Japanese Kirby Games are VERY Different - Region Break

[@BoundaryBreak]

Users that create an account through the link will get a 10% off coupon on their first order on Buyee. bit.ly/10offBuyee-Shesez

[@Cliffordlonghead]

😅😅

[@Cliffordlonghead]

First

[@Cliffordlonghead]

Awesome video

[@DataDrain02]

So... I gotta ask people reading the comments.... IS Buyee actually decent? Because not gonna lie. From what I understand, things like amiibo are WAY cheaper in Japan than the West.... (And well, nerdy merch in general.) Anyone try it? And if so... was it decent? Or are they one of those more shady sponsors?

[@alancalvillo6756]

Sweet

[@Blanco8x8]

I don't remember where I heard it from. But I believe that the Japanese box art for Kirby Super Star uses a wood texture because it is Japanese tradition to serve a high-quality product in a wooden box.

[@Sientir]

Now that you mention it, I recall hearing that somewhere, too. Maybe it was Sakurai-san's channel?

[@moonman4307]

​@Sientir i believe that information was also provided in the kirby super star interview of 2017 when the snes mini came out. I donut remember if that was a part of the video on sakurais channel tho

[@Nintenrock]

@@Sientir Yep, he talked about the fancy wooden box in his episode about marketing called "Paint an Accurate Picture of Your Game". He mentioned the idea for the box art was suggested by Shigesato Itoi too. He didn't go into too much details about why they went with the fancy wooden box, as it was obvious for the Japanese audience. However, one of the top comments in the English version of that episode explains that it resembles a Paulownia box, which in Japan is used for expensive gifts.

[@leaftune4427]

The Kirby 20th Anniversary Dream Collection also explains it, as the game case also uses the wooden box look.

[@ReiDaTecnologia]

Wood do be expensive homie

[@jamesprumos7775]

I'd love to see a dive into Japan only games!

[@Borialis]

I second that motion!

[@thegreatvalamir]

I vote in agreement!

[@TeruteruBozusama]

Agreed! They're an important part of Nintendo's history!

[@1xsandrax1]

That would be awesome! 😊

[@starmaster65]

I seventy-sixth this notion

[@Shiromochimochi]

13:03 This is a traditional Japanese paulownia box (桐箱 Kiribako) A box that mainly stores important items and luxury items.

[@MarshallBanana-fh1qm]

It was a suggestion by Shigesato Itoi to match the whole "deluxe" theme on the name of the game! Sakurai mentioned this in one of his videos.

[@jonothanthrace1530]

"Please enjoy this Kirby Super Deluxe game cartridge, and also this bottle of Kirby Super Deluxe wine, 1996 vintage."

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

America's cool and aggressive attitude that contrasted with Japan's all-loving, cutesy nature has always been a tradition for Kirby cover arts.

[@KairuHakubi]

i assume these days they bully them into changing it ahead of time

[@TheVicarstownSentinel]

KIRBY'S FUCKIN PISSED

[@LeviathanRX]

@@TheVicarstownSentinel and he finally got a gun

[@troywright359]

It hasn't ALWAYS been a tradition. Only since early 2000s. No SNES/NES/GB/N64 boxes show an angry Kirby. And in fact, angry Kirby was universal on 3DS with planet robobot and triple deluxe. And some games like Kirby Fighters 2

[@NathanielBarlam]

The Japanese box for Kirby Super Star is particularly cool because the wood design is meant to evoke a traditional high quality gift and it was designed by Shigesato Itoi (creator of Mother/Earthbound).

[@yellohammer8571]

Ah, I guess that would explain the minimalist design.

[@ThunderToast97]

11:41 I’m fairly certain that is a Crepe! ^u^/ Both Crepe and Dango (the food it’s replacing) are starchy and sweet handheld snacks, both usually sold at carts or festivals! ^.^ *Furthermore, it’s in a fancy paper wrapping cone. That’s why it looks so colorful.

[@austincrook5304]

13:01 The Kirby 25th anniversary collection on the Wii came with a booklet that has a page explaining that the wooden box aesthetic was chosen because valuables are often stored in a wooden box like that in Japan-the same reason the anniversary collection’s box is styled that way, too.

