If you’re looking for something entertaining to read, I’ve listed some personal recommendations below.
Famous Quotes
![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")
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.
![Final Fantasy IX’s Famous “No Cloud nor Squall” Line in Japanese]( "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.
![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")
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.
![Resident Evil’s Famous “Jill Sandwich” Scene in Japanese]( "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?
![River City Ransom’s Famous “BARF!” Quote in Japanese]( "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.
![The Infamous “Retard” Line in Japanese Final Fantasy VII]( "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!".
![Zelda II’s Infamous “I Am Error” Line in Japanese]( "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.
Pop Culture & Entertainment
![Examining Japanese Comedy in The Goonies II’s Script]( "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".
![Filler English Text in Japanese Entertainment]( "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.
![Secret of Mana’s “Abe Lincoln” Reference in Japanese]( "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.
![The Famous Stand By Me Reference in Pokémon]( "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.
![The Many Michael Jackson Parody References in Yakuza 0]( "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.
What Do They Think?
![What Do Japanese Fans Think of the 1993 Super Mario Bros. Movie?]( "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.
![What Do Japanese Fans Think of the Leaked Pokémon Spaceworld Demo?]( "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."
![What Do Japanese Gamers Think of American Super Mario Bros. 2?]( "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.
![What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Banjo-Kazooie in Smash Bros.?]( "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?
![What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Sekiro’s English Translation?]( "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?
![What Do Japanese Gamers Think of Shaq Fu?]( "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?"
Entertaining Discoveries
![Breath of Fire’s Massage Scene in Japanese and English]( "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.
![Gato’s Name and Song in Japanese Chrono Trigger]( "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.
![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")
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.
![How Tales of Phantasia’s “Ragnarok” Became “Kangaroo” in Translation]( "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.
![Is This Pokémon Couple as Suggestive in Japanese?]( "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.
![Long Ago, Pokémon Married People All the Time]( "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.
![MOTHER 3’s Timeline of Hope]( "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")
New Discoveries About EarthBound’s Development and Localization
So many ideas were cut from the final versions of MOTHER 2/EarthBound.
![Nintendo’s Official & Unusual French Translation of Zelda II]( "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.
![Super Mario RPG’s Culex in Japanese]( "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.
![Super Mario World’s “Special” Course Names in Japanese]( "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.
![The Many Translations of the “Lost Woods”]( "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.
![The Translation Origin of the Metroid Series’ “Varia Suit”]( "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.
![What All Those Foreign Signs in Street Fighter II Say]( "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.
![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")
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.
Amusing Translation Choices
![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’s Infamous “Confirm the Origin of Fire” Line in Japanese
Harvest Moon is synonymous with weird English translations like this.
![Horizon Zero Dawn’s “Grizzly” Joke in Japanese]( "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.
![Squall’s “Whatever” Line in Japanese Final Fantasy VIII]( "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.
![Surprising Swear Words in Game Translations]( "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.
![The Result of Poorly Localized Japanese Puns, in Action]( "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.
![The Shocking “Grilled Mormons” Sign in Takeshi’s Challenge]( "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.
![Viral & Memorable Mistranslations of Japanese Game News]( "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".
![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 the “Little Money” Line in Final Fantasy Tactics Is So Slow
Why... is... this... line... so... absolutely... slow...?
![Yakuza 0’s Famous “Fisting Artist” Line in Japanese]( "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".
