It has long been a desire of mine to translate into English a lot of the Japanese articles that have been written in magazines, etc. concerning games for the Virtual Boy that ended up never getting commercially released, since this is about the only access that we have to such games, unless their prototype cartridges happen to surface in the future and fall into the hands of one or ones who desire to dump the ROMs and release the games online for all to play. It looks like I will now have time in my life to work on such, and I hope to release all of my English translations on this thread. Now, it is important for the reader to understand that I myself do not know or speak Japanese, so I rely on the use of translation software programs such as Google Translate, SDL Free Translation, and BabelFish, as well as online Japanese-to-English dictionaries, such as Denshi Jisho – Online Japanese Dictionary. I do strongly believe that these programs allow me to create rather accurate English translations of Japanese text; nevertheless, there may still be errors on account of my lack of understanding of the Japanese language. As for the titles of certain Japanese games that never got released, I don’t know if there is any way to know what the “official” English titles would have been if they had ever gotten released in English. Nevertheless, I shall try my best to come up with what would have most likely been the English titles for these games, if they had gotten localized in North America. With that being said, the first article that I’ve translated into English appeared in the 367th issue of Famitsu Magazine, dated December 29, 1995, on page 243, and it was a write up for the unreleased game, whose title I have translated into English as “Doraemon and Nobita’s Heart-Pounding Ghostland.”
Translations for Doraemon and Nobita’s Heart-Pounding Ghostland:
バーチャルボーイ
VIRTUAL BOY
ドラえもん のび太のドキドキ！おばけランド
Doraemon and Nobita’s Heart-Pounding Ghostland
アクション
Action
カートリッジ
Cartridge
エポック社
Epoch Company
’96年発売予定
Expected Release: 1996
5500円
5,500 Yen
8メガ
8 Megabits
バーチャルボーイの機能を活かした立体的な遊園地で、ドラえもんやのび太たちが大活躍。ジェットコースターやバンジージャンプなどを使った、個性的なステージを走り回ろう。隠されたひみつ道具を捜しだして、おばけにさらわれた仲間たちを救出するのだ。
Doraemon, Nobita, and friends bustle about in a three-dimensional amusement park that takes full advantage of the Virtual Boy’s capabilities. Rush around unique stages, with roller coasters, bungee jumping, and more! Search for hidden, secret tools to rescue your buddies who have been kidnapped by ghosts!
夜の遊園地はおばけランド
The Amusement Park at Night is a Ghostland!
使用できるキャラは5人。それぞれ特徴的な攻撃ができるので、ステージごとに変えるといいぞ。
There are five different characters to choose from. Each one has its own characteristic attack, so it’s good to change characters for each stage.
ジェットコースターに乗って、おばけたちを退治しよう。
Ride a roller coaster and try to get rid of the ghosts!
©藤子・小学館・テレビ朝日
© Fujiko, Shogakukan Inc., TV Asahi Corp.
※画面は開発中のものです。
*The game’s screens are currently under development.
And now, for the perhaps most coveted of all the unreleased Virtual Boy games. If ever there was a game that needed to be brought into the 3rd dimension, surely it was this one! 😉
The following Japanese article for the unreleased Virtual Boy game, which is translated into English as “Virtual Double Yakuman,” appeared in the 345th issue of Famitsu Magazine, dated July 28, 1995, on page 116.
バーチャルダブル役満
Virtual Double Yakuman
バップ
Vap
カートリッジ
Cartridge
8月18日発売
Expected Release: August 18th
5300円
Price: 5,300 Yen
8メガ
8 Megabits
おなじみの『ダブル役満』シリーズがバーチャルボーイにも登場するぞ。卓全体と3人の対戦相手を実際の麻雀と同じ視点の3D画面でプレーできる本格的4人麻雀。
The familiar “Double Yakuman” series is also coming to the Virtual Boy. A full-fledged 4-person game of mahjong, with an entire table of 3 people to play against, can be played on a 3D screen with the same perspective as in real mahjong.
The following Japanese article for “Virtual Double Yakuman” appeared in the 346th issue of Famitsu Magazine, dated August 4, 1995, on page 25.
Note: In determining how certain mahjong terms should be written in English, I largely went with the information found on this page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Mahjong
バーチャルダブル役満
Virtual Double Yakuman
バップ
Vap
発売日未定
Release Date TBD
5300円
5,300 Yen
カートリッジ
Cartridge
8メガ
8 Megabits
チーポンカン和了りました立体的なツモなのです
Declare Chi, Pon, Kan, Ron, and Tsumo in a stereoscopic game of Mahjong!
立体の雀卓を囲み、実際の麻雀と同じ視点で進行する本格的な4人打ち麻雀ゲームだ。現実の勝負と同様、対戦者の表情を読み取ることも重要な駆け引きの要素になるぞ。さらに、大きな役を和了ったときには、3Dのド派手な演出がプレーヤーを直撃するのだ。
It’s a full-fledged 4-person game of mahjong, played around a stereoscopic mahjong table, which progresses in the same perspective as in real mahjong. As with the real game, being able to read the facial expressions of your opponents is an element of important tactics. In addition, calling to win the hand plays a large role. Plus, there’s the very flashy 3D presentation, which is given to impact the player!
