International version
Encyclopedia
In video games, an international version is a relocalized
version of a previously released title in its native territory that has gained additional features and contents in foreign releases. While the concept of "international versions" in North America
n, Europe
an, and Australia
n games is virtually non-existent, it is quite popular in Japan
ese games, where games are often given additional features by the developers when they are exported to other markets.
A few, if not most, developers are content with simply adapting the foreign version domestically (even if the only difference is relatively superficial, such as translating text and voice dialogue into a local language).
title Mikie: High School Graffiti (released in 1984), which was a relocalized version of a game released in the Mikie, which in turn was an Americanized version of a previously released Konami
game titled .
Konami conducted a similar practice in 1987 with the rerelease of the arcade title Salamander in Japan under the title of Life Force.
films in the United States, Toho Studios of Japan began the practice of having the movies dubbed in Asia for overseas export. These versions are often called "international versions" by fans. Most US distributors would commission their own English dubs, and as such, many of these international version went unused in the US. By the time Japanese monster movies were losing popularity in the 1970s, US companies would release Toho's international versions with edits, only removing harsh language and moments of violence. With the exception of Godzilla 2000
, every Godzilla film released in the United States after 1985 has been an international version commissioned by Toho.
Since the late 1990s, most of the original US versions have become replaced on home video by Toho's international versions. Kaiju films that have been released on DVD as international versions include Atragon
, Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster
, Son of Godzilla
, Destroy All Monsters
, Space Amoeba
, and Godzilla vs. Hedorah
. All of these films were originally released in the United States with dubbed versions created by Titra Studios
(later Titan Productions).
Internationalization and localization
In computing, internationalization and localization are means of adapting computer software to different languages, regional differences and technical requirements of a target market...
version of a previously released title in its native territory that has gained additional features and contents in foreign releases. While the concept of "international versions" in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an, and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n games is virtually non-existent, it is quite popular in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese games, where games are often given additional features by the developers when they are exported to other markets.
A few, if not most, developers are content with simply adapting the foreign version domestically (even if the only difference is relatively superficial, such as translating text and voice dialogue into a local language).
History
The earliest known "International Version" of a game in Japan was the arcadeArcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
title Mikie: High School Graffiti (released in 1984), which was a relocalized version of a game released in the Mikie, which in turn was an Americanized version of a previously released Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
game titled .
Konami conducted a similar practice in 1987 with the rerelease of the arcade title Salamander in Japan under the title of Life Force.
Examples
- Animal CrossingAnimal CrossingThe Animal Crossing games have garnered positive response. The first three games are among the best-selling for their respective consoles. Animal Crossing has sold 2.321 million copies; Wild World 10.79 million; and City Folk 3.38 million...
- Re-released in Japan as "Dōbutsu no Mori e-Plus" - Biohazard 2: Dual Shock Ver.Resident Evil 2Resident Evil 2, known as in Japan, is a survival horror video game originally released for the PlayStation in 1998. Developed by Capcom as the second installment in the Resident Evil series, its story takes place two months after the events of the first game, Resident Evil...
- Contained "USA Version mode" as a new difficulty setting. - De La Jet Set RadioJet Set Radiois a video game for the Dreamcast, developed by Smilebit and published by Sega on June 29, 2000. A 2D version of the game was later released for Game Boy Advance; this version was developed by Vicarious Visions and published by THQ. Its sequel, Jet Set Radio Future was released 2 years later for...
- Re-release with bug fixes, additional music tracks, and new levels from the localized versions. This version was only sold in Japan via Dreamcast Direct. - Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII International - Includes all changes from the localized versions and adds the Multiplayer mode cutscenes from the original Japanese version.
- Dissidia: Final Fantasy Universal TuningDissidia: Final Fantasyis an action RPG/fighting game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation Portable as part of the campaign of the Final Fantasy series 20th anniversary. Information on the game was first released during the "Square Enix Party" event of May 2008...
- Contains all changes and additions made to the localized versions and adds battle voices in English and Japanese. - Final Fantasy VII InternationalFinal Fantasy VIIis a role-playing video game developed by Square and published by Sony Computer Entertainment as the seventh installment in the Final Fantasy series. It was originally released in 1997 for the Sony PlayStation and was re-released in 1998 for Microsoft Windows-based personal computers and in 2009...
