The Video Game Critic

" The only single game developers I can think of that are known by all hardcore gamers that are not Japanese are Alex Pajitnov, Sid Meir and Ed Logg."

I don't know what the hardcore gamers you've talked to, but I think they might have heard of Peter Molyneux, John Romero, Richard Garriott, Peter Fargo, Roberta Willams and Warren Specter (to name a few).

John Newcomer, Ed Logg, Warren Robinett, Doug Newbaurer, Dave Theurer, Larry Delmar, David Perry, Eugene Jarvis ... I can think of lots of non-asian names as well as their non-japanese games.

I haven't heard many of these names, but honestly people, I believe that Japan is equally inovative in their game design as U.S. and Euope if not more so. I believe many North Americans assume the Japanese game market is less original because many of the original games are never ported to the states, and few get import coppies because they're just not popular with american oddiences. I don't believe it is fair to say that Nintendo is no longer creative. While they have not brought any new franchises out recently (not in America anyways) their new games continue to be both original and fun. Characters like the big fury yellow giant Doshin have yet to be ported to North America and Europe. Aside from Nintendo, I can think of many Japanese developers still bringing original material to the States from Japan. Sega and Konami are both good examples. Have you quite forgotten the likes of Metal Gear Solid? And what about all these 'ground breaking' RPG's imported from Japan? What modern american games are you thinking of specifically? You said there is no Japanese developer who could even come close to achivements like Half Life 2. What was so original about half life 2, and why is it any better than Solid Snake's recent outings? And what in god's name is so original about Baulder's Gate and why could no Japanese developer create a game like it? They can and they do! Go live in Japan for a while. You might be surprised.

I did live in Japan for 8 months. During that time, I saw that what we get from Japan is the absolute cream of the crop. Their market is flooded with dating-sims, Hentai, and really bad fighting games.

Also, not only is Nintendo not making any more franchises, they're handing their old ones over to American developers, because they can't make good games any more. They tried to make a new Metroid game since the N64 came out, but they failed. Only when they handed the reigns to American developer Relic Studios did the game get made. I predict Nintendo will stay in the console business a few more years then quit, like Sega did a few years ago. Maybe they'll hold on to the Gameboy, but that's it. The only thing keeping them alive in Japan is that pathetic Famicom Mini series.

I'm not even going to argue over why games like Deus Ex, Half-Life, and System Shock 2 are more fun and innovative than Metal Gear Solid. If you play it and it's fun, then who cares?

My original statement was: "If it weren't good ol' Japan we wouldn't have recent cult classics like Seaman, Mr. Misquito or Typing of the Dead." I never said these games sold well or even that they were fun. However, your example about Metroid I fail to understand. This is ONE game. Most Nintendo franchises have been successfully continued by Japanese developers and sell as well as ever considering the new competition. People love these games, Zelda: Wind Waker, Smash Bros. mellee, Super Mario Sunshine, Pikmin 1 and 2 the list goes on and on. With so many loyal fans, these simply can not be bad games. They are intuitive fun and often quite original. And as you say, if they're fun who cares? I still however believe that US and Europe had a bigger grip on the Video Game market in the days of the Atari 2600 than now. Things now are looking good everywhere. We all have our share of crap, mediocre rip offs, and we all have our share of intuitive and occasionally revolutionary video games. In my opinion there is an equil chance that the next REALLY big thing will come from Japan as it will from US or Europe. And the developers I was mentioning, either than Warren Robinnett, these people were not nearly as big figures as the few american developers I listed, and I was talking about single developers who created games that expressed very original ideas or changed the video game market. Not just game makers that have a successfull history and many fans.

The Japanese culture as a whole is not very innovative. They normally take other's ideas and perfect them. That is not a knock against that culture, on the contrary, it is awesome that they do what they do.

But I still believe Nintendo is doing well creatively. Pikmin, Cubivore, Animal Crossing, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Amazing Island, Odama, just to name a few, are all new and creative. I dig.

Cousin Vinnie

Animal Crossing = Just another boring life-sim game, just like a million others that are released in Japan.

Super Mario Sunshine = Mario 64, only less fun.

Wind Waker = Zelda Ocarina of Time with gimmicky graphics and sailboats.

Pikmin = A game that would be in the bargain bins if not for the Nintendo name.

Mario Kart DD = The same game I've been playing on the SNES, only much less fun.

Gameboy Advance = A graveyard for old SNES and NES games.

Luigi's Mansion = A technology demo, nothing more.

I give Nintedo three more years to get their act together, or else it's between Microsoft and Sony.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat was made by Namco, the same folks who made my beloved Mappy. I want Mappy 128 now!

All of the games you listed, ms. mappy, are not any more intuitive than any of the GameCube games you just ratted on.

Animal Crossing: It's NOT just another boring life sim, the internal clock, huge worlds, and classic Nintendo touches make Animal Crossing unlike anything else in north america. Hundreds of thousands of people bought this game and buy it today and love it. It may be somewhat like others released earlier in Japan, but perhaps that further proves my point. And as you say: If it's fun, who cares?

Super Mario Sunshine: An upgrade from Mario 64 like Super Mairo World from the Super Mairo Bros. series on NES. It is very intuitive and creative and full of possibilities for those who play it. Also, it is much more of an adventure game than any previous Mario, which makes it unique from it's precessors.

Wind Waker: I really don't care whether this Zelda has cell shaded visuals or not, but you can't complain. Again, Wind Waker allows for much more exploring, now on and off land, allong with yet again a very interesting story.

Pikmin: If this game didn't sport the Nintendo license, a company like them would snatch it up right away and make a fortune.

Mario Kart DD: I've never played this one, but I understand it features one player on the back of the cars, which doesn't change much in the 1 player mode, but I believe it really does in the ever-so-popular multiplayer.

Game Boy Advance: The only modern console on which respectable developers from both North America and Japan create new original games in the classic 2D style at affordable prices. Alot less people would even buy modern games if it weren't for this one. I own a GBA and I have been very impressed. Since there are so few 2D games on any other systems, the GBA is the place to go. There is alot more than old SNES hits. And what's wrong with old ports anyways? You might not be complaining when a classic game from YOUR past turns up. Cough, Mappy.

Luigi's Mansion: Nobody said Luigi's Mansion was original, and it was certainly not created as a technical demo. It's all side scrolling action! This was a quick simple launch title for the GC. Simple fun, little more, but still very amusing.

That pretty much covers it. And why didn't you rat on Donkey Konga? You think this hasn't been done before in Japan? Because it's made by Namco, the people who made beloved Mappy Mouse.

Remember Samba De Amigo anyone?

Am I the ONLY one here who believes Japan remains a great source for original, creative, and ultimately FUN games anymore?!

Wow, this thread has gone out of control (my fault, sorry). I only wanted to say Mappy is not an elephant, he's a mouse.

I'm just complaining about the state of video games today. I look at Nintendo and see them turning in to another Microsoft, gobbling up little developers because they've run out of ideas.

I'm still waiting for Nintendo to bring Mappy for the Advance to the States. They're sitting on a potential million seller.