IQue, Ltd. (partially found cancelled Chinese localizations of Nintendo video games; 2000s): Difference between revisions

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iQue, Ltd. is a Chinese video game localization and console manufacturing company located in Suzhou which was founded as a joint venture between Wei Yen and Nintendo in an effort to skirt the Chinese government's ban on video games. The company manufactured and distributed official Nintendo products in mainland China until 2018, due to Nintendo wanting to expand partnership to other third-party companies like Nvidia and Tencent in mainland China. During their tenure, they released versions of the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and 3DS, as well as cancelled versions of the GameCube and Wii.<ref name=":0">[http://www.chuapp.com/article/251110.html 《记录》第17期：神游中国（上）by 大狗 on ChuApp.] Retrived 16 Feb '22</ref><ref name=":1">[http://www.chuapp.com/2016/06/23/251190.html 《记录》第17期：神游中国（下）by 大狗 on ChuApp.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22</ref> Due to the brand's general lack of success, the increasing PC and mobile gaming market, rampant video game piracy, and to a lesser extent interference from the Chinese government,<ref name=":1" /> '''many of the company's localizations have never been released'''.
iQue, Ltd. is a Chinese video game localization and console manufacturing company located in Suzhou. It was founded as a joint venture between Taiwanese-American scientist Wei Yen and Nintendo that was created in an effort to skirt the Chinese government's ban on video games. The company manufactured and distributed official Nintendo products in mainland China until 2018. This halt in distribution was due to Nintendo wanting to expand into partnerships with other third-party companies like Nvidia and Tencent for distribution in mainland China. During their tenure, they released versions of the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS, and intended to also release versions of the GameCube and Wii.<ref name=":0">[http://chuapp.com/article/251110.html 《记录》第17期：神游中国（上）by 大狗 on ChuApp.] Retrived 16 Feb '22</ref><ref name=":1">[http://chuapp.com/2016/06/23/251190.html 《记录》第17期：神游中国（下）by 大狗 on ChuApp.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22</ref> Due to the brand's general lack of success, the increasing PC and mobile gaming market, rampant video game piracy, and to a lesser extent interference from the Chinese government,<ref name=":1" /> '''many of the company's localizations have never been released'''.


==Known Cancelled Localizations==
==Known Cancelled Localizations==
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! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
|''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask''
|塞尔达传说-魔力面具-
|塞尔达传说-魔力面具-
|Action-adventure
|Action-adventure
|Single player
|Single player
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese)
|''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time''*
|塞爾達傳說：時光之笛
|塞爾達傳說：時光之笛
|Action-adventure
|Action-adventure
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|}
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>While Simplified Chinese version of this game was officially released, this version is in Traditional Chinese.


