iQue
| iQue | |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 6, 2002[1] |
| First Super Mario game | Super Mario 64 and Dr. Mario 64 localization (2003) |
| Latest Super Mario game | Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 localization (2012) (last iQue published) Mario & Luigi: Brothership localization (2024) (last iQue localized) |
iQue Ltd. is a Chinese video game company founded in 2002 as a joint venture between Nintendo and Chinese–American scientist and entrepreneur Wei Yen.[2] It became a 100% Nintendo-owned subsidiary after Wei Yen left the company.[3] It localizes and distributes Nintendo consoles and games for the mainland Chinese market, under the iQue brand. The English name "iQue" means "beyond intelligence."[4]
History[edit]
iQue Ltd. was founded with a registered capital of $30m in December 2002 and established its headquarters in Suzhou, China, in May 2003. Investment from both parties (Nintendo and Wei Yen) include capital, technology, patents, software copyright, and other intellectual properties.[2] According to some former employees, iQue stayed independent in its financial and marketing in the first few years,[5] and it was a cooperation partner of Nintendo instead of a subordinate agency.[6] Prior to iQue, Nintendo had introduced the Game Boy Advance to China via a Hong Kongese sales agent named Mani (万信),[7] but faced several challenges such as the rampant piracy among Chinese game retailers and the government's ban on video game consoles, which led to the partnership with Wei Yen to solve these issues via localization.[8]
On November 17, 2003, iQue released the iQue Player (神游机), based on the Nintendo 64 but with anti-piracy mechanisms. The iQue Player was unique in that all the components were inside the controller and that it loaded games from a single 64MB flash memory card with digital signatures instead of tradable cartridges. Games for the console must be digitally purchased and written to the flash memory cards, at first through "iQue Depots" (神游加油站)—interactive kiosks in big cities where the player could bring their flash memory cards and iQue Tickets (神游票) to download, buy, store, and retrieve games—and since October 2004 through an online service called iQue@Home (神游在线), which provided the same services to players at home via client software and the Internet. There were also multiplayer accessories (共游盒 and 共游机) for family gaming. According to Shigeru Miyamoto, the design has to do with the low income, undeveloped logistics, and rampant piracy in mainland China.[9] 14 games were released.[10] iQue Players came with five games pre-installed, although four of them are time-limited demos, after which the full version had to be bought to continue playing. Of these five games, Dr. Mario 64 was the only full game included. On the iQue Player menu, Dr. Mario 64 and purchased games are indicated with a red square, while timed demo games are indicated by a yellow square.[citation needed] The iQue Player was a commercial failure, having sold only 8,000 to 12,000 units instead of 1,000,000 units as Wei Yen had anticipated.[11]
On June 8, 2004, the iQue Game Boy Advance (小神游)[12] was released. Unlike the iQue Player, it had no regional lockout or anti-piracy mechanism, featuring interoperability with Nintendo's version of the Game Boy Advance. Four months later, the similar iQue GBA SP was released, followed by several new designs and official contests.[13] The iQue GBA series sold well, reaching 200,000 units in 2005. At the same time, there were efforts to develop edutainment software, but none had ever been released. A total of eight games was released during the console's lifespan.[10]
On July 23, 2005, the iQue DS was released. It can load iQue DS, Nintendo DS, and GBA games, but iQue DS games could not be played on the Nintendo DS, which was otherwise region free. The deluxe version sold via large markets had Polarium and WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! The iQue DS Lite released in June 2006 followed by supporting flash cartridges, and the Nintendo DS series sold well, reaching 300,000+ units. Only six games were ever released.[10]
In 2007, iQue's version of the Wii was approved and planned for sale in 2008, but it was later canceled. The iQue DSi was released in 2009.
Even since it became a full Nintendo subsidiary, iQue released the iQue 3DS XL in 2012, with two games pre-installed, Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. No other titles have been released by iQue since. However, titles from Nintendo Hong Kong and Nintendo Taiwan that featured a Simplified Chinese interface could be played on the iQue 3DS XL, including Mario Tennis Open, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and Paper Mario: Sticker Star. iQue discontinued all services in mainland China in 2016, but it remained doing Simplified Chinese localization for Nintendo Hong Kong.
