Regional name differences.
These can happen for a variety of reasons. Copyright issues or maybe cultural meanings where the translation isn't appropriate or sensical. At least I presume that's why....
93 Games
27 Comments
As an addendum when it comes to Trace Memory, with Another Code: Recollection’s release its just Another Code worldwide now. Also Castlevania is called Demon Castle Dracula in Japan.
This is the name for the 360 Tintin game in Europe: https://www.backloggd.com/games/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn/
NA release: https://www.backloggd.com/games/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-game/
NA release: https://www.backloggd.com/games/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-game/
Crusader of Centy was not that name in Japan. It was Shin Souseiki Ragnacënty.
Fatal Frame was called Zero?? That's weirdly vague, the Western name is way more descriptive
@gare I know you've run into a few candidates for this list
Since there's already a Castlevania on here, the SNES remake of Rondo of Blood is Castlevania: Dracula X in the US but Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss in Europe!
Got some more examples off the top of my head:
NA: Spirits & Spells
Everywhere else: Castleween
NA: Shadow of Destiny
Everywhere else: Shadow of Memories
PAL: Eledees
Everywhere else: Elebits
NA: Disaster Report
Japan: Zettai Zetsumei Toshi (translates as The Desperate City)
PAL: SOS: The Final Escape
Japan: Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 2: Itetsuita Kiokutachi (translates as The Desperate City 2: Frozen Memories)
Everywhere else: Raw Danger!
NA: Rhythm Heaven (DS)
Japan: Rhythm Tengoku Gold
Europe: Rhythm Paradise
Korea: Rhythm World
NA: Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Everywhere else: Luigi's Mansion 2
NA: Spirits & Spells
Everywhere else: Castleween
NA: Shadow of Destiny
Everywhere else: Shadow of Memories
PAL: Eledees
Everywhere else: Elebits
NA: Disaster Report
Japan: Zettai Zetsumei Toshi (translates as The Desperate City)
PAL: SOS: The Final Escape
Japan: Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 2: Itetsuita Kiokutachi (translates as The Desperate City 2: Frozen Memories)
Everywhere else: Raw Danger!
NA: Rhythm Heaven (DS)
Japan: Rhythm Tengoku Gold
Europe: Rhythm Paradise
Korea: Rhythm World
NA: Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Everywhere else: Luigi's Mansion 2
The naming differences of the Choro Q series between the US and Europe is a massive and confusing rabbit hole to fall down
Out of This World/ Another World
interesting one is Ninja Gaiden being Ninja Ryukenden in Japan until the 2004 game, which is Ninja Gaiden in every region as it IS technically a Ninja side-story of Dead Or Alive.
Only just got time to look at replies, thanks for all the input! Lots listed I own or have played and forgotten as well as some I've never heard of!
@cowboyjosh - Never heard of this game thanks! I think you mean it was called Alpha Waves and renamed Continuum for our Western hemisphere cousins :P
@zapRowsdower - This is true, I'll add it on the notes for Another Code thanks! I've owned these for years and must get around to actually playing them...I've added the original Castlevania to highlight the general name difference between Japan and the West rather than add it on Bloodlines which was a difference between Europe and the USA. Great suggestion.
@cowboyjosh - Never heard of this game thanks! I think you mean it was called Alpha Waves and renamed Continuum for our Western hemisphere cousins :P
@zapRowsdower - This is true, I'll add it on the notes for Another Code thanks! I've owned these for years and must get around to actually playing them...I've added the original Castlevania to highlight the general name difference between Japan and the West rather than add it on Bloodlines which was a difference between Europe and the USA. Great suggestion.
@Snigglegros - Thanks! Added. This one is an odd change. Some I get but what possible reason could there be to change this? It's based on the film.
@Angel_Arle - I've removed general Japanese references unless I want to highlight something specific.
@Angel_Arle - I've removed general Japanese references unless I want to highlight something specific.
@thealexmott - Yes strangely. I've added more in the notes as an addendum from the Fatal Frame wiki but apparently the game was called Zero as is one of the main attacks which is renamed to Fatal Frame for the western release but the team making the game were called Project Zero so it all got mixed.
@Dreamboat - Can't believe I missed that! Added thanks!
@Dreamboat - Can't believe I missed that! Added thanks!
@Gare - Wait what? Bio Hazard Battle was called Crying in Japan? I had no idea. I love that game and that name is both hilarious and off base.
