The days of 16 bit wonder was a different time. I grew up in Europe with imports from US. Everything was fine, until I found out about Japan exclusives, sealed away by language barrier.
The emulation scene started in the 90s to bring those titles over to us by translating them with hard work; at times taking years to finish individual projects. These are essentially Romhacks, but with a focus on localization. And as such, they come in a patch format.
My focus in this article are English translations of SNES games released in Japan only. A few got remakes or official English releases on other systems at a later time, such as Seiken Densetsu 3 or Final Fantasy 5. I felt like to include them anyway for historical reasons. What I do not list are other languages, re-translations from English or any mod doing notable gameplay alterations. The list comprise genres other than RPGs as well. Sometimes a game fits barely into a single category or at any at all. You might not agree with my decisions. If that is not a deal breaker to you, then enjoy exploring and try out some new stuff. Have fun!
Following topics are covered:
- How to play a Fan Translation
- Archive – A snapshot of all discussed translations
- 50 Translations:
- 9 Turn based RPG
- 7 Action-Adventure/RPG
- 11 Strategy/Tactic-RPG
- 4 Act-Adventure Platformer
- 8 Platformer
- 4 Puzzle and Logic
- 7 Other
- Honorable mentions and additional links
Important: I do not link to or offer ROM files for download. Please do not ask me about ROMs.
How to play a Fan Translation
At this point I recommend you to visit my previous article about Romhacks in general, which includes a simple how to tutorial. Translations are nothing else than Romhacks, so the same procedure applies. And its not hard either. Just open up the application, choose both files and create the new ROM with the translation applied. More on that in the article SNES Mods and Romhacks. Then you should be able to play the translated game on most emulators. Read the notes from the patch for special requirements or known bugs, if you experience problems.
Archive – A snapshot of all discussed Translations
I have collected almost all translations in this article into a single downloadable package, including PDF conversion from the webpages or download sites of the source material. This is for archival reason and serves as a backup. Some projects are still under heavy development, so I recommend you to check their websites for any possible new version.
Note: No Roms included, only patch files and documents.
🎁 Download all Translations in a single package (~28 MB)
Alternative download source: https://archive.org/details/snes_fan_translations_20200605.7z
50 Translations
Fan Translations
Translations in context of the emulation scene are modifications of existing games, basically Romhacks with a focus on localizing ingame text to another language – usually from Japanese to English. These are made by fans and hobbyists to make games playable and understandable for those who don‘t speak Japanese or any other specific language. To be on the legal side, only patch files are provided. In order to play them, you have to know how to patch.
Turn based RPG
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story
2019 Bishoujo Senshi Translations, mteam, vivify93
Download – Wiki
Genre: JRPG
Alternate title: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon: Another Story
Based on the anime series Sailor Moon S, but with a new story. Interestingly the characters can perform combo-attacks like in CT, otherwise very standard stuff.
Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu
2016 Klepto Software
Download – Wiki
Genre: JRPG
Alternate title: Dragon Ball Z: Legend of the Super Saiyan
Based on the famous anime and the NES games. World structure is an open world and the battle system essentially a card game.
Action-Adventure/RPG
Seiken Densetsu 3
2000 LNF Translations, Neill Corlett, SoM2Freak
Download – Wiki – Steam
Genre: Action RPG
Alternate titles: Secret of Mana 2, Trials of Mana
At game start a team can be chosen freely and the leaders background story will be played first. Finally 2017 an official translation is released on other systems.
Tales of Phantasia
2001 DeJap Translations
Download – Wiki
Genre: Action RPG
Alternate title: –
Has random battles, but an unique side scrolling real time combat system with special attacks. The presentation is just phenomenal on the console.
Note: A critical analysis about this translation.
Strategy/Tactic-RPG
Chaos Seed: Fuusui Kairouki
2014 Dynamic-Designs
Download – Wiki
Genre: Strategy / Action RPG / Building
Alternate title: Chaos Seed: Feng Shui Chronicles
A very unique blend of action RPG combat and a strategy mode for resource management of the cave.
Energy Breaker
2012 Disnesquick
Download – Wiki
Genre: JRPG / Tactical
Alternate title: –
From the makers of Lufia comes a combination between traditional JRPG exploration and a complex, deep tactics style isometric combat.
Monstania
2001 Aeon Genesis
Download – Wiki
Genre: RPG / Roguelike
Alternate title: –
Isometric view of field with semi-realtime combat similar to a rogue like. Enemies move only if you move. Known for it’s short play through.
Act-Adventure Platformer
Ganbare Goemon 2: Kiteretsu Shougun Magginesu
2020 DDSTranslation
Download – Wiki
Genre: Platformer / Act-Adventure
Alternate title: Go for it! Goemon 2: The Strange General McGuinness, Mystical Ninja 2
Finally Mystical Ninja 2!! A mixture of two genres, stages are platformer an towns are like an Act/Adventure. Game is filled with lots of crazy Japanese stuff and mini games.
Ganbare Goemon 3: Shishi Juurokubee no Karakuri Manjigatame
2020 DDSTranslation
Download – Wiki
Genre: Platformer / Act-Adventure
Alternate title: Go for it! Goemon 3: The Mecha Leg Hold of Jurokube Shishi, Mystical Ninja 3
And finally Mystical Ninja 3!! Same concept and premise as their predecessors. Crazy Japanese stuff and an unusual genre mixture.
