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Japan gets a lot right, I mean, seriously, who doesn't love ASIMO? Yet, despite those breakthroughs,
sometimes they drop the ball--big-time. For instance, understanding how football works. Take a look at Eyeshield 21
in this installment of Made in Japan.
The Japanese have inflicted atrocities on mankind for centuries now-- Pearl Harbor springs to mind, as does my own
addiction to Ninja Warrior . . .
seriously, I have a little problem . . .
but worse than both of those things combined is the desecretion of the hallowed American pastime of
football. Eyeshield 21 Field no Saikyou Senshi Tachi is here for
the week, kinda.
You have to get it through an importer because you're not just gonna find this bad boy at a Best Buy.
But if you're able to hunt down a copy, you'll be rewarded with a rare look at how the Japanese
view American sports. "YA-HA!" [gunshots]
Based on a popular manga series, Eyeshield 21 presents a variety of rival
high school football teams in straight-up matches or a story mode
(because who doesn't want an extensive plot line interrupting the sports
action at random intervals?). The game is worth noting if only for its charming weirdness.
It's like the developers said "Hey,
let's make a game about American football.
. . . Do YOU know anything about American football?"
"Nah, but I can probably fake it!" And that's how you get things like granny linebackers,
lizard-tongued opponents, and . . . THIS GUY. "YA-HA!" [gunshots]
The game bears only the slightest resemblance to football as we know it.
Each play will break off for a mini-game mid-way through.
Feel like a pass? It's a targeting mini-game! Wanna run the ball? Play the dodging opponents mini-game.
Obviously, this sports game isn't for everyone.
Heck, it's probably not even for sports fans.
But, if you're interested in tossin' around the old pigskin and you're just so tired
of playing with things like rules and refs and strategy, this could be the game for you.
It may feature an oblong spheroid.
It may have two teams of eleven men squaring off against each other.
It may call itself American football, but Eyeshield 21
was DEFINITELY Made in Japan. "YA-HA!" [gunshots]
I don't even know what to say about that game.