Pikachu Genki de Chu confirmed for U.S. release

[12.10.99] » Long hinted at, a translation of the unique N64 title is now confirmed.

   Videogames.com recently reported that Pikachu Genki de Chu has been confirmed for a North American release, backing up our earlier report that localization was under way. Translation of the Nintendo 64 title was certainly no given, however, as it centers around hard-to-localize voice recongition features -- Pikachu Genki de Chu includes a microphone that gamers use to speak to Pikachu and guide him through the game. Sega's Seaman [insert generic Seaman joke here], which Pikachu Genki de Chu predates, operates in a similar manner, though Genki de Chu is more of a game and less of a "virtual life" sim.

   With Pikachu Genki de Chu's translation confirmed, every Pokémon game (aside from the original Pokémon Stadium, rendered obsolete by the upcoming sequel) is now either already released in North America or has an upcoming localization confirmed.

   A name change is obviously in store for Pikachu Genki de Chu; the new title -- as well as the release date -- will likely have to wait until the release is officially announced by Nintendo, however.

   Look for full coverage of Pikachu Genki de Chu soon.