Localized consoles[edit]
- iQue Player – Nintendo 64 (released November 17, 2003)
- iQue Game Boy Advance – Game Boy Advance (released June 8, 2004)[12]
- iQue Game Boy Advance SP – Game Boy Advance SP
- iQue Game Boy Micro – Game Boy Micro
- iQue DS – Nintendo DS (released July 23, 2005), also had a deluxe version sold via large markets with Polarium and WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$![14]
- iQue DS Lite – Nintendo DS Lite (released June 2006)
- iQue DSi – Nintendo DSi
- iQue 3DS XL – Nintendo 3DS XL
Super Mario games published under the "iQue" brand[edit]
It has been requested that more images be uploaded for this section. Remove this notice only after the additional images have been added. Specific(s): Super Mario Advance 4
| Boxart | Console | Game | Simplified Chinese title | Release date | Official website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
iQue Player | Dr. Mario 64 | 马力欧医生 Mǎlìōu Yīshēng Literally "Dr. Mario" |
November 17, 2003 | in Chinese |
|
iQue Player | Super Mario 64 | 神游马力欧 Shényóu Mǎlìōu Literally "iQue Mario" |
November 17, 2003 | in Chinese |
|
iQue Player | Mario Kart 64 | 马力欧卡丁车 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē Literally "Mario Kart" |
December 25, 2003 | in Chinese |
|
iQue Player | Yoshi's Story | 耀西故事 Yàoxī Gùshì Literally "Yoshi Story" |
March 25, 2004 | in Chinese |
|
iQue Player | Paper Mario | 纸片马力欧 Zhǐpiàn Mǎlìōu Literally "Paper Mario" |
June 8, 2004 | in Chinese |
|
iQue Player | Super Smash Bros. | 任天堂明星大乱斗 Rèntiāntáng Míngxīng Dàluàndòu Literally "Nintendo' Stars: Great Melee" |
November 15, 2005 | in Chinese |
|
iQue GBA | Wario Land 4 | 瓦力欧寻宝记 Wǎlìōu Xúnbǎo Jì Literally "Wario's Treasure-seeking Journey" |
June 30, 2004[15] | in Chinese |
|
iQue GBA | Super Mario Advance | 超级马力欧２ Chāojí Mǎlìōu 2 Literally "Super Mario 2" |
June 30, 2004[16] | in Chinese |
|
iQue GBA | WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! | 瓦力欧制造 Wǎlìōu Zhìzào Literally "Made by Wario" |
July 4, 2005 | in Chinese |
|
iQue GBA | Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 | 耀西岛 Yàoxī Dǎo Literally "Yoshi Island" |
March 2, 2006 | in Chinese |
|
iQue GBA | Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 | 超级马力欧世界 Chāojí Mǎlìōu Shìjiè Literally "Super Mario World" |
March 15, 2006 | in Chinese |
|
iQue GBA | Mario Kart: Super Circuit | 马力欧卡丁车--超级赛道 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē--Chāojí Sàidào Literally "Mario Kart: Super Circuit" |
Canceled[17] | |
|
iQue GBA | Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | 马力欧与路易吉RPG Mǎlìōu yǔ Lùyìjī RPG Literally "Mario & Luigi RPG" |
Canceled[17] | |
| iQue GBA | Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 | 超级马力欧3 Chāojí Mǎlìōu 3 Literally "Super Mario 3" |
Canceled[17] | ||
|
iQue GBA | DK: King of Swing | 摇摆森喜刚 Yáobǎi Sēnxǐgāng Literally "Swing Donkey Kong" |
Canceled[17] | |
|
iQue DS | WarioWare: Touched! | 摸摸瓦力欧制造 Mōmō Wǎlìōu Zhìzào Literally "Touch Wario Made" |
July 23, 2005 | in Chinese |
|
iQue DS | Yoshi Touch & Go | 摸摸耀西-云中漫步 Mōmō Yàoxī: Yúnzhōng Mànbù Literally "Touch Yoshi: Strolling in Clouds" |
February 14, 2006 | in Chinese |
|
iQue DS | Super Mario 64 DS | 神游马力欧DS Shényóu Mǎlìōu DS Literally "iQue Mario DS" |
June 21, 2007 | in Chinese |
|
iQue DS | New Super Mario Bros. | New 超级马力欧兄弟 New Chāojí Mǎlìōu Xiōngdì Literally "New Super Mario Bros." |
July 2, 2009 | in Chinese |
| iQue DSi | Bird & Beans | 鸟和豆 Niǎo hé Dòu Literally "Bird and Beans" |
December 15, 2009 | in Chinese | |
