Hey I've been teased and messed with and interfered with and messed with (yes, two times) anyways, I've been tired out by google search. Sometimes this page shows up, sometimes it doesn't. For now it is (showing up) and it might be to do with the info I got from this page (must be signed in to a google account to access it):
http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help-howdoi/browse_thread/thread/f11c69dbcb651d8b/8e144ad2640c01f1?lnk=gst&q=search+engines#8e144ad2640c01f1
but then again it might not be cause google search is strange and weird and supernatural and like that weird neighbour that looks at you funny and you don't know if he/she is angry at you and is plotting to kill you or just got his/her bills in the post or has constipation or just has a mean looking face but is actually not a bad sort after all. Well...just in case google search does respond to a logical approach that's the page/website that might help any blogger out there out who happens along this page somehow (remember you have to have a google account and be signed in to view such a secret squirrel page. Shh, secret squirrel.). And if it doesn't respond to logic then: "Alakazam, squirtle, poochyeena!". Also, may God have mercy on us all...
Well now that is over with (yeah right, I'll be talking about that again FOR SURE, this silly topic keeps on rising from the dead no matter how many magnum shots to the roof of the mouth it gets) (and no I'm not bitter about it, and it's not getting to me, not at all, I'm totally cool and calm and have no desire to beat myself with a grapefruit until my ears are full of juice...no not at all and anyone who even thinks different is a stupid head who nobody likes and is smelly). Yes ahh well anyways...uh yeah I'm looking forward to Yakuza 2. I got the first obasldaklsfhwjbfhsjbf Damn it this sucks I'm going now cause something happened: blandersnatchers!!!!
Japanese Voiced Game List
Japanese video games are often altered before being released to countries outside of Japan. The transition comprises various factors from censorship differences, gameplay 'tweaks' and perhaps the most important and time consuming factor, language translation. As with any translation process many nuances are lost in the process. Other media which make the journey from Japan to Western audiences, such as animation (anime) and some live action films, often provide the option to either listen to a dubbed over (usually English) voice or to consume the content in the original language with subtitles to interpret what is said. Video game media rarely includes the same option.
Why is it anime and films are treated differently to video games? The most obvious answer is the view that video games are consumed by children while film and anime is consumed by a more mature audience who desire a product that is as close to the original as possible. Dubbing media into another language is often done by second parties that have little connection to the original creators of the product. Even in the best of circumstances when the creators are involved in the process the transition from one language to another creates glaring gaps in the pacing and meaning of audio visual media. For example a one word sentence in Japanese may translate into a several word sentence in a Western language.
The same process occurred when Japanese animation (or anime as it is more generally known) was first brought to Western countries. Animation was primarily thought to be a children's media. Disney was the primary producer of animation in this period and their target audience were preteen children. Disney's success in this field cemented the image that animation was a media for children and thus childish. This view slowly but surely began to change with the increasing consumption of mature anime content by foreign fans. Eventually, due to the demands of said consumer, the standards governing anime distribution changed and subtitles were included as a standard option. In terms of consumer audience, video games have followed a similar trend. They were first produced for children but the target audience for video games has changed dramatically and rapidly.
Any media product that is deemed by its distributor as being aimed at children does not deserve to be subtitled. Proof of this mentality are the few examples of anime where there is no option for subtitles to be displayed and the audience has no choice but to listen to an English dub. These titles are aimed at children and usually are shown on free to air television. The lack of any option, even in the DVD release, to view these 'cartoons' in their original Japanese language places them firmly in the realm of children's media. On a side note (but perhaps a telling one), this trend also seems slightly conspiratorial in the sense that the Western television companies that purchase this media do not wish to promote the fact that they had nothing to do with the creation of the product and are merely 'onsellers'. By only offering an English voice actor dub they hope to take further ownership of the product and create an impression to any casual Western consumer that it is a Western product.
