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Japanese fighting game gets a Badass new name
Atlus will publish games in North America that no one else will touch. If it's Japanese and good, I trust that Atlus will find some way to get it here. But I don't envy them the task of giving these games an English language identity. If you're not already in the know, how are you going to tell your Knights in the Nightmare from your Devil Survivor from your Steambot Chronicles?
So in the case of Kenka Bancho, Atlus turned to its fans for a little localization help. They explained the game as follows:Kenka Bancho 3 for PSP system, coming early next year, puts players in the role of a high school student on a class trip to a historic Japanese city, and includes no shortage of fist-to-face and knee-to-gut action... all in the name of pride and bragging rights.
"So what does 'Kenka Bancho' mean?" you suddenly ask. Good question! "Bancho" is a Japanese term for someone who's in charge because he's the meanest, toughest, strongest dude around.
"Kenka" means "fighting," making the entire title the equivalent of "Awesome Master of Badass Beating-Up-People Guys."To determine what such a game should be called in North America, Atlus held a vote. The candidates for the game's title were basically as follows:
- Badass
- Badass Rumble
- Turf Wars
- Bancho Royale
- Fist of the Bancho
- Rise of the Bancho
Not that I'm surprised. That's the oldest trick in the book, Atlus. Offer the one you want and then pad it with some middling options no one will choose. I mean, really, come on. Rise of the Bancho? Turf War? There was no way Kenka Bancho wasn't going to have the word "badass" in the title.
By Bahimiron at 9:21 AM ON 07/16/09
Am I the only one who thinks it's a crime that Awesome Master of Badass Beating-Up-People Guys wasn't an option?
By BDGE at 11:25 AM ON 07/16/09
Wish they just said FOOK IT! and gave this game the LONGEST subtitle/title in gaming existence! (Beating out innumerable Star Wars game sequels) How about:
Badass King III: Thundering Legend of Bancho vs. the dregs of Tokyo nightmare clan volume II!
By BDGE at 11:26 AM ON 07/16/09
Wish they just said FOOK IT! and gave this game the LONGEST subtitle/title in gaming existence! (Beating out innumerable Star Wars game sequels) How about:
Badass King III: Thundering Legend of Bancho vs. the dregs of Tokyo nightmare clan volume II!
By Baystreet at 1:26 PM ON 07/16/09
I think it's cool that there is finally a meter in a game that details exactly how much of a male-genitalia-head you are being to the other characters.
So, green with a fairly big phallic symbol sticking off your head. Is that like a Dane Cook fan level genitalia-head, or internet troll?
Does a picture of Christian Bale pop up when the meter is maxed out?
By Matt Coughlan at 2:21 PM ON 07/16/09
Note to developers:
"turf"
"royale"
"rise"
and most importantly:
"fist"
should never ever be in any title. Evar.
...
"Turf of the Rising Fist Royale"
Gogogogogo!
By Chijts at 2:39 PM ON 07/16/09
Bahimiron, I totally agree with you. If I had a PSP I would have to buy it simply because of that title.
By KaoFloppy at 8:41 PM ON 07/22/09
@BDGE: Atlus needs the brand differentiation. The longest title (including sub- and sub-sub-title) schtick already belongs to Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Souless Army. Seriously, you don't wanna piss off all the SMT fans by giving them a game with no demons.
KaoFloppy:
@BDGE: Atlus needs the brand differentiation. The longest title (including sub- and sub-sub-title) schtick alread...More »