Idea Factory International has delayed the Switch versions of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation, and Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation.
Originally set to release in the West on May 21, the new release date has yet to be announced, despite the fact that the trilogy is still slated to release in Japan on May 23rd.
Idea Factory International did not provide a reason for the delay in the Western release. They did, however, announce that future updates will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, the Japanese release of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth for the Switch will proceed as planned.
In addition to Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation, and Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation, a triple pack including the game series and previous DLC content will also be released.
It’s certainly strange that this news comes just one day before the trilogy’s scheduled launch on the Nintendo Switch on May 21.
While Idea Factory International has not provided an explanation, the delay may be related to certain themes in the game. The North American ratings board, ESRB, noted, “Some female characters wear low-cut outfits that expose large amounts of cleavage and/or the undersides of their breasts. Camera angles sometimes focus on cleavage and jiggling breasts.”
Additionally, the dialogue includes suggestive material such as “Thunder Tits” and “Wait, you’re huge,” along with the word “Bitch” being present.
We cannot overlook the fact that a previously release installment, Neptunia: Sisters VS. Sisters was censored through a post-launch update, which altered various instances of profane language. For example, “kick your ass” was changed to “beat you up,” and words like “pissed off,” “bitch,” and “bastard” were replaced with more PG-friendly alternatives.
While a fan-made patch is available to revert these changes, this solution is only accessible to PC players. Console owners continue to face these restrictions in a game rated for teens.
Given the precedent set with Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters and its unusual post-release language censorship, it’s likely that the delay of the Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth trilogy is related to similar concerns. When it eventually releases in the West, it may feature revised and censored language.
There is also a chance that the localization could result in awkward dialogue, replacing the original content with unfunny witticisms instead of meaningful language. This is especially concerning for a game marketed to those above the age of 15, which includes themes of mild language.