| iQue DSi | Paper Airplane Chase | 纸飞机挑战 Zhǐfēijī Tiǎozhàn Literally "Paper Plane Challenge" |
December 15, 2009 | in Chinese | |
| iQue DSi | Mario Clock | iQue DSi时钟 红白机马力欧款 iQue DSi Shízhōng Hóngbáijī Mǎlìōu Kuǎn Literally "iQue DSi Clock Famicom Mario Edition" |
January 21, 2010 | in Chinese | |
| iQue DSi | Mario Calculator | iQue DSi计算器 红白机马力欧款 iQue DSi Jǐsuànqì Hóngbáijī Mǎlìōu Kuǎn Literally "iQue DSi Calculator Famicom Mario Edition" |
February 11, 2010 | in Chinese | |
| iQue DSi | WarioWare: Snapped! | 照照瓦力欧制造 Zhàozhào Wǎlìōu Zhìzào Literally "Picture-taking Wario Made" |
March 11, 2010 | in Chinese | |
| iQue DSi | Dr. Mario Express | 一下下马力欧医生 Yíxìaxìa Mǎlìōu Yīshēng Literally "A little bit of Dr.Mario" |
April 8, 2010 | in Chinese | |
| iQue DSi | Game & Watch: Mario's Cement Factory | GAME & WATCH 马力欧的水泥工场 GAME & WATCH Mǎlìōu de Shuǐní Gōngchǎng Literally "GAME & WATCH Mario's Cement Factory" |
February 17, 2011 | in Chinese | |
| iQue DSi | Game & Watch: Donkey Kong Jr. | GAME & WATCH 森乐刚 GAME & WATCH Sēnlègāng Literally "GAME & WATCH Donkey Kong Jr." |
August 12, 2010 | in Chinese | |
| iQue 3DS XL | Super Mario 3D Land | 超级马力欧 3D乐园 Chāojí Mǎlìōu 3D Lèyuán Literally "Super Mario 3D Wonderland" |
December 7, 2012 | in Chinese | |
| iQue 3DS XL | Mario Kart 7 | 马力欧卡丁车7 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē 7 Literally "Mario Kart 7" |
December 7, 2012 | in Chinese |
Other localized Super Mario games[edit]
These games are localized by iQue but not distributed by it. iQue can be seen credited in these games' credits. The company was not credited for the localization of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe until the release of the final wave in the Booster Course Pass DLC.
| Console | Game | Simplified Chinese title | Simplified Chinese avaliability | Game published by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wii/Nvidia Shield | Super Mario Galaxy | 超级马力欧银河 Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Yínhé Literally "Super Mario Galaxy" |
March 22, 2018 | Nvidia Lightspeed Studios/iQiyi |
| Wii/Nvidia Shield | New Super Mario Bros. Wii | New 超级马力欧兄弟 Wii New Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Xiōngdì Wii Literally "New Super Mario Brothers Wii" |
December 5, 2017 | Nvidia Lightspeed Studios/iQiyi (China) Nintendo (Hong Kong, Taiwan) |
| Wii | Super Mario Galaxy 2 | N/A | N/A | Nintendo (Hong Kong, Taiwan) |
| Wii/Nvidia Shield | Donkey Kong Country Returns | 森喜刚 归来 Sēnxǐgāng Guīlái Literally "Donkey Kong Returns" |
July 4, 2019 | Nvidia Lightspeed Studios/iQiyi |
| Wii | Mario Party 9 | N/A | N/A | Nintendo (Hong Kong, Taiwan) |
| Nintendo 3DS | Mario Tennis Open | 马力欧网球 公开赛 Mǎlì'ōu Wǎngqiú Gōngkāisài Literally "Mario Tennis Open" |
April 12, 2013 | Nintendo (Hong Kong, Taiwan) |
| Nintendo 3DS | New Super Mario Bros. 2 | New 超级马力欧兄弟 2 New Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Xiōngdì 2 Literally "New Super Mario Brothers 2" |
June 21, 2013 | Nintendo (Hong Kong, Taiwan) |
| Nintendo 3DS | Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon | 路易吉洋馆2 Lùyìjí Yángguǎn 2 Literally "Luigi Mansion 2" |
July 26, 2013 | Nintendo (Hong Kong, Taiwan) |
| Nintendo 3DS | Paper Mario: Sticker Star | 纸片马力欧 超级贴纸 Zhǐpiàn Mǎlì'ōu Chāojí Tiēzhǐ Literally "Paper Mario: Super Sticker" |
December 6, 2013 | Nintendo (Hong Kong, Taiwan) |
| Nintendo Switch | Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle | 马力欧+疯狂兔子：王国之战 Mǎlì'ōu + Fēngkuángtùzi: Wángguó Zhīzhàn Literally "Mario + Rabbids: Battle of the Kingdom" |
