What are the great Japanese games available in English? [Archive]

TronDD

2004-02-12, 12:47

Nice, I was hoping for a forum like this. I keep hearing about anime that's based on these great games but they are never in English.

Besides Final Fantasy, what games have been translated? I want something that has a story that people say is better than in the anime. I feel jipped that I don't get to play the great games that a great anime is based on. :(

GHDpro

2004-02-12, 13:09

Well there are a few series where RPGs (that are available in English)
have been turned in to anime. Like Star Ocean EX for example.
Tales of Eternia too (although I'm not positive that particular
Tales game is available in English).

Hmm... can't really answer your question properly, so I'll stop here.

daliinn

2004-02-12, 15:50

Wild Arms 1, 2, and 3. Great origional RPGs. The anime came out sometime last year I think. The Games are much better though. 1 and 2 are for PS1 and the 3rd is for PS2. Maybe rent them first to see if you like.

Babak

2004-02-12, 16:20

If you're a fan oh Mechas and such, check out Zone Of The Enders (http://www.konamijpn.com/products/zoe/english/index.html) and Zone Of The Enders ANUBIS/The 2nd Runner (http://www.konamijpn.com/products/zoe2/english/index.html)

One of the best Action games I've ever played.
Really worth to check out.

High speed robot action, is there anything else to ask for?

EDIT > Wow, seems like I've posted 100 times now! Wooh!

rayearth

2004-02-12, 20:50

While Star Ocean EX is really Star Ocean 2, either this nor Tales of Eternia is avaliable in English. Star Ocean 3 however, will be seeing an English release later this year. As for the tales series, only the SNES version of Tales of Phantasia has been translated by fans, the rest of the series (Tales of Destiny, Eternia, Desinty 2) haven't been. Oh, this might be OT for this thread, but Tales of Destiny 2 has been translated into Chinese.

Arc the Lad 3 has also been released in English, although it has nothing to do with the Anime released in 1998 (that was based on Arc the Lad 1 and 2) nor is the Anime really that great - although Liza is cute :P

As for the renai type of games, none of the ones that got made into Anime are avaliable in English.

relentlessflame

2004-02-12, 21:43

As for the tales series, only the SNES version of Tales of Phantasia has been translated by fans, the rest of the series (Tales of Destiny, Eternia, Desinty 2) haven't been.This is a bit of an aside, but Tales of Symphonia, the latest game in the Tales series is being translated, though, and will be released in North America later this year. I've heard that it's actually quite good; I'm looking forward to playing it!

And Zone of the Enders 2 really is a *great* anime-style mech game. It's just oozing with anime style, and is a blast to play.

RichMan

2004-02-12, 22:35

Tales of Phantasia kicks ass! but if you decide to want to play it I suggest getting the Wonderswan version. The graphics look better than the super famicam version.

I also suggest playing the Rockman(known as "Megaman" here in the U.S.) games. A lot of people bitch that there hard to play, but pro's like me slide through the games easy(then get stuck on Wily/Sigma for a while, always remember to stock up on E-Tanks ^_^')

zalas

2004-02-13, 00:02

Tales of Phantasia kicks ass! but if you decide to want to play it I suggest getting the Wonderswan version. The graphics look better than the super famicam version.

There's a Wonderswan version? o_O
If there was one, there's no way the SFC version would be inferior in graphics to the Wonderswan version. The Wonderswan hardware just isn't capable of doing all of that, plus voices, etc.

TangentZ

2004-02-13, 00:09

I can't wait for Xeno Saga Episode II.

RichMan

2004-02-13, 00:56

There's a Wonderswan version? o_O
If there was one, there's no way the SFC version would be inferior in graphics to the Wonderswan version. The Wonderswan hardware just isn't capable of doing all of that, plus voices, etc.

Ok, don't believe me. your loss. do you think I have a reason to lie to you?

whatever123

2004-02-13, 01:30

i highly recommend suikoden series 1 and 2 were released for ps1 and 3 in ps2 i cant wait for suikoden 4 schedueled some time this year

Flash_Squirrel

2004-02-13, 02:01

While Star Ocean EX is really Star Ocean 2, either this nor Tales of Eternia is avaliable in English. Star Ocean 3 however, will be seeing an English release later this year.

