Jul 29, 2011 11:28 pm GMT

    The reality is that Mario Party 12 is going to sell better than Xenoblade. This really should've been a PSP/3DS/PS3 game for it to reach an audience over here.

  • Cede

    Posted Jul 29, 2011 11:23 pm GMT

    wow thats rough... guess i need to learn Japanese and buy a Japanese wii now!

  • montblanc512

    Posted Jul 21, 2011 8:25 am GMT

    Hate to say it, but until I see a 100% legit rpg on Wii U, I'm done with nintendo. I'm sick of this crap. I already made the mistake of buying the 3DS, only to realize afterwards that the only game I had interest in is still over a month away (and even more stupid, they're releasing a sequel for the DS... they're remaking a game for 3DS, but it's sequel is on the DS and won't come out til next year... think about that... I'm 100% sure they're just cashing in, and we'll see a remake of the second one as well in another year or two) So yeah, I'm not buying any of nintendo's crap until they actually start giving me what I want, which is RPGs, and take a step away from just resting on their flagship titles.

  • rushiosan

    Posted Jul 20, 2011 1:31 am GMT

    Yes Nintendo, smart move. While you don't "have plans" to release this game on NA, the piracy already have good plans for bringing this title to us. Sad.

  • EABGamer

    Posted Jul 16, 2011 7:21 pm GMT

    that game looks really good.......wow nintendo you have the best rpgs this gen and you don't release them in the states. wtf is wrong with them. I might just buy a wii to play them and a few other games.

  • Slash_out

    Posted Jul 15, 2011 4:55 pm GMT

    Good idea Nintendo. Let's not localize the few real core games released on your consoles...
    geez.

  • TheLoneMortal

    Posted Jul 12, 2011 8:35 pm GMT

    "Nintendo has 'no plans' to localize Xenoblade"

    Reading this struck me like a sword to the back. Come on Nintendo, the demand for these games are high why not aim for an international release, this console has been lacking quality RPGs for a long time now.

  • foxfacer2d2

    Posted Jul 6, 2011 8:26 pm GMT

    well it's time to learn Japanese language and kanji

  • suffering-evil

    Posted Jul 6, 2011 7:51 am GMT

    i made the point earlier so just gonna simplify it, what do you guys think about what the wii gaming library will be like from q3 this year til q3 next year, cause after quarter 3 2012 its all wii u from there.

  • suffering-evil

    Posted Jul 6, 2011 7:49 am GMT

    @Valen_Ca your right never thought about that point. we wii owners know that its gonna be third party support that what gonna make the wii u boom when its released. So maybe last story and xenoblade will come for the next gen system, with improved graphics and with move graphic capability make the game content even better. but still even though that sounds like it could be true, if its not coming to north america then its not hitting us shores even with the new system. so as of right now all we can hope too see what we saw at e3, which is games like Battlefield 3, darksiders, assassins creed and other games coming over to nintendo. but overall still bad news for 2 potentially great selling rpg's for we wii fans :-( i have been waiting for these two games for awhile now, at least hoping that released date would chagne from TBA one day, lol

  • gohoanq

    Posted Jul 5, 2011 5:58 pm GMT

    @nintendoboy16

    Actually, what I meant by that was the people in charge are the ones screwing us over. Nintendo isn't.

    NOA = a bunch of out of touch big shots that don't give a rats ass for us real gamers and would rather release some crappy low reviewed party game for the 10000th time than to give us better games.

    As long as Nintendo remains so does our supply of those games you mentioned, I love those games, that's why I have always loved Nintendo, but again, NOA is horrible.

  • ArabrockermanX

    Posted Jul 5, 2011 2:25 pm GMT

    @bigcrusha My guess is those titles weren't good fits for motion gaming and the Wii wasn't powerful enough.

  • bigcrusha

    Posted Jul 5, 2011 11:16 am GMT

    @nintendoboy16 Nintendo told the press around the wii's launch that while not confirmed, they would try to give all the more popular flagship titles an appearance on for the wii in the near future for motion gaming intergration purposes, unless by appearance they meant smash bros, i'd say f zero wii and starfox wii were among their goals. Although, judging from the announcement of the wii U, that may no longer be the case.

  • nintendoboy16

    Posted Jul 5, 2011 6:16 am GMT

    @bigcrusha

    Nintendo didn't promise a new Star Fox or F-Zero for the Wii.

  • bigcrusha

    Posted Jul 5, 2011 2:57 am GMT

    lol wooow, Nintendo just basically told it's fans to #@$% off in the nicest way possible xD. As for me, I'm still waiting for the starfox wii and f-zero wii that WE were promised.

  • zaiwen

    Posted Jul 4, 2011 9:11 pm GMT

    ooh wow i got a lota thumbs down on my last post.. guess i struck a nerve & "hurt" peoples feelings, oooh.. haha.. like i care.. doesnt matter really, Ninty still won't change their mind despite your cries hehehe..

    if i were yall, i shoulda gotten used to it by now, since this has always have been the case before & it wouldn't change anytime soon

  • tre802001

    Posted Jul 4, 2011 8:15 pm GMT

    I can see the passion that fans of these games have. Where was the support for the other JRPGs that did get released on the Wii? Those games sold poorly, therefore, no plans for the 3 games that people(myself included) want will not be localized.

