• MOTHER 3’s Timeline of Hope

  A cycle of hope, hype, and disappointment has surrounded this game almost 30 years.

• New Discoveries About EarthBound’s Development and Localization

  So many ideas were cut from the final versions of MOTHER 2/EarthBound.

• The Many Translations of the “Lost Woods”

  The Japanese term "mayoi no mori" can be translated many different ways.

• Developer Notes & Scrapped Ideas from Final Fantasy Adventure

  This classic JRPG was originally an experimental tennis game.

• The Witcher 3’s Duchess Riddle in Japanese

  How do you translate an untranslatable riddle? By creating your own.

• The Many Japanese Pop-Culture References in Super Mario RPG

  The Japanese script is filled with references that were lost in translation.

• Literary Translators Comment on Localization & Re-Translation

  The word "localization" may be new, but the idea has been around for centuries.

• Behind the Localization of Majora’s Mask

  A localization editor shares his experiences over the span of 40 days.

• Final Fantasy VI Beta Images (Early 1994)

  An informative Japanese preview of Final Fantasy VI a few months before release.

• The Infamous “Retard” Line in Japanese Final Fantasy VII

  The Japanese line simply says "Whoa! Don’t say that, you’ll jinx us!".

• Ayla’s Personal Preferences in Japanese Chrono Trigger

  The language barrier stands especially tall during intentionally awkward scenes.

• Japanese Coverage of American Video Games at CES 1992

  Let's turn the tables and see how the Japanese report on American games.

• The Japanese Word “Okama” in Video Game Translations

  We can follow this controversial word's evolution by examining Japanese games.

• Which Ys VIII Translation Style Do You Prefer?

  This 2017 JRPG was retranslated after fan backlash - did it help?

• Satan’s Original Name in Japanese Ghosts ‘N Goblins

  This classic enemy was temporarily known as "Gondias" in Japanese.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Sekiro’s English Translation?

  What happens when Japanese speakers critique English translations?

• Readers’ Favorite English Game Translations of the 2010s

  Which game translations stood out during this specific decade?

• Classic Game Translations Keep Changing Quietly Over Time

  Classic games mutate slightly with each new port, remake, or update patch.

• Funky Fantasy IV – 3 Years Later

  Has AI translation improved in the Final Fantasy IV sector of the industry yet?

• Guest Article: Behind the Screens with Heroland’s Localizers

  Translators and non-translators seem to have very different definitions for the term "localization".

• Hunting for a Super Mario Bros. 1 Manual Misprint

  I swear I saw a misprint like this in an English-language manual as a kid.

• Japanese Numbers, Dates, and Wordplay

  Japan's number-based wordplay is often 100% lost in translation.

• Secret of Mana’s “Abe Lincoln” Reference in Japanese

  The original Japanese line references a classic Japanese game show.

• Religious Content Changes in Game Localizations

  Game publishers have been changing religion-related content for decades.

• Localization Roundup #11

  Some Japan-only games are finally no longer Japan-only. Plus lots of other game localization news bits!

• Viral & Memorable Mistranslations of Japanese Game News

  Translations about gaming news can be just as bad as "All Your Base".

• The Infamous “Arche F***s Like a Tiger” Scene in Tales of Phantasia

  Let's examine one of THE most infamous scenes in video game fan translation.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Banjo-Kazooie in Smash Bros.?

  Did Japanese gamers even play or like Banjo-Kazooie back in the day?

• Why “Hai” Doesn’t Always Mean “Yes” in Japanese

  Basically, negative questions work differently in English and Japanese.

• Tricky Translations #4: “I” & “Me” in Japanese

  With dozens of ways to say "I" and "me" in Japanese, a lot can get lost in translation.

• Interview: Ted Woolsey (Super Play Magazine, Sep. 1994)

  Topics include Final Fantasy IV, V, and VI, Breath of Fire, and Secret of Evermore.

• The Phrase “Game Set” in Japanese Video Games

  It's a phrase used all the time in Japanese sports to indicate that a match is over.

• Getting It Localized #1: Skies of Fury DX

  An indie developer personally experiences the difficulties of game localization.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of the Sonic Movie Trailer?