===iQue Game Boy Advance===
===iQue Game Boy Advance===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background-color:lightblue" | English Name
! style="background-color:lightblue" |English Name
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Chinese Name
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Chinese Name
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Genre
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Genre
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Modes
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Game Modes
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Status
|-
|-
|Advance Wars
|''Advance Wars''
|陆海空大战
|陆海空大战
|Strategy
|Strategy
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
|''DK: King of Swing''
|N/A
| 摇摆森喜刚
|Strategy
|Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|DK: King of Swing
|摇摆森喜刚
|Puzzle-platformer
|Puzzle-platformer
|Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
| Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|Donkey Kong Country
|''Donkey Kong Country''
|超级大金刚
|超级大金刚
|Platformer
|Platformer
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Famicom Mini Collection*
|''Famicom Mini Collection''*
|红白机合集
|红白机合集
|Compilation
|Compilation
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade''
|火纹战记: 封印之剑
|火纹战记: 封印之剑
|Tactical role-playing
|Tactical role-playing
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
|''Golden Sun''
|N/A
|黄金太阳
|Tactical role-playing
| Role-playing
|Single player
|Single player
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
|''Golden Sun: The Lost Age''
|N/A
|N/A
|Tactical role-playing
|Single player
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|Golden Sun
|黄金太阳
|Role-playing
|Role-playing
|Single player
|Single player, multiplayer (1-2)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
|''Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land''
|星之卡比：梦之泉
|星之卡比：梦之泉
|Platformer
|Platformer
|Single player
| Single player
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Kuru Kuru Kuruin
|''Kuru Kuru Kuruin''
|转转棒
|转转棒
|Puzzle
|Puzzle
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|Kurui Paradise
|''Kurui Paradise''
|转转棒天堂
|转转棒天堂
|Puzzle
|Puzzle
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
|''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga''
|马力欧与路易吉RPG
|马力欧与路易吉RPG
|Role-playing
|Role-playing
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|Mario Kart: Super Circuit
|''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''
|马力欧卡丁车超级赛道
|马力欧卡丁车超级赛道
|Kart racing
|Kart racing
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|Mario vs. Donkey Kong
|''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''
|马力欧对大金刚
|马力欧对大金刚
|Puzzle-platformer
|Puzzle-platformer
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
|''Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire''
|精灵宝可梦弹珠台
|精灵宝可梦弹珠台
|Pinball
|Pinball
|Single player
|Single player  
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire
|''Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire''
|精灵宝可梦：红宝石·蓝宝石
| 精灵宝可梦：红宝石·蓝宝石
|Role-playing
|Role-playing
|Single player
|Single player
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Polarium Advance
|''Polarium Advance''
|通勤一笔
|通勤一笔
|Puzzle
| Puzzle
|Single player
|Single player
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|The Legendary Starfy
|''The Legendary Starfy''
|斯塔非的传说
|斯塔非的传说
|Platformer
| Platformer
|Single player
|Single player
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|The Legendary Starfy 2
|''The Legendary Starfy 2''
|斯塔非的传说2
|斯塔非的传说2
|Platformer
|Platformer
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|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords
|''The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords''
|塞尔达传说：三角力量／四支神剑
|塞尔达传说：三角力量／四支神剑
|Action-adventure
|Action-adventure
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
|''The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap''
|塞尔达传说：神奇小帽
|塞尔达传说：神奇小帽
|Action-adventure
|Action-adventure
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Tomato Adventure
|''Tomato Adventure''
|番茄酱王国大冒险
|番茄酱王国大冒险  
|Role-playing
|Role-playing
|Single player
|Single player
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|<span style="color:green">'''Found'''
|-
|''WarioWare: Twisted!''
|N/A
|Action
|Single player
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|}
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>The ''Famicom Mini Collection'' contains of the ''Classic NES Series''/''Famicom Mini'' versions of:
<nowiki>*</nowiki>The ''Famicom Mini Collection'' contains the ''Classic NES Series'' versions of:
*Balloon Fight
*''Balloon Fight''
*Clu Clu Land
*''Clu Clu Land''
*Donkey Kong
*''Donkey Kong''
*Dr. Mario
*''Dr. Mario''
*Excitebike
*''Excitebike''
*Ice Climber
*''Ice Climbers''
*Mario Bros.
*''Mario Bros.''
*Metroid
*''Metroid''
*Super Mario Bros.
*''Super Mario Bros.''
*Super Mario Bros. 2
*''Super Mario Bros. 2''
*Wrecking Crew


===iQue DS===
===iQue DS===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background-color:lightblue" | English Name
! style="background-color:lightblue" |English Name
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Chinese Name
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Chinese Name  
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Genre
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Genre
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Modes
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Game Modes
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Status
|-
|-
|Big Brain Academy
|''Big Brain Academy''
|大脑科学院
|大脑科学院
|Edutainment
|Edutainment
|Single player, Multiplayer (1-8)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|''Daigasso! Band Brothers''
|大加索!
|Music
|Single player, Multiplayer (1-8)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
| ''Electroplankton''
|电浮游生物
|Music
|Single player
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|''Kirby: Canvas Curse''
|柯比：帆布诅咒
|Platformer
|Single player
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|''Metroid Prime Hunters''
|银河战士黄金猎人
|Action-adventure
|Single player, Multiplayer (1-4)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|''Ridge Racer DS''
|山脊赛车手DS
|Racing
|Single player, Multiplayer (1-8)
|Single player, Multiplayer (1-8)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
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! style="background-color:lightblue" |Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Status
|-
|-
|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
|''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games''
|马力欧索尼克北京奥运会
|马力欧索尼克北京奥运会
|Sports
|Sports
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Mario Kart Wii
|''Mario Kart Wii''
|马力欧卡丁车Wii
|马力欧卡丁车Wii
|Kart racing
|Kart racing
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Super Mario Galaxy
|''Super Mario Galaxy''
|马力欧银河
|马力欧银河
|Platformer
|Platformer
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|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Wii Play
|''Wii Play''
|N/A
|Wii玩
|Party
|Party
|Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
|Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|Wii Sports
|''Wii Sports''
|N/A
|Wii运动的
|Sports
|Sports
|Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
| Single player, multiplayer (1-4)  
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|}
|}
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! style="background-color:lightblue" |Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" |Status
|-
|-
|Mario Kart 64
|''Mario Kart 64''
|马力欧卡丁车
|马力欧卡丁车
| Kart racing
|Kart racing
| Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
|Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''
|}
|}
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[[File:Nintendo-N64-iQue-Player-FL.jpg|thumb|The iQue player.]]
[[File:Nintendo-N64-iQue-Player-FL.jpg|thumb|The iQue player.]]


