IQue, Ltd. (partially found cancelled Chinese localizations of Nintendo video games; 2000s): Difference between revisions

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iQue, Ltd. is a Chinese video game localization and console manufacturing company located in Suzhou which was founded as a joint venture between Wei Yen and Nintendo in an effort to skirt the Chinese government's ban on video games. The company manufactured and distributed official Nintendo products in Mainland China until 2018. During that time they released versions of the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, DS, 3DS as well as cancelled versions of the GameCube and Wii.<ref name=":0">[http://www.chuapp.com/article/251110.html 《记录》第17期：神游中国（上）by 大狗 on chuapp.com.] Retrived 16 Feb '22.</ref><ref name=":1">[http://www.chuapp.com/2016/06/23/251190.html 《记录》第17期：神游中国（下）by 大狗 on chuapp.com.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22.</ref> Due to the brand's general lack of success and to a lesser extent interference from the Chinese government<ref name=":1" /> many of the company's localizations have never been released.
''iQue, Ltd.'' is a Chinese video game localization and console manufacturing company located in Suzhou which was founded as a joint venture between Wei Yen and Nintendo in an effort to skirt the Chinese government's ban on video games. The company manufactured and distributed official Nintendo products in mainland China until 2018, due to Nintendo wanted to expand patnership to other third-party companies like Nvidia and Tencent in mainland China. During that time, they released versions of the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, DS, 3DS, as well as cancelled versions of the GameCube and Wii.<ref name=":0">[http://www.chuapp.com/article/251110.html 《记录》第17期：神游中国（上）by 大狗 on ''ChuApp''.] Retrived 16 Feb '22.</ref><ref name=":1">[http://www.chuapp.com/2016/06/23/251190.html 《记录》第17期：神游中国（下）by 大狗 on ''ChuApp''.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22.</ref> Due to the brand's general lack of success, increasing PC and mobile gaming market, rampant video game clone grey market, and to a lesser extent interference from the Chinese government,<ref name=":1" /> '''many of the company's localizations have never been released'''.


==Known Cancelled Localizations==
==Known Cancelled Localizations==
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!Status
!Status
|-
|-
|''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask''
|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
|塞尔达传说-魔力面具-
|塞尔达传说-魔力面具-
|Action-adventure
|Action-adventure
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' (Traditional Chinese)
|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese)
|塞爾達傳說：時光之笛
|塞爾達傳說：時光之笛
|Action-adventure
|Action-adventure
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!Status
!Status
|-
|-
|''Advance Wars''
|Advance Wars
|陆海空大战
|陆海空大战
|Strategy
|Strategy
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising''
|Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
|N/A
|N/A
|Strategy
|Strategy
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''DK: King of Swing''
|DK: King of Swing
|摇摆森喜刚
|摇摆森喜刚
|Puzzle-platformer
|Puzzle-platformer
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''Donkey Kong Country''
|Donkey Kong Country
|超级大金刚
|超级大金刚
|Platformer
|Platformer
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Famicom Mini Collection*''
|Famicom Mini Collection*
|红白机合集
|红白机合集
|Compilation
|Compilation
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade''
|Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
|火纹战记: 封印之剑
|火纹战记: 封印之剑
|Tactical role-playing
|Tactical role-playing
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade''
|Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
|N/A
|N/A
|Tactical role-playing
|Tactical role-playing
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones''
|Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
|N/A
|N/A
|Tactical role-playing
|Tactical role-playing
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Golden Sun''
|Golden Sun
|黄金太阳
|黄金太阳
|Role-playing
|Role-playing
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land''
|Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
|星之卡比：梦之泉
|星之卡比：梦之泉
|Platformer
|Platformer
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Kuru Kuru Kuruin''
|Kuru Kuru Kuruin
|转转棒
|转转棒
|Puzzle
|Puzzle
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''Kuruin Paradise''
|Kurui Paradise
|转转棒天堂
|转转棒天堂
|Puzzle
|Puzzle
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga''
|Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
|马力欧与路易吉RPG
|马力欧与路易吉RPG
|Role-playing
|Role-playing
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''
|Mario Kart: Super Circuit
|马力欧卡丁车超级赛道
|马力欧卡丁车超级赛道
|Kart racing
|Kart racing
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''
|Mario vs. Donkey Kong
|马力欧对大金刚
|马力欧对大金刚
|Puzzle-platformer
|Puzzle-platformer
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire''
|Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
|精灵宝可梦弹珠台
|精灵宝可梦弹珠台
|Pinball
|Pinball
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire''
|Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire
|精灵宝可梦：红宝石·蓝宝石
|精灵宝可梦：红宝石·蓝宝石
|Role-playing
|Role-playing
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Polarium Advance''
|Polarium Advance
|通勤一笔
|通勤一笔
|Puzzle
|Puzzle
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''The Legendary Starfy''
|The Legendary Starfy
|斯塔非的传说
|斯塔非的传说
|Platformer
|Platformer
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''The Legendary Starfy 2''
|The Legendary Starfy 2
|斯塔非的传说2
|斯塔非的传说2
|Platformer
|Platformer
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|''The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past'' ''/'' ''Four Swords''
|The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords
|塞尔达传说：三角力量／四支神剑
|塞尔达传说：三角力量／四支神剑
|Action-adventure
|Action-adventure
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap''
|The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
|塞尔达传说：神奇小帽
|塞尔达传说：神奇小帽
|Action-adventure
|Action-adventure
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Tomato Adventure''
|Tomato Adventure
|番茄酱王国大冒险
|番茄酱王国大冒险
|Role-playing
|Role-playing
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|}
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>The ''Famicom Mini Collection'' contains of the ''Classic NES Series'' / ''Famicom Mini'' versions of
<nowiki>*</nowiki>The ''Famicom Mini Collection'' contains of the ''Classic NES Series''/''Famicom Mini'' versions of:
 
