In an unexpected turn of events, the once cancelled Japanese version of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is finally getting released in Japan, but with a twist. Instead of releasing it at retail, it is a Platinum reward for Japanese Club Nintendo members. This is one of the few instances of a game made in Japan not releasing in its country of origin (which brings to mind this game I talked about a ways back). We’ll talk about this a sec, first some backstory. Advance Wars: Days of Ruin was the second game in the Advance Wars series for the DS (fourth overall for the U.S.) and went for a more darker theme than the previous entries in the series. The story sees the world in shambles after a meteor shower, and the armies of the world react with either righteousness, cowardice, or aggression towards their fellow man. At the same time, a flora/fauna-sprouting virus known as the Creeper is spreading across the land, and for some reason it only infects young people. Along with the darker story, the game’s also got some kickass music that I’ve covered quite a few times.

Now then, the release of Days of Ruin in Japan for the 3DS brings a couple of milestones with it. One is that this is the first retail DS game released for Nintendo eShop on the 3DS. While it’s still only for Club Nintendo members, this could open the doors for more DS games getting released for the service. The other is that, for Nintendo, this is technically the first essentially cancelled game to get released in Japan. While another Nintendo game, ExciteBots: Trick Racing, was simply not announced for Japan when it first came out, Days of Ruin was supposed to come out in the region. The game was constantly delayed until it was eventually cancelled. With this game finally getting released, who knows what other cancelled games Nintendo might revive for a comeback.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin on Club Nintendo [via Club Nintendo Japan]