10 Examples of Untranslated Text in Video Game Localizations
Failing to translate everything is a common pitfall in game localization. These examples help explain why.
Bad Game Translation Hall of Fame
Let's take a look at the best of the worst English game translations of all time!
Did Secret of Mana Reference Final Fantasy VII?
Did Square sneakily reference two Final Fantasy VII characters years before the game's release?
Final Fantasy VI Translation Comparison (Part 6)
Let's examine translation differences and mistakes from Esper Terra to Zozo.
How a Quote in Final Fantasy IX Became More Famous in English Than Japanese
This beloved quote references two past Final Fantasy heroes. But what does it say in Japanese?
Japan’s Love Affair with Filler English Text
When you need a block of English text no one will read, just copy it from something crazy.
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.
The Final Fantasy VII “Retard” Line in Japanese
This is an infamous line in the English translation, but what did it say in the Japanese version?
The Problem with L, R, and Other Letters in Japanese Translation
There's actual logic behind all those Japanese game typos, and it goes beyond L and R.
Viral and Memorable Mistranslations of Japanese Game News
There are plenty of games with bad translations, but game *news* can get poorly translated too. Here are some examples.