what about games like zelda? are those japanese games made for the western gamer?

Because they're self centered arrogant pricks. Most of them anyway. The hell with them if they want to miss out on some great games because of their bias.

@Marcoberry: No, the japanese games just have better universal appeal in general.
Of course, a number of japanese publishers have stated that they are going to focus more on western market.

What?? Donkey Kong Country was a COMPLETE and UTTER success. All 3 of them and the N64 game too.

Too bad RARE left Nintendo and now tey ant making another anytime soon. BRING DK BACK

In the early 80´s some Western games were really popular in Japan. Like Ultima which had a big chunk of their fanbase in Japan and Wizardry was mainly popular there.

@Zleep: But the games were pushed by the publisher in Japan, which indicates that the western publishers don't care about japanese market.

Because japanese gamers have bad taste when it comes to games. Japanese games are just inferior compared to western games.

Japanese culture doesn't perfectly blend in with western culture so they aren't interested in alot of the games the west has to offer.

Haha!

Japanese games rape western ones.

Since you seem to be such a Gears of War fan, tell me how is it any better than anything Japan has to offer.

Japan is still going through their phase where almost every character has to be either a preteen girl or a 17 year old androgynous male.