  "At last, America has fallen into the swamp of live action films."

• Nintendo’s Official & Unusual French Translation of Zelda II

  Some French versions of Zelda II came with a printed-out translation.

• Professional Translators Discuss Fan Translation Experience

  Is it helpful or harmful to mention your fan translations in a job application?

• Tricky Translations #3: False Friends & Japanese Hips

  If words have nuances, then imported "loanwords" carry local nuances as well.

• Localization Roundup #10

  Includes: Ace Attorney localization info, Judgment news, funny food translations, blue vs. green, and more.

• Japanese Pop-Culture References in Cadash’s Secret Room

  The developers reference Japanese TV commercials from the 1990s and more.

• Localization Roundup #9

  Includes: 13 new fan translations, pineapples as vegetables, weird Pokemon names, and funny English.

• Unusual English in Japanese Video Game Credits

  Japanese game credits can be just as entertaining as the game itself.

• Squall’s “Whatever” Line in Japanese Final Fantasy VIII

  Squall's catchphrase appears much more often in English than in Japanese.

• Video Games and Japan’s Three Main Writing Systems

  Japanese video game text has continued to transform since the 1970s.

• The Top 10 Most Wanted OFFICIAL Game Localizations (in 2018)

  Maybe, some year, these games will finally be officially translated.

• Localization Roundup #8

  Includes: New fan translation, funny English on signs, interview with a translator, Sega's recent localization success.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Shaq Fu?

  "So I guess this is how they see the Far East?"

• Gato’s Name and Song in Japanese Chrono Trigger

  This iconic robot has a different name and different song lyrics in Japanese.

• Redundant Translations in Japanese Entertainment

  Redundant translations in Japanese entertainment.

• Localization Roundup #7

  Includes: God of War rune translation, old English vs Chinese gamers, funny English in old JP PC games, and supporting niche games.

• Game Localization & Nintendo of America’s Content Policies in the 1990s

  Nintendo's content policies in the 1990s shaped an early era of game translation.

• Pokémon’s Famous “Comfy Shorts” Line in Japanese

  "Shorts are nice and easy to move around in! Why don’t you wear some too?"

• Persona 4 Golden’s “Sub-Buttle” Joke in Japanese

  Translating foreign wordplay is an exercise in creativity and fearlessness.

• A Popular American Infomercial, Localized into Japanese

  Let's see how this iconic American infomercial changed in Japanese!

• Metric System Localizations in Japanese Entertainment

  Localization changes in popular media can continue to "echo" over time.

• Why Some Japanese Game Titles End with “if”

  It mostly just refers to hypothetical "what if" situations in established stories.

• Common Problems When Translating Games Into Japanese

  Translating your game into Japanese can be disastrous if it's only an afterthought.

• Popular, Infamous, & Surprising Game Localizations into Japanese

  Which English-to-Japanese game translations are the most beloved?

• Why Was the “Cane of Somaria” Eventually Renamed in Japan?

  For some reason, Nintendo renamed the "Cane of Somaria" the "Cane of Somasoa".

• What Does Edgar Say About Relm in Each Final Fantasy VI Translation?

  This scene has proven problematic since the game's 1994 English translation.

• What Do Japanese Fans Think of the Leaked Pokémon Spaceworld Demo?

  "If they'd sold this version, I bet Pokémon never would've caught on."

• Tricky Translations #2: The Four Heavenly Kings

  This simple Japanese phrase often stands out in translation, but why?

• When Is It Okay and Not Okay to Localize Something?

  As a translator, you can take the source to the reader, or the reader to the source.

• Which Final Fantasy IV Translation Should You Play?

  There's a new Final Fantasy IV translation every 3 or 4 years. Which is best?

• Horizon Zero Dawn’s “Grizzly” Joke in Japanese

  The translation uses Japan's scientific naming system to parallel the English joke.

• Localization Roundup #6

  Includes: fan outrage in other countries' translations, a legendary visual novel is getting translated, localized game demo mistakes, unreleased game ads.

• The English Word “Let’s” is Everywhere in Japanese Entertainment

  Let's look at why this word is so prevalent in the Japanese mindset.