*Balloon Fight
*''Balloon Fight''
*Clu Clu Land
*''Clu Clu Land''
*Donkey Kong
*''Donkey Kong''
*Dr. Mario
*''Dr. Mario''
*Excitebike
*''Excitebike''
*Ice Climber
*''Ice Climber''
*Mario Bros.
*''Mario Bros.''
*Metroid
*''Metroid''
*Super Mario Bros.
*''Super Mario Bros.''
*Super Mario Bros. 2
*''Super Mario Bros. 2''
*Wrecking Crew
*''Wrecking Crew''


===iQue DS===
===iQue DS===
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!Status
!Status
|-
|-
|''Big Brain Academy''
|Big Brain Academy
|大脑科学院
|大脑科学院
|Edutainment
|Edutainment
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!Status
!Status
|-
|-
|''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games''
|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
|马力欧索尼克北京奥运会
|马力欧索尼克北京奥运会
|Sports
|Sports
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Mario Kart Wii''
|Mario Kart Wii
|N/A
|马力欧卡丁车Wii
|Kart racing
|Kart racing
|Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
|Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Super Mario Galaxy''
|Super Mario Galaxy
|马力欧银河
|马力欧银河
|Platformer
|Platformer
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Wii Play''
|Wii Play
|N/A
|N/A
|Party
|Party
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|''Wii Sports''
|Wii Sports
|N/A
|N/A
|Sports
|Sports
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==Cancellation and Availability==
==Cancellation and Availability==
[[File:Nintendo-N64-iQue-Player-FL.jpg|thumb|iQue Player]]


===iQue Player===
===iQue Player===
[[File:Nintendo-N64-iQue-Player-FL.jpg|thumb|iQue Player]]


====''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask''====
====The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask====
A Simplified Chinese translation of ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' was planned for release in 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050422175353/http://www.ique.com:81/JSP/qz_zeldamask.htm ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' page from the official iQue website archived on Wayback Machine.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22.</ref> The translation was very late into development even being featured on the back of the iQue Player's box but was cancelled due to technical issues with battery saves<ref name=":1" /> and the company's limited workforce being shifted to work on the iQue Game Boy Advance.<ref>[https://club.tgfcer.com/viewthread.php?tid=7652228&extra=&page=2 AMA with former iQue employee "hide" on the TGFC Lifestyle forums.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22.</ref>
A Simplified Chinese translation of ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' was planned for release in 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050422175353/http://www.ique.com:81/JSP/qz_zeldamask.htm ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' page from the official ''iQue'' website archived on ''Wayback Machine''.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22.</ref> The translation was very late into development, even being featured on the back of the iQue Player's box, but was cancelled due to technical issues with battery saves<ref name=":1" /> and the company's limited workforce being shifted to work on the iQue Game Boy Advance.<ref>[https://club.tgfcer.com/viewthread.php?tid=7652228&extra=&page=2 AMA with former ''iQue'' employee "hide" on the ''TGFC Lifestyle'' forums.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22.</ref>


