Minish Cap: European hint blackout explained

In a recent interview, the localisation team behind the acclaimed Game Boy Advance action RPG Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap shed some light of the rather perturbing lack of pointers to be found in the game.

If you read our sterling review of Minish Cap you would know that the game was rushed somewhat in order to see a full launch into Europe this year. And it would seem that as well as stripped out content, the language used throughout the game may have also been rushed.

Speaking to Planet GameCube, Nintendo America TreeHouse localisation staffer Bill Trinen explained, “that was kind of a complicated project, because Europe wanted it this year for their market because they need something strong for handheld. So we did the English translation while they were still finalizing the Japanese text. And we're seeing a lot more of that. I mean, it used to be that they would finish a Japanese game, it would go gold, we would get the text, and then start working localizing. I think Mario & Luigi was probably one of the first ones where we were working in conjunction, side by side with them. Where they're still writing the Japanese text while we're translating it. It ends up being a lot more work since there are so many changes. So we did do the English translation in the European version of Minish Cap, and then Europe, they actually, I think, were going from Japanese to their other languages. But, I would recommend waiting for the US version, because the text in the US version is going to be a lot better.”

Well... gee golly gosh! thanks a bunch Bill!