Tekken energizes Koreans
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Sep 8th 2006 at 2:30PM }
The PSP is surprisingly strong in Korea (most likely because Nintendo of Korea doesn't really exist). Not only do they giant PSP displays, they also get exclusive Tekken bundles. Now, they also get energy drinks. The "Enerzen" drink will proudly boast art from Dark Resurrection. I think they're trying to say if you drink their product, you'll be as buff as Jin. But be careful! If you drink too much, you might turn into the awfully stupid Devil Jin.[Via PSP Vault]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Skarface @ Sep 8th 2006 3:30PM
Nintendo Korea doesn't exist, probably because we don't really care for super mario kiddie gaming. DS also has no place in Korea, we like multi tasking devices better like PSP or Korean PMPs.
Last time nintendo was succesful in Korea was the Super Nintendo, and that's it. Gaming has evolved, and all Nintendo is still doing is kiddie stuff. I really don't get how DS does so well in the western sides. They like the whole kiddy disney junk that only plays games? I mean I understand Japanese likes cute things, but europeans and americans? huh.
Koreans like machines that can do many things, because well, they like to do many things with it. Games like tekken and winning eleven is very popular in Korea, so that may be why there's a lot of special advertising for Korea by Sony.
It's very common to see someone in the subway with a PSP, but a DS, I haven't seen a single person with it.
Swish @ Sep 9th 2006 3:54AM
Wow, i wonder what it tastes like ????
pixelator @ Sep 8th 2006 5:49PM
This may also be true of the USA, depending on the areas. I think the more urban or metro areas tend to favor the PSP with its 'take a game console, web browser, MP3 player, video player with you' approach. Not that there aren't diehard gamer fans who prefer Nintendo in cities, but I'm talking highly generalized trends in the age/income demographics.
In suburban or rural/less-urban settings in the USA, the highly consumerized character (Disney, Mario, etc.) games make the DS the pick for parents and kids while the lower price is more in line with the (generally) lower cost of living the futher you get from major metro regions.
I realize this is pretty generalized and not factoring in tons of variables and of course right now the Lite is doing quite well, but I think there's something to it. Do you have any figures for SK sales to date?
michael chen @ Sep 8th 2006 10:39PM
I would just like to reiterate something here-- um rather "further explain". Korean gamers are beginning to like the PSP more because of a status that they gain over "PC bangers" They tend to gravitate towards more status oriented goals and things-- ie "If i get a psp, then everyone would think i am so cool and trendy"... Thats right you can call me on that one... They also tend to go for things that's more bang for the buck. Do read this with a sense of humor... My wife is korean, and is sensitive on certain issues i may advertainly touch upon.
For example:
They have an over obsession on everything of "luxury"
--- hence (us)$60,000 korean BMW 7series wannabes
made by Hyundai! actually "luxury- is one of the
most favorite english word korean people use. 2nd
only to "hi".
They like their gadgets to have many functions
--- hence the Personal Media Player that is also a
dictionary, bottle opener, and breath-o-lizer.
Funny thing is... man-- i wish i can afford some
of that stuff.
National Pride is like LAW. They'd kick your ass if
you ever suggest to them how good this product from
"ahem" Japan is over theirs...which is nothing (oh-
gamepark--- kicks ass tho). But since PSP 'cost' more
overall and is probrably given to a couple of singers
and actors "ahem-cool people", along with some amount
of cash for some hidden endorsment deal... ie hanging
out with friends with psp in hand so that the
paparazzi can PIC them. Korean people...
are very much affected by what others percieve them
to be. There is always that sense of "i am better"
or what ever you would like to call it.
Dont get me wrong here... they are great once you break that barrier. Skarface (1st post) would be friggin upset if he manages to read just 3 sentences of what I wrote.
But the point is this... The success of PSPs in Korea has to do more with how korean people percieve each other than how good the system really is. Here is a little example that will be funny to say the least.
Seoul is like a pc user- high specs with the latest of everything needed
Tokyo is beginning to look like an Apple user- lifestyle oriented. Both are equally good-- just depends on the user.
Like a PC user... I can say that specs do matter
just like how a 5.0 mustang is friggin fast--in a straight line. OK--
My wife once said to me how she did not like japan...
She has never been there, but rather educated by her culture to dislike anything japanese.
I took her to japan two months ago... (cause I love japan)... and she ended up not wanting to leave. I then asked her about what she had said before. She just said that she has always assume she would not like it. As a whole... I sometimes wished that the korean people (well at least in seoul) would just loosen up and try other things sometimes. The whole PC gaming thing they have is friggin crazy.... the game is free, but the items you need through the game's different stages are priced. from $.25 to $7 or even more. They dont want to fork up $300 for a system, but they can play online games until they are retarded and regurgitate small sums until they are $500 in the hole.
I still do not get the PC bangers... they have computers at home, but go to PC rooms to play online games. Again, I am not trying to get people riled up. As for PSPs and Korea.... I predict sales of UMD games will sharply decline in the next coming year--- someone out there is gonna homebrew in korean.
PS. I told my wife what I wrote... she smacked the back of my head.... um yeah.... Dae-Han-Min-Guk
Andrew Yoon @ Sep 9th 2006 3:07AM
I love the Korean pride in this post!
DISCLAIMER: Andrew Yoon IS Korean.
BPM? @ Sep 9th 2006 4:20AM
"I still do not get the PC bangers... they have computers at home, but go to PC rooms to play online games."
I'm not sure how accurate this is, but I've read you can get limited-use items in certain games only if you play them in PC cafés. For example, in PangYa (aka Albatross18; a free, online golf game) you can get the caddie Pang Ramyon (who adds Control+2 to your stats) only when you play in a PC café (and then disappears when you logout).