While the number of video games that make the trip from Japan to Western shores with their original Japanese voice intact is small at the moment, it is inevitable that just as anime and foreign films that make that same trip today have a subtitle option included as an almost universal standard, video games will follow the same trend. Video games are not products designed merely for children. One look at the top ten lists of video game sales will demonstrate that. 'Grand Theft Auto' is most definitely not aimed at children and it is only the most obvious of examples, one only needs to scratch the surface of the video game market to find others (many of them Japanese) that demonstrate this point. If video games are not products primarily aimed at children then why are there so few examples of them that make the transition from one of the most prolific producers of the media, Japan, that include their original voice actors with a subtitle option? Latency is the most obvious answer. Fans will demand the option just as they demanded it for films and anime. With the speed of information dissemination provided by the internet, and therefore the speed at which such fans can mobilise and demonstrate their displeasure at such omissions, such changes will most likely happen much faster than in the past, as the distributors of media products continue in their never ending chase to meet with the demands of the consumer.
While we sit back and wait for game publishers etc to get off their arses and put the option in all their games already! you can take a look at this list of video games that have publishers and owners and ceos or whatever that have a brain (no I'm not angry, not at all...) and have provided the option.
Bilingual option. Japanese VA. Hot sluts like sexiness. (: just some extra words to help out the search engines ;)
Game List
[ A ]
* Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Gust Publisher: Koei, Nippon Ichi Genre: Sprite RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Gust Publisher: Koei, Nippon Ichi Genre: Sprite RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: A sprite driven, classic RPG. Smatterings of dialogue throughout the game, mainly during story crucial cut scenes. There are also fight quotes when you enter battle. A fairly small amount of voiced dialogue. Translation is not great only passable.
* Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Gust Publisher: Koei, Nippon Ichi Genre: Sprite RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: Similar to previous incarnations, a classic sprite driven RPG. Only has speech in story critical sections, some incidental stuff like the introduction still has an English voice over. Some obvious changes have been made between what is said and what is subtitled.
[ B ]
* Blue Dragon
Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: Mistwalker, Artoon Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Genre: Anime RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: From an anime of the same name. The North American version features a choice between the English dub and the original Japanese voice track with English subtitles.
[C]
* Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer,Publisher: Konami Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - No
Translation Notes: Not positive about this one...
* Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Platform: DS / Developer,Publisher: Konami Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Fairly sure sorta...
Translation Notes: Nice and official and in the options menu, unlike the 'secret' option in the previous DS Castlevania title. Not a lot of voice stuff but it's a promising inclusion. If big companies like Konami are putting original voice options in their DS games it can only be a good thing for the future.
* Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Platform: DS Developer,Publisher: Konami Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Fairly sure sorta...
Translation Notes: Hold the 'L' button while selecting from the title menu, then select as usual. Not a ton of speech in terms of volume but whenever you change characters (which happens a lot) they shout out. A great inclusion. Don't miss it!
* Chaos Legion
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer,Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes? European - Unknown
Translation Notes: This is a strange one, you have to play through once to unlock the Japanese v/a but the weird thing is that the lip syncing is for the English voices... When you play with the Japanese voices the lips flap along with the English v/a so expect to be annoyed during cuts. Meh whatever, I hate it when you are forced to unlock the extra voice options, just give it to begin with! (Jeez I sure get annoyed at stupid things...)
[ D ]
* Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
Platform: PlayStation Portable Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: Atlus, Koei Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: A remake of Disgaea: Hour of Darkness from PS2 released on the PSP. Has new voiced content in the newly added story branches.
* Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: Nippon Ichi Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - No
* Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: Atlus, KOEI Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Dimps Publisher: Atari, Bandai Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: PAL Collector's Edition and Platinum Version included the Japanese voice option. North American NTSC release had this option with its 'Greatest Hits' re-release, there was a mistake with the game and the option was omitted from some game disks despite the instruction booklet and game box saying there was one. Go to the game page for more details. A very comprehensive Japanese voice option, with original voice actors and original anime music. Lots and lots of dialogue. Anyone who liked the original anime will almost certainly enjoy this translation since you can hear all the common expressions done by the original anime voice actors.
[ E ]
* Enchanted Arms
Platform: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 Developer: From Software Publisher: Ubisoft Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
* Eternal Sonata
Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: tri-Crescendo Publisher: Namco Bandai Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
[ G ]
* Genji: Dawn of the Samurai
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Game Republic Publisher: SCE Genre: Hack and slash Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: The characters speak Japanese automatically with English subtitles. There is no English voice over?
