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 | ''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 | ||
|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) | ||
|塞爾達傳說:時光之笛 | |塞爾達傳說:時光之笛 | ||
|Action-adventure | |Action-adventure | ||
Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
!Status | !Status | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |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 | ||
|N/A | |N/A | ||
|Strategy | |Strategy | ||
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red">'''Lost''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |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 | ||
|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* | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|转转棒 | |转转棒 | ||
|Puzzle | |Puzzle | ||
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green">'''Found''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | ||
|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 | |||
* | *Clu Clu Land | ||
* | *Donkey Kong | ||
* | *Dr. Mario | ||
* | *Excitebike | ||
* | *Ice Climber | ||
* | *Mario Bros. | ||
* | *Metroid | ||
* | *Super Mario Bros. | ||
* | *Super Mario Bros. 2 | ||
* | *Wrecking Crew | ||
* | |||
===iQue DS=== | ===iQue DS=== | ||
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!Status | !Status | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |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 | ||
|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 | ||
| | |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 | ||
|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 | ||
|N/A | |N/A | ||
|Party | |Party | ||
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red">'''Lost''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Wii Sports | ||
|N/A | |N/A | ||
|Sports | |Sports | ||
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==Cancellation and Availability== | ==Cancellation and Availability== | ||
===iQue Player=== | ===iQue Player=== | ||
[[File:Nintendo-N64-iQue-Player-FL.jpg|thumb|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.<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)==== | ||
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 | 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 | [[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 | 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 | 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 | 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, 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
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
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
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
iQue Game Boy Advance
Videos
External Links
References
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 2.0 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.
- ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask page from the official iQue website archived on Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 Feb '22.
- ↑ AMA with former iQue employee "hide" on the TGFC Lifestyle forums. Retrieved 16 Feb '22.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 iQue Localization Time and Staff Merged spreadsheet by Chinese Nintendo on Google Spreadsheets. Retrieved 17 Feb '22.
- ↑ Scrapped Mario Kart Wii Chinese Localization Offers Users “Healthy Gaming Advice” by Iggy on NintendoSoup.Retrieved 17 Feb '22.
- ↑ Nvidia Shield Shutting Down Nintendo Wii Game Downloads In China by Liam Doolan on Nintendo Life. Retrieved 17 Feb '22.