August 29, 2017 | Ubisoft (North America, Europe, Oceania) Nintendo (Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan) |
| Nintendo Switch | Super Mario Odyssey | 超级马力欧 奥德赛 Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Àodésài Literally "Super Mario Odyssey" |
October 27, 2017 | Nintendo (Worldwide) Tencent (China) |
| Nintendo Switch | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 马力欧卡丁车8豪华版 Mǎlì'ōu Kǎdīngchē 8 Háohuábǎn Literally "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Edition" |
December 13, 2017 | Nintendo (Worldwide) Tencent (China) |
| Nintendo Switch | Mario Tennis Aces | 马力欧网球Ace Mǎlì'ōu Wǎngqiú Ace Literally "Mario Tennis Ace" |
June 22, 2018 | Nintendo (Worldwide) Tencent (China) |
| Nintendo Switch | Super Mario Party | 超级 马力欧派对 Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Pàiduì Literally "Super Mario Party" |
October 5, 2018 | Nintendo (Worldwide) Tencent (China) |
| Nintendo Switch | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | 任天堂明星大乱斗 特别版 Rèntiāntáng Míngxīng Dàluàndòu Tèbiébǎn Literally "Nintendo Stars Great Melee: Special Edition" |
December 7, 2018 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | New 超级马力欧兄弟U 豪华版 New Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Xiōngdì U Háohuábǎn Literally "New Super Mario Brothers U Deluxe Edition" |
January 11, 2019 | Nintendo (Worldwide) Tencent (China) |
| Nintendo Switch | Yoshi's Crafted World | 耀西的手工世界 Yàoxī de Shǒugōng Shìjiè Literally "Yoshi's Handicraft World" |
March 29, 2019 | Nintendo (Worldwide) Tencent (China) |
| Nintendo Switch | Super Mario Maker 2 | 超级马力欧创作家2 Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Chuàngzuòjiā 2 Literally "Super Mario Creator 2" |
June 28, 2019 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Luigi's Mansion 3 | 路易吉洋馆3 Lùyìjí Yángguǎn 3 Literally "Luigi Mansion 3" |
October 31, 2019 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Paper Mario: The Origami King | 纸片马力欧：折纸国王 Zhǐpiàn Mǎlì'ōu: Zhézhǐ Guówáng Literally "Paper Mario: Origami King" |
July 17, 2020 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Super Mario 3D All-Stars | 超级马力欧 3D 收藏辑 Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu 3D Shōucángjí Literally "Super Mario 3D Collection" |
September 18, 2020 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Super Mario Bros. 35 | 超级马力欧兄弟 35 Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Xiōngdì 35 Literally "Super Mario Bros. 35" |
October 1, 2020 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit | 马力欧卡丁车实况：家庭赛车场 Mǎlì'ōu Kǎdīngchē Shíkuàng: Jiātíng Sàichē Chǎng Literally "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit" |
October 16, 2020 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury | 超级马力欧 ３Ｄ世界 ＋ 狂怒世界 Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu 3D Shìjiè + Kuángnù Shìjiè Literally "Super Mario 3D World + Fury World" |
February 12, 2021 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Mario Golf: Super Rush | 马力欧高尔夫 超级冲冲冲 Mǎlì'ōu Gāo'ěrfū Chāojí Chōngchōngchōng Literally "Mario Golf Super Rush Rush Rush" |
June 25, 2021 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | WarioWare: Get It Together! | 分享同乐！瓦力欧制造 Fēnxiǎng Tónglè! Wǎlì'ōu Zhìzào Literally "Share the Joy! Made in Wario" |
September 10, 2021 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Mario Party Superstars | 马力欧派对 超级巨星 Mǎlì'ōu Pàiduì Chāojíjùxīng Literally "Mario Party Superstars" |
October 29, 2021 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Mario Strikers: Battle League | 马力欧激战前锋 战斗联赛 Mǎlì'ōu Jīzhàn Qiánfēng Zhàndòu Liánsài Literally "Mario Fierce Battle Strikers: Battle League Match" |