* GrimGrimoire
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Vanillaware Publisher: Nippon Ichi Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
[ H ]
* .hack// All four games in first series: 1/ .hack//Infection, 2/ .hack//Mutation, 3/ .hack//Outbreak, 4/ .hack//Quarantine
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: CyberConnect2 Publisher: Bandai Genre: Action RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: Although present in all versions, in the European release, a 'Game' has to be beaten once before the option is unlocked for that 'Game', and it will stay unlocked if the 'Save Data' is transferred to the next game. There was a B-side joke Japanese voice over in the original Japanese game but that was scrapped from the Western release. The second .hack game series, [.hack//G.U.], does not include a Japanese voice over option.
[ L ]
* Lost Odyssey
Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: Mistwalker, Feelplus Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
Translation Notes: Although designed by a Japanese game development team, the game characters lip sync to the English dub. The original Japanese game was released with both Japanese and English voices. These two factors cloud which dub should be considered the "original"...
[ M ]
* Megaman ZX
Platform: DS
Translation Notes: There are some cutscenes, these are in Japanese. You got no choice. Note that the second ZX in the series (Advent) has an English voice over, no Japanese. Thus proving once again that just because it's a sequel, it doesn't mean it's better... ;)
[ N ]
* Ninja Gaiden
Platform: Xbox Developer: Team Ninja Publisher: Tecmo Genre: Action-Adventure Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
* Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3
Platform: PS2 Developer,Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
* Naruto: Rise of a Ninja
Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: Ubisoft Montreal Publisher: Ubisoft Genre: Anime Fighting RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: This is a strange inclusion as it is a game developed outside of Japan. As the game was based on a world created by the popular 'Naruto' anime created in Japan, a downloadable patch was provided for fans who wish to listen to the original Japanese anime's voice actors play the parts of their respective characters in game.
[ O ]
* Odin Sphere
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Atlus, Vanillaware Publisher: Atlus, Square Enix Genre: Action RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Onimusha: Warlords
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - No
* Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - No
Translation Notes: The Japanese original game also has the option to display English subtitles with the Japanese voice over. Gameplay was changed from the original Japanese release.
[ P ]
* Project Justice
Platform: Dreamcast Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: Sequel to Rival Schools on PSX. Gameplay was altered dramatically from the original version. A custom fighter creator was omitted. Like its predecessor there is no Japanese voice option, it just comes with Japanese voices, no English ones. The translation is apparently a little better but not greatly. Many translations of the Japanese menus can be found on the net demonstrating fan displeasure at the local releases.
[ R ]
* Rival Schools: United by Fate
Platform: PlayStation Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: Many gameplay and translation changes from the original Japanese version. The game has been heavily censored and changed in the transition from Japan. There is no 'Japanese voice option' per se, the only voices provided are Japanese, there are no English voices.
* Riviera: the Promised Land
Platform: PlayStation Portable Developer: Sting Publisher: Atlus Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: This game started as a GBA game and got ported to the PSP. There is only a small amount of voiced dialogue.
[ S ]
* Shenmue II
Platform: Dreamcast Developer: Sega-AM2 Publisher: Sega Genre: Adventure/Fighting/RPG mix sorta thing Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Shinobido: Way of the Ninja
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Acquire Publisher: SCEE Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Not released European - Yes
Translation Notes: Large amounts of Japanese dialogue. Plus a lot of incidental quotes from enemies during play.
* Shinobido: Way of the Ninja
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Acquire Publisher: SCEE Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Not released European - Yes
Translation Notes: Large amounts of Japanese dialogue. Plus a lot of incidental quotes from enemies during play.
* SkyGunner
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: PixelArts Publisher: Atlus Genre: Flight Combat Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Not released?
* Sonic Adventure / Sonic Adventure DX
Platform: Dreamcast, GameCube Developer: Sonic Team Publisher: Sega Genre: Platformer Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: There is a Japanese VA option as well as a separate Japanese Text Mode, Proven in European PAL.
* Sonic Adventure 2 / Sonic Adventure 2 : Battle
Platform: Dreamcast, GameCube Developer: Sonic Team USA Publisher: Sega Genre: Platformer Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes?
Translation Notes: If you choose Japanese audio there are no subtitles included?
* Soulcalibur 3
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: There is a lot of voiced dialogue, lots of fight quotes, and all can be replayed in a character viewing mode. The subtitles are not 100% accurate but are quite good. A quality translation job all in all.
