Do you remember Rodea the Sky Soldier from Yuji Naka's PROPE studio, the man who many credit with creating Sonic the Hedgehog? It's supposed to be released on Wii and 3DS, with the handheld version being handled by another developer, Kadokawa Games, the same organisation in charge of publishing the Wii edition. Almost a year ago we reported that the Wii version was finished, with Yaka commenting at the time that it had been finished "for a while".
It's astonishing that, one year later, the completed Wii title is still in limbo with its own creator in the dark about whether it'll ever see the light of day, and indeed whether the handheld equivalent will ever be completed. Speaking to The Verge, Naka admitted that he had no idea about publishing plans, and shared concerns that Wii U not including a Wii Remote in the box would be damaging for its prospects on the new system — after all, Wii U will arrive before the game — as it was designed with the Remote and Nunchuk in mind.
We have finished developing the Wii version and we have already submitted it. That was around a year ago. But it seems like they are still considering the [details of] the 3DS version.
It [3DS version] might be close to being finished, but we havent spoken to Kadokawa in a while, so I'm not sure. Kadokawa never said they're not going to sell it, so I would guess they'll release it sometime in 2013 or so.
That has to get cleared up. Because of that, I'm not sure what's going to happen to the game. However, I'm very confident we were able to create a new type of action game. I really want a lot of people to play this game.
One unfortunate thing about the Wii U announcement: It doesn't come with a Wii remote, so Rodea and all the other Wii titles I created, people won't be able to play it with a Wii remote. They'll have to use the Wii U GamePad.
I created the game specifically for the Wii remote, so it's going to turn into a totally different experience. I'm really down about that because Rodea is a really good game.
It's all rather dispiriting, but on a brighter note Naka made it clear that he's interested in developing projects for Wii U.
Whenever there is new hardware, I feel like creating something for it. Following the announcement of the Wii U, I've been writing a bunch of game concepts. I'm hoping to be able to create a game for Wii U. Any new piece of hardware always looks fun.
Perhaps Rodea will be reborn as a download title, or it could be stuck in limbo forever. We hope that it sees a worldwide release in some form, as based on the original Japanese trailer, below, it looks like it could be a lot of fun.
[source theverge.com]
Comments 33
Normally I abhor anything kickstarter-related, but if they put this on kickstarter I'd pledge an unhealthy amount of money for it.
That's a shame because it look like a really good game.
I doubt we'll find it released here
This is awful, no one deserves to have their game treated that way...
He is an idiot and just making an excuse. The Wii install base is Ginormous and mostly every prospective Wii U owner will either already have a Wii remote or just purchase one. Simple.
@Popyman Agreed
Yesterday La-Mulana finally got here, but the dust hasn't even settled down yet and we already have another title (Rodea) that after almost a year still has to be published! What is wrong with publishers nowadays?
@Judah_83 Yep, that's clearly why you are more successful than him.
What an epic fail! I was really looking forward to this game too... Oh well, it hasn't been cancelled yet so my waiting patiently will continue.
A little off-topic, but didn't this guy join Nintendo?
Oh man, I'm really hoping this makes it into the wild, I've been looking forward to this game since I first saw that trailer! Fingers crossed =)
I wonder if the skyward swordish floating island setting kept Nintendo from rescuing this game during the big Wii drought. Seems like it would have been a nice title to tide people over will Wii U development was taking over.
Looks pretty good actually. I'd consider buying it, for sure
Damn that looks like a really cool game!
I would buy it immediately if it gets released. Retail or DL I don't mind, just let us experience this beauty please!
I just finished getting the last Prope title on Wii I didn't have, Fishing Resort, and am loving it. Each of the 3 Prope retail titles is interesting and uniquely fun.
This game looks like nights but way better ---atleast compared to the wii one
looks good
No! I really wanted this one!
I have wanted this game SO badly ever since it was announced. I would pre-order this based on the trailer alone. It's like Nights and Sin&Punishment had a baby. A very sexy baby.
I hope this does get released at some point. It looks like a fantastic game and it looks more exciting than anything announced for the Wii U.
This looks cool. hopefully it is released! D:
@Xilef Sonic has 3 creators, Yuji Naka is the most well known. The one you are thiniking of is the one that did the most work and is least recognized
this greatly saddens me as its one of my most anticipated games....
I'd buy both if they came over, but wouldn't the 3D for this game be super-special-awesome?!
I'm kinda reminded of Kid Icarus: Uprising... I like it.
Well, the Wii is as good as dead, so I think he has no other choice but change the controls and release it on Wii u!
Whatever he does, I hope to play it someday! Whether it is on Wii, Wii u or 3DS!
@twilight point
Wii U is backwards compatible and works with existing Wii remotes. So releasing the game to me shouldn't be a problem. I don't think I'm better than anyone just more of a risk taker I guess. His main argument was that he would have to change the gameplay controls to incorporate the wii u gamepad. I don't think agree or think that's the case. If you can play some gamecube games perfectly on wii with or without utilizing the wii remote, why cant the same be done for playing wii games perfectly on the wii u console with or without the wii u gamepad?Just doesn't make sense to me. If a game is bad ass and looks promising and it releases on the console predecessor to my current console which is backwards compatible, thenI'm going to get that game regardless. It's a no brainer.
I think this is another case of games being held back till the bitter end and one of my biggest complaints against some devs and Nintendo themselves. I bet we see this game at some point. But if it's been done for over a year somebody is holding out on its release
yeah Kadokawa this sure is a good idea. Waiting as long as possible for a new game from the creator of Sonic the Hedgehog so it can be released after the system is replaced. There is no better way! Clearly!
C'mon Naka, if the Wii version is finish, get a publisher to published it already, there's a bunch out there, NISA, Ignition Entertainment, Namco Bandai, Atlus, XSeed, Nintendo, even yours truly Sega.
here we go again..
I suppose it could hurt sales somewhat, but it's still a Wii game, so it doesn't need to have an added traditional control scheme. Don't forget about the huge install base of the Wii, which means plenty of people who can buy it for their Wii or who will already have Wiimotes when they buy a Wii U.
The graphics are good but the concept of the game sucks.
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