==== The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask====
====''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask''====
A Simplified Chinese translation of ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' was planned for release in 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050422175353/http://www.ique.com:81/JSP/qz_zeldamask.htm ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' page from the official iQue website archived on Wayback Machine.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22</ref> The translation was very late into development, even being featured on the back of the iQue Player's box, but was cancelled due to technical issues with battery saves<ref name=":1" /> and the company's limited workforce being shifted to work on the iQue Game Boy Advance.<ref name=":3">[https://club.tgfcer.com/viewthread.php?tid=7652228&extra=&page=2 AMA with former iQue employee "hide" on the TGFC Lifestyle forums.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22</ref>
A Simplified Chinese translation of ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' was planned for release in 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050422175353/http://www.ique.com:81/JSP/qz_zeldamask.htm ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' page from the official iQue website archived on Wayback Machine.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22</ref> The translation was very late into development, even being featured on the back of the iQue Player's box, but was cancelled due to technical issues with battery saves<ref name=":1" /> and the company's limited workforce being shifted to work on the iQue Game Boy Advance.<ref name=":3">[https://club.tgfcer.com/viewthread.php?tid=7652228&extra=&page=2 AMA with former iQue employee "hide" on the TGFC Lifestyle forums.] Retrieved 16 Feb '22</ref> The game was found and recompiled by Internet Archive user atomic_ in September 2021.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/zelda-majoras-mask-ique-builds Zelda Majora's Mask - iQue builds on the Internet Archive.] Retrieved 6 Feb '22.</ref>


====The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese)====
====''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' (Traditional Chinese)====
While a version of ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' in Simplified Chinese was one of the iQue Player's launch titles a Traditional Chinese translation was discovered as a cache file located on iQue@Home's CDS. The translation was later dumped by iQue Player homebrew group Suxxors, claiming that their iQue Player unit is perhaps the only one that contains the ticket for it. It's unknown why iQue would make a Traditional Chinese translation as mainland China's standard script is Simplified Chinese. It's possible that iQue considered moving to other regions that use Traditional Chinese like Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan after the system greatly underperformed in the mainland China.<ref name=":0" />
While a version of ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' in Simplified Chinese was one of the iQue Player's launch titles, a Traditional Chinese translation was discovered as a cache file located on iQue@Home's CDS. The translation was later dumped by iQue Player homebrew group Suxxors, claiming that their iQue Player unit is perhaps the only one that contains the ticket for it. It's unknown why iQue would make a Traditional Chinese translation as mainland China's standard script is Simplified Chinese. It's possible that iQue considered moving to other regions that use Traditional Chinese like Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan after the system greatly under performed in mainland China.<ref name=":0" />


===iQue Cube===
===iQue Cube===
Originally, there was meant to be a follow-up to the iQue Player, that would have been able to play GameCube games. Like it's predecessor all of the system's compents would have been housed in the controller. Even though it made it to the prototype phase but it was cancelled due to the Player's poor sales, and no localizations were made.<ref name=":0" />
Originally, there was meant to be a follow-up to the iQue Player, that would have been able to play GameCube games. Like its predecessor, all of the system's components would have been housed in the controller. Even though it made it to the prototype phase but it was cancelled due to the Player's poor sales, and no localizations were made.<ref name=":0" />


===iQue Game Boy Advance===
===iQue Game Boy Advance ===
[[File:Iquegba.jpg|link=link=Special:FilePath/Nintendo-game-boy-game-boy-advance-ique-mario-luigi-002_470x246.webp|alt=|left|thumb|iQue Game Boy Advance Mario and Luigi Edition.]]
[[File:Iquegba.jpg|link=link=Special:FilePath/Nintendo-game-boy-game-boy-advance-ique-mario-luigi-002_470x246.webp|alt=|left|thumb|iQue Game Boy Advance Mario and Luigi Edition.]]
Despite only 8 games released, over 20 games were fully translated, with over 10 additional games being almost finished. It's unknown why so many games were never released, but it's possible they were scrapped alongside the NC Card. The NC Card was a GBA flashcard with network capabilities developed by iQue that would allow users to download games from the internet, similar to the iQue@Home service for the iQue Player. It would also allow users to play with others online in games such as ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and ''Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire.'' Even after 4 years of development, the team couldn't get this feature to work well, so the project was scrapped entirely.<ref name=":1" /> On March 25, 2019, iQue ROMs of ''Advance Wars, DK: King of Swing, Famicom Mini Collection, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Kuruin Paradise, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Polarium Advance, The Legendary Starfy, The Legendary Starfy 2,'' and ''Tomato Adventure'' were dumped and released by Forest of Illusion member togemet2. Every other known game has yet to be found with more unknown games possibly being out there.
Despite only 8 games being released, over 20 games were fully translated, with over 10 additional games being almost finished. It's unknown why so many games were never released, but it's possible they were scrapped alongside the NC Card. The NC Card was a GBA flashcard with network capabilities developed by iQue that would allow users to download games from the internet, similar to the iQue@Home service for the iQue Player. It would also allow users to play with others online in games such as ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' and ''Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire.'' Even after 4 years of development, the team couldn't get this feature to work well, so the project was scrapped entirely.<ref name=":1" />  
 
