Animal Crossing Was Deemed So Difficult to Launch Outside Japan, Nintendo's Former Boss Satoru Iwata 'Burst Out in Laughter' After Hearing it Would Finally Happen

Nintendo's former CEO Satoru Iwata was surprised to hear that the Animal Crossing series would finally be launched globally, despite the company's previous warnings about the game's difficulty in localizing outside Japan. The article states that years before Animal Crossing became an international hit, Nintendo had informed its localization team that it would be incredibly challenging to make the game work in markets beyond Japan. However, when the news reached Iwata that the game would indeed launch globally, he "burst out in laughter," indicating his astonishment at the successful global release. The article highlights the initial concerns Nintendo had about the game's potential for international success, given the culturally-specific elements and mechanics that were integral to the Animal Crossing experience. The fact that the game eventually became a global phenomenon despite these perceived challenges underscores the adaptability and appeal of the franchise.