It's no secret that the Japanese get all of the cool videogame-related stuff. They get the best collector's editions, tons of different-colored consoles, wacky dating sims...even their videogame commercials are better than ours!
Don't believe me? I've picked a few of my favorites to share with you (check after the jump for the rest). Be warned: Once you see how great/awful/amazing/horrific Japanese videogame commercials are, your life will never be the same.
Chu Chu Rocket
Kudos to Sonic Team for keeping the wacky name intact, but a big "boo" to Sega for not sharing the Japanese commercial with the rest of the world. The visuals are terrifying to be sure, but you can't help but smile when you hear the happy man singing along with an acoustic guitar. Watch the video and try to guess what the lyrics to this joyous little tune are saying. I've included a translation below the clip.
Chu Chu Rocket
Let's save the Mice!
Chu Chu Rocket
The Cat is scary!
Chu Chu Rocket
The rocket is GREAT!
WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
I can't really fault Nintendo for not bringing this travesty to the masses. Somebody must have spiked Kyoto's water supply with LSD the day this commercial was conceived; there's no other way to explain the combination of live-action Zelda and rap. A full translation is below the clip:
It's coming coming, the Legend of Zelda
It's coming coming coming coming finally coming!
Gorgeous! This adventure
Real! You'll also soon experience it
This one will be difficult
Cunning puzzle action that will leave you gasping
Make no mistake; you'll go crazy for it
Of course! Super Famicom
EXCITING ACTION SEQUENCE
An unwitting serious contest
Tonight, Zelda's climax
Super Famicom, the Legend of Zelda
It's coming coming coming coming, finally coming!
GO! GO! GO! GO!
Ape Escape: Saru Saru
The Ape Escape games have always been a little bit wacky, so it shouldn't be a surprise that their Japanese commercials are utterly insane. This particular commercial has it all: a heartbreaking start, a crazy resolution, and then it finishes up with the most obnoxious high-pitched Japanese girl in history screaming about the game. I couldn't find a full translation of the commercial, but I've included a rough translation after the video.
"I'm sorry. The truth is, I admit, I was just using you. But I just want you to know this. The next stage is hard, and I can't do it without him.? Good-bye."
I'm sure this won't be the last time I do one of these columns, so feel free to point out any other Japanese videogame commercials that you'd like to see highlighted.
