The best way to discourage people from importing games, and thus promote domestic sales in the respective countries, is for these companies to just cut the crap with staggered release dates, ESPECIALLY when the product is already fully localized to begin with. I mean come ON Sega, who actually believes the garbage about “January being the best time”. It seems to me that in this period of recession MAYBE people will be more likely to spend money for the holidays, but not so many right after.

Bayonetta is a fantastic game that should truly receive the attention and sales it deserves. Yet I am quite confident that won't happen for a variety of reasons, one of which is now that the foreign releases are just AFTER the largest shopping season of the year.

Beyond all that, in this day and age there is really no excuse why games aren't all being released simultaneously worldwide. I mean sure things have improved dramatically since the early 90's, but companies like Square have commented that international sales are so important to them and yet lo and behold look at the continued delay with localizations. (Perhaps if they offered more competitive salaries for localization work it might be completed quicker?). Final Fantasy 13 should have a worldwide release this December which would work quite well given the holidays overseas and boost both game AND console sales…

Sorry for the rant, but it just bugs me that the very markets that comprise a majority of sales for the Japanese gaming industry continue to be relegated as back-burner status.

The best way to discourage people from importing games, and thus promote domestic sales in the respective countries, is for these companies to just cut the crap with staggered release dates, ESPECIALLY when the product is already fully localized to begin with. I mean come ON Sega, who actually believes the garbage about “January being the best time”. It seems to me that in this period of recession MAYBE people will be more likely to spend money for the holidays, but not so many right after.

Bayonetta is a fantastic game that should truly receive the attention and sales it deserves. Yet I am quite confident that won't happen for a variety of reasons, one of which is now that the foreign releases are just AFTER the largest shopping season of the year.

Beyond all that, in this day and age there is really no excuse why games aren't all being released simultaneously worldwide. I mean sure things have improved dramatically since the early 90's, but companies like Square have commented that international sales are so important to them and yet lo and behold look at the continued delay with localizations. (Perhaps if they offered more competitive salaries for localization work it might be completed quicker?). Final Fantasy 13 should have a worldwide release this December which would work quite well given the holidays overseas and boost both game AND console sales…

Sorry for the rant, but it just bugs me that the very markets that comprise a majority of sales for the Japanese gaming industry continue to be relegated as back-burner status.

Thanks for the heads up on Sakura Note, I also saw the long track list.. The dog/cat scenario definitely sounds interesting. If they're not releasing a separate soundtrack, I guess I shouldn't miss getting the game while I still have the chance.. I assume you're in Japan right? It's lucky you get it much cheaper there, over $60 is a lot for a DS game that I'm on the fence on :(…

UPDATE: I ended up from getting it from NCSX for $60, just couldn't stand the thought of passing up the soundtrack since I love Uematsu. Hope the game would be good…

The Scarborough Fair Version~
http://gon.cdn.on.net/screenshots/a/0/441/2009-…

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails….

Since I ordered the OST which is what I wanted the most, I'm good w/ just the game now. I can't believe I'm craving for this game so much…

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails….

I'm good w/ soundtrack, I just ordered the 5-disc one, I like its music too much.