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Post by spiffsneed on Jan 2, 2024 18:50:03 GMT -5
I recently came across a couple of PS2 games that are part of the long-running Choro Q series in Japan that were localized as absolutely befuddling titles in North America, which completely obfuscates their being part of the Choro Q series, and it made be think about titles that are part of a series but are localized as unrelated/independent titles. This can be a bit frustrating, as it usually makes good games look like complete trash to be avoided, so I thought it would be cool to have a thread calling out these titles. Road Trip / Choro Q HG 2 (PS2)   This one takes the Choro Q games into open-world/RPG-esque territory. --- Seek & Destroy / Shin Combat Choro Q This one's honestly hilarious to me, because it goes from tiny cartoon tanks to one giant, realistic tank and two American flags. Post 9-11 jingoism at its finest. --- Mobile Light Force / Gunbird (PS1)  Sure, why wouldn't we localize an anime-ass shmup as a... Charlie's Angels game? --- Mobile Light Force 2 / Shikigami no Shiro   Once again, an anime-ass shmup (from a totally different series) localized as... the same Charlie's Angels-type art.
What other bizarrely localized titles are out there?
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Post by toei on Jan 2, 2024 19:31:51 GMT -5
During the PS2 era several European publishers specialized in budget games, many of which were originally from the Japanese Simple 2000 series. The PAL titles never acknowledge this, though, nor did they bother being consistent with their titles or coherent with their covert art.
The first Oneechanbara came out as "Zombie Zone" in Europe. The improved version with an extra character became "Zombie Hunters". I think "Zombie Hunters 2" is Oneechanbara 2, not sure.
The first Earth Defense Force was "Monster Attack", the second "Global Defense Force".
None as bad as Mobile Light Force 2 reusing a cover that has nothing to do with the game while falsely making it the sequel to an unrelated game with the same cover that also had nothing to do with the game. That has to be the most "we don't give a shit about these games at all" move from a publisher ever.
Also, found this chart of the Choro Q series' bastardized titles:
Japan US Europe
Choro Q HG Gadget Racers Penny Racers
Choro Q HG 2 Road Trip Road Trip Adventure
Choro Q HG 3 Cancelled Gadget Racers
Choro Q HG 4 ChoroQ ChoroQ
Shin Combat Choro Q Seek and Destroy Seek and Destroy
You couldn't do worse on purpose. "Gadget Racers" is Choro Q 1 in the US and 3 in Europe!
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Post by Sarge on Jan 3, 2024 17:11:55 GMT -5
Haha, yeah, some of those localizations were like... what? I think I have Mobile Light Force 2, not sure on MLF1, but it's funny you bring that game up since I just finished playing it on Saturn. Fun shooter!
I have Road Trip, don't remember if I have Gadget Racers, but the Choro Q games have always had some appeal to me - I should stick with one a bit longer than I usually do.
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Post by Ex on Jan 3, 2024 21:57:31 GMT -5
Hard to beat the complete WTF of PS2 Super Puzzle Bobble's confusingly localized artwork: Original Japanese cover Localized USA cover |
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Post by toei on Jan 3, 2024 22:14:42 GMT -5
That looks like a rejected Sega Genesis ad from 1993. They would've probably added crazy hair on the baby to imply that he'd just received an electric shock from the game's raw attitude.
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Post by anayo on Jan 6, 2024 16:19:41 GMT -5
"Angry Kirby" is more or less a meme in retro gaming world by now.   A year or so ago, some Sega corporate confidential briefings from 1996 got scanned and posted online. There's a part where Tom Kalinske said something like, "Why is SoJ's NiGHTS into Dreams targeting such a young audience? Can we do anything to make it edgier before it comes out in America?" The Sega Saturn YouTuber Pandamonium likened this to Nintendo's "Angry Kirby". |
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Post by toei on Jan 6, 2024 17:46:20 GMT -5
Nights was never going to be a console seller, that's for sure. It's a quirky game with niche gameplay and an interesting dreamlike atmosphere. I don't think it's particularly aimed at "very young children" or whatever, but it doesn't have mass appeal.
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Post by anayo on Jan 6, 2024 19:02:38 GMT -5
Nights was never going to be a console seller, that's for sure. It's a quirky game with niche gameplay and an interesting dreamlike atmosphere. I don't think it's particularly aimed at "very young children" or whatever, but it doesn't have mass appeal. Critics loved NiGHTS in 1996. The vibe seemed to be, "If Saturn owners can look forward to games like NiGHTS, then maybe the Saturn has a bright future ahead of it." I am so glad that Tom Kalenske did not "angry Kirby"-ify NiGHTS. It is a little childish, but to me that makes it ballsy. It's cheesy as hell, but also genuine, self-confident, and totally unconcerned with what haters would think. I admire that about it. |
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Post by toei on Jan 6, 2024 19:16:40 GMT -5
Critics don't matter. They praise what they're supposed to praise. Mass audiences weren't going to flock to Nights. I like the aesthetics and atmosphere but it's a little strange for the mainstream audience and the gameplay is both limited and non-violent, so... nah. It has "cult hit" written all over it. Burning Rangers had no "smash hit" potential either. I think the gaming media and Sega itself assumed that because it was Sonic Team - a prestigious name at the time - these had to be pushed as Sega's system-sellers, but they just weren't the games for that. And Sonic Team was always Sega's worst internal studio, but that's a different matter. I agree that trying to angrify/Americanize Nights wouldn't have done any good either.
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Post by bonesnapdeez on Feb 12, 2024 17:21:11 GMT -5
This poor Japanese golfer was replaced by a ROBOT during localization.   |
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