Holy Umbrella: Dondera no Mubou!!
2009 Aeon Genesis
Download – Wiki
Genre: Platformer / Act-Adventure
Alternate title: Holy Umbrella: Dondera’s Wild!!
Similar mix like Mystical Ninja, but more focus on RPG elements. Stages are side scrolling action, while towns consist of top down view and NPC talks.
Platformer
Donald Duck no Mahou no Boushi
2016 gorgyrip
Download – Wiki
Genre: Jump & Run / Other
Alternate title: Donald Duck and the Magical Hat
First half starts off as a mix of freely selectable bonus games. Later on the stages become more traditional platformer.
Hamelin no Violin Hiki
2001 J2e Translations
Download – Wiki
Genre: Platformer
Alternate title: Violinist of Hameln
Based on an anime. The adorable AI controlled companion can be transformed into other forms, to make through the stages.
Kishin Douji Zenki: Battle Raiden
2016 Dynamic-Designs
Download – Wiki
Genre: Action Platformer
Alternate title: Demon Child Zenki: Battle Raiden
Based on an manga and by the same guys who made Hagane. An average side scrolling action game without innovation, but fun to play.
The Great Battle 5
2018 Aeon Genesis
Download – Wiki
Genre: Action Platformer / Shooter
Alternate title: –
A badass wild west themed action game. Stages split between 2D platformer and third person shooting gallery, similar to Wild Guns.
Puzzle and Logic
Other
Kaite Tsukutte Asoberu Dezaemon
2000 Aeon Genesis
Download – Wiki
Genre: Shoot’em Up / Game Creation
Alternate title: Dezaemon
An editor to create your own vertical shmup game, beyond a standard level editor, including a graphics editor and music composer!
Sanrio World Smash Ball!
1999 Suicidal Translations
Download – Wiki
Genre: Action Sports
Alternate title: –
Competitive sports game with characters from Sanrio. Gameplay is sort of tennis combined with Arkanoid, like Windjammers in vertical format.
Super F1 Circus 2
2018 MrRichard999
Download – Wiki
Genre: 3D Racing
Alternate title: –
Formula 1 racing simulation in 3D perspective like F-Zero. The car can be configured and racing feels fast and fluid.
Konnichiwa | こんにちは。
I barely scratched the surface of this topic, but scratched a lot. Many great translations are left out, because otherwise the list would have been flooded. Also, you might want to play a game in your native language other than English. It can be worth checking out, if such a “special” version is available at Romhacking.net.
Here are some honorable mentions, which didn’t make it into the list or are recommended by the community:
- Ball Bullet Gun: Survival Game Simulation: Japanese version of real paintball game. Turn based strategy game with an added field of view for each character.
- Dai-3-Ji Super Robot Taisen/Super Robot Wars 3: Grid based strategy battle with a robot army and it has a branching storyline.
- Front Mission: Linear tactical oriented strategy RPG with customizable mechs. The first game in the series.
- G.O.D.: Mezameyo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe/G.O.D.: Heed the Call to Awaken: Turn based JRPG with a story and humor inspired by Earthbound.
- Rudra no Hihou/Treasure of the Rudras: Turn based JRPG with an innovative magic system; create new spells by combining words. But has a bad translation font.
- Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W: Endless Duel/Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Duel: 1v1 fighting game like SF2, but with mechs based on the anime series. Plays and looks suprisingly well.
- Tengai Makyou Zero/Far East of Eden Zero: Anime styled traditinoal turn based JRPG. The real time clock of the console will be utilized to trigger events based on real time and day.
- The Great Battle 4: Side scrolling platform run and gun action game similar to it’s successor.
Have a look at these websites for more content and information:
- ROMhacking.net: The mother of all Romhacking sites, with ton of resources, learning material and a big database of Romhacks, including all sorts of translations. The site is very active and everyday something new is added. Use following link to get right into the translations list for SNES games.
- Aeon Genesis: A great talented and active group of Romhackers, specialized into localization of Japanese exclusive games with a high degree of quality work.
- Fan translation of video games: The Wikipedia article about the definition and history of Fan Translations in general.
- Which Final Fantasy IV Translation Should You Play?: An excellent article talking and comparing about the differences (in context to translations) between all available FF4 versions.
- How to Translate SNES Roms: A technical tutorial how to hack and translate SNES Roms, so you can have a glimpse of the work these people do.
- The Infamous “Arche F***s Like a Tiger” Scene in Tales of Phantasia: Talks about the translation for Tales of Phantasia and shows why it’s not good. I let you decide.
things i play 
a major one, Tengai Makyou Zero on sfc
http://www.romhacking.net/translations/3243/
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That’s definitely an interesting game I overlooked. I know the fighting game spin off Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash, didn’t know the RPG series existed and wouldn’t have known it by the Tengai title. Thanks for pointing to at.
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This is also a good one: https://www.romhacking.net/translations/386/
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Interesting title! Looking into the readme reveals this game predates the Puyo Puyo puzzle games. Nice tidbit there.
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Also, I’d like to add “G.O.D – Mezame yo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe”. This, too, got a full English translation and is possibly one of the best JRPGs on the SNES.
It was also remade for the PSX but is sadly in Japanese and never got a fan translation.
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