Miami Law

Development

Nintendo of America first mentioned Miami Law in a February 2009 press release that listed upcoming titles for its handheld and home consoles. The project came from Hudson Soft, a Japanese developer, and drew heavily from American crime television, promising "all of the ingredients of a prime-time TV show." Although Hudson Soft was based in Japan, Gaijinworks founder Victor Ireland announced in March 2009 that his company would publish the game as its debut release, with North America getting it first. To ensure the setting felt authentic, Hudson Soft sent a research team to Miami, Florida, where Ireland personally guided them through the city. Ireland also took on the role of head writer, comparing the work to his earlier translation duties at Working Designs. He noted that while the underlying philosophy was similar, the police drama required a "much harder edge" than the lighthearted, comedic tone of his previous projects. He explained that the game still included comedy and wordplay, but the localization aimed for a serious feel, similar to what he had done for Arc the Lad. For the soundtrack, Ireland brought in Miami Beat Wave, a local hip hop duo, who created fifteen original tracks to reinforce the game's atmosphere. In April 2009, Hudson Soft announced a European version, retitled Miami Crisis, which Konami would publish. That version launched on September 25.