We couldn't help but perform a double take at the press release we received this morning from Square-Enix. So uncertain were we of its contents that we showed it to our friends and faxed it to faraway colleagues, just to check we weren't seeing things.And apparently, we're not going mad -- The World Ends With You really will be launching in PAL territories before the U.S., with April 18th the date to circle on your calendar. That's only a four-day head start, but let's say that again: before the U.S. We're baffled as can be, but also delighted! Celebrate with us by hitting the gallery below for a dozen new shots!
See also: 2008's Biggest Blips -- The World Ends With You
[Via press release]
_thumbnail.jpg "Mega Man Star Force 2")
_thumbnail.jpg "Rune Factory 2")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-06-2008 @ 12:24PM
ssuk said...
I'm still worried about the music... Please don't let it be butchered, please, please, please...
Reply
3-06-2008 @ 12:32PM
neuromanticist said...
Hahaha. What is up with the screenshot of the ramen store guy? Apparently his store name has now changed and he is no longer selling ramen. o____O Not to mention there is not a single store in the game that sells all the stuff shown on the bottom screen.
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3-06-2008 @ 1:23PM
Irashtar said...
Sigh, PAL has nothing to do with any handheld system. It is merely a resolution and broadcast standard for TV, used in more than just Europe, and quite a few European countries have are phasing PAL out for SECAM, another format. Australia, Brazil, and China, to name a few, also use PAL, but probably will be waiting a lot longer.
tl;dr, don't use PAL as a region, it's larger than just Europe, and Irrelevant to DS anyway.
Reply
3-06-2008 @ 2:24PM
Chris Greenhough said...
You're right, Irashtar, but the term "PAL territories" is frequently used as a broad term in the industry to describe the regions you mentioned, even when it comes to handheld gaming.
The press release from this story, for instance, read:
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"Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU™, an exciting new title from the makers of KINGDOM HEARTS, will be released across all PAL territories from 18th April, 2008 exclusively on the Nintendo DS™ system."
--
In other words, don't blame us -- the term "PAL" has simply branched out from its true meaning.
3-06-2008 @ 6:31PM
Pie Pants said...
"tl;dr, don't use PAL as a region, it's larger than just Europe, and Irrelevant to DS anyway."
It doesn't matter. Despite the fact that Australia and the UK are English speaking countries, we often get lumped into the European release category because it's more convenient for the publishers.
The region-free nature of the DS just makes it easier to import.