where you hear that from?

Doubtful. The box is only black/dark blue in Japan because it's a mature title (same as Bayonetta, Fatal Frame, etc.)

However, Nintendo does have a history of randomly changing the color of their boxes (New Super Luigi U and Mario Kart 8 being recent examples) so who knows?

My jaw dropped at that segment. The dolls might just be my favorite thing about the game so far. Y'know, other than the world itself.

Twas a misunderstanding on my part.

Likely not. That's what Japan does on certain games like either cero or what they feel are heavy hitters more serious games it seems. Wii games did the black case thing as well in Japan. PAL did it for Pandoras Tower.

Is anyone else going to disregard any quests or story mission for a good few hours after the mech is finally given to us?

You mean a good few dozens of hours, I take it?

However long it takes to explore the whole continents, caves, and floating islands (hell yes)

I really do actually want this game... But I don't think I can bring myself to buy it...

I am interested for the Mecha solely and the ability in roaming the whole continent, i dont care if the world only have one city and not what i hope for, but i like how the battle system works.