[@shinyagumon7015]

I think it's hilarious that they went through the trouble of changing the logo on the pixelated controller. 😂 You can't even read it, but it was important to them that this pixel mush *looked like* it would say Super Nintendo and not Super Famicom. That's dedication to details! Also, I would love to see you cover Japanese-exclusive NES games.

[@Smaxx]

I guess they had to change the buttons, so someone went all the way and do the rest, too.

[@Pyr1t]

Another point on the differences of the controller art @ 10:26 : The US is the only controller with the concave X/Y buttons, and if you look closely, they colored the buttons specifically with lighting accents that show the convex A/B buttons and concave X/Y buttons. Additionally, the Japanese and Euro versions both have lighting accents showing they're all convex.

[@meetsnarf9051]

nice detail! thanks for pointing it out

[@RobertJW]

I would love to see some deep dives into Japan exclusive releases! Especially explanations of Famicom games that ended up in the English Switch Online NES?

[@esmooth919]

I actually appreciate some of those exclusive releases, because I never would have been able to play them otherwise...like that top down Zelda-looking game with the samurai

[@JJMcCullough]

You should totally do more videos on Japan-only games. Talking about references to Japanese games present in US editions of other games would be very interesting as well. Like, I remember the character seen at 8:36 has a trophy in Smash Bros for GameCube.

[@YannickJur]

14:20 Also the European name of Kirby's Return To Dreamland is "Kirby's Adventure Wii".

[@wilkobadberg5272]

The Name is a great touch to the original NES Game "Kirbys Adventure". But its so sad that the Switch Remake in Europe is named after the US Version "Kirbys Return to Dream Land deluxe"... even though, the original Game in Europe was never called "Return to Dream Land". It should have been "Kirbys Adventure Wii deluxe". But it looks like they dont wanted to have the Word "Wii" in a Switch Game. Its even more sad because the japanese Game of this Remake DOES feature the Word "Wii" in its Name. "Hoshi no Kirby Wii deluxe".

[@YannickJur]

I love this format so much! It's so magical to see these regional differences since they are so rarely documented. Also because no game does this nowadays thanks to the internet (except china cencoring but that's a different story).

[@jugsyarts]

Something I didn't hear brought up here is that the JP (and PAL region) boxart for Triple Deluxe has a shotzo firing a projectile at the veiwer in the background that was removed in the USA boxart. Also PAL regions use the same boxart for Return to Dreamland that Japan has (game was also simply Kirby Adventure Wii in PAL regions)

[@HybridAngelZero]

I always really enjoy Region Break! I also love that you got the EU versions of some of these, too. It's wild the attention to detail they went into in Super Star/Fun Pack. And I, personally, would love to see a video on Japan-only Nintendo published games

[@lpnp9477]

Let's be clear, the journey to the west references were not removed because western audiences wouldn't accept them. They were removed during localization because they assumed (probably correctly) that the references would be lost and wouldn't resonate with the audience which is a difference of exposure, not an indictment of xenophobic mindsets.

[@Gestrid]

I'd love to see some Japan-exclusive games!

[@BasementStudi0s]

so glad these are coming out even when yt is terrible at recommending stuff

[@GabePuratekuta]

YT: "You watched this already. How about watching it again?"

[@BasementStudi0s]

so true@@GabePuratekuta

[@VkngVd]

10:04 Not only did Shesez use screenshots showing Kirby disapproving of the U.S. controller, but doing the Rock Eyebrow too.

[@Jerotero]

8:43 YES I always love learning about games and consoles from other regions I find it interesting how things like technology develops in different regions

[@ScrambledAndBenedict]

That's crazy attention to detail at 10:20. They even changed the texture of the buttons to reflect how two of the SNES controller buttons are concave.

[@micheal7932]

I would love it if you covered more Japan-only games on this show. We missed out on so much growing up. I especially want to see the Ganbare Goemon series. Most of those games never made it out of Japan.

[@fernando98322]

That entire segment for Yuyuki was incredible, I've never heard of it before. And I never made the connection that her appearance in DL3 was a reference to Journey to the West. That's why the "girl" Gooey has never reappeared in Kirby games, a franchise where anything and everything gets referenced years after. Astounding!