• The Problem with L, R, and Other Letters in Japanese Translation

  There's logic behind all those funny Japanese typos, and it goes beyond L and R.

• Filler English Text in Japanese Entertainment

  Need a block of English text no one will read? Just copy it from something crazy.

• Localization Roundup #5

  Includes: how big game scripts really are, industry insider info, funny translations, latest fan translations, bad voice acting.

• The Many Michael Jackson Parody References in Yakuza 0

  If you seek a game packed with pop-culture references, this is the one.

• Tricky Translations #1: Maou & Daimaou

  These simple Japanese terms can be translated many different ways.

• Localization Roundup #4

  Includes: Yakuza localizer chat, a game *about* translation, Guess That Translation!, Secret of Mana beta map, Monster Hunter World.

• Fat, Beauty, and A Link Between Worlds’ Localization

  The Zora queen loses her "beauty" in Japanese when she becomes fat.

• Surprising Swear Words in Game Translations

  Profanity in video games is nothing new, but it can still be surprising.

• Localization Roundup #3

  Includes: a classic mistranslation, Tengai Makyo Zero fan translation, Breath of Fire II, Japanese view of game localization changes.

• Localization Roundup #2

  Includes: Final Wii shop games, Zelda: LttP beta scans, 7 fan translations, Dragon Ball problems, voice recognition failure.

• Why the “Graveyard Duck” from Castlevania II Isn’t a Mistranslation After All

  The "graveyard duck" is also just one part of a running gag in the series.

• Localization Roundup #1

  Includes: translating NES games back into Japanese, Undertale, Harvest Moon, Banshee's Last Cry, and Super Mario Land.

• River City Ransom’s Famous “BARF!” Quote in Japanese

  This 4-letter word is one of retro gaming's most famous quotes.

• What Do Japanese Fans Think of Mario Is Missing?

  Japanese fans discover and comment on this deceiving piece of edutainment.

• Yakuza 0’s Famous “Fisting Artist” Line in Japanese

  The original Japanese wordplay involves "pushing your lover onto a bed".

• The Word “LABO” is Everywhere You Look in Japanese

  "Labo" in Japanese parallels "lab", "workshop", and "studio" in English.

• New Books: press start to translate & I’m Stuck in a Video Game

  Actual quote: "The enema is saying that you should not wear a basketball!"

• How Ganon’s Motivation Changed in Breath of the Wild’s English Translation

  Key moments in key scenes are when text nuances matter most in translation.

• Translating Simple Japanese Jokes into English in Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

  Translating a joke well requires creativity, luck, and personal compromises.

• New Book: This be book bad translation, video games!

  An entertaining look at the history of bad game translations and how they happen.

• Localized Name Confusion in Paper Mario: TTYD’s Translation

  No translator is immune to the status effect of "lacking enough info".

• The “Over 9000” Line in Street Fighter X Tekken’s Translation

  The famous "Over 9000" meme was inserted into this English scene.

• Examining Rhapsody’s Famous Line About “Direct Translations”

  The translator breaks etiquette to try to make a point for non-translators.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of the CD-i Zelda Games?

  These two oddball Zelda games were never released in Japan.

• Nintendo Slightly Revised Zelda 1’s English Text in 2017

  Nintendo has been quietly altering Zelda 1's translation for 30 years.

• Final Fantasy IX’s Famous “No Cloud nor Squall” Line in Japanese

  The Japanese line doesn't actually include any Final Fantasy references.

• Mega Man V’s Different Endings in Japanese

  The story in this Mega Man game underwent some clear changes in English.

• Guest Post: A Look Back at Rosenkreuzstilette -Blades of the Rose Cross-

  To some degree, most professional translators seem to start out as hobbyists.

• Breath of Fire II (Super NES) Localization Review

  Just how "bad" is this notorious Capcom translation from 1995?

• New Book: Legends of Localization, Book 2 – EarthBound

  Let's see how this giant purple book about trash burgers came to be.

• A New Way of Playing Japanese and English Games Side-By-Side (Now Outdated)

  I used technical magic to build a weird & experimental game translation tool.

• How Items & Names Get Sorted in Japanese Games

  Why are items in Final Fantasy 1 organized so strangely in English?