視点は、真上から見下ろすタイプも選べる。でも、こっちのほうが臨場感あるよね。
You can also choose a perspective looking down from above. This one still has a sense of realism.
イカサマ、ツミコミまったくなし……というわけではないから、デカい手も狙える。
There is no cheating of any kind…. Since that’s the case, this means you must aim for a big hand.
The following Japanese article, once again for “Virtual Double Yakuman,” appeared in the 363rd issue of Famitsu Magazine, dated December 1, 1995, on page 111.
●バップ
●Vap
バーチャルダブル役満
Virtual Double Yakuman
’96年2月1日発売
Expected Release: Feb. 1, 1996
5300円
Price: 5,300 Yen
テーブルゲーム
Table Game
カートリッジ
Cartridge
『ダブル役満』シリーズのバーチャルボーイ版。人も牌も立体的に演出され、雀荘にいるような気分が味わえる。
The Virtual Boy version of the “Double Yakuman” series. The people and tiles are stereoscopically rendered, and one can taste the feeling of being in a mahjong parlor.
The following Japanese article for the unreleased Virtual Boy game, which is translated into English as “Virtual Bomberman” and whose name sometimes erroneously gets assigned to the released game “Panic Bomber,” appeared in the 349th issue of Famitsu Magazine, dated August 18/25, 1995, on page 205.
バーチャルボーイ
Virtual Boy
バーチャルボンバーマン
Virtual Bomberman
アクション
Action
カートリッジ
Cartridge
ハドソン
Hudson
発売日未定
Release Date TBD
価格未定
Price TBD
容量未定
Capacity TBD
『ボンバーマン』シリーズ最新作がバーチャルボーイに登場。今回のは、ボンバーマンが乗ることで特殊能力を発揮する新しい乗り物が5種類も用意されているのだ。また、新アイテムも多数登場するのでいままで以上にハマること確実! バトルを存分に楽しもう。
The latest “Bomberman” game in the series is making its appearance on the Virtual Boy. This time, there are 5 new means of transportation for Bomberman to ride, which have different special abilities. Moreover, since also many new items appear, it’s sure to be more addictive than ever before! Enjoy the battle to your heart’s content!
新ボンバーマンただいま参上!
A NEW BOMBERMAN IS NOW HERE!
今回はザコキャラも手ごわい!新アイテムを使って勝負に挑め。
This time, even the low-ranking characters are difficult! Contend for victory using the new items!
ヤシの木や川にかかった橋などがドカーンと飛び出して見えるぞ。
The palm tree, the bridge hanging over the river, and the explosions, for example, appear to pop out!
© 1995 HUDSON SOFT
※画面は開発中のものです。
*The game’s screens are currently under development.
The following Japanese article for “Virtual Bomberman” appeared in the 363rd issue of Famitsu Magazine, dated December 1, 1995, on page 111.
●ハドソン
●Hudson
バーチャルボンバーマン
Virtual Bomberman
発売日未定
Release Date TBD
価格未定
Price TBD
アクション
Action
カートリッジ
Cartridge
アクションゲームの名作『ボンバーマン』がついにバーチャルボーイで登場。飛び出す爆風はまさにド迫力だぞ。
The action game masterpiece, “Bomberman,” is finally making its appearance on the Virtual Boy. The bomb blasts that pop out are truly impactful!
©HUDSON SOFT
English Translations for Virtual Bomberman Flyer
[FRONT COVER PAGE]
新たなる遭遇…
A new encounter…
暗闇のなかから
突如浮かび上がった一つの影。
A shadowy form suddenly
emerges from the darkness.
敵か、味方か、
その哀しげな眼ざしは、
何を語ろうとしているのか…
This friend, or foe,
who looks seemingly sad,
what does he want to tell you?…
’96年2月29日発売
希望小売価格5,800円(税別)
Expected Release: February 29, 1996
Suggested Retail Price: 5,800 Yen (Excluding Tax)
[INSIDE COVER PAGES]
敵か味方か、漆黒の闇に立ちはだかる、紫の影…
This purple shadowy form, looming in deep black darkness, is he friend or foe? …
[INSIDE PAGES]
ボンバーマンシリーズが「バーチャルボーイ」た、移植決定!
It’s been decided to bring the Bomberman series to Virtual Boy!
新機能も満載で、迫力のボンバーバトルいよいよ登場!
The intense Bomber Battles will finally make their appearance, packed with new features!
●頼もしいお助けキャラがさらに充実!
●ゴッドボンバーと一騎討ち
●細かいキャラまで立体に見える!
●NEWモード「チャレンジモード」とは!?
●Your trustworthy character even more enhanced!
●One-on-one battles with God Bomber!
●Detailed characters that look three-dimensional!
●A new mode, “Challenge Mode”!?
