Localization refers to translating cultural aspects of games for strange audiences. This doesn't just hateful translating the text or vocalization acting itself; it usually takes the grade of linguistic or visual changes also. These changes are often necessary for players foreign to the developers' land. Some things that seem normal to 1 person might be confusing to others, especially beyond international borders.

Translations for the first fewPokemon games were completed chiefly by a single freelancer, Nob Ogasawara, which led to a few minor inconsistent translations betwixt the English language and Japanese versions. All the same, localization goes a lot deeper than but language. It even gets into some relatively taboo subjects inPokemon's early on history, which not all fans might know about.

10 Edits To Female Swimmer & Dazzler Trainer in Golden/Silver

Female Swimmer Beauty Trainer Pokemon Localization

The Female Swimmer and Beauty Trainer sprites when battling inPokemon: Gold/Silver Version have dissimilar appearances in the Japanese original. In the American version, the Beauty Trainer is shown with a long skirt, and the Female Swimmer has no special animation.

In the Japanese version, though, the Beauty Trainer has a noticeably brusk brim, while the Female person Swimmer will wink at the player. Considering the games are meant for kids and the role player grapheme is a child, it's an understandable change.

nine The French Red/Blue Localization'south Dragon Brawl Reference

Goku and Krillin begin their match in Dragon Ball

In the English localization forPokemon: Red/Blue Version, and in most other translations, interacting with the Tv in Pallet Town gives the message, "Four boys are walking on railroad tracks". This is a reference to the moving-picture showStand By Me. French players, though, got a completely unlike reference.

Instead, French players got the bulletin, "An animated show! A niggling male child with a monkey's tail." This is a clear reference to Goku in the originalDragon Ball anime.

8 The Boozer Human being In The Japanese Red/Blue

Old Man Localization Drunk

In Viridian City the player talks to the Old Man, who was previously laying on the flooring, right afterward delivering Oak'south Package. He will say he had some coffee, which woke him up. However, this was a localization change. In the original game, the homo was drunk.

This wasn't merely an implication, either. The man hiccups and complains nearly being boozer, while his sprite on the footing has rosy cheeks. The Former Man'due south dialogue and the sprite both changed in foreign releases.

7 The Infamous Jynx Recolor

pokemon sun moon alola jynx form

Jynx is a Pokemon with a controversial history. In the first generations of the games, and in the original cuts of the anime, Jynx was shown with jet black skin, behemothic lips and white eyes. These features are like to stereotypical racist depictions of an African or nighttime-skinned person.

It's debated whether the original sprite was a racist homage, or a take on the Ganguro mode manner. Audiences in the west, though, would probably be more probable to assume the former. Either style, Jynx now has royal peel and a revamped expect in all mod appearances.

half dozen Censoring Religious Imagery For American Localizations

Buddha Religious Imagery Pokemon localization

The originalPokemon games have a lot of religious imagery, more than than the boilerplate fan might realize. However, in order to be released in American markets, the games had to adhere to Nintendo of America'due south rules. These included no religious imagery of whatsoever kind.

Thus, the Buddhist Altars were removed from Celadon City, Mediums no longer hold prayer chaplet, and the Sage no longer has a praying pose. Endless other small edits were made to brand the originalPokemon games suitable for Americans.

5 The Kangaskhan Child

Kangaskhan Kid Pokemon localization

In the episode of the originalPokemon anime "The Kangaskhan Kid", the eponymous child seems innocent plenty in the English translation. He asks Ash and the gang whether they are humans or Pokemon. In the original anime, the kid was much more of a deviant.

In the Japanese version, the kid looks up at Misty, notices her breasts, and asks to suck milk from them. The camera even zooms in on Misty'south chest afterwards he asks. The episode's localizations provided a much-needed alter that helped proceed the ten-twelvemonth-old character from beingness sexualized for international audiences.

iv Censoring Nazi Imagery For European Audiences

Registeel Original vs European Dr Lava

There were many years where not many localization changes were noticeable betwixt the release ofCrimson/Bluish Version andDiamond/Pearl Version. In the latter, though, the Pokemon Registeel had its sprite censored for the European versions of the game, due to its similarity to the Nazi Salute.

TheDiamond/Pearl Version anime besides featured this same pose for Registeel, likewise as a scene where the Team Rocket gang appear to be performing a similar salute. Each of these instances has since undergone changes.

three Americanized Food In The Anime

brock jelly donuts Pokemon localization

One of the virtually famous localization changes in the originalPokemon anime (and in many subsequent series) is the censorship of rice balls, of all things. Onigiri, Japanese rice-based snack, appears in the show quite a lot.

In the Western localizations, though, the Onigiri is non called a rice brawl – Brock famously calls them "jelly donuts" at i indicate. Sometimes, creators replaced them with expensive re-drawn images of American food like burgers. Apparently, Japanese food is too unfamiliar for American kids to handle.

2 Removal Of The Game Corner

Game corner Pokemon localization

The Game Corner was some other aspect of the first four generations ofPokemon games that some now consider controversial. The Game Corner allow players have on games of chance to win special prizes, like unique Pokemon or accessories.

Withal, Nintendo removed this feature entirely starting withPokemon: Black/White Version. It'southward likely because the company was concerned nigh getting the game by European gambling restrictions. Now, all minigames are skill-based in thePokemon series.

1 The Hiker'southward Magic Mushrooms In The Original Red/Blue

Charizard

InPokemon: Red/Bluish Version, there is a Hiker that the player can notice and battle on Road 10. Upon defeat, he will arraign his sudden violence on "hay fever" subsequently laughing. In the original Japanese version, though, he blames his behavior on drugs.

The Hiker, upon defeat, will laugh maniacally and exclaim that he ate some "wild mushrooms" earlier. Hopefully, they were indeed wild mushrooms and not a poor, innocent Parasect.

NEXT: ten Crawly Things You Didn't Know You Could Exercise In New Pokemon Snap

Pokemon Fan Art Combines Charmander and Harry Potter

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About The Author

Erik Petrovich (599 Manufactures Published)

Elden Ring and Elder Scrolls Specialist, and sometimes Newswriter, at Game Rant. Basically, if it's an RPG that starts with Elde-, I probably write about it.

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