Series That Dropped Their Localised Name
A list of game series that were initially released under a localised name and dropped it for the original name at some point. Dates of release for games that reverted to the original title are for the region in question, so may not match up with the initial release date in the home region. Feel free to call out more!
14 Games
Initially released in North America as Yumi's Odd Odyssey, a PS Vita port was later released under the original Japanese title of Sayonara Umihara Kawase++ (2018).
Reverted to the original Japanese title of Like a Dragon with the release of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023).
Reverted to using the original Japanese title of Sengoku Basara with the English release of Sengoku Basara 3, localised as Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (2010).
Reverted to using the original full Japanese title of Taiko no Tatsujin with the release of Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session (2017).
Released in Europe as Sly Raccoon, subsequent entries in NA and EU used the shortened title of Sly until reverting with the release of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (2013).
Contributed by 87th
Contributed by 87th
Released as Tony Hawk's Skateboarding in the UK, NZ, Australia, and parts of Europe. Reverted (haha) to the original US title of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater with the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000).
Contributed by 87th
Contributed by 87th
Released in Japan as Tomb Raiders. Reverted to the original English title with the release of Tomb Raider II (1998).
Contributed by 87th
Contributed by 87th
Initially released in arcades as Air Combat, the PS1 remake/sequel was titled Ace Combat in Japan but retained the Air Combat name in other territories. All territories reverted to using Ace Combat with the release of Ace Combat 2 (1997).
Contributed by 87th
Contributed by 87th
Initially released in PAL regions as Starwing and then Lylat Wars, reverted to the original title of Star Fox with the release of Star Fox Adventures (2002).
Contributed by letshugbro
Contributed by letshugbro
Reverted to the original Japanese title Hebereke with the European release of Hebereke's Popoon (1994).
Contributed by 87th
Contributed by 87th
Released in Europe as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, which was the franchise's name in the UK and some EU countries for several years. Reverted with the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003).
Contributed by 87th
Contributed by 87th
Released in European arcades as Gryzor and in PAL regions on the NES as Probotector. Reverted to the original Japanese title of Contra with the release of Contra: Legacy of War (1997).
Reverted to the original Japanese title of Dragon Quest with the release of Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2005).
Contributed by thebirdnerd
Contributed by thebirdnerd
Released in arcades outside Japan as Nemesis. Reverted to using the original Japanese title of Gradius with subsequent home releases, beginning with the NES port of Gradius (1986).
Contributed by 87th
Contributed by 87th
14 Comments
I'd say it's notable but probably doesn't count since it was still released under the Kirby franchise name - Sengoku Basara's entry on the list has a localised name for SB3 but still retains the Basara franchise branding.
Was Air Combat ever released in Japan under the name Ace Combat? Only ever seen it namechecked as Air.
Was Air Combat ever released in Japan under the name Ace Combat? Only ever seen it namechecked as Air.
Also technically doesn't fit on this list but worth mentioning an inverse example: the first North American releases of the Super Robot Taisen games used that title, same as Japan, but then switched to the localised Super Robot Wars!
Starwing/Lylat Wars -> Starfox
Cheers - should have remembered that one!
Another one that doesn't belong on the list but is weird enough to mention anyway: Judge Eyes now presumably just using its English localisation name from now on with the release of Lost Judgment.
Dragon Quest was called Dragon Warrior in the US all the way up until 2005, and then they started to use the original Dragon Quest name
Bionic Commando was known as Top Secret in Japan for a few games but then Capcom just called it Bionic Commando over there as well— I don’t know the full history but I know there’s a giant mess when it came to what the games were called in the US and Japan
Contra reminded me about Nemesis/Gradius.
Air Combat seems like an awkward example, as the PS1 launch title was released as "Ace Combat" in Japan, but was a port of the 1993 arcade game that was known as "Air Combat" globally.
https://psxdatacenter.com/games/J/A/SLPS-00061.html
https://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/180800087
Air Combat seems like an awkward example, as the PS1 launch title was released as "Ace Combat" in Japan, but was a port of the 1993 arcade game that was known as "Air Combat" globally.
https://psxdatacenter.com/games/J/A/SLPS-00061.html
https://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/180800087
a weird inversion is Ninja Gaiden being Ninja Ryukenden in Japan, but reverting TO the localized name for Ninja Gaiden 2004, since it actually was a side-story for DOA.
According to the Ace Combat wiki, the PS1 release of Air Combat wasn't a straight port and ended up being a remake/sequel of sorts due to hardware limitations - definitely awkward but I'd say it can go on.
That Ninja Gaiden inversion is great!
That Ninja Gaiden inversion is great!
Sorry to jump in yet again, but I just remembered the European "Sly Raccoon"
"Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" might qualify too
"Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" might qualify too
Both good! The TMNT one especially, means I get to read up on the entire history of the BBFC's crusade against nunchaku again
the name Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle makes me squirm in bed
87th
1 year ago
Air Combat/Ace Combat
Tony Hawk's Skateboarding/Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
The Japanese "Tomb Raiders"/Core's original title, "Tomb Raider"
Does Kirby's Adventure Wii/Kirby's Return to Dreamland qualify for the upcoming Switch release in Europe?