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[BuddyC]

This has already been discussed in the GameSpot review thread, but I figured some of you might miss it there.

Basically, not only does the Japanese version feature single cart multiplayer, but it also includes an additional mode that is entirely absent from the US version.

The mode, Drillstone, is pretty substantial, where players find and use items to restore health, change block colors or cause certain blocks to disappear.

It's also worth noting that the Japanese version is packaged with this swank Mr. Driller DS bag:

 

[Sho Nuff]

How many weeks' difference was there between US launch and Japanese launch?

HOW HARD would it have been to include both features in the US?

Oh wait this is Namco Hometek we're talking about. Never mind.

 

[BuddyC]

I'm going to guess their explanation is that translating Drillstone was too time-consuming and they couldn't meet the launch deadline unless they cut it.

 

[Minotauro]

Is the import version have a bunch of Japanese? Or, better yet, is there an English option? I was going to pick up the US one in a couple days but I don't want to feel like I'm being ripped-off.

 

[Atomsmasher]

Does that one mode change the game from being average to really good? Is it worth the extra $$ it'll cost to get the import?

 

[bobbyconover]

I'm trying not to dwell on it too much, as saying anything negative about Mr Driller feels like punching myself in the face, but this really is just sickening. To make matters worse, what WAS left in the game has also been screwed up. The new voices for the characters are absolutely horrible.

I just unlocked Anna, the tough/cool female driller in the Japanese games.

When you pick her, she says "GIRL POWER!"

When you pick up an air pocket, she says "Lucky!" Only now instead of saying it like she's happy, she says it like she wants to fuck you.

I'm gonna throw up.

 

[Lyte Edge]

I'm trying not to dwell on it too much, as saying anything negative about Mr Driller feels like punching myself in the face, but this really is just sickening. To make matters worse, what WAS left in the game has also been screwed up. The new voices for the characters are absolutely horrible.

I just unlocked Anna, the tough/cool female driller in the Japanese games.

When you pick her, she says "GIRL POWER!"

When you pick up an air pocket, she says "Lucky!" Only now instead of saying it like she's happy, she says it like she wants to fuck you.

I'm gonna throw up.

I guess it was a good thing I didn't pick this one up today. I'll be importing this game with Wario Ware Touched.

 

[Soul4ger]

BALLS!

 

[BuddyC]

Is the import version have a bunch of Japanese? Or, better yet, is there an English option? I was going to pick up the US one in a couple days but I don't want to feel like I'm being ripped-off.

It's really, really doubtful that there's an English option, as I think that was the deciding factor for Drillstone's removal. Luckily, the text isn't all that important, it's pretty simple to understand what's going on without it. And if DS is anything like Drill Land, then the effects of the items in Drillstone mode will be indicated by their color, so it's not too hard to figure out.

In other words, I'm waiting for confirmation on the details from someone that has the Japanese version.

I guess it was a good thing I didn't pick this one up today. I'll be importing this game with Wario Ware Touched.

That's what I did.

 

[Coen]

Somebody contact Namco if they're going to change this for a PAL release. I'm thinking about importing if they won't.

 

[BuddyC]

Someone has already sent off an e-mail to Namco, so we're waiting to hear back on that.

Does that one mode change the game from being average to really good? Is it worth the extra $$ it'll cost to get the import?

That's really...subjective. Just getting the tote bag alone is almost worth that extra $20 to me - single cart multiplay and an extra mode are what sealed the deal. Read the reviews IGN and GameStop have up, and if you feel that the extra $20 is worth it, go for it. Otherwise, don't bother.

But, I really really like Drillstone mode. Much like brandonnn, I think it's a great evolution of the Driller gameplay and adds a good chunk of depth. It'll likely be the mode I play most, on the go.

 

[Rummy Bunnz]

Thank you, WoW. Had you not been around I probably would've rushed to go pick up Drill Spirits as soon as EB called. But I was so busy doing silly quests that I put off leaving the house for a few hours, giving me time to see this Driller Scandal unfold on GAF.

I'm going to guess their explanation is that translating Drillstone was too time-consuming and they couldn't meet the launch deadline unless they cut it.

Yeah, they cut a huge portion of Nightmare of Druaga rather than translate it, too. I was willing to overlook that, even though I'll never be able to get most of the silver/gold chests unless one of the 500 people who bought the game wrote a FAQ. But this is just disgusting. Way to blow all your cool points, Namco.

Forget the US version. I'm ordering the import. I want that pouch.

 

[fennec fox]

Notice: Mr. Driller is pretty boring anyway!

This has been

 

[bobbyconover]

The Evidence

 

[Jonnyram]

Notice: Mr. Driller is pretty boring anyway!

This has been

That ambulance better be for your emergency tastebud replacement operation.

 

[Patrick Klepek]

oh shit, now it's ON.

 

[BuddyC]

Notice: Mr. Driller is pretty boring anyway!

This has been

Dude, you pimped Whiplash like none other. You have no room to talk.

 

[Patrick Klepek]

and he liked driv3r. HE LIKD DRIV3R!!111111111111111

 

[fennec fox]

And lest you think this is just another "Hah, fennec fox hates the DS" troll, I should note that I think Drillland is cool basically for the soundtrack. Who can stand to play the game itself for extended periods of time? It was great as an arcade game in 1999, but not now.

 

[Atomsmasher]

Where is the best place to get imports from? There used to be a local place, but I just found out that it went outta business. I was hoping to get them from an actual store in case there were problems.

 

[jooey]

In other words, I'm waiting for confirmation on the details from someone that has the Japanese version.

