Nintendo Partnerships Page 4
Square
Future Potential: Good
On September 24, 2002, one of the most stunning announcements ever made, concluded with the pop of a champagne cork. Once upon a time, Square developed some of its finest RPGs for Nintendo consoles. However, due to the competitive nature of the industry and a fallout between the company leaders, Square left to develop for Sony's disc-based console.
In March 2002, a revival of this once magical relationship occured between Square and Nintendo. It was announced that Nintendo would loan Square money from Yamauchi's Q Fund to start a new development house called Game Designer's Studio. In return, the new studio would develop an exclusive Final Fantasy title for GameCube and Game Boy Advance. Game Designer's Studio is headed up by Square director Akitoshi Kawazu, who previously worked on Legend of Mana Two. The two versions of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicle, as the game is now named, are said to heavily utilize the link-up feature between the GameCube and Game Boy Advance.
Also, as a result of the rekindling of this relationship, Square has revived development for the Game Boy Advance. A sequel to Final Fantasy Tactics and Secret of Mana are in development.
What was believed to never again be...will be.
Tomy
Future Potential: Good
Nintendo and Tomy formed an alliance on December 30, 2002. It was announced that Nintendo will market and distribute games developed by toy-maker Tomy in Japan starting in the Spring.
Tokyo-based Tomy is currently in development with three games for GameCube, Mutsu to no Hohon, Zoids VS and Naruto. Tomy is also developing seven titles for Game Boy Advance - including Little Buster Q. Nintendo will sell Tomy's ninja-fighting game called Naruto this spring. This is the GameCube title, for those unaware, which inspired a comic that many labeled as "megaton". There is currently no word on stateside releases for Tomy's software.
Nintendo of America would be wise in releasing Naruto. A fighting game would do well to strengthen the GameCube's image.
Skip
Future Potential: Good
In early 2002, Skip Ltd. announced the development of its cel-shaded RPG, Giftpia. Giftpia is directed by a former Square employee, Kenichi Nishi, and designed by Keita Eto. Nishi and Eto were involved in the creation of the exceptional SNES RPG, Chrono Trigger. Skip hopes to add innovation to both the RPG and communication genres.
Giftpia is currently scheduled for release in Japan in April 2003. With the success of Animal Crossing in North America, there is a good chance Nintendo of America will bring the title over.
Asmik Ace
Future Potential: Good
On February 14, 2002 Nintendo signed a software publishing agreement with Japanese developer Asmik Ace, best known for its Virtual Pro wrestling games. Under the terms of the deal, Nintendo will publish the company's upcoming GameCube RPG simulation Dokapon DX on April 10, in Japan. Moreover, it's believed Asmik Ace plans to bring several of its popular anime and movie properties to the GameCube in the coming months. The financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed. It's currently unknown whether Nintendo plans to release Dokapon DX outside Japan.
Victor Interactive
Future Potential: Poor
On February 15, 2003, Nintendo said it would publish Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town in Japan for the Game Boy Advance. Nintendo has signed an agreement with Victor Interactive. The deal will see Nintendo as the publisher of Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town for the Game Boy Advance when it releases to the Japanese market on April 18.
Victor Interactive is expected to continue to support the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube with future software as a result of the partnership.
Zoonami
Future Potential: Good
Nintendo confirmed its partnership with UK development studio, Zoonami, to make a GameCube project. The title, with science-fiction elements, has been tentatively dubbed Game Zero. Few details have been revealed, however, more details are expected at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo. Zoonami's president, Martin Hollis, former head of software at Rare, has led projects such as Perfect Dark and Goldeneye 007.
Many of Zoonami's employees are admitted Nintendo fans.