* Soul Nomad & the World Eaters
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: Nippon Ichi Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes?
* Super Smash Brothers Melee
Platform: GameCube Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
Translation Notes: Meh unsure about this one but pretty solid on it...follow up on Wii didn't include the option from what I can tell. Go figure...
[ T ]
* Tenchu: Fatal Shadows
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: K2 LLC Publisher: Sega Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Platform: PlayStation Developer: Acquire Publisher: Activision Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: The Japanese audio is only available via debug mode? It is only for characters in game, no intros etcetera. Debug mode: Pause games, hold L1 + R2 and then press in order – up, triangle, down, x, left, square, right, circle, then release L1 + R2 and press L1, R1, L2, R2, then wait, press Start, L2 + R2.
* Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: K2 LLC Publisher: Activision Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
[ V ]
* Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: tri-Ace Publisher: Square Enix Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Nope
[ Y ]
* Yakuza 2
Platform: Playstation 2 Developer: Amusement Vision Publisher: Sega Genre: Beat 'em up Translation Status: Everyone! Woo!
Translation Notes: There is no Japanese voice option in this game. You got no choice in the matter. It's a Japanese voice no matter what-no English voice over-cool. Well I spose you could turn down the sound on your TV or something thus making you have some sort of option or something. And so, this game makes the list...Just rememeber, the first Yakuza game, also on PS2, only has an English voice over, no Japanese except for the odd greeting by shopkeepers and the like floating around-not cool.
Any games I missed or if I messed up any info on the current list just click on the 'comments' button on the latest post and let me know. I'll add it whenever...
Why is it anime and films are treated differently to video games? The most obvious answer is the view that video games are consumed by children while film and anime is consumed by a more mature audience who desire a product that is as close to the original as possible. Dubbing media into another language is often done by second parties that have little connection to the original creators of the product. Even in the best of circumstances when the creators are involved in the process the transition from one language to another creates glaring gaps in the pacing and meaning of audio visual media. For example a one word sentence in Japanese may translate into a several word sentence in a Western language.
The same process occurred when Japanese animation (or anime as it is more generally known) was first brought to Western countries. Animation was primarily thought to be a children's media. Disney was the primary producer of animation in this period and their target audience were preteen children. Disney's success in this field cemented the image that animation was a media for children and thus childish. This view slowly but surely began to change with the increasing consumption of mature anime content by foreign fans. Eventually, due to the demands of said consumer, the standards governing anime distribution changed and subtitles were included as a standard option. In terms of consumer audience, video games have followed a similar trend. They were first produced for children but the target audience for video games has changed dramatically and rapidly.
Any media product that is deemed by its distributor as being aimed at children does not deserve to be subtitled. Proof of this mentality are the few examples of anime where there is no option for subtitles to be displayed and the audience has no choice but to listen to an English dub. These titles are aimed at children and usually are shown on free to air television. The lack of any option, even in the DVD release, to view these 'cartoons' in their original Japanese language places them firmly in the realm of children's media. On a side note (but perhaps a telling one), this trend also seems slightly conspiratorial in the sense that the Western television companies that purchase this media do not wish to promote the fact that they had nothing to do with the creation of the product and are merely 'onsellers'. By only offering an English voice actor dub they hope to take further ownership of the product and create an impression to any casual Western consumer that it is a Western product.
While the number of video games that make the trip from Japan to Western shores with their original Japanese voice intact is small at the moment, it is inevitable that just as anime and foreign films that make that same trip today have a subtitle option included as an almost universal standard, video games will follow the same trend. Video games are not products designed merely for children. One look at the top ten lists of video game sales will demonstrate that. 'Grand Theft Auto' is most definitely not aimed at children and it is only the most obvious of examples, one only needs to scratch the surface of the video game market to find others (many of them Japanese) that demonstrate this point. If video games are not products primarily aimed at children then why are there so few examples of them that make the transition from one of the most prolific producers of the media, Japan, that include their original voice actors with a subtitle option? Latency is the most obvious answer. Fans will demand the option just as they demanded it for films and anime. With the speed of information dissemination provided by the internet, and therefore the speed at which such fans can mobilise and demonstrate their displeasure at such omissions, such changes will most likely happen much faster than in the past, as the distributors of media products continue in their never ending chase to meet with the demands of the consumer.
