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3. Inazuma Eleven 1･2･3!!
The Inazuma Eleven series mixes soccer with JRPG gameplay and an anime art style. These three elements are things that I would never expect to be combined together, yet this mixture creates a very compelling and interesting video game series. Inazuma Eleven 1･2･3!! is a combination of the first three sets of games in the series, making a compilation of six games in total on 3DS. The game was released in Japan on December 27, 2012, and was published by Level-5.
Why it should be localized: The United States has never received any Inazuma Eleven games! These games have only been localized to Europe, due to the fact that soccer has a bigger appeal in that area. However, I’d argue that the United States still has a sizeable amount of people that enjoy either soccer or JRPGs that would want an Inazuma Eleven game. Releasing a compilation of the first batch of titles would be a great way to introduce the series to the United States. Also, Inazuma Eleven 1･2･3!! has not been brought to Europe either, and I’m sure there are many people who want this game released there as well.
The odds of it being localized: We have an unusually high chance of an Inazuma Eleven game coming to the United States, but whether this game is Inazuma Eleven 1･2･3!!, the recent UK release of Inazuma Eleven 3, the Inazuma Eleven GO series, or nothing at all remains to be seen. This is due to the fact that the game was listed on Nintendo’s official United States website as being released in Q1 2014, but has suspiciously gone missing after it was reported on Nintendo Life. There hasn’t been an official confirmation of an Inazuma Eleven game coming to the United States yet, so I’m hoping that the listing was not a mistake!
I’m definitely a Game Center CX fan, and I love that there are a group of fans so dedicated to getting the shows translated into English when they come out. I don’t own Retro Game Challenge, but I followed the development of both the first and second game, and I thought the team did a fantastic job of capturing the era of gaming featured so often on the show.
It’s a shame that the game didn’t sell well in the west, but the fact that games like this exist warms my heart.
I’ve wanted to play Beyond the Labyrinth since I first saw a trailer a few years ago. I suppose the only hope is that someone concludes that the cost of localization will be covered by sales in the West, and that Japanese sales might not be the best predictor.
Here’s hoping! These all look interesting in one way or another, but Beyond the Labyrinth looks especially appealing to me.
…Well, that and Dragon Quest VII. :^)
Very, very good list Anthony.
Nice list of games! Some were already on my personal watch list, others I’d heard about then forgotten, and a few were complete unknowns for me. Great to see them get some exposure in the West. With software like this, it’s no surprise that 3DS has become a “must own” piece of hardware.
Thanks for the comments everyone! I had a lot of fun writing this one up, and I genuinely hope that these games get localized! More software on the 3DS is never a bad thing :)