At ChinaJoy 2005, iQue announced a few upcoming iQue GBA game which included the unreleased titles ''WarioWare: Twisted!, Advance Wars, Kuru Kuru Kururin, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade,'' and ''Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.<ref name=":4">[https://nintendosoup.com/daigasso-band-brothers-ridge-racer-ds-and-more-were-almost-released-in-china/ ''Daigasso! Band Brothers, Ridge Racer DS, and More Were Almost Released in China'' by Iggy for NintendoSoup''.'']Retrieved 31 Mar '23.</ref>''
 
On March 25, 2019, iQue ROMs of ''Advance Wars, DK: King of Swing, Famicom Mini Collection, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Kururin Paradise, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Polarium Advance, The Legendary Starfy, The Legendary Starfy 2,'' and ''Tomato Adventure'' were dumped and released by Forest of Illusion member togemet2 after being purchased from a seller on the site Chinese auction site TaoBao. Complete unreleased iQue copies of ''F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, Metroid Fusion, Metroid: Zero Mission, Super Mario Advance'' 1, 2, and 3 as well as ''Wario Land 4'' and ''WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!'' were included in the listing but weren't available for purchase.<ref>[https://nintendosoup.com/unreleased-ique-game-boy-advance-titles-are-being-sold-for-usd7500/ ''Unreleased iQue Game Boy Advance Titles are Being Sold for USD7500'' by Iggy for NintendoSoup.] Retrieved 31 Mar '23.</ref>


===iQue DS===
===iQue DS===
A Simplified Chinese translation of ''Big Brain Academy'' can be seen in a trailer for the iQue DS Lite. It was never shown after and no ROM has leaked to the internet.
At ChinaJoy 2005, iQue announced their library plans for the DS which included the unreleased games ''Daigasso! Band Brothers'', ''Ridge Racer DS'', ''Metroid Prime Hunters'', ''Electroplankton'', and ''Kirby: Canvas Curse''.<ref name=":4" />


=== iQue Wii===
Later, an unreleased Simplified Chinese translation of ''Big Brain Academy'' can be seen in a trailer for the iQue DS Lite.
 
===iQue Wii ===
[[File:201606221466574143.jpg|thumb|An iQue Wii display at a Qingdao shopping mall. ]]
[[File:201606221466574143.jpg|thumb|An iQue Wii display at a Qingdao shopping mall. ]]
The iQue Wii (sometimes known as the iQue Interactive Video Player) was a scrapped localization of the Nintendo Wii for mainland China. Even though the console had been approved for release in Qingdao as a test market, the system was met with resistance from the newly formed Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, ultimately leading to its cancellation. The 10 games were planned to launch alongside the console. Only four were officially announced those being, ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games'', ''Super Mario Galaxy'', ''Wii Play,'' and ''Wii Sports''. ''Wii Play'' and ''Wii Sports'' were later released in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan but they lack any Simplified Chinese translation, indicating that they are entirely separate from the iQue translations.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PkfC46FFmrLsTgYaB_82PnFEjwxDN4RzuJF0YtLkKj8/edit#gid=666507606 iQue Localization Time and Staff Merged spreadsheet by Chinese Nintendo on Google Spreadsheets.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22</ref> ''Mario Kart 64'' can be seen playing on TV as apart of an iQue Wii display lending credence to the possibility iQue Player games may have been available on the system via the Wii Virtual Console. Remnants of a Simplified Chinese translation of ''Mario Kart Wii'' exist in the data of the game's Korean release, suggesting that it was another one of the console's launch titles.<ref>[https://nintendosoup.com/scrapped-mario-kart-wii-chinese-localization-offers-users-healthy-gaming-advice/ Scrapped ''Mario Kart Wii'' Chinese Localization Offers Users “Healthy Gaming Advice” by Iggy on NintendoSoup.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22</ref> Simplified Chinese translations of ''Mario Kart Wii'' and ''Super Mario Galaxy'' were later released for the Nvidia Shield in 2018, however no iQue staff are credited with translation, meaning these are likely brand new translations.<ref name=":2" /><ref>[https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/nvidia_shield_shutting_down_nintendo_wii_game_downloads_in_china Nvidia Shield Shutting Down Nintendo Wii Game Downloads In China by Liam Doolan on Nintendo Life.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22</ref> A localization of ''The'' ''Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess'' was also planned but no work was done on it.<ref name=":3" />
The iQue Wii (sometimes known as the iQue Interactive Video Player) was a scrapped localization of the Nintendo Wii for mainland China. Even though the console had been approved for release in Qingdao as a test market, the system was met with resistance from the newly formed Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, ultimately leading to its cancellation.  