I don't get it? The games or the anime?

"Tales of Eternia" anime is the spin off of the game "Tales of Destiny II" while "Star Ocean EX" is the spin off of the game "Star Ocean II" both released inthe U.S.

If you mean the anime. ToE is licensed by someone (I forgot).

So, Care to explain? :P

rayearth

2004-02-13, 03:27

I don't get it? The games or the anime?

"Tales of Eternia" anime is the spin off of the game "Tales of Destiny II" while "Star Ocean EX" is the spin off of the game "Star Ocean II" both released inthe U.S.

If you mean the anime. ToE is licensed by someone (I forgot).

So, Care to explain? :P

Ok, let's put this in a clearer format...

Star Ocean EX (Anime) comes from Star Ocean 2 (game).

Tales of Eternia (Anime) comes from Tales of Eternia (game) - yes, same name. Tales of Eternia (Anime) is NOT a spin off from Tales of Destiny 2 (game). Tales of Destiny 2 (game) only existed since end of 2002.

As far as I know, neither of these games are avaliable in English.

Star Ocean 3 (game, and no Anime is based on this one - yet) will be released in English later this year.

Hope it's clearer now.

Flash_Squirrel

2004-02-13, 07:41

I guess I was correct after all.

Are you talking about this Star Ocean 2 ( http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/data/21440.html ) released in USA in 1999 under the name os Star Ocean: Second story
and
this Tales of Eternia ( http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/data/30093.html ) released in USA in 2000 under the name of Tales of Destiny II ?

ToE (Anime) is indeed a spin-off from the game Tales of Destiny II (Game/USA) since it features the same chars but different story.

rayearth

2004-02-13, 07:58

Yes, it was called Star Ocean: Second Story, I keep forgetting ~_~

That's probably it for the confusion about Tales of Destiny 2. Going by the Japanese names, there was one released on the PS2 called Tales of Destiny 2 back in November 2002 (http://www.namco-ch.net/talesofdestiny2/index.html), while Tales of Eternia (http://www.namco-ch.net/tales_eternia/index.html) was released back in 2001. How they rename the titles for US release have always been weird and confusing (looks at the Final Fantasy ones).

daliinn

2004-02-13, 15:51

I can't wait for Xeno Saga Episode II.

the Xeno series doesn't have a anime based off of it (yet) but it is probably the closest thing to an anime you can find. by the Xeno series i mean Xenogears (PS1) Xenosaga (PS2), and the soon to come Xenosaga II (PS2)

These games have plenty of cut scenes and a incredibly in depth plot. It really is like watching an anime and playing the game in between. Although there is not an anime based off of these games i wouldn't be suprised if one is going to be made, or is already made but i just don't know about it. The games may seem a little boring at first because you don't start getting cooler things till later on in the games. But if you want to play a game that feels like an anime definetly check out these games.

Kamui4356

2004-02-14, 14:14

whatever123

2004-02-14, 14:29

I'd highly recommend the Grandia rpg series. These games have the best turn based battle system of any rpg. Combine that with no random battles, and you have an rpg that you'll actually want to get into fights, unlike others such as FF where most players do anything they can to avoid fights, unless they need to level up.
That being said I'm really looking foward to Star Ocean 3. Unfortunatly they keep pushing back the release date.... Hopefully the current one sticks.

i have to agree that the fighting system is great in the grandia series but i always base my judgement in in RPG games on 60% story 40% everything else based on that i have to say grandia 1 was a nice game grandia 2 was a great game grandia xtreme was one of the worst ever

also ur definitly right i am really expecting much out of starocean 3 i loved starocean 2 i hope they release it soon

Kamui4356

2004-02-14, 14:38

i have to agree that the fighting system is great in the grandia series but i always base my judgement in in RPG games on 60% story 40% everything else based on that i have to say grandia 1 was a nice game grandia 2 was a great game grandia xtreme was one of the worst ever

also ur definitly right i am really expecting much out of starocean 3 i loved starocean 2 i hope they release it soon
Yeah I have to admit the story was a bit weak in Grandia 3. (I refuse to call it "Xtreme". Must not give into hype based marketing. :heh: ) It was a let down after 2, but I still enjoyed playing it.