各ステージでボンバーマンをサポートする5つのキャラ達
Bomberman is supported in each stage by 1 of 5 characters
前作にあったお助けキャラ(ボンバーマン3でのルーイ)のシステムを踏襲し、今回は、各ステージに1体づつ、計5体(生物3体+アーマー2体)のお助けキャラが登場します。特に、バーチャルボーイ独自の「ダブル十字キー」を活かした、アーマー系の操作性を吟味し、ゲーム性の追及に一役かっています。また、各キャラの特殊攻撃にも、3D視差を利用した迫力あるものに仕上がっています。
Following the system of help characters that was in the previous game (the Louies in Bomberman 3), this time 5 help characters in total (3 biological ones + 2 armors) will come into play, one character at a time in each stage. In particular, making use of the Virtual Boy’s original dual control pads as well as testing the usability of the armor system will contribute to the pursuit of the game. Also, certain impactful things that make use of the 3-D parallax are already finished, even the special attacks of each character!
突如現われたゴッドボンバーとは何者!
Who is this God Bomber who has suddenly appeared?!
ストーリー
Story
前作でボンバー星雲を救い、束の間の休息をとろうとしていたボンハーマン。しかし、その願いも空しく、俄に出現した謎の戦士ゴットボンバー。敵か味方か?究極の機獣神を従えて戦いを挑むゴッドボンバーではあったが、その瞳はひどく悲しいほど深く,そして何故だかとても澄んでいた。いくつかの謎を残こしながらも今、またもや戦いの火ぶたは切って落とされた。
After saving Bomber Nebula in the previous game, Bomberman wants to take a brief rest. However, his wish is in vain, for the mysterious warrior, God Bomber, now suddenly appears! Is he friend or foe? God Bomber, accompanied by the ultimate machine-beast god, challenges Bomberman to a fight, but he does so with eyes that are so deeply sad, and it is not clear as to why. And now, even though several mysteries remain to be solved, the start of a battle has begun once again!
1ステージ毎にゴッドボンバーと一騎討ちだ!!
Have a one-on-one battle with God Bomber in every stage!!
今度のバトルは、前回までのものと異なるシステムを採用しました。そのシステムとは、(1ステージ終了毎に、ボスキャラであるゴッドボンバーと対戦することができる)というものです。
つまり、ノーマルゲームとバトルゲームがミックスされたシステムになっています。この画面はステージに現われる、あるポイント入るとバトルステージに移動できるという、いわば「隠れステージ」風の構成になっていますが、それがいつどこに現われるかはまだ秘密です。怪しい場所は必ずチェックしましょう。
This time, the battles have adopted a system different from the previous games. The system is: At the end of every stage, it is possible to play against God Bomber, a boss character.
In other words, the normal game and the battle game have become a combined system. It’s said you can go to the battle screen when you enter a certain spot that appears within the stage. This battle area is set up as a “hidden stage,” so to speak, but where or when its entrance appears is still a secret. If you see a suspicious location, be sure to check it out!
バーチャルボーイならではの立体感にあっと驚く!
You’ll be amazed by the 3-D effect unique to the Virtual Boy!
『バーチャルボンバーマン』はバーチャルボーイの特性(視差を利用して立体感を出す)をフルに活用し、ステージや背景はもちろん、画面内を動き回る各キャラクターさえも、立体視できるようになっています。これにより2階構造、谷底など凹凸のあるステージや、落下物、上下移動するトラップなど、臨場感溢れるステージ構成で「ボンバーマン」のゲーム性を追及しています。また、今回特筆すべき点は、主人公「ボンバーマン」のアクションや表情のバリエーションが十数種類にも増えた点です。画面の中の「ボンバーマン」は、動き回るだけでなく、驚き・喜び・飛び跳ねることにより、ユーザーにとってより身近な存在となることでしょう。
“Virtual Bomberman” takes full advantage of the Virtual Boy’s characteristics (it produces a 3-D effect using parallax), so that you can have a stereoscopic view of each character moving around on the screen as well as the stages and backgrounds. For the game of “Bomberman,” this allows us to pursue creating immersive stage components, like traps that move up and down and falling objects, as well as stages with unevenness, such as the bottom of a valley and a two-story structure. In addition, a notable point this time is that the number of variations of the hero Bomberman’s facial expressions and actions has increased to over a dozen. The Bomberman on the screen won’t just move around but will come to be a more familiar presence to the user by jumping up and down, showing surprise and joy, etc.
キミのボンバー度は?チャレンジモードに挑戦だ!
What is your Bomber Level? Let’s try the Challenge Mode!
ボンバーマンシリーズ初登場のモードがこの「チャレンジモード」です。このモードは、特定されたステージを、限られた時間内にクリアし、その条件内で獲得した得点・敵の数・ボーナスなどによって、プレイヤーのレベルを認定するモードです。モードには「2分モード」と「5分モード」があり、得点や倒した敵の数によって「ボンバーレベル」(「さるぼん」～「かみぼん」まで)が認定されます。これは、はっきりいってハマること間違いナシです。
The mode making its first appearance in the Bomberman series is the “Challenge Mode.” This mode certifies the level of the player by bonuses, number of enemies, score obtained within the conditions, clearing a particular stage within the limited amount of time, etc. Here, there is a “2-Minute Mode” and a “5-Minute Mode,” and the player’s “Bomber Level” (ranging from “Monkey Bomber” to “God Bomber”) becomes certified by the score obtained and the number of enemies defeated. The Challenge Mode is, quite frankly, clearly addictive!
※画面はすべて開発中のものです。
*All of the game’s screens are currently under development.
