![Common Problems When Translating Games into Japanese]( "Common Problems When Translating Games into Japanese")
Common Problems When Translating Games into Japanese
Terrible things can happen when you try to translate your game into Japanese - here's how to avoid disaster.
![EarthBound / MOTHER 2 Translation Comparison: Fourside]( "EarthBound / MOTHER 2 Translation Comparison: Fourside")
EarthBound / MOTHER 2 Translation Comparison: Fourside
Get lost in the metropolis of Fourside, which is also brimming with localization thingies!
![How Did Japanese Fans React to the Greninja Smash Bros. Update?]( "How Did Japanese Fans React to the Greninja Smash Bros. Update?")
How Did Japanese Fans React to the Greninja Smash Bros. Update?
The announcement of this ninja character had Smash Bros. fans curious about fans in other countries.
![How Palutena’s Name Works in Japanese and English]( "How Palutena’s Name Works in Japanese and English")
How Palutena’s Name Works in Japanese and English
This is a great example of why translating names between cultures, languages, and eras is a challenge.
![Localized Names in Video Games that Changed Later On]( "Localized Names in Video Games that Changed Later On")
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.
![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 one game translation for 23 years.
![The Phrase “Game Set” in Japanese Video Games]( "The Phrase “Game Set” in Japanese Video Games")
The Phrase “Game Set” in Japanese Video Games
This peculiar phrase appears in many of Masahiro Sakurai's video games. Is it his signature text, or something else?
![These Are the Japanese Boxing Ring Aliases in Smash Bros. Wii U]( "These Are the Japanese Boxing Ring Aliases in Smash Bros. Wii U")
These Are the Japanese Boxing Ring Aliases in Smash Bros. Wii U
All the characters have silly boxer nicknames... and they're different in every version of the game!
![Tricky Translations #3: False Friends & Japanese Hips]( "Tricky Translations #3: False Friends & Japanese Hips")
Tricky Translations #3: False Friends & Japanese Hips
Jumping between languages is a tricky process. Here's one type of trap that fools every translator at least once.
![Viral and Memorable Mistranslations of Japanese Game News]( "Viral and Memorable Mistranslations of Japanese Game News")
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.
