iQue

For the Garmin device, see Garmin iQue.

iQue, Ltd.
Native name
神游科技
Shényóu Kējì
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded6 December 2002; 23 years ago (2002-12-06)[1]
Founder
HeadquartersSuzhou, China[2]
Key people
Wei Yen (CEO)
ServicesSoftware translation and localization
Game development
ParentNintendo (2013–present)
Websitewww.ique.com

iQue, Ltd. (simplified Chinese: 神游科技; traditional Chinese: 神遊科技; pinyin: Shényóu Kējì) is a Chinese video game localization and development company located in Suzhou. It was founded in 2002 as a joint venture between Taiwanese-American engineer Wei Yen and Nintendo to manufacture and distribute Nintendo hardware and software for mainland China.

iQue released the iQue Player in 2003 and went on to distribute several Nintendo handheld systems under the iQue brand. By 2013, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo and later shifted its focus away from hardware to localization, technical support, and internal development work.

Its Chinese name, Shényóu, is a double entendre meaning "to make a mental journey".

History

Nintendo established iQue in December 2002 as a joint venture with Wei Yen, a veteran of earlier Nintendo hardware collaborations. Yen had previously served as senior vice president at Silicon Graphics, where he contributed to Project Reality, the hardware project that became the Nintendo 64. After leaving SGI, Yen founded BroadOn, which developed the cryptographic security system used in the iQue Player to deter piracy.[3]

The company introduced its first product, the iQue Player, in 2003. The system adopted a handheld TV game format in part to comply with a 2000 Ministry of Culture ban on the sale of traditional home video game consoles.[4] In the following years, iQue distributed official Nintendo products for the mainland Chinese market, focusing primarily on handheld systems, which were not subject to the same ban. While Nintendo and iQue initially planned to release the Wii across mainland China, these plans were ultimately scaled back and the iQue Player was the company’s only home console released in China.

By 2013, iQue became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nintendo.[5] During the early 2010s, iQue contributed to emulator development for Nintendo’s Virtual Console services, including NES and Game Boy emulation on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 64 emulation on Wii U. The company later supported development of the Nintendo 64 emulator used for Nintendo Switch Online.[6]

From 2017 onward, Nintendo wound down distribution of older hardware under the iQue brand. Nintendo partnered with Tencent to introduce the Nintendo Switch in mainland China in 2019.[7] iQue shifted to providing customer support for legacy products and began localizing Nintendo titles into simplified Chinese, while Nintendo Hong Kong handled traditional Chinese.[8][9]

In 2019, iQue began hiring programmers and developers, signaling a broader transition toward internal development support for Nintendo EPD.[10]

iQue Player

Main article: iQue Player

The iQue Player is a handheld TV game variant of the Nintendo 64. It was uniquely designed to bypass China's ban on home console products placed at the time and to combat the problems with rampant game piracy in the market. A total of 14 games were released for the console.

iQue Game Boy Advance

The iQue GBA is the Chinese version of the Game Boy Advance. It was released on 8 June 2004.

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.[11] It was released in October 2004.[12]

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.[13] It was released in October 2005.[12]

Games

Eight games have been released for the console.[14][15] Twelve 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[citation needed] Platform Single player
Super Mario Advance 超级马力欧2 Chāojí Mǎlìōu 2 30 June 2004[citation needed] Platform Single player, multiplayer (1–2)
Metroid: Zero Mission 密特罗德：零点任务 Mìtèluōdé: Língdiǎn Rènwù 15 June 2005[citation needed] Shooter Single player
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! 瓦力欧制造 Wǎlìōu Zhìzào 4 July 2005[citation needed] Minigames Single player
Metroid Fusion 密特罗德 融合 Mìtèluōdé Rónghé 2 March 2006[citation needed] Shooter Single player
Yoshi's Island – Super Mario Advance 3 耀西岛 Yàoxi Dǎo 2 March 2006[citation needed] Platform Single player
Super Mario World – Super Mario Advance 2 超级马力欧世界 Chāojí Mǎlìōu Shìjiè 15 March 2006[citation needed] Platform Single player, multiplayer
F-Zero Maximum Velocity 极速F-ZERO未来赛车 Jísù F-ZERO Wèilái Sàichē August 2007[16] Racing Single player, multiplayer(1–4)
Advance Wars 陆海空大战 Lùhǎikōng Dàzhàn Unreleased Strategy Single player, multiplayer (1–4)
Densetsu no Starfy 斯塔非的传说 Sītǎfēi de Chuánshuō Unreleased Platform Single player
Densetsu no Starfy 2 斯塔非的传说2 Sītǎfēi de Chuánshuō 2 Unreleased Platform Single player
DK: King of Swing 摇摆森喜刚 Yáobǎi Sēn Xǐgāng Unreleased Puzzle Single player
Famicom Mini Collection[17] 红白机合集 Hóngbái Jīhéjí Unreleased Compilation Single player
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade 火纹战记: 封印之剑 Huǒwén Zhànjì: Fēngyìn Zhījiàn Unreleased Role-playing Single player
Kuru Kuru Kuruin 转转棒 Zhuǎn Zhuǎn Bàng Unreleased Puzzle Single player, multiplayer (1–4)
Kuruin Paradise 转转棒天堂 Zhuǎn Zhuǎn Bàng Tiāntáng Unreleased Puzzle Single player, multiplayer (1–4)
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 马力欧与路易吉RPG Mǎlìōu Yǔ Lùyìjí RPG Unreleased Role-playing Single player
Mario Kart: Super Circuit 马力欧卡丁车超级赛道 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē Chāojí Sài Dào Unreleased Racing Single player, multiplayer (1–4)
Polarium Advance 通勤一笔 Tōngqín Yī Bǐ Unreleased Puzzle Single player
Tomato Adventure 番茄酱王国大冒险 Fānqié Jiàng Wángguó dà Màoxiǎn Unreleased Role-playing Single player, multiplayer (1–2)

