Game Localization and Nintendo of America’s Content Policies in the 1990s (NSFW)
Nintendo altered lots of games in the 1990s, but how did those changes affect Japanese games localized into English?
How Final Fantasy VI’s Secret “Scrap of Paper Scene” Works in Japanese
Banon has a somewhat secret line in Final Fantasy VI. What does he say in the Japanese version?
How Kefka’s Famous “Son of a Submariner” Works in Japanese
Final Fantasy VI features one of the series' most famous and iconic lines. But what did it originally say in Japanese?
I Had to Write a Final Fantasy Fanfic for Square
When I applied for a translation job at Square long ago, I didn't realize they'd ask me to write fan fiction!
Interview: Ted Woolsey (Super Play Magazine, Sep. 1994)
This classic interview covers Final Fantasy IV, V, and VI, Breath of Fire, Secret of Evermore, and more.
Localized Names in Video Games that Changed Later On
One side-effect of translation and localization is that established names can change at any time. Here are some examples from games.
Memes and References in Video Game Translations
Pop culture references and Internet memes sometimes get added into game translations. Here are many examples.
Religious Content Changes in Game Localizations
Game publishers have been changing religion-related content for decades. Now I'm compiling a list of examples here.
The Many Translations of the “Lost Woods”
Zelda, Mario, Pokémon, and many other games have the same forest name in Japanese, but not in English. Here's why.
This Be Bad Translation #09, Sloppy Mobile & PC Ports!
When classic games get ports or remakes, weird little mistakes sneak into their translations sometimes.