New Pokemon Snap Launches in China

Historic Release Marks Pokemon's Return to China

On July 16, Nintendo marked a significant milestone by releasing New Pokemon Snap in China, the first official Pokemon game to hit the market since the country's video game console ban was enacted and lifted in 2000 and 2015, respectively. This first-person photography game, globally released on April 30, 2021, symbolizes a new era for Nintendo and Pokemon enthusiasts in China, as it overcomes years of restrictions that stemmed from concerns over the impact of gaming consoles on children's development.

Nintendo's ambition to tap into the vast Chinese gaming market has been evident since their 2019 partnership with Tencent to introduce the Switch. The launch of New Pokemon Snap represents a crucial step in this strategy, coinciding with Nintendo's plans to release several high-profile titles in the coming months, further solidifying their presence in one of the world's largest gaming markets.

Upcoming Nintendo Releases in China

Following the successful launch of New Pokemon Snap, Nintendo has lined up an exciting array of titles for the Chinese market, including:

• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
• Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee and Pikachu
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Immortals Fenyx Rising
• Above Qimen
• Samurai Shodown

These forthcoming releases showcase Nintendo's commitment to expanding its gaming portfolio in China, leveraging its iconic franchises and fresh titles to capture a significant portion of the market.

The Unexpected Legacy of Pokemon in China

The global Pokemon community was taken aback by the long-standing console ban in China, shedding light on the intricate history of the franchise's relationship with the region. Despite never being officially sold in China, Pokemon cultivated a robust fanbase, with enthusiasts sourcing games through overseas purchases and encountering counterfeit versions and smuggling incidents. A recent case in June saw a woman caught smuggling 350 Nintendo Switch games in her undergarments.

An interesting footnote in this saga is the iQue Player, a collaboration between Nintendo and iQue in the early 2000s. This device, essentially a compact version of the Nintendo 64 with integrated hardware, aimed to curb piracy and bring Nintendo's offerings to China without the Nintendo branding.

A Reddit user highlighted the remarkable global success of Pokemon, which achieved widespread popularity without access to China's market. Nintendo's recent moves signal a strategic shift, aiming to bridge this gap and fully engage with the Chinese audience.

The reintroduction of Pokemon and other Nintendo titles into China is a landmark event for both the company and its fans. As Nintendo navigates this complex yet promising market, the anticipation surrounding these releases points to a bright future for gaming in China and beyond.