- Contains changes and additional bosses from the localized versions and adds a fourth disc containing artwork, information, trivia and maps. - Final Fantasy X InternationalFinal Fantasy Xis a role-playing video game developed and published by Square as the tenth title in the Final Fantasy series. It was released in 2001 for Sony's PlayStation 2, and will be re-released for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in 2012...
- Includes English voices and adds additional exclusive content. This version was also used for the European release. - Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last MissionFinal Fantasy X-2is a console role-playing game developed and published by Square for Sony's PlayStation 2. It was released in 2003 and is the sequel to the best-selling 2001 game Final Fantasy X...
- Includes English voices and theme songs and includes exclusive content, such as an additional playable storyline and battle arena mode. - Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job SystemFinal Fantasy XIIis a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. Released in 2006, it is the twelfth title in the Final Fantasy series and the last in the series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation platform...
- Includes English voices and contains additional content from the localized versions in addition to exclusive content. - Final Fantasy XIII InternationalFinal Fantasy XIIIis a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in North America and PAL regions, it is the thirteenth major installment in the Final Fantasy series...
- Includes English voices and Leona Lewis's "My Hands" theme song along with an Easy mode and a booklet with additional content. This version was released for the Xbox 360 only, debuting that version in Japan. - Kingdom Hearts: Final MixKingdom Heartsis an action role-playing game developed and published by Square in 2002 for the PlayStation 2 video game console. The first game in the Kingdom Hearts series, it is the result of a collaboration between Square Enix and The Walt Disney Company. The game combines characters and settings from Disney...
- Includes the additional bosses, English voices, and new difficulty level from the localized version and adds exclusive content. - Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+Kingdom Hearts IIis an action role-playing game developed by Square Enix and published by Buena Vista Games and Square Enix in 2005 for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console...
- Includes the English voices and content edits from the localized versions and adds additional content and a second disc containing a PS2 remake of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of MemoriesKingdom Hearts: Chain of Memoriesis an action role-playing game developed by Square Enix and Japanese studio Jupiter and published by Square Enix in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance. The game serves as an intermediary between the two larger-scale PlayStation 2 games in the Kingdom Hearts series. It was one of the first GBA games to...
. - Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix - Includes English voices and additional content from the localized versions and adds additional bosses, modes and content.
- Life Force - Arcade rerelease of Salamander using North American title.
- Metal Gear Solid: Integral - Includes English voices and additional difficulty modes along with exclusive content and a third disc containing 300 VR missions.
- Metal Gear Solid 2: SubstanceMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertyis a stealth action video game directed by Hideo Kojima, developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2 in 2001....
- Includes English voices, and additional storyline content and VR missions. A special skateboarding minigame was included in the PS2 version only. - Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence - Includes additional content and a new multiplayer mode.
- Mikie: High School GraffitiMikieMikie, known in Japan as , is a arcade game by Konami where the player must guide a student called "Mikie" around the school, classroom, and locker room to collect hearts which make up a letter from his girlfriend Mandy while being chased by various members of the school staff...
- Arcade re-release of Shinyûshain Tôru-kun based on American version. - Shadow Hearts 2: Director's CutShadow Hearts: CovenantShadow Hearts: Covenant is a console role-playing game developed by Nautilus and published by Midway in 2004. It is a direct continuation of Shadow Hearts and the second official game in the Shadow Hearts series. The game features two DVD-ROM discs instead of the usual one, which provides,...
- Japanese re-release featuring additional content and gameplay changes. - US ShenmueShenmueis a 1999 open-world adventure video game developed by Sega AM2 and published by Sega for the Dreamcast, produced and directed by Yu Suzuki. Suzuki coined a genre title, "FREE" , for the game, based on the interactivity and freedom he wanted to give to the player...
- Includes English voices. - Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES - Re-release featuring additional content and storyline, as well as changes to gameplay.
- Sonic Adventure InternationalSonic Adventureis a 1999 platform video game developed by Sonic Team and released on December 23, 1998, in Japan by Sega for the Dreamcast. One of its development titles was Sonic RPG...
- Japanese re-release that features all the changes made internationally. - Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time Directors CutStar Ocean: Till the End of Timeis the third main game in the Star Ocean series. The game was developed by tri-Ace and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2 console. It was released in Japan, North America, and the PAL territories. The original Japanese release date was in February of 2003 by Enix, its penultimate...
