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3DSDS

A Denpa Interview with Genius Sonority's Chihiro Kobayashi

by Neal Ronaghan - May 30, 2013, 9:29 am EDT
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Expect more Genius Sonority love on 3DS, and maybe even Wii U!

We had the chance to talk with Genius Sonority’s Chihiro Kobayashi about the company’s Dragon Quest past, Denpa present, and possible Wii U future. Genius Sonority is launching The Denpa Men 2: Beyond the Waves, their second original game in North America and Europe today. You can check out our feature on the history of the company, and our review of Denpa Men 2.

Nintendo World Report (NWR): After working on storied franchises such as Dragon Quest and Pokemon, why did Genius Sonority move to make their own original games?

Chihiro Kobayashi (CK): Developing an original game was actually one of our goals.  Retail sales were difficult, but we were finally able to release a title as a download only software.

NWR: How much of the staff at Genius Sonority as of the present is from Heartbeat?

CK: There are three including myself.

NWR: What games influenced The Denpa Men?

CK: The basics of the game such as battle and exploring around are strongly influenced by the Dragon Quest series.  Catching characters from radio waves was our idea.

NWR: What are your ties to Nintendo as of right now? Are you only planning 3DS releases as of now?

CK: Nintendo is one of our stockholders.  In short terms, we only have plans for the Nintendo 3DS.

NWR: Will there be more Denpa Men games in the future?

CK: We'd sure like to make a another, if many users play and enjoy THE "DENPA" MEN 2.

NWR: Genius Sonority worked on Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure. How did that game come about? Did you have a hand in the development of the included keyboard?

CK: We only developed the game itself.  The keyboard was developed by another company. The game started out from the thought that the combination of Pokémon and a keyboard is best for children to have fun and learn or improve typing.  Children in Japan, especially those in grade school, did not have many opportunities to get their hands on a keyboard.

NWR: Do you have any plans for Wii U?

CK: No, but we are strongly interested.

NWR: If you could work on one Nintendo franchise, what would it be and why?

CK: I think the Mii feature would be very nice.  I have a feeling it can make many people happy and delighted through games.

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