==Gallery==
10 games were planned to launch alongside the console but only four were officially announced. The games officially announced were, ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games'', ''Super Mario Galaxy'', ''Wii Play,'' and ''Wii Sports''. ''Wii Play'' and ''Wii Sports'' were later released in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan but they lack any Simplified Chinese translation, indicating that they are entirely separate from the iQue translations.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PkfC46FFmrLsTgYaB_82PnFEjwxDN4RzuJF0YtLkKj8/edit#gid=666507606 iQue Localization Time and Staff Merged spreadsheet by Chinese Nintendo on Google Spreadsheets.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22</ref>
===Images===
 
''Mario Kart 64'' can be seen playing on TV as apart of an iQue Wii display lending credence to the possibility that iQue Player games may have been available on the system via the Wii's Virtual Console.
 
Remnants of a Simplified Chinese translation of ''Mario Kart Wii'' exist in the data of the game's Korean release, suggesting that it was another one of the console's launch titles.<ref>[https://nintendosoup.com/scrapped-mario-kart-wii-chinese-localization-offers-users-healthy-gaming-advice/ Scrapped ''Mario Kart Wii'' Chinese Localization Offers Users “Healthy Gaming Advice” by Iggy on NintendoSoup.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22</ref>
 
Simplified Chinese translations of ''Mario Kart Wii'' and ''Super Mario Galaxy'' were later released for the Nvidia Shield in 2018, however, no iQue staff are credited within the translation, meaning these are likely brand new translations.<ref name=":2" /><ref>[https://nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/nvidia_shield_shutting_down_nintendo_wii_game_downloads_in_china Nvidia Shield Shutting Down Nintendo Wii Game Downloads In China by Liam Doolan on Nintendo Life.] Retrieved 17 Feb '22</ref>
 
A localization of ''The'' ''Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess'' was also planned but no work was done on it.<ref name=":3" />
 
==Gallery ==
=== Images===
====iQue Player====
====iQue Player====
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
Line 299: Line 339:
</gallery>
</gallery>


====iQue Game Boy Advance ====
====iQue Game Boy Advance====
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:ADVANCEWARS AWRC00.png|''Advance Wars''' title screen.
File:ADVANCEWARS AWRC00.png|''Advance Wars''' title screen.
File:ADVANCEWARS AWRC002.png|''Advance Wars''' introduction.
File:ADVANCEWARS AWRC002.png|''Advance Wars''' introduction.
Line 308: Line 348:
File:BURABURADNKY BBKC002.png|''DK: King of Swing'''s main menu.
File:BURABURADNKY BBKC002.png|''DK: King of Swing'''s main menu.
File:BURABURADNKY BBKC003.png|''DK: King of Swing'''s introduction.
File:BURABURADNKY BBKC003.png|''DK: King of Swing'''s introduction.
File:FICC00.png|''Famicom Mini Collection'''s title screen.  
File:FICC00.png|''Famicom Mini Collection'''s title screen.
File:FICC002.png|''Famicom Mini Collection'''s game select.
File:FICC002.png|''Famicom Mini Collection'''s game select.
File:FIREEMBLEM6 AFEC00.png|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade'''s title screen.
File:FIREEMBLEM6 AFEC00.png|''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade'''s title screen.
Line 339: Line 379:
</gallery>
</gallery>


====iQue DS====
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
File:Iquebandlogo.png|Offical Chinese ''Daigasso! Band Brothers'' logo.
File:Iqueridgeracer.png|Offical Chinese ''Ridge Racer DS'' logo.
</gallery>
===Videos===
===Videos===
{{Video|perrow  =1
{{Video|perrow  =1
Line 347: Line 392:


==External Links==
==External Links==
*[http://www.chuapp.com/article/251110.html A Chinese article covering the history of iQue.]
*[http://chuapp.com/article/251110.html A Chinese article covering the history of iQue.]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 12:48, 22 May 2023

IQue logo.png

iQue, Ltd. logo.

