Interesting comments from Koji Igarashi

Game Informer: So where is Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles in development?

Koji Igarashi: The U.S. PSP version has just been approved by Sony.

GI: Are you happy with how it turned out?

Igarashi: I’m not worried about the U.S. version, but I am concerned about the Japanese and European version of the game because they haven’t been approved yet. (laughs)

GI: Are you thinking of incorporating any of the Castlevania characters in the new Track & Field game for the Nintendo DS?

Igarashi: I am very interested in having some of our characters in the game, but I’m reluctant with using them outside of the U.S. market.

GI: With Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles getting approved, which means the game is more or less finished. When do you think we’ll hear about what you’re working on next?

Igarashi: I will be working on a DS version, but I am thinking of moving to the home consoles for the future. I will continue to use 2D for the DS version, but I’m still trying to figure out which console to do the home console versions. I think the Xbox 360 would be the best platform for the U.S. market.

GI: You wouldn’t make it for the PS3 and Xbox 360?

Igarashi: Yes, it’s one option. (laughs) But development would be very tough. The U.S. market is the biggest market for the Castlevania series, so I will give the first priority to the U.S. market. The platform will be the Xbox 360, since the PS3 isn’t doing well everywhere in the world. As you know, Konami will release Metal Gear for the PS3, so Metal Gear might expand the PS3 market. In that case, we may release Castlevania for the PS3.

GI: Looking ahead to this game, with the last generation you made 2D games for handhelds, and then 3D games for the console. Are you thinking of making a 3D game for the home consoles, or would you be open to making a 2D game for home consoles?

Igarashi: I would like to see how the PSP version will be accepted in the market before I make my decision. If this version is popular I would like to use the same technology for a home console game in the future. But, if it’s not received well, I’ll have to think of another approach.

GI: Do you think with this next generation of hardware, the tech specs – the Xbox 360, PS3 – you’ll be able to make the 3D version of Castlevania that you’ve always wanted?

Igarashi: I’m currently doing thorough research and development about Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360. I’m always doing research on every platform.

GI: So your new Nintendo DS project, would it be a port of The Dracula X Chronicles or an all new game?

Igarashi: I would like to create something new, not a simple conversion. Simple conversion titles might be better served by the Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. I think I’ll do something new for the DS.

GI: You said that you’d go with the Xbox 360 in North America because Castlevania and the Xbox 360 are the most popular there, however, Wii is outselling everything. I’ve asked you previously about the Wii version, because the whip motion and the Wiimote would be perfect, but you were clear that you didn’t think Castlevania would work on the Wii. Have you changed your position about a Wii version of Castlevania?

Igarashi: Yes, Wii is outselling [other consoles], but the Wii software market is dominated by Nintendo so third party titles are not so good [as far as sales]. The fact that Wii is outselling right now can’t be the reason for me to create a Wii version, but I’m always doing research and development about the Wii version, so I have some ideas about a Wii version already.

Using the whip like this [Igarashi-san made a over head whipping gesture] is very tough for users so I would like to use a surprising approach with this controller. Using the controller like this [Igarashi made a waggle gesture, must like how you control Zelda] is not so good, and boring for Castlevania. If I use the function, the whip should be waved like this [Igarashi-san again made an overhead whipping gesture]. I will have to think about a way to accomplish this.

GI: Do you think we’ll hear more about your next DS project at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, or do you think we’ll hear about it, like it always, at Konami’s Spring Gamers’ Day, next year?

Igarashi: I’m not sure. (laughs) But the next DS version is well into development right now. We will make an announcement in the near future, and we hope you all look forward to it.

Good interview. He almost entirely confirms Castlevainia to X360, and hints at exclusivity on a 3d version being X360 only. Talk about a huge game. I was an uber-fan of Castelvainia back in it's 2d era, and recently picked up SOTN on XBLA, which is phenominal. If they do make a X360 version, please, make it the old hardcore Castlevainia we all know and love (Castlevainia 2).

Funky

Good for X360, the box really seems to win the war against the PS3.

I have read already somewhere that he said they are working on a DS and a X360 game, but I'm not sure where it was.

What I consider bad is his statement that only Nitnendo games are doing good on the Wii; Why should that change if no 3rd Party makes an attempt to release a high-budget title for the Wii?

They said they are going to continue working on more & more PSP and DS Castlevainias, but the next 3d version is pretty much going to be on X360. The PS3 version, as he said, was very iffy due to sales being so bad.

I think he's just basing his comments without study about the Wii game sales. 3rd party games (in general) haven't done great, but with closer looking, they do good if they are good. IMO, he's probably just finding an excuse to make it one console exclusive so he can get the biggest budget for just 1 game, rather than work it to the lowest common denominator.

That's not saying that a Wii version would be bad, but IMO, a Wii version should be Wii-exclusive, so they can actually put all their resources into it, rather than just giving it a cheap port from a watered down X360 or PS3 version.

I agree with you on that point. Exclusives seem to be better in general anyway, so this is a good decision for the series.

Interesting comments about third parties on the Wii. Nintendo may have to change its practices a bit to help them out more... This is not the first time developers have said this.

^^ Hello, this has always been the biggest issue with 3rd party developers on Wii; Nintendo is too tough to compete.

And I wouldn't count on him to decide on the platform of the game; more like Konami's decision. Although they haven't been very nice to the Wii so far (in comparison to other Japanese devs). 

well, the say it will depend of the PS3 sales
so nothing is done concerning this exclusivity
I have never played a Castelvania game but it is good game !!!!!

You mean developers actually care about the size of the console install base?

If they want to stay in business, yes.  (Edit: although with the right strategy, installed base size isn't the only thing)

I don't particularly like the old "third party games don't sell" excuse since Nintendo tends to get crappy third party games...we could alternatively point out that Cooking Mama is almost single-handedly saving Majesco and that Raving Rabbids and Red Steel are both million-sellers on the console...

All that said, none if it matters if Konami can't make a really good 3D Castlevania...so far they're having trouble. Unlike most people, I consider Castlevania 64 to be quite good, but it seems that Konami has written it off just like the public.