Yakuza 4 Gets March Japanese Launch
See Full ImageIt's a little ironic, and perhaps somewhat frustrating for fans of the franchise who live in North America.
Only a day after it was revealed that Yakuza 3 would finally be released in the US, Sega has now announced that Yakuza 4 will be on store shelves in Japan on March 18. Yes, March; the same March that will see the launch of the third iteration here in North America, which means we're exactly one year behind. So if you really wanted, perhaps you could purchase one here and import the other, just so you could play 'em back to back without any waiting and remain up-to-date with the franchise. However, unlike Final Fantasy XIII, we're not sure if the import of Yakuza 4 would be region-free so that would be something you'd have to consider. On the other hand, we know they never include English voiceovers for these games - the spoken dialogue is always in Japanese with English subtitles - so it's not like you'd be missing out on English voices in the import. Of course, you'd have to speak Japanese, but you know, nothing's ever easy...
Maybe if Yakuza 3 does exceptionally well in the sales category in North America and Europe, Sega might speed up the release of the fourth title outside of Japan. Who knows? Right now, we should just be happy that we're getting at least one of them.
12/9/2009 10:34:42 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (19 posts)
godsman
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:46:37 AM
Some sites say there is just about 50k total sales for Yakuza 2, when Japan was over 700k sales. If you see numbers like that again for Yakuza 3, I doubt Yakuza 4 will ever see the sunlight in the west coast.
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Douchebaguette
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:07:37 AM
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3 up, 0 down
Orvisman
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:23:46 AM
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"However, unlike Final Fantasy XIII, we're not sure if the import of Yakuza 4 would be region-free..."
All PS3 games are region free. I don't recall one PS3 Japanese game being region locked.
5 up, 0 down
LegendaryWolfeh
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 1:52:58 PM
2 up, 0 down
Orvisman
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 2:20:58 PM
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:24:19 AM
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0 up, 1 down
Oxvial
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 2:20:29 PM
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Yeah two AAA exclusive more for the PS3 in that year when 360 only has Alan Wake.
Mass Effect and Splinter Cell are likely to be just timed exclusives .
Last edited by Oxvial on 12/9/2009 2:22:40 PM
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Orvisman
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 2:24:03 PM
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Yakuza 4 is a day-one import for me, as is Hokuto no Ken Musou (Fist of The Nortstar), both of which launch in March 2010 in Japan.
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Alienange
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 2:43:36 PM
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1 up, 3 down
Oxvial
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 3:32:32 PM
1 up, 0 down
Alienange
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 5:23:48 PM
There is tons, and I mean TONS of fantastic Japanese television and movies that I just can't watch because reading subtitles is not my thing. It's frustrating to say the least.
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Oxvial
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 5:49:36 PM
Last edited by Oxvial on 12/9/2009 5:52:22 PM
1 up, 0 down
Mr Bitey
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 6:20:38 PM
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Oxvial
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 6:27:00 PM
not sure if this one has the option too.
if someone know about this plz comment!
ps. the internet response makes me believe Yakuza 3 gonna give us surprising sells ala Demon's Souls.
Last edited by Oxvial on 12/9/2009 6:31:20 PM
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___________
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:41:33 PM
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anyway since this does not have english voice overs im not buying it.
how the hell am i suppose to understand whats going on?
im playing a game not reading a book.
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Snaaaake
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Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:05:04 AM
A year behind?
That's even worse than FF, but then again, here hoping there's gonna be an Asian version and if there is, it's a win situation for Asia.