Status: Partially Found

iQue, Ltd. is a Chinese video game localization and console manufacturing company located in Suzhou. It was founded as a joint venture between Taiwanese-American scientist Wei Yen and Nintendo that was created in an effort to skirt the Chinese government's ban on video games. The company manufactured and distributed official Nintendo products in mainland China until 2018. This halt in distribution was due to Nintendo wanting to expand into partnerships with other third-party companies like Nvidia and Tencent for distribution in mainland China. During their tenure, they released versions of the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS, and intended to also release versions of the GameCube and Wii.[1][2] Due to the brand's general lack of success, the increasing PC and mobile gaming market, rampant video game piracy, and to a lesser extent interference from the Chinese government,[2] many of the company's localizations have never been released.

Known Cancelled Localizations

iQue Player

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 塞尔达传说-魔力面具- Action-adventure Single player Found
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* 塞爾達傳說：時光之笛 Action-adventure Single player Found

*While Simplified Chinese version of this game was officially released, this version is in Traditional Chinese.

iQue Game Boy Advance

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
Advance Wars 陆海空大战 Strategy Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
DK: King of Swing 摇摆森喜刚 Puzzle-platformer Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Donkey Kong Country 超级大金刚 Platformer Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Famicom Mini Collection* 红白机合集 Compilation Single player Found
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade 火纹战记: 封印之剑 Tactical role-playing Single player Found
Golden Sun 黄金太阳 Role-playing Single player Lost
Golden Sun: The Lost Age N/A Role-playing Single player, multiplayer (1-2) Lost
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land 星之卡比：梦之泉 Platformer Single player Lost
Kuru Kuru Kuruin 转转棒 Puzzle Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Kurui Paradise 转转棒天堂 Puzzle Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 马力欧与路易吉RPG Role-playing Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Mario Kart: Super Circuit 马力欧卡丁车超级赛道 Kart racing Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Found
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 马力欧对大金刚 Puzzle-platformer Single player Lost
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire 精灵宝可梦弹珠台 Pinball Single player Lost
Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire 精灵宝可梦：红宝石·蓝宝石 Role-playing Single player Lost
Polarium Advance 通勤一笔 Puzzle Single player Found
The Legendary Starfy 斯塔非的传说 Platformer Single player Found
The Legendary Starfy 2 斯塔非的传说2 Platformer Single player Found
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords 塞尔达传说：三角力量／四支神剑 Action-adventure Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap 塞尔达传说：神奇小帽 Action-adventure Single player Lost
Tomato Adventure 番茄酱王国大冒险 Role-playing Single player Found
WarioWare: Twisted! N/A Action Single player Lost

*The Famicom Mini Collection contains the Classic NES Series versions of:

  • Balloon Fight
  • Clu Clu Land
  • Donkey Kong
  • Dr. Mario
  • Excitebike
  • Ice Climbers
  • Mario Bros.
  • Metroid
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2

iQue DS

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
Big Brain Academy 大脑科学院 Edutainment Single player, Multiplayer (1-8) Lost
Daigasso! Band Brothers 大加索! Music Single player, Multiplayer (1-8) Lost
Electroplankton 电浮游生物 Music Single player Lost
Kirby: Canvas Curse 柯比：帆布诅咒 Platformer Single player Lost
Metroid Prime Hunters 银河战士黄金猎人 Action-adventure Single player, Multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Ridge Racer DS 山脊赛车手DS Racing Single player, Multiplayer (1-8) Lost

iQue Wii

Wii Software

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 马力欧索尼克北京奥运会 Sports Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Mario Kart Wii 马力欧卡丁车Wii Kart racing Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Super Mario Galaxy 马力欧银河 Platformer Single player, multiplayer (1-2) Lost
Wii Play Wii玩 Party Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost
Wii Sports Wii运动的 Sports Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost

Wii Virtual Console

English Name Chinese Name Genre Game Modes Status
Mario Kart 64 马力欧卡丁车 Kart racing Single player, multiplayer (1-4) Lost

