iQue

iQue, Ltd. (simplified Chinese: 神游科技; traditional Chinese: 神遊科技; pinyin: Shényóu Kējì) is a Chinese video game/game localization and support development company located in Suzhou. It was founded as a joint venture between Wei Yen and Nintendo in 2002 as a Chinese video game console manufacturing company. The following year, the company released the iQue Player. The company had manufactured and distributed official Nintendo products for the mainland Chinese market under the iQue brand until 2018.

For other uses, see iQue (disambiguation).
iQue, Ltd.
Native name
神游科技
Shényóu Kējì
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedDecember 6, 2002 (2002-12-06)[1]
HeadquartersSuzhou, China[2]
Key people
Wei Yen (founder and CEO)
ServicesSoftware translation and localization
Game development
ParentNintendo (2013–present)
Websitewww.ique.com

iQue only released portable Nintendo games for 3DS XL, DS, Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Advance SP. The iQue Player is the only home console available from the company in China. There were plans to release the Wii in all of China but when Satoru Iwata officially announced the release date for it on September 20, 2007, he said it would only be available in Hong Kong, under the Nintendo brand. The Nintendo DSi was released in China in December 2009 as iQue DSi. The Nintendo 3DS XL was released in China as iQue 3DS XL in December 2012.[3] By 2013, the company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nintendo.[4][5]

The company worked on the emulators for NES and Game Boy on Virtual Console for 3DS and Nintendo 64 for the Wii U in the beginning of the 2010s, while on Nintendo Switch, the company was responsible for the Nintendo 64 emulator for Nintendo Switch Online.[6]

By 2018, Nintendo had ceased any official distribution of older game consoles into mainland China under the iQue brand. Nintendo partnered with Tencent to bring the Nintendo Switch into the Chinese market at the end of 2019.[7] Since 2017, iQue continues operations by offering consumer support for any previously released products,[8] and translating and localizing new games released worldwide by Nintendo into simplified Chinese while Nintendo Hong Kong do traditional Chinese.[9]

In 2019, iQue began to hire for developers with programmers and testers, indicating that the company was transitioning to be a development company to support game projects for the division Nintendo EPD.[10]

iQue Player
Main article: iQue Player

The iQue Player is a micro variant of a home video game console by iQue that plays ports of Nintendo 64 games. It was uniquely designed to bypass China's ban on home console products placed at the time. 14 games came out for the console. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and a Traditional Chinese translation of Ocarina of Time were completed, but not released by iQue.

iQue Game Boy Advance

iQue Game Boy Advance

The iQue GBA is the Chinese version of the Game Boy Advance. It was released on 8 June 2004. 8 games have been released for the console.[11][12] 12 more games were planned, but cancelled after high piracy of the system.

Western Title Chinese Title Pinyin Release Date Genre Game Modes
Wario Land 4 瓦力欧寻宝记 Wǎlìōu Xúnbǎo Jì June 2004 Platform Single player
Super Mario Advance 超级马力欧２ Chāojí Mǎlìōu 2 June 30, 2004 Platform Single player, multiplayer (1-2)
Metroid: Zero Mission 密特罗德：零点任务 Mìtèluōdé: Língdiǎn Rènwù June 15, 2005 Shooter Single-Player
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! 瓦力欧制造 Wǎlìōu Zhìzào July 4, 2005 Minigames Single player
Metroid Fusion 密特罗德 融合 Mìtèluōdé Rónghé March 2, 2006 Shooter Single-Player
Yoshi's Island - Super Mario Advance 3 耀西岛 Yàoxi Dǎo March 2, 2006 Platform Single-Player
Super Mario World - Super Mario Advance 2 超级马力欧世界 Chāojí Mǎlìōu Shìjiè March 15, 2006 Platform Single-Player, Multi-Player
F-Zero Maximum Velocity 极速F-ZERO未来赛车 Jísù F-ZERO Wèilái Sàichē August 1-14, 2007[13][14] Racing Single-Player, Multi-Player (1-4)

