Friday, 26 Jul 2024

12 Games We Want Localized

Last week, an exciting announcement was made for North American gamers – Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax will be coming to both PlayStation 3 and Vita. Developed by French Bread, this fighting game features popular anime characters and has generated a lot of buzz. The fact that it is being localized for the North American market is quite surprising given the licensing issues, but it is a clear indication of how the gaming industry has changed over the years. More and more games are now being localized, much to the delight of gamers.

There are still many games that we would love to see localized. To get a better understanding of our wish list, we reached out to the Game Informer editors and compiled a list of games that we believe should be localized. The games on our list range from old classics to new releases, and while some of them may actually get localized, there are others that might not.

Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth 2 (Capcom, DS 2011)

What is it?
Ace Attorney Investigations 2 brings back beloved prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, along with his partners Dick Gumshoe and Kay Faraday. Together, they unravel the mystery behind an assassination attempt on a foreign president. The gameplay remains unchanged as players investigate crime scenes and interview witnesses. The sequel introduces a new “chess logic” system, allowing players to accuse someone if they believe they have an advantage over them.

Chances of localization – Moderate –
The Ace Attorney series has found a home on the Nintendo eShop and the iOS app store. In interviews with Capcom, they have never ruled out the possibility of localization. While it is likely that the Great Ace Attorney will be localized first, there is still a chance for Ace Attorney Investigations 2 to be released on the eShop, especially considering the success of downloadable DS games in Japan.

Seiken Densetsu 3 (Square, SNES 1995)

What is it?
Seiken Densetsu 3 is the much-awaited sequel to Secret of Mana and offers two-player co-op. The game features three main stories, with the storyline determined by the characters chosen by players. It provides a more customizable character growth system compared to Secret of Mana, allowing players to choose which stats to level up and select new classes for their characters to enhance their skills and attributes.

Chances of localization – Very Low –
While there is a strong desire to have Seiken Densetsu 3 localized, Square Enix has primarily focused on games related to the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest franchises. It is unfortunate considering the potential success of Seiken Densetsu 3, but it seems unlikely that it will be prioritized for localization.

Mother 3 (Nintendo, GBA 2006)

What is it?
Mother 3 is the highly anticipated sequel to Earthbound on the Super Nintendo. The game follows the journey of Lucas as he tries to prevent the Pig Mask Army from destroying the world. The combat system in Mother 3 is unique, with damage being inflicted over time and the ability to attack multiple times depending on the rhythm of the battle music.

Chances of localization – Low –
Despite the strong demand from Nintendo fans for an official release of Mother 3, Nintendo has not directly acknowledged it, with only a surprise mention at last year’s E3. However, there is still hope, as the success of the Virtual Console release of Earthbound and the availability of GBA games on the Wii U Virtual Console might increase the chances of localization. In fact, a group of professional translators have already localized the game as fans and offered their translation to Nintendo for free in 2013.

Metal Wolf Chaos (From Software, Xbox 2004)

What is it?
Metal Wolf Chaos puts players in the role of the President of the United States, who must use a mech suit from the Oval Office to stop a rebellion led by the Vice President. The game features over-the-top English dialogues, while the menus are in Japanese. The gameplay is solid and offers a wide variety of weapons, including rockets, machine guns, and even explosive football launchers.

Chances of localization – Very Low –
There is a niche market for Metal Wolf Chaos’ unique and patriotic style of gameplay. If released, most fans would prefer to keep the original voice acting while only translating the menus. However, it is unlikely that companies will pursue the re-release of imported console Xbox games, and there is limited interest from the original publisher, Microsoft.

Valkyria Chronicles 3 (Sega, PSP 2011)

What is it?
Valkyria Chronicles 3 takes players back to the more serious tone of the first game and follows a penal military unit known as The Nameless. Unlike the previous games, the story and ending in Valkyria Chronicles 3 are influenced by the objectives players choose to pursue. The gameplay remains largely unchanged, but new systems such as Special Powers, Battle Potentials, and the ability to change characters’ classes are introduced.

Chances of localization – Moderate –
Valkyria Chronicles 3 presents an interesting opportunity for localization. The success of the Steam release of the first game has brought the series back into the limelight. However, Sega’s recent downsizing and uncertainty about their localization output makes it difficult to predict their future plans. Additionally, given the shift towards digital releases for PSP games, Valkyria Chronicles 3 might need to be released on a more popular platform before Sega decides to pursue localization.

