New Pokemon Snap Launches in China
Historic Release Marks Pokemon's Return to China
On July 16, Nintendo achieved a significant milestone with the official release of New Pokemon Snap in China, marking the first time a Pokemon game has been available in the country since the lifting of the video game console ban in 2015. Initially imposed in 2000 due to concerns about the impact on children's development, the ban's end has paved the way for this historic debut. New Pokemon Snap, a first-person photography game launched globally on April 30, 2021, represents a new era for Pokemon enthusiasts in China, fulfilling Nintendo's long-standing ambition to enter the vast Chinese gaming market.
In 2019, Nintendo partnered with Tencent to introduce the Switch to China, setting the stage for this expansion. The release of New Pokemon Snap is a crucial step in Nintendo's strategy to capture a significant share of one of the world's largest gaming markets. With plans to release several more high-profile titles in the coming months, Nintendo is steadily increasing its presence in China.
Upcoming Nintendo Releases in China
Following the successful launch of New Pokemon Snap, Nintendo has lined up an exciting array of titles for the Chinese market, including:
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
- Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee and Pikachu
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Above Qimen
- Samurai Shodown
These upcoming releases demonstrate Nintendo's commitment to building a diverse and robust gaming portfolio in China, leveraging both its iconic franchises and new titles to engage a growing audience.
The Unexpected Legacy of Pokemon in China
The long-standing console ban in China meant that Pokemon was never officially available, yet it cultivated a substantial fanbase. Fans in China found creative ways to access the games, including overseas purchases and dealing with counterfeit versions. The issue of piracy and smuggling has been prevalent, with a notable case in June this year where a woman was caught smuggling 350 Nintendo Switch games concealed in her undergarments.
An interesting attempt to introduce Nintendo hardware into China was the iQue Player, developed in the early 2000s in collaboration with iQue. This device, essentially a compact Nintendo 64 integrated into the controller, aimed to combat piracy but highlighted the complexities of entering the Chinese market.
A Reddit user pointed out the remarkable global success of Pokemon, achieved without tapping into the Chinese market until now. Nintendo's recent moves signal a strategic shift to bridge this gap, promising a bright future for gaming in China. As Nintendo continues to navigate this market, the enthusiasm surrounding these releases bodes well for both the company and its fans in China and around the world.