====''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' (Traditional Chinese)====
====The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese)====
While a version of ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' in Simplified Chinese was one of the iQue Player's launch titles a Traditional Chinese translation was discovered as a cache file located on iQue@Home's CDS. The translation was later dumped by iQue Player homebrew group Suxxors, claiming that their iQue Player unit is perhaps the only one that contains the ticket for it. It's unknown why iQue would make a Traditional Chinese translation as Mainland China's standard script is Simplified Chinese. It's possible that iQue considered moving to other regions that use Traditional Chinese after the system greatly underperformed in the mainland.<ref name=":0" />
While a version of ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' in Simplified Chinese was one of the iQue Player's launch titles a Traditional Chinese translation was discovered as a cache file located on iQue@Home's CDS. The translation was later dumped by iQue Player homebrew group Suxxors, claiming that their iQue Player unit is perhaps the only one that contains the ticket for it. It's unknown why iQue would make a Traditional Chinese translation as mainland China's standard script is Simplified Chinese. It's possible that iQue considered moving to other regions that use Traditional Chinese like Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan after the system greatly underperformed in the mainland China.<ref name=":0" />


===iQue Cube===
===iQue Cube===
Originally there was meant to be a follow-up to the iQue Player that would play GameCube games but was cancelled early on due to the Player's poor sales and no localizations were made.<ref name=":0" />
Originally, there was meant to be a follow-up to the iQue Player, that would play GameCube games (and Game Boy Advance games thanks to Game Boy Player), but it was cancelled early on due to the Player's poor sales, and no localizations were made.<ref name=":0" />


===iQue Game Boy Advance===
===iQue Game Boy Advance===
[[File:Iquegba.jpg|link=link=Special:FilePath/Nintendo-game-boy-game-boy-advance-ique-mario-luigi-002_470x246.webp|alt=|left|thumb|iQue Mario & Luigi Game Boy Advance]]
[[File:Iquegba.jpg|link=link=Special:FilePath/Nintendo-game-boy-game-boy-advance-ique-mario-luigi-002_470x246.webp|alt=|left|thumb|iQue Game Boy Advance Mario & Luigi Edition]]
Despite only 8 games releasing over 20 games were fully translated with over 10 additional games being almost finished. It's unknown why so many games were never released but it's possible they were scrapped alongside the NC Card. NC Card was a GBA flashcard with network capabilities developed by iQue that would allow users to download games from the internet, similar to the iQue Player. It would also allow users to play with others online in games such as ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and ''Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire.'' Even after 4 years of development the team couldn't get this feature to work well so the project was scrapped entirely.<ref name=":1" /> On March 25, 2019, iQue ROMs of ''Advance Wars, DK: King of Swing, Famicom Mini Collection, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Kuruin Paradise, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Polarium Advance, The Legendary Starfy, The Legendary Starfy 2,'' and ''Tomato Adventure'' were dumped and released by Forest of Illusion member togemet2. Every other known game has yet to be found with more unknown games possibly being out there.
Despite only 8 games released, over 20 games were fully translated, with over 10 additional games being almost finished. It's unknown why so many games were never released, but it's possible they were scrapped alongside the NC Card. NC Card was a GBA flashcard with network capabilities developed by iQue that would allow users to download games from the internet, similar to the iQue Player. It would also allow users to play with others online in games such as ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and ''Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire.'' Even after 4 years of development, the team couldn't get this feature to work well, so the project was scrapped entirely.<ref name=":1" /> On March 25, 2019, iQue ROMs of ''Advance Wars, DK: King of Swing, Famicom Mini Collection, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Kuruin Paradise, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Polarium Advance, The Legendary Starfy, The Legendary Starfy 2,'' and ''Tomato Adventure'' were dumped and released by Forest of Illusion member togemet2. Every other known game has yet to be found with more unknown games, possibly being out there.


