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Yo-kai Watch 3
Yo-kai Watch 3[1] is a role-playing video game developed by Level-5 for the Nintendo 3DS which is the third game of the main series of Yo-kai Watch video games. It was initially released in two versions, Sushi and Tempura, in Japan in July 2016.[2] A third version of the game, branded Sukiyaki, was released in Japan in December 2016, adding minor enhancements upon the original versions of the game. An English version based on Sukiyaki published by Nintendo was released in PAL regions in December 2018, and in North America two months later.[3][4] The game follows the interconnected stories of two protagonists who both possess the Yo-kai Watch, allowing them to see, befriend, and summon Japanese mythical spirits called Yo-kai: Nathan "Nate" Adams, an 11-year-old boy who recently moved to the fictitious Southern United States city of BBQ, and Hailey Anne Thomas, a self-styled otaku "outcast" who deals with Yo-kai in the upstate city of Springdale. Unlike the first two games, the player is not given a choice to select Katie Forester as the protagonist instead of Nathan Adams. The game received generally positive reviews from critics, but was considered a commercial failure outside of Japan and is, to date, the last title in the series to be released internationally. The next game in the series Yo-kai Watch 4 has only been released in Japan. GameplayYo-kai Watch 3 retains the series' core gameplay elements, combining exploration, puzzle-solving, and turn-based combat. However, the third game does change several ways in which the battles occur. Yo-kai Collection and Battle MechanicsA key aspect of the game is collecting and managing Yo-kai. While in battle, in the first two games, the player could carry six Yo-kai at a time and have three battles at the same time. The player would be able to rotate their Yo-kai by the use of a wheel. Each Yo-kai has unique abilities that must be used effectively to win battles.[5] However, unlike the first two games, Yo-kai Watch 3 introduces a significantly different battle system. In addition to the 3x3 grid to collect items, while also lets the player be able to dodge from enemy "Soultimate Moves."[6] ExplorationThe game’s world includes two distinct regions: Springdale (from previous games) and BBQ, an American-inspired town. Players can travel between these areas via a Yo-kai that is unlocked through play. Aside from the main story, there are side quests, puzzles, and hidden secrets scattered throughout the environments. MinigameIn Yo-kai Watch 3, the Zombie Night event takes place in St. Peanutsburg during a mysterious night. The event begins when a bell rings, causing zombies to rise from their graves and roam the town. The players control Nate Adams and must use a hammer to defeat the zombies by striking them at the right time.[7] The goal is to reach and ring the Mourning Bell, which ends the curse and wakes the town. Once the bell is rung, players may trigger a second wave of stronger zombies. This phase offers greater rewards but is more difficult, with players having to decide whether to continue battling or escape before being overwhelmed.[8] SynopsisNathan "Nate" Adams (Keita Amano in Japanese) moves from the upstate American city of Springdale to the southern town of 'BBQ' after his father transferred (in the original Japanese release, the move is overseas from Japan to America). The Yo-kai around BBQ is known as 'Merican Yo-kai.[9] Unlike the first two games, the player is not given the choice to select between Adams and an equivalent female protagonist, Katie Forester, with the role being taken by Hailey Anne Thomas.[10] Meanwhile, back in Springdale, which served as the setting for the first two games, Hailey Anne Thomas (Inaho Misora in Japanese) formed a Yo-kai detective team to solve mysteries and requests from Yo-kai and humans.[9] PlotThe plot of Yo-kai Watch 3 is divided between two protagonists, Nate Adams and Hailey Anne Thomas, whose stories intertwine to form a larger narrative. The game leans heavily into parody, blending absurd humor with its traditional supernatural themes, often poking fun at pop culture, science fiction, and even the classic tropes of mystery-solving.[11] Nathan Adams and his family move to St. Peanutsburg in the fictitious town of BBQ, after his father transfers his business there. During his story arc of the main game, Nathan, Whisper, and Jibanyan. Nate teams up with Buck Hazeltine, who can see Yo-kai because of the UFO Stone he wears on his necklace, he is a local boy who claims to be a sheriff, and together they delve deeper into the mystery of strange occurrences, including crop circles. Meanwhile, rumors of a UFO circulate in town as FBY agents Blunder and Folly investigate the case. The narrative dives into a conspiracy involving UFOs, and alien Yo-kai. The other protagonist is Hailey Anne Thomas, whose story takes place in Springdale. Hailey befriends Usapyon, a space-themed Yo-kai. Together, they open a detective agency in Springdale called the "Hapyon Detective Agency" together, they solve mysteries and requests from Yo-kai and humans. Later, Nathan, Hailey Anne, Buck, and their befriended Yo-kai team up to fight against the Ghoulfather; styled as a satirical nod to mob boss archetypes from classic gangster films. The Ghoulfather aims to exploit the tensions between regions, manipulating Yo-kai and humans alike to sow discord. DevelopmentLevel-5 announced details for Yo-kai Watch 3 at a press conference in April 2015. The developers promised at least three large-scale feature updates would follow the release of the game.