  • Ovirew

    Posted Jul 4, 2011 5:06 pm GMT

    Nintendo already suffers from a lack of 3rd-party games and they took a pass on one that could have kept Wii owners interested in the system for a little while longer.

    They've been making some really folly-filled decisions lately. (Of course I could trace 'lately' back to the debut of the Wii...) First they release the 3DS right after the DSi XL, with no stellar games at launch or near launch. The best game on the system is Zelda OOT, which came out back in 1998. And there won't be any original, good games for the system until at least the end of this year, almost a year after launch.

    And now they do this. They must not be too hard up for money if they keep doing things like this. And why should they be, after people gave them money to spare by buying Wiis.

  • musicman998

    Posted Jul 3, 2011 10:44 pm GMT

    Nintendo needs to remember who got them to where they are today. The loyal fanbase.

  • DarkGothic

    Posted Jul 3, 2011 9:36 pm GMT

    There is a lesson for Japanese producers do not make the mistake again of producing important games for Nintendo consoles and an effective invitation to piracy of games on the Wii.

  • Sequences

    Posted Jul 3, 2011 8:12 pm GMT

    I was wondering why the wii emulation group has been thriving recently. Guess their efforts to translate the better jrpgs of the wii has been better received than these kind of crappy news.

  • 1391731973

    Posted Jul 3, 2011 6:02 pm GMT

    And the kicker? Xenoblade is a second party title. Nintendo owns it.

  • Metroidfire

    Posted Jul 3, 2011 11:51 am GMT

    *sigh* why nintendo why

  • nintendoboy16

    Posted Jul 3, 2011 5:58 am GMT

    @Kenshiro_Kenoh

    Nintendo has had reception like this since post-SNES (N64, Gamecube and the Wii is still carrying that on. The Wii U is sadly next).

  • MessySlickJr

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 10:59 pm GMT

    Now my Wii will collect more dust, and the JRPG genre will continue dying.

  • nintendoboy16

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 12:47 pm GMT

    @Matt-IGN-SR388

    That will most likely make matters worse. If Nintendo sees that sales for Skyward Sword bomb because of some boycott, Nintendo are most likely going to announce that the next Zelda will not release in America, but would release only in Japan, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand (like Xenoblade). And that will just screw Nintendo fans in the US even more.

  • nintendoboy16

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 12:24 pm GMT

    @gohoanq

    Getting rid of Nintendo of America = No more Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Metroid, Star Fox, F-Zero, etc for the US. You really want the fans to be screwed over even more?

  • nintendoboy16

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 12:11 pm GMT

    And a boycott of all things Nintendo is called because of this. I'm not going to lie, a lack of localization sucks, but is resorting to a boycott to get Xenoblade in America going to change NoA's minds? If anything, it may resort to them preventing future localizations of ANY new Zelda, Mario, and Pokemon games if this boycott has any effects.

  • Guu345

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 11:45 am GMT

    The aftermath of this will be the paradox of crappy Wii shovelware. There goes the Wii's library! Cooking Mama anyone?

  • LgacyX6

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 10:18 am GMT

    This is truly sad news. Well, we know Operation Rainfall will not give up.

  • Valen_Ca

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 7:59 am GMT

    Am I the only one thinking that the reason that Nintendo isn't releasing this game and Last Story in North America on the Wii is because they will need something to launch the WiiU with? Let's face it, there is no way Nintendo will have another Zelda game next year, there hasn't been any decent rumours about a Mario game in development and I don't think that they would launch with Metroid so they need something to help the new system stand out. Since this is Nintendo they won't obviously come out and just say this but the whole "We never say 'never,' but we can confirm that there are no plans to bring these three games to the Americas at this time," quote must mean someone, somewhere in the depths of NOA has this on their mind.

  • suffering-evil

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 7:05 am GMT

    man, after playing a great rpg in Arc Rise Fantasia I was looking foward to xenblade and last story, this is sad news for me. Well it looks like with all attention too the wii u now the wii gaming library will see a slump more and more each coming month. Nothing really eles I was looking foward too :-( I mean a brotha has had enough mario and zelda he could take for now. We all know there will be a mario title for wii U but wii library for new future games isn't looking to promising for the next 12-16 months

  • gameking5000

    Posted Jul 2, 2011 2:28 am GMT

    @musicman998
    Oh they did listen to their customers, In europe
    About time North Americans feels what it is like to not have one game they desperately wanted being localised.

  • musicman998

    Posted Jul 1, 2011 9:37 pm GMT

    All I have to say is f*** you Nintendo. Here was a chance to actually LISTEN to your loyal customers but instead, you take a nice heaping s*** all over them. F*** you.

  • korn62586

    Posted Jul 1, 2011 7:31 pm GMT

    I will buy this game if released in america

  • ZeroX91

    Posted Jul 1, 2011 6:33 pm GMT

    I was hoping this would make it over, glad I bought my wii second hand for 50 usd considering the only two games I actually bought for it were nmh 1 and 2, has Nintendo forgotten that most of its money doesn't from its first party games?

  • zaiwen posted Jul 1, 2011 5:24 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    zaiwen

    Posted Jul 1, 2011 5:24 pm GMT (hide)

    Well too bad haha, as always yall gona cry about it coz u'll never get your sweaty hands on em.. On the upside though, yall can just watch some gameplay videos & just hope for the best that somehow Ninty will finally decide to ship it Stateside.. That is, only after we've mastered the game inside & out & we're finally sick of it.. Only then can yall feed on our spoils haha

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