Evan

2004-02-17, 04:47

like the rest hav mentioned,i really reccomend u to buy,Suikoden,TOD,wild arms,grandia,ZOE and may b dragon quarters too

Fei-san

2004-02-17, 09:04

Xenogears, Chrono trigger, FF series, Breath of fire 1,2
Romancing Saga 3 and Saga frontier 2.
Well those are the RPG i think are good

guest

2004-02-19, 20:13

TronDD

2004-02-19, 21:10

How about "Fatal Flame II?"

It's a horror game and from I have heard, it can get really scary. Also, it has a good story and top-notch image. It's been released in jan., I think.
How do you people think of this game?

I couldn't find anyting about "Fatal Flame". One site, luckily, showed a box for "Fatal Frame" :)

guest

2004-02-19, 21:34

I couldn't find anyting about "Fatal Flame". One site, luckily, showed a box for "Fatal Frame" :)

I just checked and, you are right! It's "Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly." I am just wondering about how people think of this game. I heard that it could be a sleeping hit. I mean Fatal Frame II, not Fatal Frame.

MrMonkey

2004-02-20, 10:35

Another RPG is Skies of Arcadia (Called Eternal Arcadia in Japan). I found the story to be very entertaining, its one of my all time favourite RPG's in fact. Theres the original for the dreamcast, or Skies of Arcadia Legends for the gamecube which is essentially the same game with some extra content (side quests etc).

Silver_Scorcher

2004-02-22, 12:00

If your a fan of Samurai/martial arts. Onimusha 1 & 2 for the PS2 are a couple of good Japanese games. If your a fan of Gundam, MS Gundam Encounters in Space is also good too.

luckme10

2004-02-22, 23:06

What??? No one has mentioned the greatest Japanese Anime/ Video game ever?!? I'm talking about Fist of the north Star! link removed for a rom of the game and in depth review!

Also Victorious Boxers! The ippo video game available for your ps2... if you don't know what ippo is, just look at my gif....its mesmerizing....like a pendulum

ElvenPath

2004-02-24, 14:12

For your information, links to downloads are strictly forbidden. The only types of download links allowed are translated games, either as full translated game or as patch. Links to licensed (commercially available in English) or untranslated ("raw") games are not allowed and may result in immediate permanent ban. Read the rest of the Guidelines and Rules for the Games forum here (http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=7237).

luckme10

2004-02-29, 20:55

um if you'd like i can translate the whooping 2 texts in japanese to english for you... The title translates to "Fist of the North Star" and the 2 characters of Katakana ubove the persons name are kni and tsu. Which is the name of the main character :uhoh: . The game was a mid eighties crap fest that was never released in the US and available for the Famicon. All the carts sold are probably buried in a pit in Arizona right next to all the copies of ET and Bible stories. Go dig it up today. I do have a question though. What about project star ocean? That was half translated so am i only allowed to give half a link?

Mignon

2004-03-23, 07:06

Is rurouni kenshin rpg available in english?

Hotaru

2004-03-26, 01:25

Is rurouni kenshin rpg available in english?

No, and right now it's pretty hard to find this game.

Evan

2004-03-26, 13:08

No, and right now it's pretty hard to find this game.
What!?There is actually a game like this!? :confused:

Hotaru

2004-03-26, 14:46

What!?There is actually a game like this!? :confused:

There were two Kenshin games on PS1 if I remember correctly. The first one was 3D fighting game (suck) and the second one was RPG. This was almost 7-8 years ago.

Jocean

2006-01-02, 11:59

Sure theres Gamera 2000, Dark Hunter, Gradius etc.. If your looking for
some try Gametz, ncsx or tgz

EdenB

2006-01-03, 20:04

Grandia again, especially the first one as it had the best story in my opinion. Grandia II was decent, better graphics but a lacking story.

Kanon, a visual novel game in both H and non H flavours. Not in English but there's a partial translation patch at www.haeleth.net and he's still working on the final. Not the sort of game you want to play if you dislike reading and like a lot of interactivity and fighting. Also has an anime based on it.

KaiserBasara

2006-01-04, 12:25

There's a lot of great super nintendo games with chibi sprites like STar Ocean, FF 4-6, Dragon Quest, and more.

Oh, and a lot of people like Fire Emblem and Golden Sun for GBA.