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{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3 | {{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y}} | ||
{{otheruses|the real world locations in which games are released|the areas in the ''Pikmin'' series|Areas}} | {{otheruses|the real world locations in which games are released|the areas in the ''Pikmin'' series|Areas}} | ||
{{ | {{game help|p3}} | ||
Due to the different cultures and languages in the world, some aspects of the | Due to the different cultures and languages in the world, some aspects of the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]] had to be changed in each '''region'''. These changes are more pronounced in ''[[Pikmin 2]]'', where the in-game [[treasures]] are actual items in the real word, and due to the cultural differences, not all players would recognize the objects and brands existing in the original Japanese version of the game. | ||
There are three main game release regions: Japan, United States of America, and Europe. The ''Pikmin'' games are released all over the world, but there are only three main versions for each, one focused on each region. | There are three main game release regions: Japan, United States of America, and Europe. The ''Pikmin'' games are released all over the world, but there are only three main versions for each, one focused on each region. | ||
==Release order== | ==Release order== | ||
{{todo|Check when the games are released for Australia, as they got released there.}} | |||
[[Nintendo EAD]]'s headquarters are located on Kyoto, Japan. As such, the development of each game is done in Japanese and consequentially, the first version to be released is the Japanese one. Either shortly before release or after, the game is then sent to be localized for the United States (by Nintendo Treehouse) and Europe. More than just a translation of the Japanese game, some graphics, sounds, scripts or objects may be altered in order to fit the culture of the region. | |||
This holds true for the ''Pikmin'' games. For all three main titles, the Japanese version is developed first, and content is then altered to suit the American and European | This holds true for the ''Pikmin'' games. For all three main titles, the Japanese version is developed first, and content is then altered to suit the American and European fan base. | ||
==Naming== | ==Naming== | ||
[[File:Pikmin2boxart.jpg|thumb|The European boxart for ''Pikmin 2'', with the word "PAL" on the bottom-right.]] | [[File:Pikmin2boxart.jpg|thumb|right|The European boxart for ''Pikmin 2'', with the word "PAL" on the bottom-right.]] | ||
Commonly, the | Commonly, the words "NTSC" and "PAL" are used to describe the different regional versions of the game. These terms are, however, partially incorrect, as the words themselves refer to the color encoding systems used for analogue television. In order to play a specific version of a game, the television must match the color encoding. For the most part, the US uses the NTSC system and Europe uses the PAL system. The boxart of the European version of the ''Pikmin'' games also contains the word "PAL" next to the Nintendo logo, as do most GameCube and Wii games. These factors helped popularize the use of the terms "NTSC" and "PAL" to categorize the game regions, inadequate as they may be. | ||
Other common names and terms for the region versions of a game are: | Other common names and terms for the region versions of a game are: | ||
*'''Japanese''': J | *'''Japanese''': J, JP, NTSC-J. | ||
*'''United States''': U, US, USA, NTSC, NA (North America). | *'''United States''': U, US, USA, NTSC, NA (North America). | ||
*'''Europe''': E, EU, EUR, PAL. | *'''Europe''': E, EU, EUR, PAL. | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
==Regional differences== | ==Regional differences== | ||
In order for the games to be enjoyed in several places along the world, the in-game text is written in a different language, depending on the version that's being played. The Japanese version of the ''Pikmin'' games has Japanese text, the US version has English text, and the European version has the ability to choose between English, Spanish, Italian, French and German. Another common change between versions is the boxart: the front normally contains a logo in Japanese or English, and the back contains text in Japanese, English, or the aforementioned European languages. | In order for the games to be enjoyed in several places along the world, the in-game text is written in a different language, depending on the version that's being played. The Japanese version of the ''Pikmin'' games has Japanese text, the US version has English text, and the European version has the ability to choose between English, Spanish, Italian, French and German. Another common change between versions is the boxart: the front normally contains a logo in Japanese or English, and the back contains text in Japanese, English, or the aforementioned European languages. | ||