[12] Details for the third version of the game, Sukiyaki,[13] were announced in October 2016. Sukiyaki included a separate multiplayer mode based on the spinoff game Yo-kai Watch Blasters, the ability to unlock "God Yo-kai" by linking all three versions together, and a sidequest that would tie into the story of the third Yo-kai Watch movie, Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan!.[14] The Yo-kai Watch Blasters Treasure mode was added to Sushi and Tempura as the first major update, after the release of Sukiyaki.[15] Version 3.0 of Yo-kai Watch 3 was launched in Spring 2017, adding new quests, locations, dungeons, and Yo-kai.[16] The next major feature update, version 4.0, was launched in Summer 2017, with similar added features.[17] LocalizationThe original Japanese release involves a culture shift from a Japanese setting to an American one; rather than a similar overseas move, the Western release of Yo-kai Watch 3 frames the same shift from Springdale to BBQ as a move from a Japanese interpretation of an average American city to a representation of the Southern United States. The cultural contrasts the protagonist experiences are changed to highlight the cultural clash between what he is used to in upstate America and the culture of a city in the American South. To make the localization feel more "realistic", the awkward nature of this cultural clash is often played for comedy purposes. For example, an early plot element in the original Japanese game release involved the protagonist not understanding the residents because he did not know English, with minimal straight comedy. In the localized release, the protagonist now fails to understand the thick southern drawl of the residents, and turns into a full-on comedic premise.[18][19][20] According to prerelease coverage and marketing materials, the localization turned America into the fictitious country of BBQ, with Nathan Adams moving to the city of St. Peanutsburg within BBQ.[21][22] However, in-game dialogue makes it clear that this is not the case and that 'BBQ' is within the same state, as it makes frequent reference to Springdale being "upstate", and Nate and his family having moved across-state, rather than overseas.[23] MarketingThe covers for the initial Sushi and Tempura versions were released alongside the announcement the game would be split into two versions in April 2016. The cover for Sushi features the American equivalents of Komasan and Komajiro, renamed the KK Brothers; the cover for Tempura has Tomnyan, the American version of Jibanyan.[24] Sushi & Tempura sold 632,135 copies combined during its release week, less than half the combined first-week sales of Yo-kai Watch 2.[25] Sushi and Tempura were bundled together as the Sushi/Tempura Busters T [Treasure] Pack (スシ/テンプラ バスターズTパック), released on December 15, 2016, alongside Sukiyaki. Sukiyaki sold 337,979 copies during its release week; the Sushi/Tempura Busters bundle sold 17,709.[26] ReceptionReception
Yo-kai Watch 3 was positively reviewed in Famitsu, scoring 37/40 for both the Sushi & Tempura versions;[28] the Sukiyaki version received the same score.[29] In the United States, GameSpot scored the game 6/10, calling it "a fun time" and "a cheerful, wacky playground where Pokémon-like creatures happen to live."[30] Nintendo Life was significantly more enthusiastic, scoring the game at 9/10 and declaring it "a triumphant last hurrah for one of the [3DS] platform's most beloved series."[31] Overall, the game was rated 80/100 on Metacritic.[27] Despite positive reviews, the game sold less than its two predecessors in Japan, selling 2 million copies overall.[citation needed] The game was also a commercial failure in the United States.[citation needed] In the years since its release, Yo-kai Watch 3 has become one of the 3DS's most expensive games.[32][33] SequelThe fourth game in the series, Yo-kai Watch 4, was released for the Nintendo Switch in Japan on June 20, 2019.[34][35] A western release was confirmed at a panel held during the Anime Expo in July 2019, however, in October 2020, Level 5's North American operations shut down, putting into question the chances for the game to be released for North American players. However, with Level 5 returning to the international market in February 2023, the status of the localization remains uncertain.[36][37] References
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