Terranigma (Quintet, SNES 1995)

What is it?
Terranigma is the third installment in the Soul Blazer Trilogy. The game follows the story of a boy named Ark, who must bring humanity and the planet Earth back to life after a battle between God and the Devil destroys it. Terranigma features real-time combat and a unique magic system centered on one-time use magic items.

Chances of localization – Very Low –
Although an English version of Terranigma already exists, its release on the Wii U Virtual Console seems unlikely, especially considering that even the most popular game in the trilogy, Illusion of Gaia, has not been released on the Virtual Console. In order to be released, both Square Enix and Nintendo would need to be involved, making it a low priority at the moment.

Kururin Squash (Nintendo, Gamecube 2004)

What is it?
Kururin Squash is a charming game where players control a constantly rotating propeller to navigate through increasingly challenging obstacle courses. The objective is to avoid crashing into objects or walls, which damages the player’s craft. The GameCube edition of Kururin Squash offers power-ups, two campaigns, and various multiplayer modes.

Chances of localization – Very Low –
Kururin Squash is not well-known among gamers, and the lack of native GameCube support on the Wii U makes it less likely to be localized. Additionally, since the series seems to have concluded with the GameCube edition, there is currently no momentum for its release. The recently released game Roundabout, which acknowledges Kururin as an inspiration, is the closest we may get to a similar experience.

Fatal Frame V (Koei Tecmo, Wii U 2014)

What is it?
Fatal Frame V, the fifth installment of the series, focuses on people’s fear of wet and damp places. Set in a large mountainous environment, the game is filled with lakes, graveyards, and haunted Japanese buildings. Players use the Wii U Gamepad as a camera to reveal hidden entities and as a weapon against the vengeful spirits.

Chances of localization – Moderate –
Considering the need for Wii U game releases and the popularity of the Fatal Frame series, a localization for Fatal Frame V seems likely. Although an official announcement has not been made, it is possible that Nintendo might time the release to coincide with the Hollywood film or closer to Halloween to boost sales.

Visual Novels – Fate/Stay Night, Little Busters!, and Chaos;Head

What is it?
Visual Novels are a unique genre that often stretches the definition of a video game. Fate/Stay Night follows a young man thrust into the Holy Grail War, where mages and heroes from history battle for the wish-granting chalice. Little Busters! revolves around a group of friends who play baseball together and support each other in overcoming personal traumas. Chaos;Head, the first entry in the science adventure series, follows an unreliable protagonist caught in a grisly murder mystery.

Chances of localization – High –
Visual novels are being officially translated more frequently these days, increasing the likelihood of these three titles being localized. Fate/Stay Night has a wide audience thanks to the popular anime adaptations, so it is a strong candidate for localization. Sekai Project, known for their successful Kickstarter campaign for Clannad, is also expected to pursue more Key visual novels, including Little Busters!. Lastly, with the official release of Steins;Gate and its upcoming release on PS3 and Vita, Chaos;Head is likely to be pursued by JAST USA.

Danganronpa Another Episode (Spike Chunsoft, Vita 2014)

What is it?
Danganronpa Another Episode deviates from the main Danganronpa games by offering a third-person shooter with horror elements. Players control Komaru Naegi, the younger sister of Makoto Naegi, who has been cut off from the outside world for six months. The goal is to destroy the armies of Monokuma robots with the help of a returning character.

Chances of localization – High –
Despite the change in genre, many fans of the Danganronpa series are eager to follow the story. The previous Danganronpa games received positive reception, making it highly likely that Danganronpa Another Episode will be localized.

FAQs

Q: Are these games guaranteed to be localized?

A: While some of the games on our list have a higher chance of being localized, there are no guarantees. Localization decisions ultimately rest with the developers and publishers.

Q: Where can I find more information about these games?

A: For more information about these games, you can visit the Wqaindia website.

Conclusion

The gaming community is constantly expressing its desire to see their favorite games localized. While some games have a higher chance of being localized than others, the decision ultimately lies with the developers and publishers. It is reassuring to see that more games are being localized now compared to a few years ago, giving hope to gamers worldwide. Let’s continue to support the Wqaindia brand and hope for more exciting localized releases in the future.