• Examining Japanese Comedy in The Goonies II’s Script

  Some of the text in this 1987 translation never felt quite "correct".

• Highlighting “Deeper” Mistranslations in Tales of the Abyss’ Translation

  Even a basic word like "new" can dramatically transform a translation.

• Splatoon’s “Stay Fresh” Catchphrase in Japanese

  The Japanese catchphrase "ika yoroshiku" is a clever pun in its own right.

• Guest Article: Humility is a Translator’s Ultimate Weapon

  The translator's path is grueling when you're still starting out.

• Examples of Untranslated Text in Video Game Localizations

  Failing to translate EVERYTHING is a common pitfall in game localization.

• Lunar: Silver Star Story’s Tootsie Pop Reference in Japanese

  The English localization is known for inserting pop-culture jokes everywhere.

• Early Japanese Previews of Zelda 64 & MOTHER 3

  Let's look at early info and high-quality screenshots from these N64 games.

• Trails in the Sky’s Line About Gender Roles in Japanese

  This translated line seems out of place at first glance - what's the context?

• A Japanese Idiom & Joke Go Missing in Clash at Demonhead

  References were lost in translation when the English script was streamlined.

• Resident Evil 5’s Door Pun in Japanese

  What does a sarcastic one-liner in English look like in Japanese?

• Guest Article: How to Screw Up a Translation – A Postmortem

  Learning from others' mistakes can help you grow too.

• A Translation Note Mistakenly Appears in Suikoden’s English Text

  Private translation notes sometimes sneak into the final versions of games.

• How the “Metal Gear” Name Is Explained in Japanese

  A scene in Metal Gear Solid 3 explains the meaning behind the iconic name.

• Examining Hidden Japanese Messages in Link’s Awakening

  There's a set of silly, hidden lines in this classic game.

• Metal Gear Solid 2’s Famous “LIE” Message in Japanese

  The writing in this game gets so crazy that individual words can't be trusted.

• Project X Zone 2’s Retro Game References in Japanese

  Were all these crossover game references in the Japanese script too?

• The Famous Stand By Me Reference in Pokémon

  This classic American movie is widely celebrated in Japan.

• Super Mario RPG’s Culex in Japanese

  This secret Final Fantasy-themed boss was a bit different in Japanese.

• Wrath of the Black Manta’s Anti-Drug Messages in Japanese

  Proper translation was no match for the 1980s' "just say no to drugs!" sentiment.

• New Book: Legends of Localization, Book 1 – The Legend of Zelda

  Now you can cite Legends of Localization in essays and last-minute assignments!

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Linkle?

  How did Japanese fans react to this surprising new Zelda character?

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Cloud in Super Smash Bros.?

  What assumptions do gamers have about gamers in other countries?

• The Result of Poorly Localized Japanese Puns, in Action

  It's important to retain humor in translation, but it's rarely as easy as it sounds.

• Dragon Warrior IV’s Famous “Litter Joke” in Japanese

  This classic 1992 translation features properly localized jokes into English.

• Triforce Heroes’ Infamous “So Ancient, Such Ruin” Line in Japanese

  The North American translation included a 2010s Internet meme.

• Medabots’ Weird Tickle Bots in Japanese

  Translators often tread where local cultural norms are not "norm" elsewhere.

• The Censored Egg Tart of Ar Nosurge

  In the right hands, mosaic censoring is just a modern way of saying "ewww".

• The Many Japanese Boxing Ring Aliases in Smash Bros. Wii U

  Let's look at the funny nicknames the Smash Bros. go by in other regions!

• The Letter “W” Means “Double” in Japanese

  The letter W appears all the time in Japanese - think of it as "double"!

• Quina’s Pronoun Uncertainty in Final Fantasy IX’s Japanese Script

  Pronouns are easily avoided in Japanese, but are often inescapable in English.

• Saving Lucca’s Mother in Japanese & English Chrono Trigger

  In some situations, language differences can lead to actual gameplay differences.

• Cultural Obstacles in Wario Ware: Smooth Moves’ Design

  All those boxers, janitors, and bakers weren't in the original Japanese game.