[@cencil6497]

8:37 Absolutely I would be interested in videos dedicated to games exclusively released on the Famicon that we didn't get on the NES. I had one of those 200 in 1 bootleg NES cartridges growing up that I played often, and many of the games on there were actually Famicon exclusives which I didn't realize until many years later. So I'm actually familiar with many of them, such as The Goonies 1, loved that game (we only received The Goonies 2 on NES)

[@NuevaBestia]

6:20 The Famicom Disk System wasn't the equivalent of the NES in Japan. The Famicom was. We never got to see the equivalent of the Famicom Disk System in Japan because it failed before it could localize for international audiences like America.

[@jacquelineliu2641]

6:20 FDS is not the equivalent of NES lol. It's an addon to the actual equivalent of the NES, the Famicom.

[@jaredt2590]

And where you can play Mario 2, the crazy hard sequel miyamoto and team made for some reason.

[@Darxide23]

The "agrification" isn't really about being angry. The facial expression is supposed to denote determination. Not anger.

[@Insertgenericusernamehere809]

0:19 For anyone wondering, that existed in Japanese version 1.0, but was later patched in a Japanese exclusive Cartridge revision.

[@DefinitivNichtSascha]

11:40 I think that's candy corn. I've always interpreted it as such, at least. 13:12 It's not supposed to be primitive looking. Quite the opposite, in fact. Sake and silverware often comes in these boxes made of paulownia wood, so the design is made to evoke a feeling of a prescious and high-quality product. Super Deluxe, if you will.

[@Jinaria101]

That little green and yellow symbol was worn by Tamama in sgt frog and knowing what it means now it totally makes a lot of sense

[@DisasterSquad]

I don't think they went through a bunch of trouble to make separate Pictures of The controller for each region.that's just called localization. That's the purpose of the work.

[@HDRcade]

04:59 Ayo! idk what Kirby is doing with that 2 but he better calm tf down.

[@letcreate123]

Small correction, the Famicom Disk System is _not_ the Japanese equivalent to the NES. It was a disk add-on for the Famicom, which _is_ Japan's NES equivalent. Famicom be a Japanese NES, the FDS is just an add-on for it that never released overseas despite plans to.

[@andreworders7305]

5:52 or maybe because she’s a character from a game that was never released in the West

[@thecoldmage_]

I think exploring Japanese only games is a great idea. And I would say don't even limit yourself to just Nintendo games, there are plenty of JP exclusives from the 80's and 90's that would great to see some deeper coverage of. Also if you're looking for some more region break stuff, I think Seiken Densetsu 3/ Trials of Mana would be a good one. With Visions of Mana coming out this year, it would be cool to see some content on that.

[@evenoddprime]

@12:00 Thank you for explaining what the beginner driver sign is (Shoshinsha). I am going to buy one for my brother's 40th birthday. I feel like I have seen it elsewhere too but I can't think of where...

[@_freshavocadoo_]

8:35 i know this video is 5 months old, but seeing the box art for shin onigashima made me so excited. that game has been my hyperfixation for YEARS and there's almost nothing about it on youtube, so yes, i would be so happy if you did a vid on those types of games 🙏🙏

[@Sylvysprit]

Please don't just call the EU versions "the UK version", there are more countries in Europe than just the UK Also it might've been interesting to mention that Kirby Return to Dreamland is titled Kirby's Adventure Wii in the EU

[@JoelTheParrot]

lumping in pink, aqua, and orange with "blues and pinks" is wild 9:54 REDDISH?!

[@airyokama]

I love your Region Break segments. :D So glad to see one after a good while.

[@Dariothehungry]

Your episodes are always dope. Great region break episode!

[@MelkiorMonster]

I'm always up for Kirby videos! :D A region exclusive video sounds cool too!

[@Alex-95-Gaming]

Playing four hours of an obscure game to get footage of one scene in a different game for something very minor is the kind of dedication I enjoy seeing on this channel. Yes, I'd like to see more of the Japanese games, too!

[@Alistuart]

I'm pretty sure the UK release of Kirby's Return To Dreamland used the Japanese artwork and the same name, just being called Kirby Wii, but I don't have my copy to hand to be able to double check.

[@lpfan4491]

It's called Adventure Wii.

[@tedioustotoro4885]

Return to Dreamland also had a different name in Europe, it was called Kirby’s Adventure Wii. The remake was called Return to Dreamland though.