- Enhanced version of the original game with additional characters, content and a 2-player battle mode. This version was localized for the North American and European releases. - Star Ocean: The Last Hope International - PlayStation 3-exclusive re-release with new content. It was released in North America and Europe.
- Super Mario USASuper Mario Bros. 2Super Mario Bros. 2, often abbreviated SMB2, is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1985 game Super Mario Bros. The game was also remade as part of the Super Mario All-Stars collection for the Super Nintendo Entertainment...
- Japanese release of the game known outside of Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2Super Mario Bros. 2Super Mario Bros. 2, often abbreviated SMB2, is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1985 game Super Mario Bros. The game was also remade as part of the Super Mario All-Stars collection for the Super Nintendo Entertainment... - Super Mario 64: Shindou EditionSuper Mario 64is a platform game, published by Nintendo and developed by its EAD division, for the Nintendo 64. Along with Pilotwings 64, it was one of the launch titles for the console. It was released in Japan on June 23, 1996, and later in North America, Europe, and Australia. Super Mario 64 has sold over...
- Japanese re-release that features all the changes made internationally plus rumble pak support. - White Knight Chronicles: International Edition - North American and European release of the Japanese EX Edition of the game.
Japanese Monster Movies
With the popularity of the first few GodzillaGodzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
films in the United States, Toho Studios of Japan began the practice of having the movies dubbed in Asia for overseas export. These versions are often called "international versions" by fans. Most US distributors would commission their own English dubs, and as such, many of these international version went unused in the US. By the time Japanese monster movies were losing popularity in the 1970s, US companies would release Toho's international versions with edits, only removing harsh language and moments of violence. With the exception of Godzilla 2000
Godzilla 2000
is a 1999 Japanese science fiction kaiju film directed by Takao Okawara and written by Hiroshi Kashiwabara and Wataru Mimura. It was the twenty-third film released in the Godzilla series. It is the only film to feature Orga. The film was released on December 11, 1999...
, every Godzilla film released in the United States after 1985 has been an international version commissioned by Toho.
Since the late 1990s, most of the original US versions have become replaced on home video by Toho's international versions. Kaiju films that have been released on DVD as international versions include Atragon
Atragon
Atragon, released in Japan as , is a 1963 Toho tokusatsu film based on a series of juvenile adventure novels under the banner Kaitei Gunkan by Shunrō Oshikawa and the illustrated story Kaitei Okoku by illustrator Shigeru Komatsuzaki, serialized in a monthly magazine for boys...
, Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, released in Japan as and known internationally as Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, is a 1966 science fiction kaiju film directed by Jun Fukuda and written by Shinichi Sekizawa. This is the first film in the series with special effects directed by Sadamasa Arikawa...
, Son of Godzilla
Son of Godzilla
Son of Godzilla, released in Japan as , is a 1967 science fiction kaiju film. The eighth part of the Toho studio's Godzilla series, it was directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa It is the first film to feature Kamacuras, Kumonga, and Minilla.-Plot:A team of scientists are...
, Destroy All Monsters
Destroy All Monsters
Destroy All Monsters, released in Japan as , is a 1968 Japanese horror Science fiction Kaiju film. The ninth in Toho Studios' Godzilla series, it was directed by Ishirō Honda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa This is the fifth film to feature Mothra, third to feature King Ghidorah, fourth...
, Space Amoeba
Space Amoeba
Space Amoeba, released in Japan as , is a 1970 Kaiju film produced and released by Toho Studios. This was one of director Ishirō Honda's last kaiju movies, and the first such movie made after the death of special-effects director Eiji Tsuburaya...
, and Godzilla vs. Hedorah
Godzilla vs. Hedorah
, also known as Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, is a 1971 science fiction kaiju film. The eleventh film in Toho Co. Ltd.'s Godzilla series , it was directed by Yoshimitsu Banno with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano. It was the first film to feature Hedorah. The score was composed by Riichiro Manabe...
. All of these films were originally released in the United States with dubbed versions created by Titra Studios
Titra Studios
Titra Studios is an American dubbing studio. The studio was responsible for dubbing numerous foreign films, including Mothra vs. Godzilla 1964 as well as the Speed Racer cartoon series and the original Ultraman tv series....
(later Titan Productions).