I'm gonna throw up.

you two would make a great sitcom duo

 

[BuddyC]

Where is the best place to get imports from? There used to be a local place, but I just found out that it went outta business. I was hoping to get them from an actual store in case there were problems.

I've used Play-Asia many times with no problems.

 

[Jonnyram]

The Evidence

W.... T.... F....

llllluckyyy :/

 

[Date of Lies]

The Evidence

that turned me on

 

[JackFrost2012]

that turned me on

WRONG

 

[Rocket Punch]

Wow, those voices are pretty awful. Any way to turn them off??

 

[TheGreenGiant]

she says it like she wants to fuck you.

since when was this bad?

 

[JackFrost2012]

since when was this bad?

WRONG

 

[BobbyRobby]

Is this game still recommended over Feel the Magic?

 

[john tv]

That ambulance better be for your emergency tastebud replacement operation.

:lol :lol :lol

 

[john tv]

BTW, this is unbelievably lame of Namco. What were they thinking? And those voices are hideous, too...

 

[Kiriku]

But wait, didn't Namco Hometek release Katamari Damacy in the US?
So what the HELL happened with them after that? Are they just toying with us!?

 

[Sho Nuff]

Notice: Mr. Driller is pretty boring anyway!

This has been

I KILL YOU BITCH!!!!!!! DRILLER POSSE STRAIGHT UP

 

[JackFrost2012]

I KILL YOU BITCH!!!!!!! DRILLER POSSE STRAIGHT UP

 

[8bit]

Is this mode in it?

 

[Ozchin]

:lol
"Let's drill" seems much more dirty to me...
You're gonna GET drilled!

 

[dock]

Is it confirmed that there's no English text in the Japanese version? I didn't want to have to import the Japanese version, but it looks like I have no choice.

 

[sasimirobot]

multi-player from single cart= 1 more sale!

Gonna go order right now

 

[Great King Bowser]

*Orders Japanese*

There's not gonna much of a language barrier is there? I'm a Driller virgin. In every conceivable way.

 

[john tv]

Did some digging around today and found out something pretty interesting: for various reasons (prolly related to NOA), the US version of Drill Spirits was mastered almost two weeks prior to the Japanese version. Perhaps it was in those final two weeks that they got the single-card play stuff up and running?

Doesn't really explain the lack of an entire mode, but it's at least a start.

BTW, I bought the Japanese version tonight. Somehow I already have six DS games...! (gulp)

 

[rawk]

I will order the Japanese version if someone can assure me that my lack of knowledge of Japanese will not totally destroy me in this game. Not that Mr. Driller really requires much text reading, but perhaps the menus are hard to navigate or something.

 

[borghe]

+1 JPN sale

can the JPN version be done in english? more importantly is single-pak multiplay in English? I would love to be able to single-pak this at random places (mall, theater, etc) but if it isn't in english don't want people to wonder what the hell is going on.

only my second handheld game ever to import (Pokemon G/S being the first).

 

[BuddyC]

*Orders Japanese*

There's not gonna much of a language barrier is there? I'm a Driller virgin. In every conceivable way.

I will order the Japanese version if someone can assure me that my lack of knowledge of Japanese will not totally destroy me in this game. Not that Mr. Driller really requires much text reading, but perhaps the menus are hard to navigate or something.

There shouldn't be much of a language barrier. Past Driller games have been rather import-friendly with somewhat intuitive menus, so I don't expect this to be any different. And even if the menus are really hard to navigate, it'll just take a few minutes of trial and error before you get everything down. Not to mention a good chunk of us are also importing it, so if you have any problems, just make a thread.

Thanks for that insight John, very bizarre.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

not a single gamestore in a 20-mile radius has this game in stock so I think it's a sign that I'm going to import.

 

[heavy liquid]

I'm going to have to order the Japanese version as well.

I just read that Namco is actually going to bring over Mr. Driller 2 for the GBA to NA (some 4 years after it was released in Japan). I can't help but wonder if they're going to have the horrible voices for that as well..

 

[bobbyconover]

not a single gamestore in a 20-mile radius has this game in stock so I think it's a sign that I'm going to import.

Could the 2500 rumor be true? Please let it be. Knowing that my copy is RARE OOP and may one day be worth hundreds of dollars would really make me feel better about the situation.

Got my import copy procured already, though, thanks to a very kind forum pal!

 

[radios shipping overview]

The Drillstone mode sounds like the dungeon mode in Mr. Driller A - are they the same thing?

 

[BuddyC]

The Drillstone mode sounds like the dungeon mode in Mr. Driller A - are they the same thing?

From what I understand, yes.

I'm going to have to order the Japanese version as well.

I just read that Namco is actually going to bring over Mr. Driller 2 for the GBA to NA (some 4 years after it was released in Japan). I can't help but wonder if they're going to have the horrible voices for that as well..

Assuming they use the same assets as the EU version, the voices aren't nearly as bad.

 

[Soul4ger]

I got the domestic, but I'll likely import it. I want that carrying pouch, and the extra modes are a must. It'll be nice to have the NA copy, because I do think it will be slightly hard to find. Hopefully. Maybe.

 

[brandonnn]

The Drillstone mode sounds like the dungeon mode in Mr. Driller A - are they the same thing?

Yeah, it's the same mode as the story mode in Driller G, the dungeons in Driller Ace, and the Druaga takeoff in DrillLand.

It's the mode that turned Driller into a more full-featured puzzler versus the simple arcade action game that, I'll agree with Fennec, rings a little hollow 5-6 years after its original release.

What's disappointing about HomeTek's actions is they're keeping the west 3 years in the past by focusing on Driller 2 GBA, and axing the one mode in Spirits that showcased the evolution that's taken place since.