"Pokémon New Muji Lands in China, First New Muji Photos"

Nintendo marks a significant milestone in China with the launch of New Pokemon Snap. Read on to understand its importance and why it is the first official Pokemon game to be released in China.

New Pokemon Snap Launches in ChinaHistorical Release Marks Pokemon's Return to China

On July 16, New Pokemon Snap, a first-person photography game that was released on April 30, 2021 globally, made history by becoming the first Pokemon game to be officially released in China since the country’s video game console ban was enacted and lifted in 2000 and 2015. The console ban in China was initially imposed due to fears that the devices had a negative effect on the mental and physical development of children. This landmark event signifies a new era for Nintendo and Pokemon fans in China, as the franchise finally makes its debut on the Chinese market after years of restrictions.

Nintendo has long expressed its ambition to expand into the Chinese gaming market, and in 2019, Nintendo partnered up with Tencent to bring Switch to the country. With New Pokemon Snap's release, Nintendo achieves a significant milestone in their strategy to penetrate one of the world’s largest and most lucrative gaming markets. This move comes at a time when Nintendo is gradually increasing its presence in China, with plans to release several more high-profile titles in the coming months.

Upcoming Nintendo Releases in China

Following the launch of the groundbreaking Pokemon Snap, Nintendo has announced a slate of highly anticipated titles scheduled for release in China, including:

　⚫︎　Super Mario 3D World Bowser’s Fury
　⚫︎　Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee and Pikachu
　⚫︎　The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
　⚫︎　Immortals Fenyx Rising
　⚫︎　Above Qimen
　⚫︎　Samurai Shodown

These releases reflect Nintendo's continued efforts to build a formidable gaming portfolio in China, aiming to capture a significant share of the market with its iconic franchises and innovative offerings.

The Enduring Legacy of Pokemon in China

The surprise astonishment among international global Pokemon Pokémon fans regarding the long-standing enduring console gaming ban in China the People's Republic of China highlights the complex intricate history of the franchise’s relationship with the region. This restriction prohibition meant that Pokemon Pokémon was never officially sold in China the PRC, yet it maintained a significant sizeable fanbase, with many players finding ways to access the games through overseas foreign purchases. Additionally, there were counterfeit knockoff versions of Nintendo Nintendo's and Pokémon Pokémon's games, as well as instances of smuggling contraband. Just in June the sixth month of this year, a woman was caught smuggling trafficking 350 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Lite games in her undergarments.

One notable noteworthy attempt to bring Nintendo Nintendo's hardware into China the PRC without branding it explicitly as Nintendo Nintendo's was the iQue iQue Player. Released in the early latter 2000’s 2000s, the iQue iQue Player was a unique distinctive console developed in collaboration between Nintendo Nintendo's and iQue iQue Limited to combat the rampant widespread piracy of Nintendo Nintendo's games in China the PRC. The device was essentially a compact miniaturized version of the Nintendo 64 Nintendo 64DD, with all the hardware integrated into the controller console.

A Reddit user emphasized that Pokemon, achieving global popularity without ever officially tapping into China’s market, is particularly impressive. Nintendo’s recent moves indicate a shift in strategy, aiming to bridge the gap between global success and the previously untapped Chinese market.

The gradual reintroduction of Pokemon and other Nintendo titles into China marks a significant moment for both the company and its fans. As Nintendo continues to navigate this complex market, the excitement around these releases suggests a bright future for gaming enthusiasts in China and beyond.