Cancellation and Availability

iQue Player

The iQue player.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

A Simplified Chinese translation of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask was planned for release in 2004.[3] The translation was very late into development, even being featured on the back of the iQue Player's box, but was cancelled due to technical issues with battery saves[2] and the company's limited workforce being shifted to work on the iQue Game Boy Advance.[4] The game was found and recompiled by Internet Archive user atomic_ in September 2021.[5]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese)

While a version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in Simplified Chinese was one of the iQue Player's launch titles, a Traditional Chinese translation was discovered as a cache file located on iQue@Home's CDS. The translation was later dumped by iQue Player homebrew group Suxxors, claiming that their iQue Player unit is perhaps the only one that contains the ticket for it. It's unknown why iQue would make a Traditional Chinese translation as mainland China's standard script is Simplified Chinese. It's possible that iQue considered moving to other regions that use Traditional Chinese like Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan after the system greatly under performed in mainland China.[1]

iQue Cube

Originally, there was meant to be a follow-up to the iQue Player, that would have been able to play GameCube games. Like its predecessor, all of the system's components would have been housed in the controller. Even though it made it to the prototype phase but it was cancelled due to the Player's poor sales, and no localizations were made.[1]

iQue Game Boy Advance

iQue Game Boy Advance Mario and Luigi Edition.

Despite only 8 games being released, over 20 games were fully translated, with over 10 additional games being almost finished. It's unknown why so many games were never released, but it's possible they were scrapped alongside the NC Card. The NC Card was a GBA flashcard with network capabilities developed by iQue that would allow users to download games from the internet, similar to the iQue@Home service for the iQue Player. It would also allow users to play with others online in games such as Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire. Even after 4 years of development, the team couldn't get this feature to work well, so the project was scrapped entirely.[2]

At ChinaJoy 2005, iQue announced a few upcoming iQue GBA game which included the unreleased titles WarioWare: Twisted!, Advance Wars, Kuru Kuru Kururin, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, and Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.[6]

On March 25, 2019, iQue ROMs of Advance Wars, DK: King of Swing, Famicom Mini Collection, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Kururin Paradise, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Polarium Advance, The Legendary Starfy, The Legendary Starfy 2, and Tomato Adventure were dumped and released by Forest of Illusion member togemet2 after being purchased from a seller on the site Chinese auction site TaoBao. Complete unreleased iQue copies of F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, Metroid Fusion, Metroid: Zero Mission, Super Mario Advance 1, 2, and 3 as well as Wario Land 4 and WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! were included in the listing but weren't available for purchase.[7]

iQue DS

At ChinaJoy 2005, iQue announced their library plans for the DS which included the unreleased games Daigasso! Band Brothers, Ridge Racer DS, Metroid Prime Hunters, Electroplankton, and Kirby: Canvas Curse.[6]

Later, an unreleased Simplified Chinese translation of Big Brain Academy can be seen in a trailer for the iQue DS Lite.

iQue Wii

An iQue Wii display at a Qingdao shopping mall.

The iQue Wii (sometimes known as the iQue Interactive Video Player) was a scrapped localization of the Nintendo Wii for mainland China. Even though the console had been approved for release in Qingdao as a test market, the system was met with resistance from the newly formed Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, ultimately leading to its cancellation.

10 games were planned to launch alongside the console but only four were officially announced. The games officially announced were, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Play, and Wii Sports. Wii Play and Wii Sports were later released in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan but they lack any Simplified Chinese translation, indicating that they are entirely separate from the iQue translations.[2][8]

Mario Kart 64 can be seen playing on TV as apart of an iQue Wii display lending credence to the possibility that iQue Player games may have been available on the system via the Wii's Virtual Console.

Remnants of a Simplified Chinese translation of Mario Kart Wii exist in the data of the game's Korean release, suggesting that it was another one of the console's launch titles.[9]

Simplified Chinese translations of Mario Kart Wii and Super Mario Galaxy were later released for the Nvidia Shield in 2018, however, no iQue staff are credited within the translation, meaning these are likely brand new translations.[8][10]

A localization of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was also planned but no work was done on it.[4]

Gallery

Images

iQue Player

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue banner from an older version of the iQue@Home website.

    The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue banner from an older version of the iQue@Home website.

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue poster.

    The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue poster.

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue manual box art.

    The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask iQue manual box art.

  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask's title screen.

    The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask's title screen.

  • Link talking to the Business Scrub in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link talking to the Business Scrub in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link playing the Ocarina of Time on the beaches of Great Bay in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link playing the Ocarina of Time on the beaches of Great Bay in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link swimming in Great Bay in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link swimming in Great Bay in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link swinging his sword in Clock Town in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link swinging his sword in Clock Town in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link looking at a Clock Town resident in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link looking at a Clock Town resident in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  • Link about to speak with a Clock Town resident at night in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

    Link about to speak with a Clock Town resident at night in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

iQue Game Boy Advance

  • Advance Wars' title screen.

