Captain Rainbowis one of my favoriteunlocalized games on the Wii. I’m sure I’ll love it even more once I getto play it in English. It’s packed with the kind of absurdest, edgy comedy that’s more often associated with Monty Python, or the better offerings from Adult Swim, than the Nintendo brand. That’s probably why Nintendo of America passed on the game for localization, and why it didn’t sell all that well in Japan. Absurd games (likeWarioWare,Mother 3, andRhythm Heaven) tend to do well in Japan, but not if they’re edgy. That’s probably whyNo More Heroes,Deadly Premontion, andMadWorldall bombed in their native country, but managed to turn a profit here in the States.
I honestly think thatCaptain Rainbowwould make enough money in the U.S. to be a modest success for Nintendo. This is a game where you helpLittle Mac get in shape forPunch-Out, and use a cylindrical, vibrating object to determinethe gender of Birdo fromSuper Mario Bros. Don’t you think a game like that would sell at least a few hundred thousand copies here?
Josh Thomas ofThe Bit Blockcertainly thinks so. If Nintendo decides to eventually bringCaptain Rainbowto the U.S., I’m sure that he’d help market the game, free of charge. Take notice, Nintendo. Weird videogame + enthusiastic man in thick rimmed glasses = profit.
