Pokémon Enters China's Gaming Landscape with 'New Pokémon Snap'

Nintendo's entry into the Chinese market reaches a significant milestone with the launch of New Pokémon Snap. This article explores the historical context of this release and its implications for the Pokémon franchise in China.

New Pokémon Snap Launches in China

A Historic Launch: Pokémon's Debut in China

On July 16th, New Pokémon Snap, initially released globally on April 30th, 2021, made history as the first officially released Pokémon game in China. This follows the country's video game console ban, imposed in 2000 and lifted in 2015, due to concerns about the negative impact on children's development. This marks a significant turning point for Nintendo and Pokémon fans in China, finally bringing the franchise to the Chinese market after years of restrictions.

Nintendo's strategic expansion into the Chinese gaming market has been a long-term goal. Their 2019 partnership with Tencent to bring the Nintendo Switch to China paved the way for this release. New Pokémon Snap's launch represents a major step towards penetrating one of the world's largest and most profitable gaming markets. This is part of Nintendo's broader strategy to increase its presence in China, with plans to release more high-profile games in the coming months.

Upcoming Nintendo Titles in China

Following New Pokémon Snap, Nintendo has announced several additional titles for release in China, including:

⚫︎ Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury ⚫︎ Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee and Pikachu ⚫︎ The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ⚫︎ Immortals Fenyx Rising ⚫︎ Above Qimen ⚫︎ Samurai Shodown

These releases demonstrate Nintendo's commitment to establishing a substantial gaming presence in China, aiming to capture a larger market share with both established franchises and newer titles.

Pokémon's Unexpected Chinese Legacy

The surprise among international Pokémon fans regarding the long-standing console ban in China highlights the complex history of the franchise in the region. Despite the ban, Pokémon maintained a large fanbase in China, with players accessing games through unofficial channels like overseas purchases, counterfeit versions, and smuggling. A recent example involved a woman caught smuggling 350 Nintendo Switch games.

One notable attempt to introduce Nintendo hardware to China without direct branding was the iQue Player, a collaboration between Nintendo and iQue released in the early 2000s. This compact Nintendo 64 variant aimed to combat rampant piracy.

The impressive global success of Pokémon without official access to the Chinese market is noteworthy. Nintendo's recent actions signal a strategic shift, aiming to capitalize on the previously untapped Chinese market.

The gradual introduction of Pokémon and other Nintendo titles to China marks a pivotal moment for both the company and its fans. Nintendo's continued navigation of this complex market, coupled with the enthusiasm surrounding these releases, suggests a promising future for gaming in China and beyond.