I've made this question on dp boards and on gamescollection boards too, but I didn't receive any real answer. Everyone knows how important may be to have a killer application bundled whit the console at launch. Well, in Japan it's not the same. Famicom, Super Famicom, N64... ...every Nintendo (I'll take Nintendo for example) console released in Japan has no games bundled. Then, reached the western markets, the consoles come bundled with some kiler application, at the beginning. Same goes for Mega Drive and many others. Why? What's the difference (s) between these markets? Which social/cultural idea leads Nintendo to sell the software separately? Why this doesn't happen in USA, Canada, Europe...?
Heres what I think: Japan - Millions of color variants and Limited edition versions USA, Canada, Europe, etc - 1,2, or 3 color variations (at most) Very few LE editions (and usually they come with bundles and not much else. I think the Japanese LE versions come with all sorts of swag and stuff that they think other countries wouldn't like. Some games over here are like that, like the WD games, but I cant think of much more.
I think because western gamers (mostly in the states) demand extras. You only have to read forums to see posts like "They should give ????? free" or "If I'm paying ???$ then I want a free game". This sort of thinking isn't present in Japan. They don't want something for nothing like in the west. Before anyone says I'm now a Wapanese or some other dumb shit, think ! Read posts on forums and you'll see I'm right. Personally I'd love a free game but if a console doesn't come with one, no big deal, just buy one. Yakumo
in japan they have far better launch lineups too... bundles (at least in europe) are just for asking a few bucks more. and also in japan every thing with nintendo written on is garanteed to succeed
You're probably at least partially correct, but I think it has to do with economics, too. Maybe I'm wrong in this assumption, but I think Americans (Americans who play videogames, anyway) aren't as well off as people in Japan. It may also be a combination. For instance, it may be that people only have slightly more money in Japan, but they spend significantly more than people in America because being cheap comes with a large social stigma there. Just speculating. Hm... maybe that should be their new motto. Although, what about Gamecube and Virtual Boy? I don't believe those sold much better in Japan than in the west.
Yeah, pretty much. I live in the U.S., so only I can vouch for the people here as I have witnessed it through the web by largely U.S. citizens... comments that the companies basically owe us "something for nothing" as Yakumo said. I like the Japanese mentality about it; the more sensible one that it is. Ditto to what Yakumo also said about not being wapanese/weeaboo.
So, it's mainly an education-politness factor? Or is there some tech reason, or shelf space, image...?
Well, if not getting a freebie rubs you wrong, stay the fuck clear of this country. My asshole still puckers up a bit when I go to Mexican restaurants and have to pay for chips & salsa. Only Japanese restaurants give out some type of "freebie" to get the ball rolling. It's usually slimey, comes in a shot glass-sized serving, and is often only given b/c of a table fee. I would say they are just probably much shittier at handling their money. Japanese are notoriously cheap, despite the fact the country is expensive. When that rainy day comes (IE, console release) they are prepared.
No, its a derogatory term. People who use it to describe themselves are just retarded. It all started from a wordfilter for Wapanese on one of the Chan sites from THIS comic. It spread like wildfire all over the internet.
