YO-KAI WATCH Sensation Coming to U.S. Shores on Nintendo 3DS

[T-hug]

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After selling millions and being a cultural phenomenon in Japan, the Nintendo 3DS family of systems role-playing game YO-KAI WATCH is coming to the United States. Published by Nintendo, YO-KAI WATCH centers on a boy who gets a special watch that lets him befriend and help mischievous Yo-kai and later summon them to fight other Yo-kai. Players can overcome challenges and help various characters solve everyday problems with the help of Yo-kai friends. These eccentric Yo-kai resemble anything from inanimate objects to mythical creatures.

Release date is still TBC

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Source: GBAtemp Inbox

 

[chavosaur]

Demonic Pokemon? I'll take 12.

 

[Nathan Drake]

I feel like a good way to sum up this game from what I saw here is: "Like Pokemon, but not Pokemon"

 

[T-hug]

Some more info here:

After the 2013 launch in Japan, the Nintendo 3DS game became a top seller and was well-received by both critics and players. Along with the anime and manga, the YO-KAI WATCHphenomenon evoked wide-spread popularity and demand for the brand among children.
"With sales of more than 7 million units in Japan, YO-KAI WATCH is coming to the U.S., where a new audience will be able to experience this irresistible franchise for the first time," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "It doesn't matter if you're a kid, parent, fan or fan-in-the-making: Everyone will be won over by this charming game."
YO-KAI WATCH is launching in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Korea, demonstrating its global demand and appeal. Beyond video games, manga and anime television shows, YO-KAI WATCH has generated more than $1 billion in retail sales of toys and other merchandise in Japan, not counting games, music or publishing.

 

[Pablitox]

Woha, did I read juat right? LatinAmerica and united states?

Seems like some are taking us into account, this is so awesome

 

[Fishaman P]

I really think this is a bad idea.
I guess I say that because unlike most Americans, I've actually heard of Youkai Watch before.

 

[frogboy]

I really think this is a bad idea.
I guess I say that because unlike most Americans, I've actually heard of Youkai Watch before.

I wonder how many Americans had heard of Tomodachi Life/Collection before that was released.

 

[YetoJesse]

Yes, now get it over to the EU.
The anime was really childish, but fun though :')

 

[Kayot]

I wonder if it will be a N3DS only game.

 

[MrJason005]

Took long enough.
Wonder how the localization job will be done, this game was really 日本

 

[RevPokemon]

Looks like x/y rejects to me

 

[Youkai]

I really hope they will release this in Europe as well !!!
I already wanted to Play this game in Japanese but as I only have a Sky3ds and no idea how that Region free Thing works I haven't done so yet

 

[fatsquirrel]

I really dislike the title they used Yo-kai instead of much better looking Youkai.

Anyway, glad to see this coming to EU. I played the first game and its fantastic.

 

[MrJason005]

I really dislike the title they used Yo-kai instead of much better looking Youkai.

Anyway, glad to see this coming to EU. I played the first game and its fantastic.

Well, in Japanese the う in ようかい is basically used to extend the お sound. I believe if they were to leave with an U, it would be pronounced wrongly by Americans. Also note that they have a dash in front of O, maybe to extend the sound like in the Japanese title.
Hmm, thinking about it, they didn't bother to change the Title into "Monster Watch" or something similar, they kept with 妖怪. May hint that it will be a simple translation, not a full blown localization...

 

[fatsquirrel]

Well, in Japanese the う in ようかい is basically used to extend the お sound. I believe if they were to leave with an U, it would be pronounced wrongly by Americans. Also note that they have a dash in front of O, maybe to extend the sound like in the Japanese title.
Hmm, thinking about it, they didn't bother to change the Title into "Monster Watch" or something similar, they kept with 妖怪. May hint that it will be a simple translation, not a full blown localization...

Im actually translator/simultaneous interpreter of japanese language so it bothers me a lot
Well there are several possible transcriptions for long vowels that use two morae. It can be Yookai, Yohkai, Youkai or Yōkai. These are the most common.
I guess they went with the katakana style transcription of double vowels with the ーmark or 長音符, which is rather unusual since its only used in katakana.

To be honest I really think they should have gone with full translation of the title ''ghost watch'' or ''phantom watch''. That way, players would at least know what the thing is all about.

 

[vayanui8]

Well, in Japanese the う in ようかい is basically used to extend the お sound. I believe if they were to leave with an U, it would be pronounced wrongly by Americans. Also note that they have a dash in front of O, maybe to extend the sound like in the Japanese title.
Hmm, thinking about it, they didn't bother to change the Title into "Monster Watch" or something similar, they kept with 妖怪. May hint that it will be a simple translation, not a full blown localization...

I heard that they've renamed the main character to nathan, so I wouldn't hold my breath on it being a faithful translation to the original japanese