Cancelled Games
Western Title Chinese Title (Proposed) Pinyin Genre Game Modes
Advance Wars 陆海空大战 Lùhǎikōng Dàzhàn Strategy Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
Densetsu no Stafy 斯塔非的传说 Sītǎfēi de Chuánshuō Platform Single player
Densetsu no Stafy 2 斯塔非的传说2 Sītǎfēi de Chuánshuō 2 Platform Single player
DK: King of Swing 摇摆森喜刚 Yáobǎi Sēn Xǐgāng Puzzle Single player
Famicom Mini Collection 红白机合集 Hóngbái Jīhéjí Compilation Single player
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade 火纹战记: 封印之剑 Huǒwén Zhànjì: Fēngyìn Zhījiàn Role-playing Single player
Kuru Kuru Kuruin 转转棒 Zhuǎn Zhuǎn Bàng Puzzle Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
Kuruin Paradise 转转棒天堂 Zhuǎn Zhuǎn Bàng Tiāntáng Puzzle Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 马力欧与路易吉RPG Mǎlìōu Yǔ Lùyìjí RPG Role-playing Single player
Mario Kart: Super Circuit 马力欧卡丁车超级赛道 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē Chāojí Sài Dào Racing Single player, multiplayer (1-4)
Polarium Advance 通勤一笔 Zhígǎn Yī Bǐ Puzzle Single player
Tomato Adventure 番茄酱王国大冒险 Fānqié Jiàng Wángguó dà Màoxiǎn Role-playing Single player, multiplayer (1-2)

iQue Game Boy SP

The iQue Game Boy SP is the Chinese version of the Game Boy Advance SP. It is the same as a regular Game Boy Advance SP but has an "iQue" logo on the top of the casing instead of "Nintendo". It plays Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games and has a rechargeable battery.[15] It was released in October 2004.[16]

iQue Game Boy Micro

The iQue Micro is the Chinese version of the Game Boy Micro, and the smallest of the iQue family. It plays Game Boy Advance games.[17] It was released in October 2005.[16]

iQue DS

iQue DS

The iQue DS is the Chinese version of the Nintendo DS. It was released on July 23, 2005. 6 games have been released for the console. It is the only version of the Nintendo DS to have a regional lockout, so iQue DS games cannot be played on Nintendo DS systems from other regions.[18] A Chinese version of Big Brain Academy was also planned, but cancelled. It appeared on the official iQue DS Lite trailer.[19] Games:[12]

Western Title Chinese Title Pinyin Release Date Genre Game Modes Media
Polarium 直感一笔 Zhígǎn Yī Bǐ July 23, 2005 Puzzle Single player, Multiplayer (1-2) DS Game Card
WarioWare: Touched! 摸摸瓦力欧制造 Mō Mō Wǎlìōu Zhìzào December 2005 Minigames Single player DS Game Card
Yoshi Touch & Go 摸摸耀西-云中漫步 Mō Mō Yàoxi - Yún Zhōng Mànbù February 14, 2006 Platform Single player, Multiplayer (1-2) DS Game Card
Super Mario 64 DS 神游马力欧DS Shényóu Mǎlìōu DS June 21, 2007 Platform Single player, Multiplayer (1-4) DS Game Card
New Super Mario Bros. New 超级马力欧兄弟 New Chāojí Mǎlìōu Xiōngdì July 2, 2009 Platform Single player, Multiplayer (1-4) DS Game Card
Nintendogs 任天狗狗 Rèntiān Gǒu Gǒu December 2009 Simulation Single player, Multiplayer (1-2) Pre-installed on iQue DSi
Big Brain Academy 大脑科学院 Dànǎo kēxuéyuàn Unreleased Edutainment Single player, Multiplayer (1-8) Unknown

iQue DS Lite

The iQue DS Lite is the Chinese version of the Nintendo DS Lite. It plays Nintendo DS games and it is smaller than the original DS and it has a brighter screen than the original DS.[20] It was released in June 2006.[16]

iQue DSi

The iQue DSi is the Chinese version of the Nintendo DSi. It has a camera and it plays both DS and DSiWare games. It also comes with Nintendogs pre-installed in the system. It was released in December 2009.[16]

iQue 3DS XL
Logo

The iQue 3DS XL is the Chinese Version of the Nintendo 3DS XL. It was the only version of the 3DS offered by iQue. Unlike the Nintendo 3DS XL from other regions, the iQue 3DS XL doesn't have a Nintendo eShop, save data can't be transferred from an iQue DSi to an iQue 3DS XL or between systems and iQue DSiWare can't be played on an iQue 3DS XL. Only 2 games have been released for the console and they were both preinstalled on every console made. No physical game cards were ever made.