• Virtual Hydlide’s Backwards-Speaking Vampire in Japanese

  The secret Japanese audio is just a polite message played backwards.

• Xenogears’ Beloved “Oh My Gabrino” Line in Japanese

  This unique line was especially memorable for English-speaking players.

• Final Fantasy Legend II’s Opium Replaced with Bananas in English

  This change was a result of Nintendo of America's content policies in the 1990s.

• How to Tell the Difference Between Chinese and Japanese Writing

  Tip: If you see a round "の" character, it's Japanese or Japanese-connected.

• Palutena’s Name in Japanese Kid Icarus

  Name translation becomes tougher when a third culture gets involved too.

• The Shocking “Grilled Mormons” Sign in Takeshi’s Challenge

  Comedy rarely translates well, as this oddly translated sign demonstrates.

• Final Fantasy X’s Famous “Macarena” Scene in Japanese

  Does the world of Final Fantasy X really know about 1990s Earth music?

• What Do Japanese Fans Think of the 1993 Super Mario Bros. Movie?

  The Japanese release was also basically an ad for the Super Scope.

• Did Castlevania II’s Endings Get Mixed Up in Japanese Too?

  This classic game has three endings, but something seems off about them.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of American Super Mario Bros. 2?

  Nintendo literally called it "Super Mario USA" when releasing it in Japan.

• Did Natsume Misspell Its Own Name in Harvest Moon 64?

  Technically, it's not a misspelling at all, just a different transcription method.

• Harvest Moon’s Infamous “Confirm the Origin of Fire” Line in Japanese

  Harvest Moon is synonymous with weird English translations like this.

• What Do Japanese Players Think of Greninja in Smash Bros.?

  This Pokémon had Smash Bros. fans curious about fans in other countries.

• Is Metroid’s Ridley Really the “Original Life Form of Planet Zebes”?

  Is this foe really the source of all life on Zebes? Or was there a mistranslation?

• The Japanese Proverb Behind Zelda’s “Like Likes”

  These foes have a strange name with a strange, sometimes inconsistent origin.

• Why Japanese Games Have Tiny Text on Top of Normal Text

  This aspect of the Japanese language opens it up for many unique uses.

• Is This Pokémon Couple as Suggestive in Japanese?

  This lovey-dovey couple has an "interesting" Pokémon combination.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Little Mac in Smash Bros.?

  Punch-Out was never a smash hit in Japan, so how was Little Mac received?

• Suikoden’s Bizarre “Googly-Goo Zombie” Line in Japanese

  Insults don't always translate well, especially when context is lacking.

• Is Lance from Pokémon Supposed to Be So Sadistic?

  Does this enemy leader really threaten to strangle you with dragons' tails?

• Twinkle Star Sprites’ “Sweet Tacos” in Japanese

  She originally mentions "natto fried rice" in the Japanese script.

• Examining Cave Story’s “Grasstown” and “Bushlands” Names

  When there are multiple "competing" translations, the preference wars begin.

• Final Fantasy VI’s Secret “Scrap of Paper Scene” in Japanese

  Let's examine this lesser-known line in Final Fantasy VI's script.

• Fan Translation Additions & Player Confusion

  Inside jokes in a translation can pull the player out of the intended experience.

• Two Grand Theft Auto Scenes, Localized into Japanese

  How do two scenes in this AAA English-language game sound in Japanese?

• The Confusion Surrounding Castlevania III’s Syfa

  Conflicting information plagued this enigmatic character for years.

• Ninja Gaiden X: A Prequel Game Never Released Outside Japan

  This prequel phone game from 2004 is only in Japanese.

• Geno’s Introduction in Super Mario RPG

  This character's introduction in English was a little stranger in Japanese.

• Deciphering the Hybrid Language Text in Transformers

  This game's ending is a weird hybrid of Japanese and English writing.

• Disgaea’s Weird “Horse Wiener” Line in Japanese

  This surprising line does indeed exist in the Japanese script, too.

• Were Princess Daisy and Princess Peach Originally the Same Character?

  Mario's first Game Boy release left players with many questions.

• A Fire Emblem Ad in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door’s Translation

  A reference to Super Mario Bros. became a Fire Emblem advertisement.