[@Channel7331]

The "pineapple" is a crepe in a triangular cardboard holder

[@thatonecomicbookguy]

As much as that concept is interesting, I don’t think a lot of people will watch videos on Japan only games. I don’t mean to sound negative, but I think the series will hardly get any views by the potential third or fifth episode. Maybe just hold it off for a while so that you aren’t overwhelmed by making content for three different shows.

[@lyandraangel]

I primarly watch your Region Break series (I've only watched like one or two Boundery Breaks), so a Region Break subseries on region specific games is definitely something I'd be interested in.

[@bland9876]

Wait if the Japanese version of Kirby Superstar has the word deluxe in it then what do they call the DS version of Kirby Superstar? Since in America the dispersion is called Superstar deluxe.

[@mcintoshprod4126]

5:16 I'm one of those Kirby fans who instantly who knows everything you're going to say when you show this image.

[@Shadow2237]

13:58 There is still a difference in the Triple Deluxe box art because if you look in the japanese version you'll notice there's a cannon on the left side of the screen but in the US screen it was removed

[@MrShotgunWaffles]

7:45 100% hands down convinced he said "Hirby" instead of "Kirby" here lol 😤😤

[@henrystickminfan2]

6:58 what is it with Journey to the West adaptations and naming the monkey king "Goku"? Dragon Ball did it, Yuyuki did it, weird.

[@CrystalxKyuubi]

Very happy to see the series again -- and with Kirbo!

[@BasVoet]

8:35 Yes! I’d LOVE to see that!!

[@gavinwigg8057]

YES

[@StormeTheCat]

I'd love to see some Japan exclusive videos featured on this channel! Breaking down everything like you do here to explain what's going on and the cultural differences to a western audience would be great! Especially Yuyuki, which sounds really interesting. I'd never heard of it before, but if it's another adaptation of Journey to the West then I'm curious to see how it plays out

[@Kevinsyel]

Yes I am interested in dives into more Japanese exclusive Nintendo games. Also thanks for the explanation around Chow and Goku in Kirby's Dreamland 3.. I've always felt that mission had more lore than was let onto

[@MowseChao]

I would LOVE to see you cover Japanese games that never came to the US. There are so many gems on the Super Famicom. One game that comes to mind is Magical Pop'n. It's a super cute platformer

[@VTRcomics]

Seeing content that covers Japan only games would be incredible because it's still breaking the boundaries of a region's borders, and giving us all at home a chance to look at how different stuff is in Japan. Also, the history of the girl Gooey like shocked me. Sure sprites aren't character models but I could never imagine something like that happening even on the N64, let alone today. Your videos never disappoint, Shesez!

[@UseTheBoost3D]

I thought I had decent knowledge about stuff like this with this series in particular, but I learned a lot! Great video

[@1xsandrax1]

Would love to see you talk about different games and deep dive into them too, games from japan would be fun to see and learn more about! Now I want to play Yu Yuki! A region break episode would be awesome about that sort of stuff!

[@Saxdude26]

Hilariously with the region differences, name changes for Kirby that started at the ANGY phase for UK releases did not carry over to Australia. Canvas Curse and Squeak Squad kept the US translations and box art... but the WiiU ports were set to PAL by default, so we ended up with digital versions of "Mouse Attack". 😅

[@ExeloMinish]

I'm also almost certain that west!Nightmare in Dream Land's cover is Right Back at Ya art instead of original game art, which is certainly an unique choice

[@tothedregs]

region breaks are some of my favourite videos ! so happy to see this one :)

[@JamesTDG]

I was honestly scared that this series was going to be over ever since the announcement, boy am I glad I was wrong

[@WhispyWoods.]

Appreciate the time and dedication it took to realize all these differences and the references to a separate game!

[@Keitoded]

The wooden look of the original Super Star box was actually referenced in the Kirby Dream Collection box art, specifically the game box versus the big box that had the game and the manual. It has the same wood look!

[@Tukaro]

13:12 lol as you were showing the box differences I thought "I wonder when he started getting angry for America" and then you immediately went into the subject. Well done! 14:33 whoa, TerminalMontage is a member, that's v. cool!