While we sit back and wait for game publishers etc to get off their arses and put the option in all their games already! you can take a look at this list of video games that have publishers and owners and ceos or whatever that have a brain (no I'm not angry, not at all...) and have provided the option.
Bilingual option. Japanese VA. Hot sluts like sexiness. (: just some extra words to help out the search engines ;)
Game List
[ A ]
* Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Gust Publisher: Koei, Nippon Ichi Genre: Sprite RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Gust Publisher: Koei, Nippon Ichi Genre: Sprite RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: A sprite driven, classic RPG. Smatterings of dialogue throughout the game, mainly during story crucial cut scenes. There are also fight quotes when you enter battle. A fairly small amount of voiced dialogue. Translation is not great only passable.
* Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Gust Publisher: Koei, Nippon Ichi Genre: Sprite RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: Similar to previous incarnations, a classic sprite driven RPG. Only has speech in story critical sections, some incidental stuff like the introduction still has an English voice over. Some obvious changes have been made between what is said and what is subtitled.
[ B ]
* Blue Dragon
Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: Mistwalker, Artoon Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Genre: Anime RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: From an anime of the same name. The North American version features a choice between the English dub and the original Japanese voice track with English subtitles.
[C]
* Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer,Publisher: Konami Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - No
Translation Notes: Not positive about this one...
* Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Platform: DS / Developer,Publisher: Konami Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Fairly sure sorta...
Translation Notes: Nice and official and in the options menu, unlike the 'secret' option in the previous DS Castlevania title. Not a lot of voice stuff but it's a promising inclusion. If big companies like Konami are putting original voice options in their DS games it can only be a good thing for the future.
* Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Platform: DS Developer,Publisher: Konami Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Fairly sure sorta...
Translation Notes: Hold the 'L' button while selecting from the title menu, then select as usual. Not a ton of speech in terms of volume but whenever you change characters (which happens a lot) they shout out. A great inclusion. Don't miss it!
* Chaos Legion
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer,Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes? European - Unknown
Translation Notes: This is a strange one, you have to play through once to unlock the Japanese v/a but the weird thing is that the lip syncing is for the English voices... When you play with the Japanese voices the lips flap along with the English v/a so expect to be annoyed during cuts. Meh whatever, I hate it when you are forced to unlock the extra voice options, just give it to begin with! (Jeez I sure get annoyed at stupid things...)
[ D ]
* Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
Platform: PlayStation Portable Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: Atlus, Koei Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: A remake of Disgaea: Hour of Darkness from PS2 released on the PSP. Has new voiced content in the newly added story branches.
* Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: Nippon Ichi Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - No
* Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: Atlus, KOEI Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Dimps Publisher: Atari, Bandai Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: PAL Collector's Edition and Platinum Version included the Japanese voice option. North American NTSC release had this option with its 'Greatest Hits' re-release, there was a mistake with the game and the option was omitted from some game disks despite the instruction booklet and game box saying there was one. Go to the game page for more details. A very comprehensive Japanese voice option, with original voice actors and original anime music. Lots and lots of dialogue. Anyone who liked the original anime will almost certainly enjoy this translation since you can hear all the common expressions done by the original anime voice actors.
[ E ]
* Enchanted Arms
Platform: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 Developer: From Software Publisher: Ubisoft Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
* Eternal Sonata
Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: tri-Crescendo Publisher: Namco Bandai Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
[ G ]
* Genji: Dawn of the Samurai
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Game Republic Publisher: SCE Genre: Hack and slash Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: The characters speak Japanese automatically with English subtitles. There is no English voice over?
* GrimGrimoire
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Vanillaware Publisher: Nippon Ichi Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
[ H ]
* .hack// All four games in first series: 1/ .hack//Infection, 2/ .hack//Mutation, 3/ .hack//Outbreak, 4/ .hack//Quarantine
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: CyberConnect2 Publisher: Bandai Genre: Action RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: Although present in all versions, in the European release, a 'Game' has to be beaten once before the option is unlocked for that 'Game', and it will stay unlocked if the 'Save Data' is transferred to the next game. There was a B-side joke Japanese voice over in the original Japanese game but that was scrapped from the Western release. The second .hack game series, [.hack//G.U.], does not include a Japanese voice over option.