バーチャルボーイTM は任天堂の商標です。
VIRTUAL BOY TM IS A TRADEMARK OF NINTENDO.
[CHARACTER PAGES]
ステージ1
Stage 1
ディーボ
Deebo
特殊能カ
Special Abilities
ジャンプ: ブロックをジャンプして飛び越える。
Jump: Makes you jump and leap over blocks.
溜めジャンプ: 真上にジャンプし、着地したときの振動で、画面上の爆弾を爆破したり,敵の動きを止めたりできる。
Charge Jump: Makes you jump straight up and causes a vibration when you land, which blows up the bombs on the screen and which can stop the enemies’ movements.
ステージ2
Stage 2
リック
Rick
特殊能カ
Special Abilities
ダッシュ: 高速移動できる障害物に当たるまで止まれない。
Dash: Makes you move at high speed, and you cannot stop until you hit an obstacle.
溜めダッシュ: ダッシュより高速に移動し、ソフトブロックを破壊することができる。
Charge Dash: Makes you move faster than the dash and allows you to break soft blocks.
ステージ5
Stage 5
ランチャアーマー
Launcher Armor
特殊能カ
Special Abilities
2遍ボム発射:前方に爆弾を2つ同時に発射し、着弾と同時に爆発する。
Double Bomb Launch: Simultaneously launches two bombs forward, which explode on impact at the same time.
溜め2遍ボム発射:前方に爆弾を4つ同時に発射し、着弾と同時に爆発する。
Charged Double Bomb Launch: Simultaneously launches four bombs forward, which explode on impact at the same time.
ステージ3
Stage 3
ロックオンアーマー
Lock-On Armor
特殊能カ
Special Abilities
ロックオンボム: カーソルで敵をロックオンし、爆弾を命中、爆破させる。
Lock-On Bomb: Locks onto an enemy with a cursor; then hits the enemy with a bomb that detonates on impact.
ロックオンフルボム:発射された爆弾の炎が,MAX状態で爆発する。
Full-Range Lock-On Bomb: The explosion of the bomb that is launched extends to the maximum range.
ステージ4
Stage 4
にゃんじろう
Nyanjirou
特殊能カ
Special Abilities
ボム吐き出し:現在所持している爆弾を、一気に扇状に発射する。
Bomb Discharge: Launches the bombs that you currently possess in a fan shape all at once.
ボム上空吐き出し:現在所持している爆弾を、一気に上空に発射する。発射された爆弾は、吐き出した場所を中心に円形に着地し、爆発する。
Sky-High Bomb Discharge: Launches the bombs that you currently possess into the sky all at once. The bombs that are launched land in a circle around the place where they were discharged and explode on impact.
ボンバーマン
明るく元気いっぱいで、正義感のかたまりだが、負けず嫌いで無鉄砲なのがタマに傷。前作では「プロフェッサーバグラー」の魔の手からボンバー星雲を救う大活躍を見せる。その休息を取ろうとしていたのも束の間、俄に出現した「ゴッドボンバー」。幾つかの謎を残しながらも今、新たな戦いの火蓋は切っておとされたのだった。
Bomberman
He’s brightly energetic and has a firm sense of justice, but he’s a sore loser and tends to be reckless. In the previous game, he showed great effort in saving Bomber Nebula from the dark-magic hands of “Professor Bagular.” After this, he was going to take a brief rest, but then suddenly “God Bomber” appeared. And now, while several mysteries remain, the start of a new battle has begun!
[Back Page]
ボンバーマンが活躍する3Dの世界を、一足先にお見せしよう!
Let’s show you the 3-D world, in which Bomberman plays an active part, a little early!
バーチャルオープニングシネマ
Virtual Opening Cinema
新ハード「バーチャルボーイ」にボンバーマンがいよいよ登場!「バーチャルボーイ」ならではの立体感のあるキャラクターと、奥行きのあるマップ構成で、ボンバーワールドは、さらなる拡がりを見せています。
ここで「バーチャルボンバーマン」のオープニングデモ画面をご紹介します。画面写真の見方は右の図をご参考ください。
Bomberman is finally making his appearance on the new hardware, Virtual Boy! Bomber World has seen further expansion in its map setups that now have depth and in its characters that now have three-dimensional appearances, both of which are unique to the Virtual Boy.
Here, let’s introduce the opening demo screen of “Virtual Bomberman.” To learn how to view the screenshots in 3-D, please refer to the illustration at right.
ステレオグラムの見方
How to View a Stereogram
「ステレオグラム」とは、立体的に見るこ
とができる平面作品の総称です。この画
面写真は以下の方法で、裸眼で立体視す
ることができます。
“Stereogram” is a general term for a flat work that can be viewed stereoscopically. These screenshots can be viewed stereoscopically with the unaided eyes by the following method.
(平行法)
The Parallel Method
速くを見る気持ちで、平行に近い複線にする。2つの画面が重なって見えるようになれば…ナント、平面なはずの画面写真が奥行きのある立体画面に見えるぞ!
Begin to diverge your eyes so that the left image appears to move towards the right image in a parallel manner.