[@steveluvscows2490]

Nightmare in Dream Land's boxart is also where the US releases started to use the more standardized logo first seen in Kirby: Right Back At Ya! and still used nowadays.

[@angelriverasantana7755]

A video series about Japan only games and series would be a great companion piece to this!! Go forth, Shesez!!

[@Hapasan808]

11:39 From left to right: Omurice, Nigirizushi, Senbei, Dango, Makizushi, Tendon, Takoyaki, Chukaman/Nikuman, Onigiri/Omusubi, Yakizakana, Yaki Mochi?, Oden. Had to guess the second to last one.

[@JerryLantz]

Would love to see Japan exclusive games. Also, I spent so much time playing Super Star with my brother when we were kids. Milky Way Wishes was definitely our favorite. I remember finding the secret levels for the first time

[@WrightDefense]

I'm super interested in the Japanese game region breaks. It always got me that they would with hold content in the US as well as some other countries for ... reasons. Could you do cover the ace attorney games? One of my favorite series and has a lot of difference between the English and Japanese versions

[@chipsdonut1]

13:59 the cannon in the US version was removed to the left of Kirby

[@JacktheRacoon]

I would definitely be interested in more Famicom exclusive games!! Great video!! Always love these Region Break videos!

[@Artista_Frustrado]

8:35 yes please, i would like that & yeah the Kirby's Super Deluxe famicom box isn't meant to look primitive, is meant to look luxurious

[@EWARS_2]

8:45 Yes please! I'd love to see more about the Japanese exclusive Famicom games!

[@KernelLeak]

11:05 Not only that, for the UK it should have said "grey" instead of "gray"... :D

[@goattrain]

This was a lot of fun! Thanks for showing off some neat differences :>

[@thaMANSTA]

You missed one really cool thing about the NES game: they also released a French Canadian version, with all of the in game text changed.

[@MikeOShay]

Very fun! Nice work doing the extra research on that Journey to the West game. I'd love a video focusing on Japan-only games!

[@onetnecghoti3473]

the peas in a pod is edamame(steamed soy beans)

[@cokenails]

Definitely interested in the region specific releases, it feels like a whole world we never had a chance to know! The ties to Japanese folklore is very interesting

[@The1Overmind]

Ty Shesez for the wonderful video and congrats on the sponsor!! 😊

[@1WolfFan]

"Region Stretch" - Where we basically play a game that never made it out of a specific region... but it was entertaining enough that a wider audience might appreciate it too. ;)

[@andreworders7305]

8:35 yes, I’m.very curious about those old Nintendo adventure games

[@PLAYER42_ready]

I absolutely would love you to cover Japanese only games maybe even a few that do have English releases but either came out later or have multiple distinct versions of the same game

[@andrewwood8056]

Great video man! And yes, I would be down to see Japan exclusive Famicom games!

[@LanEXHikari]

Region breaks are such a treat, please go deeper on Asian exclusives! 👍🏼

[@Sientir]

Kirby's great! My first encounter with him was actually in Smash 64 (where he was my main), with my first Kirby game being Crystal Shards. It was a surprise when I played other Kirby games that power combining wasn't the norm!

[@nate567987]

or powers in the case for the first game

[@Sientir]

@@nate567987Yeah! It's wild to think that something so iconic for Kirby wasn't actually in the first Kirby game.

[@BasVoet]

Thanks Shesez! Love region break, this is going to be good!

[@Dr_Mel]

The one vs two flowers in that level intro scene is definitely a sakurai perfectionism thing lol

[@shalpp]

Japanese only games would be some fun content

[@kirbappealcast]

So many cool differences and details!! You could absolutely do an entire video on the localization differences in Kirby: Star Allies...

[@cmc107]

Yes I would like to see more info on Japan only games. I remember seeing some of this stuff referenced in Super Smash bros melee too.

[@faelich]

Yes! A dive into Japan only games would be awesome!

[@andreasalexander81]

Awesome video! Great job! A lot of work and research went into it and it shows. Just one point: next time just say "Europe" instead of "UK" to avoid any more confusion, especially when you use the flag op Europe. 🙂

[@sarysa]

Kirby angrification dates back to "one tough cream puff" as far as my nostalgia is concerned.

[@meetsnarf9051]

great episode! I love these for older games like this