Games:

Western Title Chinese Title Pinyin Release Date Game Modes
Super Mario 3D Land 超级马力欧 3D乐园 Chāojí Mǎlìōu 3D Lèyuán December 7, 2012 Single-Player
Mario Kart 7 马力欧卡丁车7 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē 7 December 7, 2012 Single-Player, Multi-Player

Due to the regional lockout, only games that provide simplified Chinese interface language can be used in iQue 3DS XL. Besides the two games listed above which were released by iQue, the following 14 games released by Nintendo Hong Kong and Nintendo Taiwan can also be used on this console and include a simplified Chinese interface language:

Western Title Chinese Title Pinyin Game Modes
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D 塞尔达传说 时光之笛 3D Sàiěrdá Chuánshuō: Shíguāng zhī Dí 3D Single-Player
Nintendogs + Cats 任天狗狗+猫猫 Rèntiān Gǒugou + Māomāo Single-Player
Star Fox 64 3D 星际火狐64 3D Xīngjì Huǒhú 64 3D Single-Player, Multi-Player
Mario Tennis Open 马力欧网球 公开赛 Mǎlìōu Wǎngqiú Gōngkāisài Single-Player, Multi-Player
New Super Mario Bros. 2 新超级马力欧兄弟 2 New Chāojí Mǎlìōu Xiōngdì 2 Single-Player, Multi-Player
Brain Age: Concentration Training 脑科学专家 川岛隆太博士监修 突破极限 脑的5分钟魔鬼锻炼 Nǎokēxué Zhuānjiā Chuāndǎolóngtài Bóshì Jiānxiū Tūpò Jíxiàn Nǎo de 5 Fēnzhōng Móguǐ Duànliàn Single-Player, Multi-Player
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon 路易吉洋馆2 Lùyìjí Yángguǎn 2 Single-Player, Multi-Player
Paper Mario: Sticker Star 纸片马力欧 超级贴纸 Zhǐpiàn Mǎlìōu Chāojí Tiēzhǐ Single-Player
Pokémon Sun and Moon 精灵宝可梦 太阳／月亮 Jīnglíng Bǎokěmèng Tàiyáng / Yuèliang Single-Player, Multi-Player
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon 精灵宝可梦 究极之日 ／究极之月 Jīnglíng Bǎokěmèng Jiūjí-zhī Rì / Jiūjí-zhī Yuè Single-Player. Multi-Player

Comparison
Software compatibility
iQue Player iQue GBA iQue SP iQue Micro iQue DS iQue DS Lite iQue DSi iQue 3DS XL
iQue Player/N64 software Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
GB and GBC software Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
GBA software Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
DS software Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
3DS software Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Currently available
Currently available Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Software distribution
Software distribution iQue Depot
Fugue Online		 Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail
DSi Ware		 Retail

References
  1. "神游科技（中国）有限公司 - 天眼查" (in Chinese).
  2. "tewaswork" (in Chinese). iQue. Archived from the original on October 24, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  3. ""iQue 3DS XL" 今年12月发售". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  4. "Up-to-date listing of Nintendo subsidiaries". Nintendo Everything. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  5. "関係会社の状況" (PDF). Nintendo. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  6. luigiblood. "The oddities of Nintendo Switch Online retro service". Tumblr. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  7. "Nintendo Switch's Chinese Edition Only Supports Three Games". Hype Beast. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  8. Iggy (March 5, 2018). "Official iQue Website Updated After 6 Years". NintendoSoup. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  9. Iggy (December 1, 2017). "iQue Is Now Localizing Nintendo Switch Games Into Simplified Chinese". NintendoSoup. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  10. "工作 | iQue | 神游科技官方网站". Archived from the original on 2018-03-04.
  11. "iQue Ltd". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  12. "iQue Ltd". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  13. "iQue Ltd". ique.com. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  14. "iQue Ltd". ique.com. Archived from the original on 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2021-02-27. Due to this archive's date and content, it is likely that the game was released on or before August 14th, 2007, but not before August 1st.
  15. "iQue Ltd". ique.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  16. "iQue Ltd". ique.com. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  17. "Ique Game Boy Micro". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  18. "Touch!Ique Ds". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  19. "Introducing the iQue DS Lite". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  20. "Touch!Ique Ds". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-06. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
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