===iQue DS===
===iQue DS===
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===iQue Wii===
===iQue Wii===
[[File:201606221466574143.jpg|thumb|An iQue Wii display at a Qingdao shopping mall.]]
[[File:201606221466574143.jpg|thumb|An iQue Wii display at a Qingdao shopping mall.]]
The iQue Wii (sometimes known as the iQue Interactive Video Player) was a scrapped localization of the Nintendo Wii for Mainland China. Even though the console had been approved for release in Qingdao as a test market the system was met with resistance from the newly formed Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ultimately leading to its cancellation. The 10 games planned to launch alongside the console were left alongside it on the cutting room floor with only ones announced being ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Play,'' and ''Wii Sports. Wii Play'' and ''Wii Sports'' were later released in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan but they lack any Simplified Chinese translation indicating that they are entirely separate from the iQue translations.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PkfC46FFmrLsTgYaB_82PnFEjwxDN4RzuJF0YtLkKj8/edit#gid=666507606 iQue Localization Time and Staff Merged spreadsheet by Chinese Nintendo.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22.</ref> Remnants of a Simplified Chinese translation of ''Mario Kart Wii'' exist in the data of the game's Korean release suggesting it was another one of the console's launch titles.<ref>[https://nintendosoup.com/scrapped-mario-kart-wii-chinese-localization-offers-users-healthy-gaming-advice/ Scrapped ''Mario Kart Wii'' Chinese Localization Offers Users “Healthy Gaming Advice” by Iggy on NintendoSoup.]Retrieved 17 Feb '22.</ref> Simplified Chinese translations of Mario Kart Wii and Super Mario Galaxy were later released for the Nvidia Shield in 2018 however no iQue staff are credited with translation meaning these are likely brand new translations.<ref name=":2" /><ref>[https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/nvidia_shield_shutting_down_nintendo_wii_game_downloads_in_china Nvidia Shield Shutting Down Nintendo Wii Game Downloads In China by Liam Doolan on Nintendo Life.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22.</ref>
The iQue Wii (sometimes known as the iQue Interactive Video Player) was a scrapped localization of the Nintendo Wii for mainland China. Even though the console had been approved for release in Qingdao as a test market, the system was met with resistance from the newly formed Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, ultimately leading to its cancellation. The 10 games were planned to launch alongside the console were left, alongside it being ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games'', ''Super Mario Galaxy'', ''Wii Play,'' and ''Wii Sports''. ''Wii Play'' and ''Wii Sports'' were later released in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan but they lack any Simplified Chinese translation, indicating that they are entirely separate from the iQue translations.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PkfC46FFmrLsTgYaB_82PnFEjwxDN4RzuJF0YtLkKj8/edit#gid=666507606 iQue Localization Time and Staff Merged spreadsheet by Chinese Nintendo on ''Google Spreadsheets''.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22.</ref> Remnants of a Simplified Chinese translation of ''Mario Kart Wii'' exist in the data of the game's Korean release, suggesting that it was another one of the console's launch titles.<ref>[https://nintendosoup.com/scrapped-mario-kart-wii-chinese-localization-offers-users-healthy-gaming-advice/ Scrapped ''Mario Kart Wii'' Chinese Localization Offers Users “Healthy Gaming Advice” by Iggy on ''NintendoSoup''.]Retrieved 17 Feb '22.</ref> Simplified Chinese translations of ''Mario Kart Wii'' and ''Super Mario Galaxy'' were later released for the Nvidia Shield in 2018, however no iQue staff are credited with translation, meaning these are likely brand new translations.<ref name=":2" /><ref>[https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/nvidia_shield_shutting_down_nintendo_wii_game_downloads_in_china Nvidia Shield Shutting Down Nintendo Wii Game Downloads In China by Liam Doolan on ''Nintendo Life''.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22.</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==