    Advance Wars' title screen.

  • Advance Wars' introduction.

    Advance Wars' introduction.

  • Advance Wars' gameplay.

    Advance Wars' gameplay.

  • Advance Wars' Chinese logo and screenshots.

    Advance Wars' Chinese logo and screenshots.

  • DK: King of Swing's title screen.

    DK: King of Swing's title screen.

  • DK: King of Swing's main menu.

    DK: King of Swing's main menu.

  • DK: King of Swing's introduction.

    DK: King of Swing's introduction.

  • Famicom Mini Collection's title screen.

    Famicom Mini Collection's title screen.

  • Famicom Mini Collection's game select.

    Famicom Mini Collection's game select.

  • Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's title screen.

    Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's title screen.

  • Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's main menu.

    Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's main menu.

  • Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's cutscene.

    Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade's cutscene.

  • Kuru Kuru Kururin's title screen

    Kuru Kuru Kururin's title screen

  • Kuru Kuru Kururin's attract demo.

    Kuru Kuru Kururin's attract demo.

  • Kuru Kuru Kururin's main menu.

    Kuru Kuru Kururin's main menu.

  • Kururin Paradise's title screen.

    Kururin Paradise's title screen.

  • Kururin Paradise's main menu.

    Kururin Paradise's main menu.

  • Kururin Paradise gameplay.

    Kururin Paradise gameplay.

  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's title screen.

    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's title screen.

  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's main menu.

    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's main menu.

  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's introduction.

    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's introduction.

  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit's title screen.

    Mario Kart: Super Circuit's title screen.

  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit's menu.

    Mario Kart: Super Circuit's menu.

  • Mario Kart: Super Circuit's character select.

    Mario Kart: Super Circuit's character select.

  • Polarium Advance's title screen.

    Polarium Advance's title screen.

  • Polarium Advance's main menu.

    Polarium Advance's main menu.

  • Polarium Advance gameplay.

    Polarium Advance gameplay.

  • The Legendary Starfy's title screen.

    The Legendary Starfy's title screen.

  • The Legendary Starfy's main menu.

    The Legendary Starfy's main menu.

  • The Legendary Starfy's introduction.

    The Legendary Starfy's introduction.

  • The Legendary Starfy 2's title screen.

    The Legendary Starfy 2's title screen.

  • The Legendary Starfy 2's main menu.

    The Legendary Starfy 2's main menu.

  • The Legendary Starfy 2's introduction.

    The Legendary Starfy 2's introduction.

  • Tomato Adventure's title screen.

    Tomato Adventure's title screen.

  • Tomato Adventure's main menu.

    Tomato Adventure's main menu.

  • Tomato Adventure's introduction.

    Tomato Adventure's introduction.

iQue DS

  • Offical Chinese Daigasso! Band Brothers logo.

    Offical Chinese Daigasso! Band Brothers logo.

  • Offical Chinese Ridge Racer DS logo.

    Offical Chinese Ridge Racer DS logo.

Videos

EmbedVideo is missing a required parameter.

External Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 《记录》第17期：神游中国（上）by 大狗 on ChuApp. Retrived 16 Feb '22
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 《记录》第17期：神游中国（下）by 大狗 on ChuApp. Retrieved 16 Feb '22
  3. ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask page from the official iQue website archived on Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 Feb '22
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 AMA with former iQue employee "hide" on the TGFC Lifestyle forums. Retrieved 16 Feb '22
  5. ↑ Zelda Majora's Mask - iQue builds on the Internet Archive. Retrieved 6 Feb '22.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Daigasso! Band Brothers, Ridge Racer DS, and More Were Almost Released in China by Iggy for NintendoSoup.Retrieved 31 Mar '23.
  7. ↑ Unreleased iQue Game Boy Advance Titles are Being Sold for USD7500 by Iggy for NintendoSoup. Retrieved 31 Mar '23.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 iQue Localization Time and Staff Merged spreadsheet by Chinese Nintendo on Google Spreadsheets. Retrieved 17 Feb '22
  9. ↑ Scrapped Mario Kart Wii Chinese Localization Offers Users “Healthy Gaming Advice” by Iggy on NintendoSoup. Retrieved 17 Feb '22
  10. ↑ Nvidia Shield Shutting Down Nintendo Wii Game Downloads In China by Liam Doolan on Nintendo Life. Retrieved 17 Feb '22
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