It's also quite normal for the English used in the European version to be British English, but this isn't always the case | It's also quite normal for the English used in the European version to be British English, but this isn't always the case<ref>The European name for the [[Armored Cannon Beetle Larva]] is the same in ''Pikmin 2'', but the first word is localized as "Armoured" in ''Pikmin 3''.</ref>; even the same game can alternate between American and British spelling. | ||
Other types of changes can exist for several reasons. One persistent difference that became standard for the European version of [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]], starting on ''[[New Play Control! Pikmin]]'', was the rename of [[Wollywog]]s, [[Yellow Wollywog]]s and [[Wogpole]]s to Wollyhops, Yellow Wollyhops and Wolpoles, respectively. The reason for this change is likely due to Nintendo assuming that British players would find the term "wog" offensive. Regardless, the [[enemy reel]] in ''New Play Control! Pikmin'' was not updated to reflect this. | Other types of changes can exist for several reasons. One persistent difference that became standard for the European version of [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]], starting on ''[[New Play Control! Pikmin]]'', was the rename of [[Wollywog]]s, [[Yellow Wollywog]]s and [[Wogpole]]s to Wollyhops, Yellow Wollyhops and Wolpoles, respectively. The reason for this change is likely due to Nintendo assuming that British players would find the term "wog" offensive. Regardless, the [[enemy reel]] in ''New Play Control! Pikmin'' was not updated to reflect this. | ||
===''Pikmin''=== | ===''Pikmin''=== | ||
In the case of ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'', it was decided before the European | In the case of ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'', it was decided before the European release that skipping the [[sunset]] [[cutscene]] by pressing {{button|gcn|Start}} would be convenient, so that feature was added for that version of the game. In addition, the Japanese version contains an option on the [[Menu#Title screen|main menu]] that allows the player to toggle between a "child" mode and an "adult" mode; the former makes the text easier to read. Finally, the [[Secret Safe]] requires 85 [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] to [[Carrying|carry]] it in the Japanese version, and 50 Pikmin in the other versions. | ||
Because of the way screen refresh rates work, ''Pikmin'' is one of the few games that runs at a slower [[frame]]rate in the European version, running at only 25 frames per second in-game, as opposed to the 30 frames per second framerate of the other games (besides ''Pikmin 3''). | |||
===''Pikmin 2''=== | ===''Pikmin 2''=== | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:150px;" | {| class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:150px;" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| align="center" | [[File: | | align="center" | [[File:Treasure Hoard denchi_2_red J.png|link=]] | ||
| align="center" | [[File:Optical Illustration | | align="center" | [[File:Treasure Hoard Optical Illustration.png|link=Optical Illustration]] | ||
| align="center" | [[File:Abstract Masterpiece EU | | align="center" | [[File:Treasure Hoard Abstract Masterpiece EU.png|link=Abstract Masterpiece]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan = "3" | <small>Comparison between the Japanese, US and European icons for '''denchi_2_red'''.</small> | | colspan = "3" | <small>Comparison between the Japanese, US and European icons for '''denchi_2_red'''.</small> | ||
|} | |} | ||
During development, ''Pikmin 2'' needed more than just a translation, so that the in-game [[ | During development, ''Pikmin 2'' needed more than just a translation, so that the in-game [[treasures]] would reflect items familiar to each region's culture. An example would be the treasure with the internal name <code>denchi_2_red</code>: in the Japanese version, this corresponds to a red battery of the Japanese brand "National Hi-Top". During localization for the US, it was likely decided that there were [[Mystical Energy Series|too many batteries]] in the game, and that the American players would not recognize the brand, so this treasure was instead replaced with a [[Optical Illustration|lid of Ragú pasta sauce]]. For the European version, it was assumed that European players would not recognize the Ragú sauce brand, so the treasure was replaced with a [[Abstract Masterpiece|PscHitt! lid]]. The differences between the game's treasures are better detailed on the '''[[Treasure Hoard]]''' article. | ||
