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....

Europe: Universal Gravitation
USA: Topsy-Turvy
USA: Starfox 64
Europe: Lylat Wars

Found on Reddit: To give some background: There was a German company named StarVox at the time, and because the V is pronounced like an F in German, Nintendo had to rename their Star Fox games for a while. However, at some point this company apparently went defunct, so Nintendo could use the Star Fox name in PAL regions as well.
USA: Starfox
Europe: Starwing

Found on Reddit: To give some background: There was a German company named StarVox at the time, and because the V is pronounced like an F in German, Nintendo had to rename their Star Fox games for a while. However, at some point this company apparently went defunct, so Nintendo could use the Star Fox name in PAL regions as well.
Japan: Aleste
USA & Europe: Power Strike.

Interestingly this got a sequel called Power Strike II in Europe and Brazil only which was never an Aleste game and is different to Power Strike II on the Game Gear which was GG Aleste II renamed again.
Japan: GG Aleste II: Lance Bird
USA & Europe: Power Strike II.

Not to be confused with Power Strike II on the Master system.
Europe: Super Aleste
USA: Space Megaforce
Japan: Bumpy Trot
Worldwide: Steambot Chronicles
Japan: Like a Dragon (Ryū Ga Gotoku)
Worldwide: Yakuza

This is now 'Like a Dragon' in every region for the series since the Ishin remake in 2023.
Japan: Zero
Europe / Australia: Project Zero
USA: Fatal Frame

Listing this one game for the whole series:

From the Fatal Frame Wiki The title "Fatal Frame" was only introduced in the overseas release of the game as a special camera shot. In the original, the equivalent camera shot was named "Zero" shot, which was consistent with the Japanese title. In Europe and Australia it is called Project Zero, this is widely believed to be a mis-translation of the Japanese name Zero, also Project Zero was the name of the team which designed the game.
Japan: Sengoku Basara (Rough translation "Extravagant War"?)
USA & Europe: Devil Kings

The third game on Western release went to the Sengoku Basara name again with Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes
Europe: Canis Canem
USA: Bully

Latin for 'dog eat dog' apparently. The school motto.
USA: Dark Cloud 2
Europe: Dark Chronicle.

The first game released in Europe as Dark Cloud so an odd change this one.
Japan: Onechanbara
Europe: Zombie Zone
USA: Zombie Hunter
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!
Japan: Chikyuu Boueigun (Earth Defense Force)
Europe: Monster Attack
Japan: The Chikyū Bōeigun 2 (Earth Defense Force 2)
Europe: Global Defence Force

There was also a PSP port for this that the USA did get:

Europe & USA: Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space
USA: Shadow of Destiny
Europe & Japan: Shadow of Memories. (Shadou obu Memorīzu)

I love the backloggd listing being called shadow of Destiny but having the Shadow of Memories cover art.
Europe: Jet Set Radio
USA: Jet Grind Radio
Japan: Demon Castle Dracula (Akumajō Dracula)
Worldwide: Castlevania
USA: Castlevania: Dracula X
Europe: Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss
Europe: The Next Generation
USA: Bloodlines
Europe: The Story of Thor
USA: Beyond Oasis
Japan: Biohazard
Worldwide: Resident Evil

Inserting this game to represent the whole series.
Japan: Gradius
Worldwide: Nemesis

Original arcade release it was called Nemesis but has since been renamed to Gradius for subsequent releases and is generally now pretty consistent. The whole series has a history of confusing name differences between regions and systems.
Japan: Gradius Generation
USA: Gradius Galaxies
Europe: Gradius Advance.

Like, why?
Europe: Salamander
USA: Life Force
USA: Crusader of Centy
Europe: Soleil
USA: Contra Hard Corps
Europe: Gryzor then Probotector

Listing this for the whole series.

A lot of the Contra games were called Probotector in the EU. They also had the characters changed to robots to make them less violent. Same games otherwise though.
Japan: Crying: Sublife War (Crying: Aseimei Sensou)
USA & Europe: Bio Hazard Battle
Japan: Bare Knuckle
Worldwide: Streets of Rage
Japan: Dragon Quest
USA: Dragon Warrior

Possibly due to copyright with a Pen & Paper RPG at the time called Dragon Quest? Need to dig into it more.
USA: Trace Memory
Europe: Another Code

A collection of both games Another Code: Recollection was released for the Switch January 2024 uniting the series name worldwide.
USA: River City Ransom
Europe: Street Gangs

Part of a whole series in Japan known as Kunio Kun.
USA: Unwound Future
Europe: Lost Future
Europe: Professor Layton and Pandora's Box
USA: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
Europe: Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call
USA: Professor Layton and the Last Spectre
USA: Zaxxons Motherbase 2000
Europe: Motherbase
Japan: Parasquad
Europe: Alpha Waves
USA: Continuum
Europe: The Adventures of Tintin: the Secret of the Unicorn
USA: The Adventures of Tintin: The Game

Based on the film Secret of the Unicorn.
Japan: Lord of the King
USA & Europe: Astyanax

Astyanax is the son of Hector, and the crown prince of Troy in Greek Mythology.
Europe: Another World
USA: Out of this World
Japan: Outer World

From Wikipedia: The game was published in North America under the title Out of This World in order to avoid confusion with the popular but unrelated soap opera television series Another World. Coincidentally, the science fiction sitcom Out of This World aired at the same time as the game's USA-Canada release.