@Jackier - Oh nice, I didn't know it had been named differently in the USA. Added thanks! Apparently there was a popular unrelated Soap Opera in the US called another World at the time is the reason.
@Jackier - Oh nice, I didn't know it had been named differently in the USA. Added thanks! Apparently there was a popular unrelated Soap Opera in the US called another World at the time is the reason.
@Drax - You're always a font of obscure information for these lists thanks. I can't believe I didn't think of Shadow of Memories or Disaster Report 1 and 2. I had no idea about the others though!
@PirateKingGabe - Great list of suggestions thanks! I've never played a single Kirby game so had no idea. Can't believe I forgot Earthbound....all added thanks!
@PirateKingGabe - Great list of suggestions thanks! I've never played a single Kirby game so had no idea. Can't believe I forgot Earthbound....all added thanks!
@Tangsphere - Good call. I've added half a dozen to highlight the crazy differences there. Not 100% sure but I think a lot of it came down to different publishers in between regions and in regions making the inconsistency.
@gruel - A little hard for me to highlight that however I will add it on the notes as you did remind me that Ninja Gaiden here on the NES in Europe was actually called Shadow Warriors for the first two games.
@gruel - A little hard for me to highlight that however I will add it on the notes as you did remind me that Ninja Gaiden here on the NES in Europe was actually called Shadow Warriors for the first two games.
Great list!
Here's few
WW: The world ends with you
JP: It's a wonderful world
WW: Link to the past and link between worlds
JP: Triforce of Gods 1-2
WW: Smackdown vs Raw series
JP: Exciting Pro Wrestling
WW: Sakura Wars
JP: Sakura Taisen
WW: Persona 5 Strikers
JP: Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers
WW: Digital Devil Saga
JP: Avatar Turner
WW: Fist of the North Star Lost Paradise
JP: Hokuto Ga Gotoku
WW: Drakengard
JP: Drag on Dragoon
Here's few
WW: The world ends with you
JP: It's a wonderful world
WW: Link to the past and link between worlds
JP: Triforce of Gods 1-2
WW: Smackdown vs Raw series
JP: Exciting Pro Wrestling
WW: Sakura Wars
JP: Sakura Taisen
WW: Persona 5 Strikers
JP: Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers
WW: Digital Devil Saga
JP: Avatar Turner
WW: Fist of the North Star Lost Paradise
JP: Hokuto Ga Gotoku
WW: Drakengard
JP: Drag on Dragoon
@Razil - Thanks! These sort of things are really fascinating to me as part of game development. I think those are all great suggestions. The only one I'm leaving off is Sakura Taisen as Sakura Wars is essentially the English Translation rather than an actual different title. I had no idea Digital devil Saga had a different name in Japan, that was really interesting!
Quite a few Layton games belong on here, there are some key differences in the European and American titles!
Layton 2
EU: Professor Layton and Pandora's Box
US: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
Layton 3
EU: Professor Layton and the Lost Future
US: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
Layton 4
EU: Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call
US: Professor Layton and the Last Spectre
Layton 2
EU: Professor Layton and Pandora's Box
US: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
Layton 3
EU: Professor Layton and the Lost Future
US: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
Layton 4
EU: Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call
US: Professor Layton and the Last Spectre
@Lemonstrade - I had Unwound Future on here but didn't know about the other two. Added them on thanks!
I've got some!
- R&C 2's called Going Commando in America, but over here it's Locked & Loaded
- R&C 3's called Up Your Arsenal in America, whereas over here it's just called 3
- Maximo has the subtitle Ghosts to Glory in America, but over here it's just called Maximo full stop
- The second Sin & Punishment's got the subtitle Star Successor in America, but over here it's Successor of the Skies
- R&C 2's called Going Commando in America, but over here it's Locked & Loaded
- R&C 3's called Up Your Arsenal in America, whereas over here it's just called 3
- Maximo has the subtitle Ghosts to Glory in America, but over here it's just called Maximo full stop
- The second Sin & Punishment's got the subtitle Star Successor in America, but over here it's Successor of the Skies
@ProudLittleSeal - Sorry for the late reply. Yes these are all perfect! Added them to the list thanks!
@FallenGrace Never worry 👌
Wasn't Xenoblade Chronicles originally named "Xenoblade" in Japan?
I think they added the "Chronicles" for the NA release
I think they added the "Chronicles" for the NA release
@Armakeen - That's a good one I didn't know. Checked it out and you seem 100% right. I added it on thanks!
cowboyjosh
2 months ago
Happy Friday!!