[Translator’s Note: The preceding sentence is the only sentence in all of my translations for this Virtual Bomberman flyer, whose translation comes from more of my best educated guess than a direct translation, since I cannot make out all of the Japanese characters in the given scan, and I’m not sure, therefore, if the Japanese characters I have in digital format are correct]
Once it appears that the two screenshots are overlapping each other, the newly-made screenshot, which one might think should be flat, will look like a stereoscopic screen with depth!
平和な地球に忍び寄る怪しい影…
A suspicious shadowy figure draws near to peaceful Earth…
その名も「ゴッドボンバー」。
His name is “God Bomber.”
その正体は、敵か味方か…
What’s his true identity, friend or foe? …
また、何の目的でこの地球にやってきたのか。
Also, for what purpose did he come to the Earth?
立ち上がれ!我らがボンバーマン
Our Bomberman takes action!
「平和を乱そうとするものは…」
“Do you want to disturb the peace?…”
「誰であっても許さないソ!」
“I won’t let anyone do that!”
またここに新たな戦いの火蓋が…
Here again, the fires of a new battle…
切って落とされようとしている…
are about to be let loose…
新たな真実との遭遇を求めて…
in pursuit of encountering new truth…
●お問い合わせは…
●Send your inquiry…
Attachments:
English Translations for Flying Henry Article from Jugemu Magazine.
Jコード032085
J-Code: 032085
VB ●アクション
VB – Action
ヒューマン
Human Corp.
発売日●95年12月予定
Expected Release: December, 1995
定価●5800円(予)
Expected Price: 5,800 Yen
空とぶヘンリー
Flying Henry
寒い冬を暖かくしてくれるほのぼのとしたアクション
Warm yourself up during the cold winter with some heart-warming action!
■変な生き物ヘンリー
The Strange Creature, Henry
大きな耳(手?) の不思議な生き物ヘンリーが活躍するアクションゲーム。ヘンリーの自慢は空を飛べること。ダンボのような巨大な耳(手)をパタパタと羽ばたかせて、ゆっくりと宙を舞う。この浮遊感覚が実に楽しい。まるで、宙に浮かぶ風船を自分の意思で動かしているかのようだ。このヘンリーの存在が大きな魅力なのだ。
It’s an action game where Henry, a strange creature with big ears (hands?), plays the active role. The pride of Henry is that he can fly in the sky. He slowly flutters through the air by flapping and fluttering his huge Dumbo-like ears (hands?). This floating sensation is really fun! It’s as though a balloon floating in the air is moving in accordance with the player’s will. This Henry’s presence is a major attraction!
[With Top Screenshot]
手前と奥の2つのフィールドがゲームの舞台だ
The game’s stages contain two fields: a front one and a back one.
ゆっくりゆったりと
Slow and Relaxed
プレーヤーは、3つのエリアで構成された、複数のステージクリアを目指す。各エリアにはアイテム集めやすべての敵を倒すといったクリア条件があり、最終エリアにはボスが持ちかまえる。ここらへんは普通のアクションと同様だ。
The player’s goal is to clear multiple stages, each of which is comprised of 3 areas. Each of these areas has requirements for clearing it, such as collecting the items and defeating all of the enemies, and the final area has a boss that you have to confront. Thus, the circumstances here are similar to those of typical action games.
おもしろいのは、アクションシーンから殺伐とした緊張感を感じないこと。パワーを溜めてのダッシュ攻撃や、バーチャルボーイならではの画面奥へのアタックも、なぜかほのぼのとしている。比較的スローテンポのアクションとヘンリーのキャラクター性がそう思わせるのだろう。アクションゲームであるのを忘れて、ゆっくりプレーしたい。
What’s interesting, though, is that you don’t feel a brutal sense of tension from the action scenes. You see, you have a dash attack, which uses stored-up power, as well as an attack to the back of the screen, thanks to the unique features of the Virtual Boy, and doing these attacks is somehow heartwarming. At least, the relatively slow pace of the character Henry and of the action might cause you to think so. You might even forget that it’s an action game, since you’ll want to play it slowly.
開発はほぼ完了していいる。冬の寒さを和らげてくれる、そんなソフトだ。
Development on the game is almost completed. This is the kind of software that will be able to help relieve the cold of winter!
[With Bottom Screenshot]
ゆっくりと進行するゲームは反射神経必要ナシ
The game progresses slowly, without the need for quick reflexes.
English Translations for Page 26 of the 3D Virtual Boy Magazine:
VBに社運をかけています
Putting the Company’s Future into the VB
開発よもやま話
Small Talk on Development
和(開発)部長/藤原茂樹
Development Director: Shigeki Fugiwara
今日の取材で見てもらった『とびだせ!ぱにボン』と『バーティカルフォース』にはまだ入ってないですが、VBは目を休めることを促すオートポーズを最低でも30分に1回は入れなきゃいけないんです。これは、逆に30分を逆手にとった中でどれだけ面白いゲームができるかという部分に主眼を置いて開発しています。
It was already explained during an interview today that, although it is not yet included in “Pop-out! Panic Bomber” or “Vertical Force,” an automatic pause feature must be included in Virtual Boy games to encourage the player to rest his or her eyes at least once every 30 minutes. Conversely, we are developing software by placing focus on the aspect of: To what extent can we make a game interesting, while turning the 30 minutes to our advantage?