===Images===
===Images===
====iQue Player====
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Poster 21031.jpg|''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' iQue poster.
File:Poster 21031.jpg|''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' iQue poster.
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File:Img01.gif|''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask's'' title screen.
File:Img01.gif|''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask's'' title screen.
File:Img02.gif|Link talking to the Business Scrub in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img02.gif|Link talking to the Business Scrub in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img04.gif|Link playin the Ocarina of Time on the beaches of Great Bay in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img04.gif|Link playing the Ocarina of Time on the beaches of Great Bay in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img06.gif|Link swimming in Great Bay in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img06.gif|Link swimming in Great Bay in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img05.gif|Link swinging his sword in Clock Town in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img05.gif|Link swinging his sword in Clock Town in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img08.gif|Link looking at a Clock Town resident in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Img08.gif|Link looking at a Clock Town resident in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Majora1.gif|Link about to speak with a Clock Town resident at night in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
File:Majora1.gif|Link about to speak with a Clock Town resident at night in ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.''
</gallery>
====iQue Game Boy Advance====
<gallery>
File:ADVANCEWARS AWRC00.png|''Advance Wars''' title screen.
File:ADVANCEWARS AWRC00.png|''Advance Wars''' title screen.
File:ADVANCEWARS AWRC002.png|''Advance Wars''' introduction.
File:ADVANCEWARS AWRC002.png|''Advance Wars''' introduction.
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File:FIREEMBLEM6 AFEC00.png|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's'' title screen.
File:FIREEMBLEM6 AFEC00.png|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's'' title screen.
File:FIREEMBLEM6 AFEC002.png|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's'' main menu.
File:FIREEMBLEM6 AFEC002.png|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's'' main menu.
File:FIREEMBLEM6 AFEC003.png
File:FIREEMBLEM6 AFEC003.png|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's'' cutscene.
File:KURURIN AKRC002.png|''Kuru Kuru Kururin's'' title screen
File:KURURIN AKRC002.png|''Kuru Kuru Kururin's'' title screen
File:KURURIN AKRC00.png|''Kuru Kuru Kururin's'' attract demo.
File:KURURIN AKRC00.png|''Kuru Kuru Kururin's'' attract demo.
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== External Links ==
== External Links ==
 
*[http://www.chuapp.com/article/251110.html A Chinese article covering the history of iQue]
* [http://www.chuapp.com/article/251110.html Chinese article covering the history iQue]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:09, 18 February 2022

IQue logo.png

iQue, Ltd. logo.

Status: Partially Found


iQue, Ltd. is a Chinese video game localization and console manufacturing company located in Suzhou which was founded as a joint venture between Wei Yen and Nintendo in an effort to skirt the Chinese government's ban on video games. The company manufactured and distributed official Nintendo products in mainland China until 2018, due to Nintendo wanted to expand patnership to other third-party companies like Nvidia and Tencent in mainland China. During that time, they released versions of the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, DS, 3DS, as well as cancelled versions of the GameCube and Wii.[1][2] Due to the brand's general lack of success, increasing PC and mobile gaming market, rampant video game clone grey market, and to a lesser extent interference from the Chinese government,[2] many of the company's localizations have never been released.

Known Cancelled Localizations

iQue Player

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 塞尔达传说-魔力面具- Action-adventure Single player Lost
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese) 塞爾達傳說：時光之笛 Action-adventure Single player Found

iQue Game Boy Advance

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
Advance Wars 陆海空大战 Strategy Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising N/A Strategy Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
DK: King of Swing 摇摆森喜刚 Puzzle-platformer Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Donkey Kong Country 超级大金刚 Platformer Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Famicom Mini Collection* 红白机合集 Compilation Single player Found
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade 火纹战记: 封印之剑 Tactical role-playing Single player Found
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade N/A Tactical role-playing Single player Lost
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones N/A Tactical role-playing Single player Lost
Golden Sun 黄金太阳 Role-playing Single player Lost
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land 星之卡比：梦之泉 Platformer Single player Lost
Kuru Kuru Kuruin 转转棒 Puzzle Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Kurui Paradise 转转棒天堂 Puzzle Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 马力欧与路易吉RPG Role-playing Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Mario Kart: Super Circuit 马力欧卡丁车超级赛道 Kart racing Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 马力欧对大金刚 Puzzle-platformer Single player Lost
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire 精灵宝可梦弹珠台 Pinball Single player Lost
Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire 精灵宝可梦：红宝石·蓝宝石 Role-playing Single player Lost
Polarium Advance 通勤一笔 Puzzle Single player Found
The Legendary Starfy 斯塔非的传说 Platformer Single player Found
The Legendary Starfy 2 斯塔非的传说2 Platformer Single player Found
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords 塞尔达传说：三角力量／四支神剑 Action-adventure Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap 塞尔达传说：神奇小帽 Action-adventure Single player Lost
Tomato Adventure 番茄酱王国大冒险 Role-playing Single player Found

*The Famicom Mini Collection contains of the Classic NES Series/Famicom Mini versions of:

  • Balloon Fight
  • Clu Clu Land
  • Donkey Kong
  • Dr. Mario
  • Excitebike
  • Ice Climber
  • Mario Bros.
  • Metroid
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2
  • Wrecking Crew

iQue DS

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
Big Brain Academy 大脑科学院 Edutainment Single player, Multiplayer (1-8) Lost

iQue Wii

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 马力欧索尼克北京奥运会 Sports Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Mario Kart Wii 马力欧卡丁车Wii Kart racing Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Super Mario Galaxy 马力欧银河 Platformer Single player, multiplayer (1-2) Lost
Wii Play N/A Party Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Wii Sports N/A Sports Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost

Cancellation and Availability

iQue Player

iQue Player

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

A Simplified Chinese translation of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask was planned for release in 2004.[3] The translation was very late into development, even being featured on the back of the iQue Player's box, but was cancelled due to technical issues with battery saves[2] and the company's limited workforce being shifted to work on the iQue Game Boy Advance.[4]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese)

While a version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in Simplified Chinese was one of the iQue Player's launch titles a Traditional Chinese translation was discovered as a cache file located on iQue@Home's CDS. The translation was later dumped by iQue Player homebrew group Suxxors, claiming that their iQue Player unit is perhaps the only one that contains the ticket for it. It's unknown why iQue would make a Traditional Chinese translation as mainland China's standard script is Simplified Chinese. It's possible that iQue considered moving to other regions that use Traditional Chinese like Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan after the system greatly underperformed in the mainland China.[1]

iQue Cube

Originally, there was meant to be a follow-up to the iQue Player, that would play GameCube games (and Game Boy Advance games thanks to Game Boy Player), but it was cancelled early on due to the Player's poor sales, and no localizations were made.[1]

iQue Game Boy Advance

iQue Game Boy Advance Mario & Luigi Edition

Despite only 8 games released, over 20 games were fully translated, with over 10 additional games being almost finished. It's unknown why so many games were never released, but it's possible they were scrapped alongside the NC Card. NC Card was a GBA flashcard with network capabilities developed by iQue that would allow users to download games from the internet, similar to the iQue Player. It would also allow users to play with others online in games such as Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire. Even after 4 years of development, the team couldn't get this feature to work well, so the project was scrapped entirely.[2] On March 25, 2019, iQue ROMs of Advance Wars, DK: King of Swing, Famicom Mini Collection, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Kuruin Paradise, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Polarium Advance, The Legendary Starfy, The Legendary Starfy 2, and Tomato Adventure were dumped and released by Forest of Illusion member togemet2. Every other known game has yet to be found with more unknown games, possibly being out there.

iQue DS

A Simplified Chinese translation of Big Brain Academy can be seen in a trailer for the iQue DS Lite. It was never shown after and no ROM has leaked to the internet.

iQue Wii

An iQue Wii display at a Qingdao shopping mall.

The iQue Wii (sometimes known as the iQue Interactive Video Player) was a scrapped localization of the Nintendo Wii for mainland China. Even though the console had been approved for release in Qingdao as a test market, the system was met with resistance from the newly formed Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, ultimately leading to its cancellation. The 10 games were planned to launch alongside the console were left, alongside it being Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Play, and Wii Sports. Wii Play and Wii Sports were later released in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan but they lack any Simplified Chinese translation, indicating that they are entirely separate from the iQue translations.[2][5] Remnants of a Simplified Chinese translation of Mario Kart Wii exist in the data of the game's Korean release, suggesting that it was another one of the console's launch titles.[6] Simplified Chinese translations of Mario Kart Wii and Super Mario Galaxy were later released for the Nvidia Shield in 2018, however no iQue staff are credited with translation, meaning these are likely brand new translations.[5][7]

Gallery

Images

iQue Player

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue poster.

    The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue poster.

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue manual box art.

    The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue manual box art.

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue banner from an older version of the iQue@Home website.