• Fan Translations that Became Official Translations

  Some fan translations have actually made that legendary big leap.

• How Tales of Phantasia’s “Ragnarok” Became “Kangaroo” in Translation

  Rumor has it Microsoft Word's spell-check was the cause.

• Bionic Commando’s Infamous “Nerd” Insult in Japanese

  Why does this enemy soldier talk like a high school jock?

• Helen Keller in an Old Japanese Sci-Fi Video Game

  The Hellen Keller reference made it into the English script too.

• Final Fantasy X’s Weird Blitzball Kid in Japanese

  This little kid was weird in Japanese too... at first.

• Is This Character in Pokémon X/Y Transgender?

  A line in Pokémon X/Y had fans clamoring for details and analysis.

• Examining the Heavy English Accents in Dragon Quest IV

  This localization's heavy English accents have been polarizing for years.

• Localization Oversights in PETA’s Parody of Super Mario RPG

  Any parody of a foreign, translated game is bound to be strange.

• Corpse Party’s Infamous “Pooper” and “Retard” Lines in Japanese

  Were these crude & offensive lines in the original Japanese script?

• Mega Man’s “Monsteropolis” and “Mega City” in Japanese

  Mega Man explores "Monsteropolis" in English, but he doesn't in Japanese.

• Professor Oak Forgets His Own Grandson’s Name in Japanese

  This famous Pokémon professor is as forgetful in Japanese as he is in English.

• DOOMPs and Accents in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

  Let's look at two unusual aspects of this English localization.

• Watt’s Pronoun in Paper Mario’s English Translation

  Inconsistency in the English translation has caused confusion among fans.

• Phantasy Star IV’s “Very Funny” Line in Japanese

  One line in this scene always seemed "off" in the English script.

• Banjo-Kazooie’s Rhyming Text in Japanese

  Rhyming is less ubiquitous in Japanese, so how was this rhyming handled?

• Super Mario World’s “Special” Course Names in Japanese

  The secret courses were given all-new names in the English release.

• Pokémon’s Famous “Smell Ya Later” Phrase in Japanese

  What's the Japanese version of this classic Pokémon line?

• What the Temple Text Says in the Ace Attorney Games

  This game showcases decorative Japanese text that was left untranslated.

• Hunting for Games with Untranslated Credits

  Sometimes, staff credits remain untranslated in translated Japanese games.

• Suikoden’s Odd “Conversation Prohibited” Line in Japanese

  Short lines, when mistranslated, can lead to a surprising amount of confusion.

• What Do Those Untranslated Posters Say in Link’s Awakening?

  Nintendo forgot to translate certain things in this timeless classic.

• The Secret Talking Frog in Final Fantasy Games

  Final Fantasy games and talking frogs go way back, in different ways.

• Super Paper Mario’s “Complaining on Message Boards” Scene in Japanese

  We can see Nintendo's localization practices evolving in this 2007 game.

• Kingdom Hearts’ “Oh, You Speak English!” Line in Japanese

  She instead asks if you understand "Words" in the Japanese script.

• Breath of Fire’s Massage Scene in Japanese and English

  A clear example of Nintendo of America's content policies affecting translation.

• What the Tourist Lady Says in Pokémon X/Y

  This character speaks Japanese in the English game - what does she say?

• Personal Experiences as a Fan & Professional Translator

  My early-era experiences as a professional translator and a fan translator.

• Why the “Little Money” Line in Final Fantasy Tactics Is So Slow

  Why... is... this... line... so... absolutely... slow...?

• Mario Party Advance’s Comedy Routines in Japanese

  Dialogue-based comedy rarely translates well between languages.

• What’s the Difference Between Seppuku and Harakiri?

  Both words are basically the same, just one is more "formal" than the other.

• The Mysterious “Link, Zelda Is Your…” Line in A Link to the Past

  What was Link's uncle trying to say at the start of A Link to the Past?

• Learning Japanese & Becoming a Translator

  If you're considering learning Japanese, this might be useful but outdated info.

• Sabin’s Strange Narshe Line in Japanese Final Fantasy VI

  This strange line in the English translation always felt off somehow.

