Ex-Rare Developers Dismiss Killer Instinct ‘Panel De Pon’ Rumor as False

In the realm of gaming history, speculation often surrounds the development and localization decisions made by major companies. A fascinating case involves the 1995 Super Famicom puzzle game, Panel De Pon, which was released in Western markets as Tetris Attack.

Background of Panel De Pon

Panel De Pon is well-known for its unique gameplay and charming graphics, originally featuring fairy-like characters. However, when it was adapted for Western audiences as Tetris Attack, the characters were replaced with those from the popular game Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island.

The Killer Instinct Rumor

Recent discussions have focused on a rumor suggesting that Nintendo initially considered a Killer Instinct-themed localization for Panel De Pon. This news reportedly stemmed from comments made by Yashiro Minigawa, head of public relations at Nintendo Japan.

• The rumor claims Nintendo approached Rare to integrate Killer Instinct characters into the game.
• Three former developers of Killer Instinct, including Mark Betteridge, Chris Seavor, and Robin Beanland, have dismissed this assertion.
• They stated they were never made aware of such discussions regarding the game’s localization.

Insights from Industry Experts

According to Seavor, who served as a background artist and designer for Killer Instinct, the suggestion of Rare’s involvement is unfounded. He stated, “I’ve never heard of it,” implying that the rumor lacks credible backing.

This speculation was largely noted in a section of the Nintendo Magazine System UK, published in 1996, which referenced Minigawa’s statements. The magazine asserted that Rare was asked to consider substituting its Killer Instinct elements. However, the magazine did not provide a direct quote from Minigawa.

Conclusion

Despite the intriguing nature of this rumor, the current evidence suggests that it may have been misrepresented or exaggerated over time. The consensus among those who were directly involved in the development points to a lack of any serious consideration to adapt Panel De Pon into a Killer Instinct variant. As the debate continues, only time will tell if more information will come to light.

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