Western characters in Japanese games

[Emultra]

Why are so many big name Japanese video game characters Western/white? Mario, Contra dudes, Billy and Jimmy Lee (Double Dragon), Solid Snake, Resident Evil characters etc. Were they an attempt to make the games more globally accepted, even back in the NES days?

 

[amdhunter]

Because White people are the better race.

 

[pontifex]

dunno, but even in anime, they characters don't look Asian

 

[darkxshade]

Because they have a monopoly on characters under 18... those are always Asian.

 

[her209]

Contra dudes

I can only assume Contra was inspired by the US involvement in the Vietnamese Civil War.

 

[God Mode]

White people are the best consumers and catering to them is the smart business move.

 

[amdhunter]

dunno, but even in anime, they characters don't look Asian

They portray Black people perfectly though. :thumbsup:

 

[cKGunslinger]

They portray Black people perfectly though. :thumbsup:

 

[Arcadio]

They portray Black people perfectly though. :thumbsup:

Damn.. it's like they are not even trying...

 

[Imp]

I always thought they were just "augmented Asians"... ya know, kinda Asian looking but with blonde hair, very pale skin, and blue eyes.

 

[SheHateMe]

Because Asians think they are white.

 

[Imp]

Because Asians think they are white.

Given the huge love of dyed brown/blonde (shudder on latter) hair in Asia, double eye-lid surgery and nose jobs, and how it's generally more "acceptable" to marry a white person than any other race (preferred is still Asian)... you may be on to something.

 

[kyrax12]

Is there a problem with using western characters in Asian games?

Western characters are just cooler.