SNES Astro Boy game is not in English. Why?

[Ghost]

Well I downloaded the SNES Astro boy game on this site and I noticed that it was mostly in Japanese. I was just wondering why the version available for download on this forum is not in English. Is it because it's hard to find? Is there a setting I need to change or what? If anyone knows why or where I can get the version in English or if it's a setting that I need to change please get back to me.

[diehard67]

I don't think it is avalible in english, as far as I know omega factore for the GBA is the first astro boy game that was released outside of japan

[Ghost]

I don't think it is avalible in english, as far as I know omega factore for the GBA is the first astro boy game that was released outside of japan

Thanks dude. I'll try and play through it anyways.

[Dr. Jerk]

Hundreds of games were never localized overseas for many reasons, and often times become referred to as 'obscure games'. Ultimately it is very hard, if not impossible, to pinpoint the exact reasons why a particular game wasn't released elsewhere. A common reason may have been, there was no interest for it in the markets, or because it initially did not sell well to begin with. Sometimes games are deemed too hard to play and are not released for those reasons alone, such as with the very original Super Mario Bros. 2.

There was actually a number of Astro Boy games. One for the NES, which was notoriously hard to play, the one you know for the SNES, one for the PC (or several), one for the Playstation 2, and Omega Factor for the GBA. Only the Playstation and GBA titles were released overseas. There were also the games based on the movie, but I do not count those.

The reason for the others not being localized that I can think of, was that perhaps the older titles were simply deemed to be too hard to play, and was certainly the case with the NES title. Or perhaps Astro Boy simply wasn't that popular enough back then (heck, it still isn't today), and may have gotten more popular by the time of the 2003 anime and thus the Playstation and GBA titles were localized. I don't think we'll know the exact reason.

Also no offense GhostATR, but your flashing avatar is hurting my eyes.

[Dragonrider1227]

Well, in Astro Boy's case I'm pretty sure it was a case of demand. Tell me how many Americans would've rushed for an Astro Boy game when the SNES was big.
Mind you, I think the GBA game is way better. If I had to pick a single Astro Boy game to be brought here, I would've voted for the GBA one

[Ghost]

Downloaded the GBA one as well. Both are alright. Man I'm not used to side scrollers anymore or emulators. Spent too much time playing FPS's I guess.

[Dr. Jerk]

Well, in Astro Boy's case I'm pretty sure it was a case of demand. Tell me how many Americans would've rushed for an Astro Boy game when the SNES was big.

Not too many. Astro Boy just wasn't, and still isn't, that big to warrant a lot of merchandise overseas.

Heck, I'm pretty sure the GBA and PS1 titles didn't sell very good either.

[Dragonrider1227]

considering I got my GBA game for about 5 bucks, I'm afraid not pity too. It was one of the few anime games I've seen get good reviews and ratings

[Androids101]

I have an Astro Boy :O mega Factor, but it isn't in english .

[Ghost]

I have an Astro Boy :O mega Factor, but it isn't in english .

Weird. Do you have it on your PC with an emulator or on a GBA? I have it on my PC and the Omega Factor version I have is in English. The SNES version I have isn't however.