VBは昔のハドソンに立ち返ったものを出そうというのがあるんです。遊びやすいソフトというか、説明書がなくてもすぐ遊べるものに仕上げていこうと思っています。
With the Virtual Boy, we are trying to take things back to the old days of Hudson, with software that you can play immediately, even without instructions, and that you want to finish, or perhaps I should say “easy-to-play software.”
[With middle photo]
前の打合せでの疑問点もぶつけてみた
We also asked questions in a previous meeting.
ぼくはVBは子供が買える次世代機だと思っています。だからハードも1万台と安いんだと思ってます。値段のほうはできるだけGBに近いものにするつもりです。VBが売れるか売れないかはソフトの値段や内容によると思います。子供がゲーム離れしているって言われてますよね、最近。うちはキャラバンをやっているので子供たちと接する機会が多いんですが、よく遊ぶゲームを聞いてみると年齢の低い子供ほどシミュレーションがかったRPGや複雑なゲームやってないのを痛感しますね。
I think that the Virtual Boy is going to be the next-generation machine that a child can buy, so I think that the hardware itself is going to be cheap with tens of thousands of units available. The price is going to be as close as possible to that of the Game Boy. I think that whether or not the Virtual Boy sells well will, therefore, depend on the price and content of the software. Nowadays, it’s said that children are getting away from gaming. Well, we often have opportunities to be in contact with children as we are doing caravans, and after inquiring into the games that are frequently played by lower-aged children, we feel strongly about not doing RPGs with simulation elements or complex games.
ゲーム作りからいうと、VBが立体であるということは時が熟せばゲーム性自体を大きく変えると思っています。SFCではごきないゲーム性ってやつですね。VBだってポリゴンやろうと思えば一応できますし。でも、正直なところ、なにをどう描けば、どう立体的に見えるかということを完全に把握していない状況なんですよ。絵を描いてみてはVBをのぞいて確認して…って感じです。同じ位置でも暗い色にしたほうが奥に見えるとか、発見もいくつかあっていい経験になってます。
From a game-making standpoint, since Virtual Boy games will be stereoscopic, I believe it’s the right time for the natures of the games to change significantly. There can now be game characteristics that cannot be in Super Famicom games. If one wants to use polygons, the Virtual Boy is made for that. But to be honest, when I am drawing something, there are situations where I don’t fully grasp how it will appear three-dimensionally, so when I’m trying to draw something, I review the drawing while looking into the Virtual Boy… to get an impression of it. It’s been an experience for me, and I’ve also discovered a few things, such as when two objects are in the same position, it is better to have the one that is a darker color appear behind the other.
GBのときも賛否両論ありましたけど、逆に、いろいろ言われるのはそれだけ注目度があるからだと私は考えています。うちの社長もVBはビジネスチャンスだと言ってますし、なによりあんなハードを作れるのは任天堂さんしかいないと思います。ハドソンはVBに社運をかけていると言っても過言じゃないって感じですね。
Although there were pros and cons even at the time of the Game Boy, at the same time, there was a lot to be said about it, and I believe that’s why it got all the more attention. Even our company president has said that the Virtual Boy is a business opportunity, and I think that Nintendo is the best of all at being able to make such hardware. As for Hudson, it feels that it is not too much to say that the company’s future is being put into the Virtual Boy.
カラーのスーパーVB…ですか? 技術的には現在でも可能だと思いますけど、コストと色数が多いということで問題があるんじゃないんですかね。でも、可能性はあると思いますよ。
Will there be a Super Virtual Boy with color…? Though I think it’s technically possible even now, there would probably be too many problems with the costs and the number of colors. However, I think there is a possibility.
[With bottom photo]
VBが立体に見えるしくみを身振り手振りで教えてくれた
He explained to us, while gesturing, how the Virtual Boy makes things look three-dimensional.
A Note from Ben:
First of all, I would like to give a special thanks to a certain Michele for bringing this article to my attention.
Since each fiscal year in Japan runs from April 1st of one year to March 31st of the following year and since the Virtual Boy was released in Japan on July 21, 1995 and was later discontinued in both Japan and North America before March 31, 1996, the following chart contains the total number of Virtual Boy shipments ever. Now, “万台” in Japanese represents 10,000 units, so as you are looking at the chart, in order to determine the number of units shipped for each game console as of a particular date, simply add 4 zeros to the first number preceding “万台” for the respective system, in order to determine the total number of units shipped as of the end of March, 1995 (the color of the bar on the chart for the number of units shipped as of this date matches the system’s bar color on the left side of the chart), and add 4 zeros to the second number preceding “万台” for the respective system to determine the total number of units shipped as of the end of March, 1996 (the color of the bar for additional units shipped from April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996 is always red for each system).