While most treasure changes in ''Pikmin 2'' come in the form of including items that are familiar to the players on each region, there are a few changes that have been enforced due to potential controversies. One of the most noteworthy examples is ''Pikmin 2'' is the [[Arboreal Frippery]]: in the Japanese version, [[Olimar's notes]] hint at it actually being a marijuana leaf. In the US, this reference was removed, but the leaf's green color was kept. Finally, in the European version, the leaf changed color entirely, in order to remove any and all similarities to the drug. The reason for these changes comes from each region's views on drug-related themes. | While most treasure changes in ''Pikmin 2'' come in the form of including items that are familiar to the players on each region, there are a few changes that have been enforced due to potential controversies. One of the most noteworthy examples is ''Pikmin 2'' is the [[Arboreal Frippery]]: in the Japanese version, [[Olimar's notes]] hint at it actually being a marijuana leaf. In the US, this reference was removed, but the leaf's green color was kept. Finally, in the European version, the leaf changed color entirely, in order to remove any and all similarities to the drug. The reason for these changes comes from each region's views on drug-related themes. | ||
Other differences in ''Pikmin 2'' also exist, for varying reasons: | Other differences in ''Pikmin 2'' also exist, for varying reasons: | ||
*At times, treasures are changed not because of cultural differences, but | *At times, treasures are changed not because of cultural differences, but presumably, because they were deemed too uninteresting. For example, the treasure with the internal name '''kan_b_gold''' is a simple popsicle stick in the Japanese version, and was changed to a [[Lip Service|tube of lipstick]] for the following versions. | ||
* | *On the Japanese version of ''Pikmin 2'', [[e-Reader]] support exists, which had been removed for the other two releases. | ||
*The Nintendo logo when the game is booted up is blue in the Japanese version, and red everywhere else, as is the norm with some Nintendo games. | *The Nintendo logo when the game is booted up is blue in the Japanese version, and red everywhere else, as is the norm with some Nintendo games. | ||
*The [[Silencer]]'s value was changed from 666 [[Poko]]s in the Japanese version to 670 in the other versions, in order to remove the relation to the | *The [[Silencer]]'s value was changed from 666 [[Poko]]s in the Japanese version to 670 in the other versions, in order to remove the relation to the devil's number. | ||
*The sign on the landing site of the [[Wistful Wild]] is a stop sign in the Japanese version, as stop signs are triangular. This was changed to a Yield sign in the other releases, so that the triangular shape would not be changed. | *The sign on the landing site of the [[Wistful Wild]] is a stop sign in the Japanese version, as stop signs are triangular. This was changed to a Yield sign in the other releases, so that the triangular shape would not be changed. | ||
* | *On the Japanese version of ''Pikmin 2'', the [[Beady Long Legs]]' feet can be damaged by any Pikmin type. In all other versions, only a [[Purple Pikmin]]'s stomp can inflict damage. | ||
*Sometimes, glitches are discovered after a certain release, but before another. If possible, they are fixed before the new release. This happens with the following: | *Sometimes, glitches are discovered after a certain release, but before another. If possible, they are fixed before the new release. This happens with the following: | ||
**The [[Decorative Goo]] | **The [[Decorative Goo]] can be seen floating on the [[Treasure Hoard]] in versions prior to the European one | ||
**If the [[Volatile Dweevil]] on the Piklopedia is petrified | **If the [[Volatile Dweevil]] on the Piklopedia is petrified while exploding, that causes a [[Glitches in Pikmin 2#Volatile Dweevil freeze|freeze]] in the Japanese version, but [[Glitches in Pikmin 2#Volatile Dweevil suicide|kills the creature]] in the overseas releases. | ||
It is worth pointing out that some of the [[:Category:Europe-only treasures|European exclusive treasures]]' descriptions are notably weaker than that of the remaining treasures. This is due to the numerous typos on [[Olimar's journal]] and the [[sales pitch]]es, as well as the arguably confusing English. These problems were later spotted by Nintendo, and some were resolved for the [[New Play Control! Pikmin 2|''New Play Control!'' release]], in the form of typo fixes and [[Plentiful Tank|full rewrites]]. | |||
Like in ''Pikmin'', ''Pikmin 2'' also has an option | Like in ''Pikmin'', ''Pikmin 2'' also has an option to swap between katakana/hiragana and kanji. | ||
On top of this, the Japanese version of the GameCube game has [[e-Reader]] support, something that was removed for the other versions of the game. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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*[http://tcrf.net/Pikmin The Cutting Room Floor's article on ''Pikmin'', which details regional differences amongst other things] | *[http://tcrf.net/Pikmin The Cutting Room Floor's article on ''Pikmin'', which details regional differences amongst other things] | ||
*[http://tcrf.net/Pikmin_2/Version_Differences The Cutting Room Floor's article on ''Pikmin 2'''s regional differences] | *[http://tcrf.net/Pikmin_2/Version_Differences The Cutting Room Floor's article on ''Pikmin 2'''s regional differences] | ||
==References== | ==References== |