• Pearl Fey’s Gravy Accident in Japanese Ace Attorney

  Part of the mystery involves "curry" in Japanese and "gravy" in English.

• Thanatos’ New Name in Kid Icarus: Uprising’s Translation

  Tanatos gets a newly localized name in the middle of the English script.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Call These Legendary Pokémon?

  Raikou, Entei, and Suicune... Are they dogs, cats, or something else?

• Examining the Creepy Secret Message in Sonic CD

  The Japanese text says "Infinite Fun - Sega Enterprises- Image by Majin"

• What the Monado Symbols Mean in Xenoblade

  All the Monado symbols have actual meanings in Japanese.

• What All Those Foreign Signs in Street Fighter II Say

  So many countries, so many languages, and so many signs to read.

• How “Control Code” Mistakes Can Wreck a Game Translation

  Translators must also deal with text formatting and messy logic control codes.

• Tales of Vesperia’s Japanese Speech Styles & English Typos

  Let's look at some tidbits of trivia regarding this game's translation.

• The Dr. Robotnik & Eggman Names in Japanese Sonic Generations

  A reverted name change can cause "alignment" problems with the source material.

• English-Language Retro Games with Japanese Text Options

  Even Super Metroid included a Japanese language option back in 1994!

• Encountering Japanese Ellipses in English Translations

  Play any Japanese game and you'll likely encounter an avalanche of ellipses.

• Link’s Awakening’s “Disco Inferno” Reference in Japanese

  This Western pop-culture reference isn't present in the Japanese script.

• What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Metroid: Other M?

  Changes to the classic Metroid formula made this a polarizing game for fans.

• Keeping Samus’ Identity a Secret in Japanese Metroid 1

  The English manual called Samus a "he" - and so did the Japanese manual.

• Frog’s Speaking Style in Japanese Chrono Trigger

  Frog speaks in a "ye olde" style in English, but not in Japanese.

• Unexpected American Pop Culture References in Classic Japanese Games

  Classic Japanese games sometimes feature Western pop-culture references.

• How to Pronounce Ryu’s Name

  The language barrier has plagued Ryu's name for decades now.

• Shadowgate’s Japanese Translation is Considered Legendarily Bad

  Let's briefly see why Japanese gamers love to make fun of this American classic.

• The Translation Origin of the Metroid Series’ “Varia Suit”

  The famous "Varia Suit" was originally the "Barrier Suit" in Japanese.

• Why Yoshi Is Sometimes Called “Yossy” in Japan

  Japan uses its own unique method to spell Japanese words using English letters.

• Street Fighter II’s “Family Man” Line in Japanese

  Edge cases always pose a problem in translations of multi-purpose game text.

• Super Mario World is Considered “Super Mario Bros. 4” in Japan

  The game's Super Famicom box includes "Super Mario Bros. 4" on the front cover.

• Official & Unofficial Danganronpa Translations Lead to Fan Disagreement

  Multiple "competing" translations is a recipe for easy fan frustration.

• Kefka’s Famous “Son of a Submariner” Line in Japanese Final Fantasy VI

  One of Kefka's many famous scenes involves a castle that is also a submarine.

• Bad Dudes’ Famous “Are You a Bad Enough Dude” Line in Japanese

  This famous game quote remains timeless, despite feeling so very 1980s.

• Development Connections Between Final Fantasy IV, Secret of Mana, & Chrono Trigger

  They were all sort of the same game at different points in development.

• Zelda II’s Infamous “I Am Error” Line in Japanese

  Surprisingly, this line isn't a mistranslation after all.

• Resident Evil’s Famous “Jill Sandwich” Scene in Japanese

  Was this sarcasm added to the English script, or was it in Japanese too?

• Writing a Final Fantasy Fanfic for a Translation Job Application

  When I applied for a job at Square in 2002, I didn't expect this on the test!

• Garland’s Famous “I Will Knock You All Down!” Line in Japanese Final Fantasy

  This classic bad translation from the NES era still survives today!

• Long Ago, Pokémon Married People All the Time

  The English and Japanese scripts explain this historical fact differently.

• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night’s “Miserable Pile of Secrets” Scene in Japanese

  "What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets." wasn't in the original text.