[ L ]
* Lost Odyssey
Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: Mistwalker, Feelplus Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
Translation Notes: Although designed by a Japanese game development team, the game characters lip sync to the English dub. The original Japanese game was released with both Japanese and English voices. These two factors cloud which dub should be considered the "original"...
[ M ]
* Megaman ZX
Platform: DS
Translation Notes: There are some cutscenes, these are in Japanese. You got no choice. Note that the second ZX in the series (Advent) has an English voice over, no Japanese. Thus proving once again that just because it's a sequel, it doesn't mean it's better... ;)
[ N ]
* Ninja Gaiden
Platform: Xbox Developer: Team Ninja Publisher: Tecmo Genre: Action-Adventure Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
* Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3
Platform: PS2 Developer,Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
* Naruto: Rise of a Ninja
Platform: Xbox 360 Developer: Ubisoft Montreal Publisher: Ubisoft Genre: Anime Fighting RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: This is a strange inclusion as it is a game developed outside of Japan. As the game was based on a world created by the popular 'Naruto' anime created in Japan, a downloadable patch was provided for fans who wish to listen to the original Japanese anime's voice actors play the parts of their respective characters in game.
[ O ]
* Odin Sphere
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Atlus, Vanillaware Publisher: Atlus, Square Enix Genre: Action RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Onimusha: Warlords
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - No
* Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - No
Translation Notes: The Japanese original game also has the option to display English subtitles with the Japanese voice over. Gameplay was changed from the original Japanese release.
[ P ]
* Project Justice
Platform: Dreamcast Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: Sequel to Rival Schools on PSX. Gameplay was altered dramatically from the original version. A custom fighter creator was omitted. Like its predecessor there is no Japanese voice option, it just comes with Japanese voices, no English ones. The translation is apparently a little better but not greatly. Many translations of the Japanese menus can be found on the net demonstrating fan displeasure at the local releases.
[ R ]
* Rival Schools: United by Fate
Platform: PlayStation Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: Many gameplay and translation changes from the original Japanese version. The game has been heavily censored and changed in the transition from Japan. There is no 'Japanese voice option' per se, the only voices provided are Japanese, there are no English voices.
* Riviera: the Promised Land
Platform: PlayStation Portable Developer: Sting Publisher: Atlus Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: This game started as a GBA game and got ported to the PSP. There is only a small amount of voiced dialogue.
[ S ]
* Shenmue II
Platform: Dreamcast Developer: Sega-AM2 Publisher: Sega Genre: Adventure/Fighting/RPG mix sorta thing Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Shinobido: Way of the Ninja
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Acquire Publisher: SCEE Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Not released European - Yes
Translation Notes: Large amounts of Japanese dialogue. Plus a lot of incidental quotes from enemies during play.
* Shinobido: Way of the Ninja
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Acquire Publisher: SCEE Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Not released European - Yes
Translation Notes: Large amounts of Japanese dialogue. Plus a lot of incidental quotes from enemies during play.
* SkyGunner
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: PixelArts Publisher: Atlus Genre: Flight Combat Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Not released?
* Sonic Adventure / Sonic Adventure DX
Platform: Dreamcast, GameCube Developer: Sonic Team Publisher: Sega Genre: Platformer Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: There is a Japanese VA option as well as a separate Japanese Text Mode, Proven in European PAL.
* Sonic Adventure 2 / Sonic Adventure 2 : Battle
Platform: Dreamcast, GameCube Developer: Sonic Team USA Publisher: Sega Genre: Platformer Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes?
Translation Notes: If you choose Japanese audio there are no subtitles included?
* Soulcalibur 3
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: There is a lot of voiced dialogue, lots of fight quotes, and all can be replayed in a character viewing mode. The subtitles are not 100% accurate but are quite good. A quality translation job all in all.
* Soul Nomad & the World Eaters
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: Nippon Ichi Genre: Tactical RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes?
* Super Smash Brothers Melee
Platform: GameCube Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Genre: Fighting Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Unknown
Translation Notes: Meh unsure about this one but pretty solid on it...follow up on Wii didn't include the option from what I can tell. Go figure...