    The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue banner from an older version of the iQue@Home website.

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask's title screen.

    The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask's title screen.

  • Link talking to the Business Scrub in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link talking to the Business Scrub in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link playing the Ocarina of Time on the beaches of Great Bay in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link playing the Ocarina of Time on the beaches of Great Bay in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link swimming in Great Bay in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link swimming in Great Bay in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link swinging his sword in Clock Town in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link swinging his sword in Clock Town in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link looking at a Clock Town resident in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link looking at a Clock Town resident in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link about to speak with a Clock Town resident at night in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link about to speak with a Clock Town resident at night in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

iQue Game Boy Advance

  • Advance Wars' title screen.

    Advance Wars' title screen.

  • Advance Wars' introduction.

    Advance Wars' introduction.

  • Advance Wars gameplay.

    Advance Wars gameplay.

  • Advance Wars' Chinese logo and screenshots.

    Advance Wars' Chinese logo and screenshots.

  • DK: King of Swing's title screen.

    DK: King of Swing's title screen.

  • DK: King of Swing's main menu.

    DK: King of Swing's main menu.

  • DK: King of Swing's introduction.

    DK: King of Swing's introduction.

  • Famicom Mini Collection's title screen.

    Famicom Mini Collection's title screen.

  • Famicom Mini Collection's game select.

    Famicom Mini Collection's game select.

  • Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's title screen.

    Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's title screen.

  • Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's main menu.

    Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's main menu.

  • Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's cutscene.

    Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's cutscene.

  • Kuru Kuru Kururin's title screen

    Kuru Kuru Kururin's title screen

  • Kuru Kuru Kururin's attract demo.

    Kuru Kuru Kururin's attract demo.

  • Kuru Kuru Kururin's main menu.

    Kuru Kuru Kururin's main menu.

  • Kururin Paradise's title screen.

    Kururin Paradise's title screen.

  • Kururin Paradise's main menu.

    Kururin Paradise's main menu.

  • Kururin Paradise gameplay.

    Kururin Paradise gameplay.

  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's title screen.

    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's title screen.

  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's main menu.

    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's main menu.

  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's introduction.

    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's introduction.

  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit's title screen.

    Mario Kart: Super Circuit's title screen.

  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit's menu.

    Mario Kart: Super Circuit's menu.

  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit's character select.

    Mario Kart: Super Circuit's character select.

  • Polarium Advance's title screen.

    Polarium Advance's title screen.

  • Polarium Advance's main menu.

    Polarium Advance's main menu.

  • Polarium Advance gameplay.

    Polarium Advance gameplay.

  • The Legendary Starfy's title screen.

    The Legendary Starfy's title screen.

  • The Legendary Starfy's main menu.

    The Legendary Starfy's main menu.

  • The Legendary Starfy's introduction.

    The Legendary Starfy's introduction.

  • The Legendary Starfy 2's title screen.

    The Legendary Starfy 2's title screen.

  • The Legendary Starfy 2's main menu.

    The Legendary Starfy 2's main menu.

  • The Legendary Starfy 2's introduction.

    The Legendary Starfy 2's introduction.

  • Tomato Adventure's title screen.

    Tomato Adventure's title screen.

  • Tomato Adventure's main menu.

    Tomato Adventure's main menu.

  • Tomato Adventure's introduction.

    Tomato Adventure's introduction.

Videos

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External Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 《记录》第17期：神游中国（上）by 大狗 on ChuApp. Retrived 16 Feb '22.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 《记录》第17期：神游中国（下）by 大狗 on ChuApp. Retrieved 16 Feb '22.
  3. ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask page from the official iQue website archived on Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 Feb '22.
  4. ↑ AMA with former iQue employee "hide" on the TGFC Lifestyle forums. Retrieved 16 Feb '22.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 iQue Localization Time and Staff Merged spreadsheet by Chinese Nintendo on Google Spreadsheets. Retrieved 17 Feb '22.
  6. ↑ Scrapped Mario Kart Wii Chinese Localization Offers Users “Healthy Gaming Advice” by Iggy on NintendoSoup.Retrieved 17 Feb '22.
  7. ↑ Nvidia Shield Shutting Down Nintendo Wii Game Downloads In China by Liam Doolan on Nintendo Life. Retrieved 17 Feb '22.
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