Newer releases of this has been unified as Another World but I'm not sure when this happened at the moment. Possibly 2006?

In 2006, Chahi released a PC remaster of Another World with some touched up graphics as Another World 15th Anniversary Edition (the same name across regions this time).
Europe: Castleween
USA: Spirits & Spells
USA & Japan: Elebits (Erebittsu)
Europe & Australia: Eledees (LEDs)
NA: Rhythm Heaven
Japan: Rhythm Tengoku Gold
Europe: Rhythm Paradise
Korea: Rhythm World
USA: Luigi's Mansion dark Moon
Everywhere Else: Luigi's Mansion 2
USA: Kirby Canvas Curse
PAL: Kirby Power Paintbrush
USA: Kirby Squeak Squad
PAL: Kirby Mouse Attack
USA: Kirby's Return to Dream Land
PAL: Kirby's Adventure Wii
USA: Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
PAL: Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush
Japan: Mother 2: Gīgu no Gyakushū
USA: Earthbound

Since the original Mother had not yet been released outside Japan, Mother 2 was called EarthBound to avoid confusion about what it was a sequel to.
Japan: Choro Q
Europe: Penny Racers
Japan: Choro Q HG
USA: Gadget Racers
Europe: Penny Racers
Japan: Choro Q HG2
USA: Road Trip
Europe: Road Trip Adventure
Japan: ChoroQ Wii
USA: Penny Racers Party: Turbo-Q Speedway
Japan: Shin Combat Choro Q
USA & Europe: Seek & Destroy
Japan: Ninja Ryukenden (Translates to Legend of the Dragon Sword)
USA: Ninja Gaiden
Europe: Shadow Warriors.

From Guel on Backloggd 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.

Both the first and second NES games were called Shadow Warrior & Shadow Warriors II: The Dark Sword of Chaos in Europe but merged to the cohesive Ninja Gaiden title with the third game Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.
USA: Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
Europe: Shadow Warriors II: the Dark Sword of Chaos

Both the first and second NES games were called Shadow Warrior & Shadow Warriors II: The Dark Sword of Chaos in Europe but merged to the cohesive Ninja Gaiden title with the third game Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.
Japan: Battle Mania
USA: Trouble Shooter
USA: Sonic 3D Blast
Europe: Sonic 3D Flickies Island
Japan: It's a wonderful world (Subarashiki Kono Sekai)
Everywhere else: The World Ends with you
Japan: The Legend of Zelda: The Triforce of the Gods
USA & Europe: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Japan: The Legend of Zelda: The Triforce of the Gods 2
Everywhere Else: The Legend of Zelda a Link Between Worlds
Japan: Exciting Pro Wrestling 6
USA & Europe: Smackdown vs Raw

Wikipedia: WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw (also known as Exciting Pro Wrestling 6 in Japan) It is the sixth installment of professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s video game series. The game series was rebranded after the introduction of the brand extension which divided WWE's roster into two brands, the latter brand in the game's title being named after WWE's weekly Monday Night Raw program.
Japan: Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers
USA & Europe: Persona 5 Strikers
USA: Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Europe: Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifers Call
Japan: Digital Devil Saga: The Avatar tuner
USA & Europe: Shin Megami Tensei Digital Devil Saga

The Digital Devil Saga (デジタル・デビル・サーガ, Dejitaru Debiru Saaga)?, also known as the Avatar Tuner series (アバタール・チューナー, Abataaru Chuunaa)
Japan: Digital Devil Saga: The Avatar tuner
USA & Europe: Shin Megami Tensei Digital Devil Saga

The Digital Devil Saga (デジタル・デビル・サーガ, Dejitaru Debiru Saaga)?, also known as the Avatar Tuner series (アバタール・チューナー, Abataaru Chuunaa)
Japan: Hokuto Ga Gotoku (Rough translation Like a North Star)
USA & Europe: Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise.

Made by Sega's Ryū Ga Gotoku studio they merged the Like a Dragon and Fist of the North star names in Japan but used a more regular anime title for the western release. I assume to avoid confusion.
Japan: Drag on Dragoon
USA & Europe: Drakengard

This applies to the whole series.
Like where to start here. Essentially it has 4 different names depending on system and region.