Based on the data, we can see that a grand total of about 140,000 Virtual Boy systems were shipped within Japan, and a grand total of about 630,000 Virtual Boy systems were shipped outside of Japan, as per the data given straight from Nintendo itself. Now, this does not necessarily mean that a total of about 770,000 different Virtual Boy systems were ever made and shipped, for as we have discovered in the forum threads relating to Virtual Boy serial numbers, there were a lot of systems that were originally made to be sold in Japan and that, therefore, originally received Japanese serial numbers, but these systems were later given a North American serial number, which was simply stuck over the original Japanese one, and then shipped outside of Japan. Thus, since I conclude that the data in this chart probably contains a certain number of Virtual Boy units that are counted twice, once for the Japanese section and then again for the foreign countries’ section since they got double-stickered, we would still have to determine just about how many Virtual Boys were given two serial numbers, if we want to get a better approximation for the total number of Virtual Boys ever made and distributed for commercial sale.
Incidentally, it should come as no surprise that the Virtual Boy is not included in the article’s photo of game systems.
English Translations for Page 8 of Famitsu Magazine Issue # 392, dated June 21, 1996:
お待たせしました!
ハードの出荷台数調査
THE WAIT IS OVER!
HARDWARE SHIPMENTS SURVEY
みんな注目!今週は’96年3月末現在の、各ゲームマシンの累計出荷台数を発表するぞ!! 下のグラフは、各社が公表した数字をまとめたもので、’95年3月末と’96年3月末を比較しているのだ。ただし、ソニー・コンピュータエンタテインメント(SCE)のプレイステーションに関しては、年度末での出荷台数が公表されていないので、これまで発表された数字から割り出した、編集部独自の予測値だ。
Attention everyone! This week, we are announcing the total number of shipments of each game machine, which is current as of the end of March, 1996. The chart below summarizes the numbers issued by each company, and it also compares the figures as of the end of March, 1995 with the figures as of the end of March, 1996. However, with regard to the PlayStation of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCE), because the number of shipments at the end of the fiscal year has not been released, the number provided below is our editorial department’s own estimate, which was derived from the numbers released so far.
また、サターンの累計出荷台数が、5月29日現在で300万台の大台を突破した、とセガが発表したぞ。
In addition, Sega announced that the total number of shipments of the Saturn topped the milestone of 3 million units as of May 29th of this year.
昨年度、国内でいちばん出荷が多かったのは、 何と言ってもスーパーファミコン。それをサターンとプレイステーションが追いかけている。その後をいくのがゲームボーイだ。7月にはゲームボーイポケットが発売されるから、今年も台数を伸ばすかもね。
Last fiscal year, after all was said and done, the Super Famicom had the most shipments within Japan. The Saturn and the PlayStation are chasing it, and after them comes the Game Boy. Since the Game Boy Pocket will be released in July, it might increase the number this year.
6月23日にはニンテンドウ64が発売されて、ハードの多様化はますます進んでいく。さて、来年にはいったいどんな数字が出てくるんだろうか。
On June 23rd, the Nintendo 64 is going to be released, and the diversification of hardware will progress more and more. Now, just what kind of numbers will come out in the next year?
[With photo of systems]
国内外のマシンを一堂に集めたぞ。これだけのマシンをそろえている人なんて……ひょっとして、いる?
Domestic and foreign machines are brought together. Are you, by any chance, a person who has collected this many machines?
このグラフは、’95年3月末と’96年3月末の各ハードの累計出荷台数を比較したもの。上段が国内、下段は海外のハード ※ 1 NECホームエレクトロニクスの略。※ 2 ソニー・コンピュータエンタテインメントの略。※ 3 松下電器と三洋電機。※ 4 PCエンジンDuoシリーズを含む。 ※ 5 ‘94年12月末の出荷台数と毎週の生産量から出した予測値。※ 6 ‘95年12月末の出荷台数と今年5月15日現在の出荷台数から出した予測値。※ 7 リアルとトライの合計。 ※ 8 海外版ファミコン。※ 9 海外版スーパーファミコン。 ※ 10 ジェネシスは北米版メガドライブ。※ 11 セガCDは北米版メガ-CD。
This chart compares the total number of units shipped for each hardware as of the end of March, 1995 with the total number as of the end of March, 1996. The upper section shows domestic hardware shipments, and the lower section shows foreign hardware shipments.
*1 – Stands for NEC Home Electronics
*2 – Stands for Sony Computer Entertainment
*3 – Matsushita and Sanyo
*4 – Includes the PC Engine Duo series
*5 – This is an estimate made from the number of units shipped as of the end of December, 1994 and weekly production amounts
*6 – This is an estimate made from the number of units shipped as of the end of December, 1995 and the number of units shipped as of May 15th of this year.
*7 – Equals the sum of R.E.A.L. and TRY units
*8 – Overseas version of the Famicom
*9 – Overseas version of the Super Famicom
*10 – The Genesis is the North American version of the Mega Drive
*11 – The Sega CD is the North American version of the Mega-CD
English Translations for Page 31 of the 3D Virtual Boy Magazine:
VBでも定番リフトを目指しています!
Aiming at another lift of a classic with the VB!
