Memes and References in Video Game Translations
Pop culture references and Internet memes sometimes get added into game translations. Here are many examples.
How to Tell the Difference Between Chinese and Japanese Writing
If you don't know Chinese or Japanese, these easy tips will help you differentiate the two.
What Does Japan Think of Little Mac in Smash Bros.?
Punch-Out was never quite a smash hit in Japan, so what was the response to Little Mac's Smash Bros. announcement?
Final Fantasy VI Translation Comparison (Part 9)
Lots of strange translation issues pop up as major story events unfold. Also, Mog.
The Japanese Word “Okama” in Video Game Translations
This controversial word appears often in Japanese games - here's how it's been handled in translation since the 1990s.
Fat, Beauty, and A Link Between Worlds’ Localization
In Japanese, a queen loses her beauty when she grows fat. This changed in English... but how?
What Happens When PETA, Super Mario, and Game Localization Collide
Can controversy be localized? And can controversial parodies be reverse-localized?
How Symphony of the Night’s “Miserable Pile of Secrets” Scene Works in Japanese
This game features one of the most famous video game quotes of all time. But what did it originally say in Japanese?
How the Resident Evil 5 Door Pun Is Handled in Japanese
What does a sarcastic one-liner in English look like in Japanese?
How “Control Code” Mistakes Can Wreck Game Translations
Game translation involves more than just text. If you're not careful, you could end up with problems like these.