Exclusive: E-Reader European launch canned as wireless rumour ignites imagination
NOE prioritises as ROW awaits news...
There are rumours springing up claiming that Nintendo Japan is poised to launch a wireless version of the E-Reader, the bump-reading Game Boy Advance add-on widely available across the US and in Asia.
According to various reports, two games that incorporate E-Reader wireless support have already been confirmed: Hamtaro: Ham Ham Games and Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django.
Unfortunately, nothing more is known at this point. We currently have a request for clarification with NCL, and expect an answer later today or early tomorrow. Hit back then for an update.
In related news, it would seem that the chances of the E-Reader hitting Europe are slight at best, with one Nintendo insider pouring something of a lake of cold water over any hopes that may have remained. “It’s not coming out - there simply isn’t time in the schedule," we were told. "There is no way that a proper launch could be completed with everything else that’s due to hit over the run of the next ten months or so. And after that, NOE’s focus will be firmly on a lot of other things, as you can imagine."
However, the possibility of an E-Reader launch at some time was not ruled out entirely. "I can tell you that there will be no E-Reader in Europe before the launch of the DS, again due to tight schedules. However, after the DS hits, we might launch it, though it’s not currently penned in."
Regular readers will be aware that the emergence, or lack of it, of the E-Reader in Europe has been something of a frustrating debacle with conflicting reports coming from Nintendo throughout the course of the last year or so. The full set of E-Reader goodies was, at one stage, promised for a Euro release in time for Christmas of last year. Then a period of “let’s pretend we never said that” occurred at Nintendo, and now this - confirmation that if it ever does ship, it won’t be until after next Easter at the earliest.
Expect updates on the E-Reader wireless rumours today or tomorrow, with clarification of the European emergence of the nifty little peripheral as soon as we find out more.
According to various reports, two games that incorporate E-Reader wireless support have already been confirmed: Hamtaro: Ham Ham Games and Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django.
Unfortunately, nothing more is known at this point. We currently have a request for clarification with NCL, and expect an answer later today or early tomorrow. Hit back then for an update.
In related news, it would seem that the chances of the E-Reader hitting Europe are slight at best, with one Nintendo insider pouring something of a lake of cold water over any hopes that may have remained. “It’s not coming out - there simply isn’t time in the schedule," we were told. "There is no way that a proper launch could be completed with everything else that’s due to hit over the run of the next ten months or so. And after that, NOE’s focus will be firmly on a lot of other things, as you can imagine."
However, the possibility of an E-Reader launch at some time was not ruled out entirely. "I can tell you that there will be no E-Reader in Europe before the launch of the DS, again due to tight schedules. However, after the DS hits, we might launch it, though it’s not currently penned in."
Regular readers will be aware that the emergence, or lack of it, of the E-Reader in Europe has been something of a frustrating debacle with conflicting reports coming from Nintendo throughout the course of the last year or so. The full set of E-Reader goodies was, at one stage, promised for a Euro release in time for Christmas of last year. Then a period of “let’s pretend we never said that” occurred at Nintendo, and now this - confirmation that if it ever does ship, it won’t be until after next Easter at the earliest.
Expect updates on the E-Reader wireless rumours today or tomorrow, with clarification of the European emergence of the nifty little peripheral as soon as we find out more.
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Comments
ohms 7 Jul 2004 10:59
1/2
What is up with Nintendo !??
With animal crossing finally getting a launch in the next few months, surely it would make sense to bring out the e-reader, maybe bundle it with the game. Having owned and played the US version of ac for close to 2 years, getting it bundled with the e-reader for a lower price would make it a tempting offer, otherwise why buy the game again.
With animal crossing finally getting a launch in the next few months, surely it would make sense to bring out the e-reader, maybe bundle it with the game. Having owned and played the US version of ac for close to 2 years, getting it bundled with the e-reader for a lower price would make it a tempting offer, otherwise why buy the game again.
Pandaman 7 Jul 2004 22:33
2/2
Alright! I could now use a hunky machine that I bought and barely used...wirelessly!