開発よもやま話
Small Talk on
Development
広報/田中出穂
Public Relations:
Tanaka Shutsuho
老若男女を問わず、万人にウケるゲームということでまずは『テトリス』を出すことにしました。シンプルさゆえの楽しさを尊重するため、基本的には元のゲームを活かしたものとなっています。VBらしさ、ということで最も気をつかったのは、今までのハードでは感じることができなかった「空間」を作りだすことです。さまざまな表現や演出によって、新しい『テトリス』の世界を感じていただけるのではないでしょうか。
First of all, it’s been decided to publish a new “Tetris” game, that is to say, a game that will appeal to tens of thousands of people, regardless of age or gender. Basically, it will be something that will make use of the original game, in order to respect the joy of simplicity. To make it appropriate for the Virtual Boy, the utmost care has been taken to create a sense of space, which could not be experienced using any hardware until now. The new world of “Tetris” should be able to be felt by the player on account of the variety of presentations and setups within the game.
通信ケーブルへの対応や、各ゲームモードの内容はまだハッキリと決まっていないんですが、現在本体と同時発売を目指して鋭意開発中です。価格は5000円を目標にしています。
The content of each game mode and whether or not it will support the link cable have not yet been clearly decided, but it is extensively under development, with the goal of being released at the same time as the console. The goal price is set at 5,000 Yen.
『V-テトリス』の後は、『フェイスボール(仮称)』というシューティングゲームを発売する予定になっています。これは3Dの迷路の中をニコニコした顔のついたボールが動き回って、弾を撃ち合うゲームなんです。詳しい内容は7月くらいまで待ってください。
After “V-Tetris,” there are plans to release a shooting game called “Faceball (tentative title)”. This will be a game where you move around and shoot bullets within a 3-D maze as a ball with a smiling face. Please wait until around July for more details.
[With the drawing]
『フェイスボール(仮称)』の想像図
An artist’s depiction of “Faceball (tentative title)”
Ben’s Question to Anyone Reading This:
Does anybody know for sure what “ITC” stands for? Based on the information below, it appears that ITC was a video game company that had actually begun working on a Virtual Boy game of some sort.
********************
English Translations for the Release Calendar Page of the 3D Virtual Boy Magazine:
– – – – – English Translations Only – – – – –
ASKING THE MANUFACTURERS!! VIRTUAL BOY QUESTIONNAIRE
What manufacturers are making software for the Virtual Boy? What kind of software is being made for the Virtual Boy? We asked these simple questions.
Q: Who all have entered the Virtual Boy market?
A: The number of manufacturers that responded as having clearly entered the Virtual Boy market is surprisingly small. Still, some said they are waiting and watching.
■Companies That Have Entered the Market (16 Companies)
ITC
I’MAX
Asmik
Atlus
Coconuts Japan Entertainment
J-Wing
Pow
Vap
Hudson
Banpresto
Bullet-Proof Software
Hect
Bottom Up
Right Stuff
2 Other Companies
■Companies That Are Planning for Entry into the Market (9 Companies)
Epoch
Angel
Naxat
Namco
Bandai
3 Other Companies
(Translator’s Note: This should probably read as “4 Other Companies,” or else it should read as “8 Companies” in the heading. As translator, though, I must leave the original error intact.)
■Companies That Are Not Planning for Entry into the Market (5 Companies)
■Companies That Are Considering Entry into the Market (11 Companies)
Activision Japan
Enix
Square
Starfish
Tokuma Shoten
Magifact
Messiah
4 Other Companies
– – – – – Japanese Originals and English Translations – – – – –
メーカー直撃!! バーチャルボーイアンケート
Asking the Manufacturers!! Virtual Boy Questionnaire
どこのメーカーがVBのソフトを作っているのか、どのような思いでVBのソフトを作っているのか…。素朴な疑問をぶつけてみたぞ。
What manufacturers are making software for the Virtual Boy? What kind of software is being made for the Virtual Boy? We asked these simple questions.
VBに参入していますか
Who all have entered the Virtual Boy market?
ハッキリとVBに参入していると答えたメーカーは意外と少ない。まだ様子見、といったところ。
The number of manufacturers that responded as having clearly entered the Virtual Boy market is surprisingly small. Still, some said they are waiting and watching.
■参入している(16社) = Companies That Have Entered the Market (16 Companies)
ITC = ITC
アイマックス = I’MAX
アスミック = Asmik
アトラス = Atlus
ココナッツジャパン エンターテインメント = Coconuts Japan Entertainment
Jウイング = J-Wing
POW = Pow
バップ = Vap
ハドソン = Hudson
バンプレスト = Banpresto
BPS = Bullet-Proof Software
ヘクト = Hect
ボトムアップ = Bottom Up
ライトスタッフ = Right Stuff
他2社 = 2 Other Companies
■参入予定(9社) = Companies That Are Planning for Entry into the Market (9 Companies)
エポック社 = Epoch
エンジェル = Angel
ナグザット = Naxat
ナムコ = Namco
バンダイ = Bandai
他3社 = 3 Other Companies
(Translator’s Note: This should probably read as “4 Other Companies,” or else it should read as “8 Companies” in the heading. As translator, though, I must leave the original error intact.)
■参入予定なし(5社) = Companies That Are Not Planning for Entry into the Market (5 Companies)
■検討中(11社) = Companies That Are Considering Entry into the Market (11 Companies)
アクティビジョン ジャパン = Activision Japan
エニックス = Enix
スクウェア = Square
スターフィッシュ = Starfish
徳間書店 = Tokuma Shoten
マジファクト = Magifact
メサイヤ = Messiah
他4社 = 4 Other Companies
