Ninja Gaiden censored for Europe

[thebiggameover]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/04/23/news_6094373.html

Microsoft has today confirmed that the European version of Ninja Gaiden has been censored. The most noticeable difference in the European game will be the absence of graphic decapitations after the player executes certain fatal blows, but it is worth noting that shuriken (throwing stars) will still feature in the game, despite the fact that they have been omitted from games in Europe in the past.

"The European version of Spring's most highly anticipated game on any platform, Ninja Gaiden, will differ very slightly from the version released in the US," reads the official statement from Microsoft. "The game will be identical in terms of graphical excellence, gameplay, and all the other features that have made gamers in the US excited about Ninja Gaiden. Minor changes will be made to ensure that the game satisfies ratings requirements in Europe."

Ninja Gaiden was rated "M" for Mature players, ahead of its release in North America last month. According to the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) Web site, the European version of the game, scheduled for release on May 14, will be rated 16+ in all territories except Finland, where it will carry a 15+ rating.

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lame...

[Mockery]

Aren't they not allowed to even have the word "Ninja" in the title of there? Remember, they've changed the titles of games with "ninja" in it before.

[FartinMowler]

i find this funny considering from what I have heard about Europeans being so open to other things like sexuality. I guess violence is a different matter and I think that is a good thing :)

[Perndog]

They have their priorities in order, unlike the prudish old bastards in charge of America. Violence is worse than sex. DUH.

At least it's not "Hero Gaiden," though. :lol

[ArrowX]

Evil Dead 2 is banned to this day in Finland.

[Bobo Adobo]

Yeah, you can say that about there culture,and it is a good thing. :) I remember the Euro version Fallout had to take the kids out of the game b/c of the ability to kill them.

But look at Japan, very peaceful nation, but there media can be so graphic not even us Hostile Americans can't handle it. But still, they have a very low crime rate.

[ArrowX]

tHA jAPANESE CULTURE KICKS EVERY OTHER CULTURES ASS. THEN DROWNS IT IN A POOL OF STUPID.

[executioneer]

w/e

[pjalne]

Aren't they not allowed to even have the word "Ninja" in the title of there? Remember, they've changed the titles of games with "ninja" in it before.

Yeah, I think I sent you some screenshots of some NES covers a year ago or something. I think the rules are a bit slacker these days, though. And Perndog: Ninja Gaiden was actually called Shadow Gaiden here. Worse yet:

http://www.encyclopedia-obscura.com/gphcs/genninjasturtles.gif

[Beef]

Evil Dead 2 is banned to this day in Finland.

No it's not

[Rongi]

tHA jAPANESE CULTURE KICKS EVERY OTHER CULTURES ASS. THEN DROWNS IT IN A POOL OF STUPID.

God you're a loser.

[Anonymous]

They have their priorities in order, unlike the prudish old bastards in charge of America. Violence is worse than sex. DUH.

Meh. Given the choice between a nation that foams at the mouth at the sight of a single boobie, and one that is afraid of the word ninja, I choose the former.

[the_dudefather]

the ninja laws have been revamped, so now we get the full ninja turtles movie (with preiously cencored scenes).

go ninja go ninja go!

[Perndog]

:lol at "ninja laws"

[the_dudefather]

yeah, ninjas are not allowed outside with a leash and you must clean up corspes after them.

and make sure they dont FLIP OUT AND KILL PEOPLE! (www.realultimatepower.net)

[pjalne]

the ninja laws have been revamped, so now we get the full ninja turtles movie (with preiously cencored scenes).

go ninja go ninja go!

That was only in Britain where nunchakus were illegal on-screen for a while. So Mike hasn't got any weapons in that movie.

Britain cut Star Wars Episode II because Obi-Wan gave Jango Fett a headbutt. :(

[Ghost of Fraiser]

Britain cut Star Wars Episode II because Obi-Wan gave Jango Fett a headbutt. :(

Not that that was a bad thing.

[the_dudefather]

That was only in Britain where nunchakus were illegal on-screen for a while. So Mike hasn't got any weapons in that movie.



i live in said place, in its been relreleased in all its american-style glory

other ninja related changes i can think of:

-shadow warrior (pc, not ninja gaiden) - has darts instead of shurikans (its hard to get shurikans, but go to any pub and get some darts)

-soul edge - nukchakus are change to strange 3 part sword thing

-bits of the yakuza vs fatonis mafia fight cut from the simpsons (the episode where marge sell pretzels), the full version can be seen in the regional northern ireland bbc channel tho... (as far as i know)

on a similar note the episode where homer gets a gun is not shown in britian (partialy for soccer riot reasons) except for northern ireland (again)

[Girl Drink Drunk]

RoG talked about that on Nintendo: The Good the bad and the ugly

[Cap'n Crunch]

THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION.

[pjalne]

on a similar note the episode where homer gets a gun is not shown in britian (partialy for soccer riot reasons) except for northern ireland (again)

I get the impression that whenever some hooligan does something stupid, something gets banned in England.

[shhhsplain]

Teenage Mutant Hero Turltes on NES

[executioneer]

wtf

[pjalne]

Aren't they not allowed to even have the word "Ninja" in the title of there? Remember, they've changed the titles of games with "ninja" in it before.

Yeah, I think I sent you some screenshots of some NES covers a year ago or something. I think the rules are a bit slacker these days, though. And Perndog: Ninja Gaiden was actually called Shadow Gaiden here. Worse yet:

http://www.encyclopedia-obscura.com/gphcs/genninjasturtles.gif

[the_dudefather]

im pretty sure ninja gaiden was shadow warriors (not the pc game) over here (UK)

[pjalne]

Fuck, you're right.

What's fucked up is that the censors actually ADDED the word 'ninja' to some titles. Like Bad Dudes (Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja) and Joe & Mac (Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja). I have no idea why.

Here are the altered titles I can remember off the top of my head:

Ninja Gaiden -> Shadow Warriors
Shadow of the Ninja -> Blue Shadow
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -> Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles
Kiwi Kraze -> Newzealand Story
Contra -> Probotector (with army guys replaced by robots)
River City Ransom -> Street Gangs

Hey, wait, I just got the European Contra title. They're protectors... and robots! P-robo-tectors! What will they think of next?

[the_dudefather]

the advantage of probotector over conrta is that robots are cooler than rambo look-a-likes wearing day-glo trousers.

but i suppose it depends on which one you played as a kid.

(dudefather gets killed by angry mob after his comments on contras day-glo trousers)