Legends of Localization
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All Articles  »  All Articles (newest to oldest)
  • MOTHER 3’s Timeline of Hope

    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

    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 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

    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

    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 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

    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

    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)

    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 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

    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

    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

    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?

    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

    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 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

    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 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Religious Content Changes in Game Localizations

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

  • Localization Roundup #11

    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

    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

    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.?

    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

    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

    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)

    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

    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

    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?

    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

    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

    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

    Tricky Translations #3: False Friends & Japanese Hips

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

  • Localization Roundup #10

    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

    Japanese Pop-Culture References in Cadash’s Secret Room

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

  • Localization Roundup #9

    Localization Roundup #9

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

  • Unusual English in Japanese Video Game Credits

    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 “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

    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)

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

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

  • Localization Roundup #8

    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?

    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

    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

    Redundant translations in Japanese entertainment.

  • Localization Roundup #7

    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

    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

    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

    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

    A Popular American Infomercial, Localized into Japanese

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

  • Metric System Localizations in Japanese Entertainment

    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”

    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

    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

    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?

    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?

    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?

    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

    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?

    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?

    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

    Horizon Zero Dawn’s “Grizzly” Joke in Japanese

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

  • Localization Roundup #6

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Tricky Translations #1: Maou & Daimaou

    These simple Japanese terms can be translated many different ways.

  • Localization Roundup #4

    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

    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

    Surprising Swear Words in Game Translations

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

  • Localization Roundup #3

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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 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!

    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

    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 “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”

    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?

    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 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

    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

    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-

    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

    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

    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)

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    The Famous Stand By Me Reference in Pokémon

    This classic American movie is widely celebrated in Japan.

  • Super Mario RPG’s Culex in Japanese

    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

    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

    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?

    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 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

    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

    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

    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

    Medabots’ Weird Tickle Bots in Japanese

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

  • The Censored Egg Tart of Ar Nosurge

    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

    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” 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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?

    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?

    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?

    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’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.?

    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 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”

    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

    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?

    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.?

    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

    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?

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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

    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

    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

    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’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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Hunting for Games with Untranslated Credits

    Sometimes, staff credits remain untranslated in translated Japanese games.

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

    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?

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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 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

    Mario Party Advance’s Comedy Routines in Japanese

    Dialogue-based comedy rarely translates well between languages.

  • What’s the Difference Between Seppuku and Harakiri?

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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

    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’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

    Unexpected American Pop Culture References in Classic Japanese Games

    Classic Japanese games sometimes feature Western pop-culture references.

  • How to Pronounce Ryu’s Name

    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

    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 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

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I'm taking a relaxed break from Legends of Localization at the moment, but I still plan to add more articles and comparisons from time to time.

I'll also slowly be improving and updating various sections of the site. During these times, pages, links, and images will surely break somewhere - I apologize in advance. I've also turned off comments for now until I can reasonably keep up with them again.

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Explore the history of bad game translation and weird fighting game quotes!

Legends of Localization

You know how the news media (and general audiences) get games, science, and technology stuff wrong all the time? I feel the same way when it comes to entertainment and video game translation, so I decided to use my professional experience to shed light on this mysterious topic.

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