Due to trademark problems, when the home version was released in Japan it was renamed Layer Section. The Windows version was released outside Japan retaining this name, but when Acclaim published the Saturn version for the North American and European markets, it was renamed Galactic Attack. The game was also titled Gunlock in European arcades.

Japanese Arcades: Rayforce
European Arcades: Gunlock
Japanese consoles & Windows in USA: Layer Force
Sega Saturn USA & Europe: Galactic Attack
USA: Ratchet and Clank: going commando
Australia and most PAL territories: Ratchet and Clank Locked and Loaded
USA: Ratchet & Clank Up Your Aresenal
PAL and Africa: Ratchet & Clank 3
USA: Maximo Ghosts to Glory
Europe: Maximo
USA: Sin & Punishment Star successor
Europe: Sin & Punishment Successor of the Skies
Japan: Judge Eyes
PAL and USA: Judgment
Japan: Xenoblade (Japanese: ゼノブレイド, Zenobureido)
Worldwide: Xenoblade Chronicles
Europe: Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep
USA: Endless Ocean: Blue World
Japan: Forever Blue: Call of the Ocean (Forever Blue ( Tsū): Umi no Yobigoe)
Japan: Riglord Saga
Europe: Mystaria: The Realms of Lore
USA: Blazing Heroes.
Japan: EverGrace II
USA: Forever Kingdom
Japan: Bust A Move: Dance & Rhythm Action
USA: Bust a Move
Europe: Bust a Move
USA & Europe: Eternal Poison
Japan: Poison Pink (ポイズンピンク, Poizun Pinku),
Europe: 10,000 Bullets
Japan: Tsukiyo ni Saraba (ツキヨニサラバ, lit. "Moonlit Farewell")
USA: River King a wonderful Journey
Europe & Australia: Harvest Fishing
USA: Siren
Europe: Forbidden Siren
A little unsure on this one but from what I can tell it had two different named releases in the US? It could be Japan, I'm not sure.

Japan: Whip rush
USA 1: Whip Rush: Mystery of the planet Voltegas
USA 2: Whip Rush 2222AD: The Invasion of the Voltegians

"There are different box covers for each, but the game is identical and plays in English in both regions."
Japan: Kagero II: Dark Illusion (影牢II: Dark Illusion)

Europe & USA: Trapt
Japan: Metal Gear: Ghost Babel
USA & Europe: Metal Gear Solid
Japan: (Saturn) Drift King Shutokou 97
(PSX) Shutokou Battle: Drift King
USA: Tokyo Highway Battle
USA: Rush N Attack
UK: Green Beret
Japan: Shin Seikimatsu Kyūseishu Densetsu: Hokuto no Ken ("Fist of the North Star: The New Legend of the Post-Apocalyptic Messiah")
USA & Europe: Last Battle
Japan: Shin Shinobi Den ('New Shinobi Story' is what I found it translates as?)
Europe: Shinobi X
USA: Shinobi Legions
Japan: Eternal Arcadia (エターナルアルカディア , Etānaru Arukadia)
Europe & USA: Skies of Arcadia

27 Comments


2 months ago

Great list! I suspect it will grow quite large hahaha. This is a pretty obscure one, but what I have heard referred to as "the first 3D platformer" (no idea if this true) was called Continuum here in the US but Alpha Waves by you weirdos in the UK.

Happy Friday!!

2 months ago

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.

2 months ago

Crusader of Centy was not that name in Japan. It was Shin Souseiki Ragnacënty.

2 months ago

Fatal Frame was called Zero?? That's weirdly vague, the Western name is way more descriptive

2 months ago

@gare I know you've run into a few candidates for this list

2 months ago

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!

2 months ago

@thealexmott lmao

Astyanax/ The Lord of King
Bio Hazard Battle/ Crying

2 months ago

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

2 months ago

The naming differences of the Choro Q series between the US and Europe is a massive and confusing rabbit hole to fall down

2 months ago

Out of This World/ Another World

2 months ago

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.

2 months ago

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.

2 months ago

@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.

2 months ago

@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!

2 months ago

@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.

2 months ago

@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!

2 months ago

@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.

2 months ago

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

2 months ago

@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!

2 months ago

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

2 months ago

@Lemonstrade - I had Unwound Future on here but didn't know about the other two. Added them on thanks!

2 months ago

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

2 months ago

@ProudLittleSeal - Sorry for the late reply. Yes these are all perfect! Added them to the list thanks!

2 months ago

@FallenGrace Never worry 👌

2 months ago

Wasn't Xenoblade Chronicles originally named "Xenoblade" in Japan?

I think they added the "Chronicles" for the NA release

2 months ago

@Armakeen - That's a good one I didn't know. Checked it out and you seem 100% right. I added it on thanks!


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