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China reverses 'ban' on videogames, but there's a catch and it involves Shanghai's free trade zone
Consider this the somewhat end of China's 13-year old (loosely enforced) "ban" on videogames. A new policy issued by the country's State Council amends the language of a prior bill from 2000 which "strictly limited" the manufacture and import of game consoles. Now, foreign companies that register within Shanghai's free trade zone, the country's first such pilot program designed to spur private investment, competition and economic growth, are free to sell gaming consoles and arcade machines throughout China. Restrictions on "unhealthy" content still remain, however, with only games whitelisted by the Ministry of Culture allowed for sale. But despite this official reversal, Chinese gamers have long enjoyed access to popular videogames and consoles, anyway. Systems from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft, as well as knock-offs, have all been easily accessible on the black market. That's not to mention Nintendo's China-only iQue -- a "safe" mini-N64 created with the country's cultural guidelines in mind -- which has been on sale through official market channels for some time.
China drawing up plans to end official game console sales ban, report claims
China's 13-year prohibition on game console sales may soon come to an end, according to a report from the South China Morning Post. The compromise would see the likes of Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft able to manufacture game consoles in Shanghai's new free trade zone -- part of a larger governmental move to open up China's economy to the outside world -- and then market and sell said consoles across mainland China. Of course, the big three would still have to pass the Chinese government's smell test, an approval from "culture-related authorities," according to the report. The news certainly lines up with China's goal in its original ban: "to keep underage folks away from dangerous venues and unhealthy content," Engadget China head Richard Lai wrote earlier this year in a piece detailing the history of China's game console law. In fact, Nintendo's currently able to sell game consoles in China, despite the long-standing ban; it currently markets its 3DS XL gaming handheld under the iQue brand, alongside a handful of first-party Nintendo software. Sony's also had brief approval for console sales in China in the past, including a Chinese version of the PlayStation 2 -- the company's PlayStation arm even has a headquarters in Guangzhou as part of a government-backed project. Lifting China's game console sales ban is little more than a report at the moment, but now seems like an especially good time for the country to reconsider its stance. With new game consoles on the way from Sony and Microsoft, that's a lot of money potentially being left on the table.
China's complicated history with video games: when a ban isn't really a ban
Earlier this week, China Daily quoted an anonymous government source -- allegedly straight from the Ministry of Culture -- saying China is considering lifting a 12-year-old "ban" on game consoles soon. While it was unclear how reliable the source was at the time, the Tokyo stock market sucked it up anyway, with Bloomberg observing a significant rise for Sony and Nintendo after the rumor was published. Then today we learned from Tech In Asia that Dongfang Daily followed up with two representatives from the Ministry of Culture, one of which said the department has never looked into lifting the ban, while the other person was more vague about the matter. But here's the thing: game consoles were never really banned in China. Allow us to set the record straight for you.
The Chinese DSi is full of puppies
Nintendogs is being released as a DSiWare game! But instead of being distributed over the Internet like most non-cartridge DSi games, Nintendogs will be distributed on the new iQue DSi when it launches in China. That's right, instead of a cartridge, it's being delivered on a whole DSi. The iQue DSi will launch in China (with piracy-averting free Nintendogs) on December 15. Like other regions, iQue will offer 1,000 free DSi Points to new buyers, which they can spend on games including Paper Plane, Bird and Beans, the clock apps, and WarioWare: Snapped. [Via Andriasang]
The crimson and black Lite we should have received
iQue Limited is at it again. After last month's Super Mario 64 DS Lite, Nintendo's distributor for China has come up with this drool-worthy reworking of the senior crimson and black Lite that the U.S. and Japan received earlier this year. With its laser-etched dragons and deep red hue, it's one highly desirable piece of kit, but we'd advise you don't hold your breath for a release outside China.As you dwell with us on how life is so terribly unfair, click past the break for more shots.
Limited Edition Super Mario 64 DS Lite shows up in China
If it seems odd for iQue Limited, Nintendo's distribution arm in the People's Republic, to issue Super Mario 64-branded DS Lites so long after the game's release, keep in mind that the ported game didn't officially arrive in China until just this past August. We thought that was strange, too!This limited edition Gloss Silver handheld boasts laser-etched engravings of Mario and the game's logo positioned arbitrarily on its lid. Mario looks like he's about to straight-up punch that star in the back of its head, doesn't he? Why would Mario want to punch a star? We've got the answer to that question*, plus more photos of the DS Lite and its packaging, past the post break. *This is a lie.
It's the year of the ... Game Boy Advance SP?
Nintendo's Chinese operation, iQue, has released some very cool Game Boy Advance SP systems that may make you rethink your need for an SP and your impression of the Chinese gaming market, where you can apparently get very cool systems that aren't hilarious knockoffs.While it's possible these are old, we have a suspicion that the Year of the Dog system is recent as of this year, at least. There's also a two-tone Mario edition, and a very cool dragon system that uses the black/red case design from the Boktai GBA. Some of these are available online at amazingly high prices, so we're stuck playing games on our stupid DS Lites.[Via Siliconera]
Chinese AC adapter charges your Ninetudo DS
Knockoff electronics are always good for an easy laugh, and this AC adapter is no exception to that rule. Cory Doctorow (of Boing Boing fame) recently spotted the above "Ninetudo DS" charger at a Buy Now shop in Beijing, China. The product's packaging brings up a few questions:
