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[Hero of Legend]

Original English version from Nikkei (Thanks Nirolak!):

Another developer, Akira Sakuma, has failed to reach an agreement over how to share revenue from his popular creation "Momotaro Electric Railway" with Konami. "I have heard nothing from Konami. So 'Momotaro Electric Railway' is officially terminated," Sakuma tweeted in June, causing a stir.

"Momotaro Electric Railway" is a hugely popular board-game-style title. Ever since Hudson Soft, the developer of the game, was taken over by Konami in 2012, Konami and Sakuma have shared the license for the game. But negotiations between the two reached a deadlock over how to share profits from the newest version.

After Sakuma tweeted, Konami in June issued an emergency statement. "We are continuing our talks but unfortunately they have not reached any conclusion," it read. But the talks appear to have been derailed. Now Sakuma and Nintendo have begun negotiating on development and marketing of a new game. The title is expected to be released next year or thereafter. Konami will license "Momotaro Electric Railway" to Nintendo.

--

From Pepsiman's translations in the other thread, thought this was new thread-worthy:

Tweets in order:

Momotaro Densetsu apparently jettisoned by Konami over disagreements over revenue split with creator. Happaned without warning.

https://twitter.com/iiotenki/status/628064075226857472

New Momotaro Densetsu game has instead been licensed out to Nintendo for release next year. Konami only interested in licensing fee.

https://twitter.com/iiotenki/status/628064657706618880

Ah, quick correction: I meant to say Momotaro DENTETSU earlier, not Densetsu, regarding the Nintendo stuff and whatnot. Sorry!

https://twitter.com/iiotenki/status/628076351002578944

Why this and not Bomberman?:

Momotaro Dentetsu was the only specific mention, sorry. Came up in the context of revenue split negotiations with Konami.

https://twitter.com/iiotenki/status/628078222370979840

This was new thread-worthy to me because this tells us something that's happening that we'd been wanting but didn't think Nintendo would actually do; knock on Konami's door about working on Hudson's IPs in some shape or form.

Here's an article at Kotaku about the series ending:

http://kotaku.com/developer-gets-testy-with-konami-ends-his-beloved-game-1708395920

It was written back in June, so did all of the sudden Nintendo just swoop in and get things back on track or what? Is the creator involved again? Who knows, but to me this can only be a first step in a hopeful attempt at saving Hudson's legacy. They got the the team at ND Cube, so hopefully, and naturally they'd be the ones on the game, who else would be? Also WHERE would it be? NX? Too early I guess to guess. I'd say 3DS if any, since ND Cube already made Mario Party: Island Tour on it so they can make another 3DS game.

Thoughts?

 

[pants]

This is a pretty strange game to revive. I'd think there would be a lot more popular licences for Nintendo to lease from Konami's rotting corpse.

 

[Man God]

Nintendo should see if Konami would be willing to just sell them Hudson's IP.

 

[Hero of Legend]

This is a pretty strange game to revive. I'd think there would be a lot more popular licences for Nintendo to lease from Konami's rotting corpse.

I know, such an oddball pick. MAYBE Bomberman is in there somewhere, as anyone would think if they had one Hudson IP in mind, it's him.

Remember, Bomberman's last apparence on a mainstream platform was a cameo in both that 3DS puzzle game, and also in the Nintendo (at retail, their name isn't seen in the eShop version for some reason) published Tetris Axis, Hudson's official swan song.

 

[entremet]

Never heard of this series.

 

[Chindogg]

If Nintendo manages to save Hudson's work from Konami's new business plan they'll be the saviors of the gaming industry.

 

[James Scott]

I shared this in the other thread. Not sure what type of game it is, tho. Anyone have a video or something?

 

[The Giant]

Nintendo should also get Goemon from konami as well.

 

[random25]

I shared this in the other thread. Not sure what type of game it is, tho. Anyone have a video or something?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07yydPpJKs

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Probably a phone game

 

[Hero of Legend]

I shared this in the other thread. Not sure what type of game it is, tho. Anyone have a video or something?

Yep, that's where I first saw it lol! Want me to add that to the OP?

 

[CO_Andy]

Iwata said he would like to revive old Japanese ip long ago.

 

[A Black Falcon]

This is a pretty strange game to revive. I'd think there would be a lot more popular licences for Nintendo to lease from Konami's rotting corpse.

In Japan Momotarou Dentetsu was a very popular series. As a console/handheld series the series lasted 22 years, from 1988 to 2010, and including mobile phone games that released between 2006 and 2012 has almost 40 game releases. So no, this isn't a strange game to revive.

Just don't expect a release outside Japan; no game in the series ever has been released outside Japan before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07yydPpJKs

Yeah, that review does a good job of summing up what it is... which is weird. I mean, how did they go from classical Japanese folklore RPG and platformer franchise to a train-themed boardgame series with the same characters?

 

[The Broken Ska Record]

A new Nintendo produced Bomberman would be the tits.

 

[pants]

Nintendo should also get Goemon from konami as well.

I want Goemon to go to an independent party. Maybe GameFreak.

In Japan Momotarou Dentetsu was a very popular series. As a console/handheld series the series lasted 22 years, from 1988 to 2010, and including mobile phone games that released between 2006 and 2012 has almost 40 game releases. So no, this isn't a strange game to revive.

Just don't expect a release outside Japan; no game in the series ever has been released outside Japan before.

Last thing I remember from this series is a SNES game, that's the perspective I'm posting from.

 

[@MUWANdo]

I want Goemon to go to an independent party. Maybe GameFreak.

Good-Feel, the company that made Yoshi's Woolly World, Kirby's Epic Yarn and Wario Land Shake It for Nintendo, was formed by people from the Konami studio that worked on most of the classic Goemon games, so if anyone should get the IP it's probably them.

 

[The Giant]

I want Goemon to go to an independent party. Maybe GameFreak.

Or Good Feel, since Etsunobu Ebisu worked on Goemon games and was the director of Goemon 64.

 

[Hero of Legend]

Wow yeah, this has ND Cube written all over it even more as it's a board game.

 

[Dremark]

I've heard about the massive fallout between the creator of the series and Konami. I am not very familiar with the series but the impression I've been put under is that the series is basically inseparable from him, so perhaps Konami let Nintendo pay out for it as they saw no value to it on it's own.

Regardless it's nice to see one if those IPs work it's way out of the black hole Konami has become. Maybe Nintendo could buy Bombernan or IGA could buy Castlevania from them when Konami no longer sees value in the IPs.

 

[Hayama Akito]

In Japan Momotarou Dentetsu was a very popular series. As a console/handheld series the series lasted 22 years, from 1988 to 2010, and including mobile phone games that released between 2006 and 2012 has almost 40 game releases. So no, this isn't a strange game to revive.

Just don't expect a release outside Japan; no game in the series ever has been released outside Japan before.


Yeah, that review does a good job of summing up what it is... which is weird. I mean, how did they go from classical Japanese folklore RPG and platformer franchise to a train-themed boardgame series with the same characters?

I remember one of the Super Famicom games sold one million copies in a month, this shit is pretty serious business in Japan.

 

[pants]

Good-Feel, the company that made Yoshi's Woolly World, Kirby's Epic Yarn and Wario Land Shake It for Nintendo, was formed by people from the Konami studio that worked on most of the classic Goemon games, so if anyone should get the IP it's probably them.

Or Good Feel, since Etsunobu Ebisu worked on Goemon games and was the director of Goemon 64.

Yup. I dont want Goemon to ever become an IP a big company will just stick in their war chest again. A smaller company would actually use the IP. Like Millions (Aksys) with the Nekketsu series

 

[Infernal Monkey]

Wow yeah, this has ND Cube written all over it even more as it's a board game.

I kind of hope not. Poor ND Cube seems completely burnt out making nothing but board games, especially after Wii Party U and Mario Party 10.

 

[Hero of Legend]

I kind of hope not. Poor ND Cube seems completely burnt out making nothing but board games, especially after Wii Party U and Mario Party 10.

Agree, they've only made board games, BUT, at least they're expanding from those two series, AND with a Hudson IP to boot.

 

[Eolz]

Whaaaaat? This is so weird.
Still hoping Nintendo gets Hudson's IPs someday, they're the best fit.

 

[Palette Swap]

Whaaaaat? This is so weird.
Still hoping Nintendo gets Hudson's IPs someday, they're the best fit.

Yeah, they'd be a great fit.

Hell, they could even bring back the Tengai Makyou series, as they're used to Red collaborations.

 

[DXB-KNIGHT]

The return and revenge of Hudson through Nintendo's sword

 

[Dicer]

Nintendo should see if Konami would be willing to just sell them Hudson's IP.

I want this to happen SO bad...

 

[Aostia]

If Nintendo manages to save Hudson's work from Konami's new business plan they'll be the saviors of the gaming industry.

I want a new bomberman!

 

[SinCityAssassin]

Nintendo reviving my old Hudson favorites would be a complete dream. What if they were allowed access to the old assets fro the cancelled Bomberman 3DS game? DO IT.

 

[Nanashrew]

Yeah, they'd be a great fit.

Hell, they could even bring back the Tengai Makyou series, as they're used to Red collaborations.

Yes please. Also maybe bring back the fighting game spin off.

 

[Golnei]

If Nintendo manages to save Hudson's work from Konami's new business plan they'll be the saviors of the gaming industry.

Either that, or they'll fall to their corrupt influence and put out a Metroid: Maternal Violence pachinko machine within the year.

Nintendo reviving my old Hudson favorites would be a complete dream. What if they were allowed access to the old assets fro the cancelled Bomberman 3DS game? DO IT.

That'd be fantastic - do we know how far it was into development before it was scrapped?

 

[Mpl90]

For those wondering, here's how Bomberman 3DS looked like

http://bomberman.wikia.com/wiki/Bomberman_3DS

 

[Hero of Legend]

Bloody Roar would be major ammo in the fighting game realm where Smash doesn't fit. And I believe 8ing made numerous entries, and Nintendo worked with 8ing on that Eye Shield 21 game on Wii.

 

[pants]

For those wondering, here's how Bomberman 3DS looked like

http://bomberman.wikia.com/wiki/Bomberman_3DS

Yuck

 

[Nanashrew]

For those wondering, here's how Bomberman 3DS looked like

http://bomberman.wikia.com/wiki/Bomberman_3DS

I know, and it still hurts :<

 

[Shadowplay1979]

I should start a kickstarter to buy Goemon from Konami..i wonder what an ip like that goes for .....yknow...one they buried in the parking lot

 

[Nanashrew]

Bloody Roar would be major ammo in the fighting game realm where Smash doesn't fit. And I believe 8ing made numerous entries, and Nintendo worked with 8ing on that Eye Shield 21 game on Wii.

Eighting was a part of every Bloody Roar entry according to Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Roar

 

[Earthpainting]

This is a pretty strange game to revive. I'd think there would be a lot more popular licences for Nintendo to lease from Konami's rotting corpse.

This used to be a pretty popular IP in Japan so it makes enough sense. Let's just hope it sets a precedent for Konami licensing off their IPs. Sure I'd prefer it if they sold them entirely, but licensing them out is preferable to going all Smaug on their properties.

 

[VLQ]

I think proposal to nintendo went from series creator, that's why this ip and not bomberman. Nintendo already did similar thing with Paon and Glory of Heracles. I don't think Nintendo will make new Momotaro Dentetsu ourselves or give it to ND Cube.

 

[vagabondarts]

So its kind of like: A Train, board game edition.

 

[sörine]

This is a pretty strange game to revive. I'd think there would be a lot more popular licences for Nintendo to lease from Konami's rotting corpse.

Not too many in Japan. This was definitely Hudson's biggest seller towards the end, the last major entry (Momotarou Dentetsu 2010 on Wii) sold 500k total.

 

[Regulus Tera]

I'm hoping this is evidence that Bomberman is eventually going to Nintendo. Yeah, wishful thinking.

Also Bomberman for Smash pls.

 

[FlyingSaucer]

If Nintendo manages to save Hudson's work from Konami's new business plan they'll be the saviors of the gaming industry.

Pretty much my own feelings, too.

 

[Veal]

Nintendo should also get Goemon from konami as well.

This this this.

 

[Mpl90]

This used to be a pretty popular IP in Japan so it makes enough sense. Let's just hope it sets a precedent for Konami licensing off their IPs. Sure I'd prefer it if they sold them entirely, but licensing them out is preferable to going all Smaug on their properties.

Just to give a better perspective

[PSX] Momotarou Dentetsu 7 {1997.12.23} - 281,418 / 675,187
[PSX] Momotarou Dentetsu V {1999.12.16} - 113,831 / 415,673
[PSX] Momotarou Dentetsu {1998.12.23} - 117,370 / 230,541

[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu X: Kyuushuu-hen mo Arubai {2001.12.13} - 101,691 / 506,239
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu 11: Black Bombie Shutsugen! No Maki {2002.12.5} - 64,553 / 463,492
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu: USA {2004.11.18} - 122,329 / 346,722
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu 12: Nishi Nippon Hen mo Arimasse! {2003.12.11} - 94,482 / 301,064
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu 15: Godai Bombie Toujou! No Maki {2005.12.08} - 77,080 / 250,406
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu 16: Hokkaido Daiidou no Maki! {2006.12.7} - 68,041 / 224,055

[PSP] Momotarou Dentetsu Tag Match: Yuujou - Doryoku - Shoury no Maki! {2010.7.15} - 22,436 / 111,661

[NDS] Momotarou Dentetsu: 20th Anniversary {2008.12.18} - 63,797 / 388,769
[NDS] Momotarou Dentetsu DS: Tokyo & Japan {2007.4.26} - 71,825 / 367,331
[NDS] Momotarou Dentetsu World {2010.12.2} - 40,855 / 189,305

[WII] Momotarou Dentetsu 2010: Sengoku Ishin no Hero Daishuugou! no Maki {2009.11.26} - 43,548 / 276,681
[WII] Momotarou Dentetsu 16: Hokkaido Daiidou no Maki! {2007.7.19} - 8,058 / 44,330

Not complete, though (it lacks episodes for other consoles + the Minna no re-release of 2010 on Wii), but it should still give a better idea. Source: Japanltdrank.

 

[Jiguryo]

Nintendo should also get Goemon from konami as well.

Yet I'm totally on board with what you said, I loved Goemon back in the day.

 

[sörine]

Yet I'm totally on board with what you said, I loved Goemon back in the day.

Then have Good-Feel make it.

 

[MatrixMan.EXE]

Weren't the games semi popular on DS? I remember a fair few being released at least.

 

[James Scott]

Yep, that's where I first saw it lol! Want me to add that to the OP?

No need, thanks though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07yydPpJKs

Thanks. Seems like a board game with trains?

 

[Ōkami]

Just to give a better perspective

[PSX] Momotarou Dentetsu 7 {1997.12.23} - 281,418 / 675,187
[PSX] Momotarou Dentetsu V {1999.12.16} - 113,831 / 415,673
[PSX] Momotarou Dentetsu {1998.12.23} - 117,370 / 230,541

[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu X: Kyuushuu-hen mo Arubai {2001.12.13} - 101,691 / 506,239
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu 11: Black Bombie Shutsugen! No Maki {2002.12.5} - 64,553 / 463,492
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu: USA {2004.11.18} - 122,329 / 346,722
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu 12: Nishi Nippon Hen mo Arimasse! {2003.12.11} - 94,482 / 301,064
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu 15: Godai Bombie Toujou! No Maki {2005.12.08} - 77,080 / 250,406
[PS2] Momotarou Dentetsu 16: Hokkaido Daiidou no Maki! {2006.12.7} - 68,041 / 224,055

[PSP] Momotarou Dentetsu Tag Match: Yuujou - Doryoku - Shoury no Maki! {2010.7.15} - 22,436 / 111,661

[NDS] Momotarou Dentetsu: 20th Anniversary {2008.12.18} - 63,797 / 388,769
[NDS] Momotarou Dentetsu DS: Tokyo & Japan {2007.4.26} - 71,825 / 367,331
[NDS] Momotarou Dentetsu World {2010.12.2} - 40,855 / 189,305

[WII] Momotarou Dentetsu 2010: Sengoku Ishin no Hero Daishuugou! no Maki {2009.11.26} - 43,548 / 276,681
[WII] Momotarou Dentetsu 16: Hokkaido Daiidou no Maki! {2007.7.19} - 8,058 / 44,330

Not complete, though (it lacks episodes for other consoles + the Minna no re-release of 2010 on Wii), but it should still give a better idea. Source: Japanltdrank.

[SFC] Super Momotaro Railway III - 257.237 / 510.631 - Hudson - 09/12/1994
[SFC] Super Momotaro Railway DX - 116.019 / 321.505 - Hudson - 08/12/1995
[SFC] Momotaro Railway: Happy - 69.590 / 231.038 - Hudson - 06/12/1996
First number is FW second is LTD.