iQue DS

iQue DS

The iQue DS is the Chinese version of the Nintendo DS. It was released on 23 July 2005. Six games were released for the console.[15] 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]

iQue DS Lite

The iQue DS Lite is the Chinese version of the Nintendo DS Lite. It plays Nintendo DS games, is smaller than the original DS, and has a brighter screen than the original DS.[19] It was released on 26 June 2006.[12]

iQue DSi

The iQue DSi is the Chinese version of the Nintendo DSi. It has 2 cameras and it plays both DS and DSiWare games. It came with Nintendogs pre-installed on the system and a gift card with 1,000 DSiWare points to download software. It was released in late December 2009.[20]

Games

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

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.

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 7 December 2012 Single player
Mario Kart 7 马力欧卡丁车7 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē 7 7 December 2012 Single player, multiplayer

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, multiplayer
Mario Tennis Open 马力欧网球 公开赛 Mǎlìōu Wǎngqiú Gōngkāisài Single player, multiplayer
New Super Mario Bros. 2 新超级马力欧兄弟 2 Xīn Chāojí Mǎlìōu Xiōngdì 2 Single player, multiplayer
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, multiplayer
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon 路易吉洋馆2 Lùyìjí Yángguǎn 2 Single player, multiplayer
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, multiplayer
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, multiplayer

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
iQue@Home 		Physical Physical Physical Physical Physical Physical
DSi Ware 		Physical

References

  1. ^ "神游科技（中国）有限公司 – 天眼查" (in Chinese).[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "tewaswork" (in Chinese). iQue. Archived from the original on 24 October 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  3. ^ H, Marshall (6 May 2018). "iQue technical information". retroactive.be. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  4. ^ "Nintendo iQue Player: A Beginner's Guide – RetroGaming with Racketboy". racketboy.com. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  5. ^ "関係会社の状況" (PDF). Nintendo. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  6. ^ luigiblood. "The oddities of Nintendo Switch Online retro service". Tumblr. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Nintendo Switch's Chinese Edition Only Supports Three Games". Hype Beast. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  8. ^ Iggy (5 March 2018). "Official iQue Website Updated After 6 Years". NintendoSoup. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  9. ^ Iggy (1 December 2017). "iQue Is Now Localizing Nintendo Switch Games Into Simplified Chinese". NintendoSoup. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  10. ^ "工作 | iQue | 神游科技官方网站". Archived from the original on 4 March 2018.
  11. ^ "iQue Ltd". ique.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  12. ^ a b c "iQue Ltd". ique.com. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  13. ^ "Ique Game Boy Micro". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  14. ^ "iQue Ltd". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  15. ^ a b "iQue Ltd". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  16. ^ "iQue Ltd". ique.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021. 2007年8月 iQue GBA 极速F-ZERO未来赛车
  17. ^ "Famicom Mini Collection (iQue prototype)". hiddenpalace.org. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  18. ^ "Touch!Ique Ds". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  19. ^ "Touch!Ique Ds". Ique.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  20. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (23 December 2009). "DSi Launches In China". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 26 December 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  21. ^ "Introducing the iQue DS Lite". YouTube. 13 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/iQue