[ T ]
* Tenchu: Fatal Shadows
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: K2 LLC Publisher: Sega Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
* Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Platform: PlayStation Developer: Acquire Publisher: Activision Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
Translation Notes: The Japanese audio is only available via debug mode? It is only for characters in game, no intros etcetera. Debug mode: Pause games, hold L1 + R2 and then press in order – up, triangle, down, x, left, square, right, circle, then release L1 + R2 and press L1, R1, L2, R2, then wait, press Start, L2 + R2.
* Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: K2 LLC Publisher: Activision Genre: Stealth action Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Yes
[ V ]
* Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Platform: PlayStation 2 Developer: tri-Ace Publisher: Square Enix Genre: RPG Regional Translation Status: North American - Yes European - Nope
[ Y ]
* Yakuza 2
Platform: Playstation 2 Developer: Amusement Vision Publisher: Sega Genre: Beat 'em up Translation Status: Everyone! Woo!
Translation Notes: There is no Japanese voice option in this game. You got no choice in the matter. It's a Japanese voice no matter what-no English voice over-cool. Well I spose you could turn down the sound on your TV or something thus making you have some sort of option or something. And so, this game makes the list...Just rememeber, the first Yakuza game, also on PS2, only has an English voice over, no Japanese except for the odd greeting by shopkeepers and the like floating around-not cool.
Any games I missed or if I messed up any info on the current list just click on the 'comments' button on the latest post and let me know. I'll add it whenever...
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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14 comments:
Great blog, great list! I haven't found anywhere else something similar, and I'm sure many people are searching for original japanese voice acting in console games.
I'm a PAL PS2 user, so I'm writing to confirm some stuff:
* The only games I got WITH japanese audio are ATELIER IRIS I/III and ODIN SPHERE
* Sadly, ONIMUSHA I/II, VALKYRIE PROFILE II, CHAOS LEGION do NOT offer such option, as they do in their NTSC versions. So I guess I'm gonna buy them again from USA :/
I know this info is already up in your blog, I just wanted to confirm it.
ALSO, I'll be getting the GRIMGRIMOIRE pal version very soon so I'm gonna give my report on this one as well.
Alright, I can confirm that GrimGrimoire (PAL) has japanese voices option as well!
PS: correction to my previous comment; i meant onimusha I/IV
Ar Tonelico II for PS2 offers option for Japanese voice as well.
We should do a similar list for PS3/X360/Wii.
Thanks for the list :D I was EXACTLY looking for this. It helps when I go out buying things.
I don't see the Ar Tonelico series (3 games, first 2 - PS2, 3rd - PS3)on the list. It was put out by NISA (and of course has dual audio). Not a favorite series of mine but some other will probably enjoy it :P
Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls (PSN) is entirely in Japanese (so no OPTION, BUT still a mention for those that want the JP voices anyways.) as is going to be Hakuoki (PSP) from Aksys Games.
Fragile Dreams has the voice option for English, Japanese and French as well as playing the game in that language as well.
Note: Ar Tonelico 2's Japanese voices were 'nerfed' in favor of the English ones because they ran out of space. So you'll have some voiced in Japanese and then cuts to the English.
ARC THE LAD 4: TWILIGHT OF THE SPIRITS
NTSC: NO
PAL: YES
unlocking the option after inputting a code; http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/582273-arc-the-lad-twilight-of-the-spirits/cheats
BREATH OF FIRE V: DRAGON QUARTER
It is said that Capcom has kept all the japanese voices in both pal and ntsc. Need to confirm this soon.
DYNASTY WARRIORS 3
NTSC: YES
PAL: NO
FORBIDDEN SIREN 2
NTSC: never released
PAL: YES
KUON (PS2)
NTSC: YES
PAL: YES
Btw, a correction about CHAOS LEGION
Both NTSC/PAL versions have the japanese language option, but ONLY after completing the game once. Most people only play a game once, so I guess it's as if there was no such option in the first place.
Hmmm... why was my correction post regarding VALKYRIE PROFILE 2 deleted? I was stating that both ntsc/pal versions lack the japanese voice option.
Was it because I was saying I bought the game twice to confirm that the ntsc release had (not) that option? Anyway...
YS: THE ARK OF NAPISHTIM (PS2)
NTSC: YES
PAL: NO
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