June 10, 2022 | Nintendo (Worldwide) |
| Nintendo Switch | Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope | 马力欧+疯狂兔子 星耀之愿 Mǎlìōu + Fēngkuáng Tùzǐ Xīngyào zhī yuàn Literally "Mario + Rabbids Hope of the Sparks" |
October 20, 2022 | Ubisoft (North America, EMEA, Oceania, Southeast Asia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China) Nintendo (Japan) |
Other works[edit]
- Mario Dàmàoxiǎn (comic)
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 神遊[18] Shin'yū |
From the Chinese name | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 神游[?] Shényóu |
"Mental journey" or "wonderful gaming" | |
| 神游科技[?] Shényóu Kējì |
iQue Technology | ||
| Chinese (traditional) | 神遊[?] Shényóu |
Same as S. Chinese, "遊" is the Traditional Chinese equivalent of "游" under the definition "to play" or "to travel". |
Trivia[edit]
- In the late 2010s, many iQue-related assets were leaked from a server hack of BroadOn, another electronics company led by Wei Yen. This included source code and prototype versions for games such as Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Super Mario Kart, alongside dozens of other Nintendo titles.
References[edit]
- ^ https://www.tianyancha.com/company/2349872081
- ^ a b iQue. 关于 iQue. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ Nintendo (June 28, 2013). 関係会社の状況] (PDF). Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ “‘iQue’的意思是超越智慧。还有，体现了人在创造的过程中的一种欢愉感。” – Wei Yen (June 23, 2016). 《记录》第17期：神游中国（下）. 触乐. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- ^ “‘颜老板在的时候，神游的财务、销售都是独立的，可以自己作主，不用管任天堂的规定。’神游前员工说。当时的神游，与任天堂只是商业合作伙伴的关系，不存在任何行政上的从属关系。” – 大狗 (June 22, 2016). 《记录》第17期：神游中国（上）. 触乐 (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- ^ From the opening of an interview conducted on the now-defunct Chinese forum levelup.cn between iQue staff and players on August 1, 2007. Text of the interview has been researched by 我是金属狂人 (April 15, 2013). "iQue神游不是任何一家公司的代理商，iQue拥有各个软硬件的自主产权……" – 【考古汇总】iQue会客厅 神游访谈录问答精选. Baidu Tieba (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved February 17, 2017.
- ^ Aquariuslegend (January 23, 2017). 万信国行初代GB 任天堂 GAME BOY 开箱. Chiphell. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ 我是金属狂人 (June 24, 2013). 任天堂在中国摸爬滚打20年的光辉岁月]. Baidu Tieba (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ^ “为何在中国大陆推出这样一台特殊的主机、采用如此特殊的游戏销售方式？任天堂社长岩田聪给出了三个理由：收入水平低，物流不发达，盗版泛滥。” – 大狗 (June 22, 2016). 《记录》第17期：神游中国（上）. 触乐 (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- ^ a b c iQue. iQue Games. iQue (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ 大狗 (June 23, 2016). 《记录》第17期：神游中国（下）. 触乐 (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- ^ a b May 26, 2004. 行货GBA“小神游”上市. Sina Games (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved March 4, 2017.
- ^ Aaron Kaluszka (January 14, 2007). New GBA SP Designs Released in China. Nintendo World Report (English). Retrieved March 9, 2017.
- ^ June 23, 2016. Record: iQue China. iQue Historia. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ Sina Games. 瓦力欧寻宝记_电视游戏_新浪游戏_新浪网. Sina Corp (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ Sina Games. 超级马力欧2_电视游戏_新浪游戏_新浪网. Sina Corp (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ a b c d http://www.kaimaile.com/search?keywords=马力欧[dead link]
- ^ September 26, 2003. 【TGS】任天堂が中国向けに新ハード「神遊」を発売。ソフトはダウンロード方式！. Dengeki Online (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved January 28, 2017.
