Nintendo of Korea to Begin Console Localization

According to Korean news Web site JoongAng Daily, Nintendo Corp, Ltd. President Satoru Iwata recently held a press conference with Korean media, outlining the company's plans for its official subsidiary in the region. 

The conference mainly focused on the company's launch of a Korean language version of the DS Lite on January 18 of next year, which Iwata felt confident will be just as successful in that region as it has been in other markets, despite unnamed Korean industry analysts casting doubt over the handheld's sales potential. 

Iwata commented on surmounting the limited market presence of console games in South Korea, specifically that he felt as though he were "selling women's cosmetics to men," likely due to the country's prominent PC and MMO (massively multiplayer online) focused video game industry and currently limited interest in console games. 

Iwata also discussed the company's plans for Wii in the Asian peninsula, where he said that a launch of the new console is anticipated for late next year after language localization is completed.

Iwata mentioned Nintendo's efforts to bring game content developed by Korean software companies to their fledgling console. "We plan to actively support Korean game software developers who have great expertise in developing online games and support their advances into foreign markets," he said.  The first example offered was the announcement that Nintendo has started a game development partnership with NEXON, creator of the online racing game Crazyracing Kartrider and Korean publisher of the popular MMORPG MapleStory. 

For further information on Nintendo of Korea, read our previous news article about the foundation of the subsidiary here.  JoongAng Daily's article can be found here.

Keep reading The Wiire for further information on Nintendo's market expansion and release information for Wii in other world regions.