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I'm posting only a small part because the full article is too long to fit in, but I hope this is acceptable.
AI disclosure: A large language model was used for proofreading.
The Mega Man franchise has been around for a long time, and throughout its lifespan, it's been subjected to every localization technique you can think of—gameplay changes, name changes, music changes, cut content, added content, mistranslations, censorship, bad voice acting, etc. Hell, the very name that Westerners know the franchise by is an example of that.
In this article trilogy, I want to explore Bass-related aspects of Mega Man game localizations. Specifically, I'll be looking through all scenes in which Bass speaks and analyzing how his lines differ between the original Japanese text and the English localization.
This part will focus on Rockman/Mega Man 7, while the next two will be about Rockman/Mega Man 8 and Rockman & Forte/Mega Man & Bass. The reason I chose those games is that they have the most dialogue, which means more opportunities for localization changes.
Why Bass, you may ask? Well, that's because he's my favorite Mega Man character, and I wanted an excuse to write about him.
... What? If you don't want stupid answers, don't ask stupid questions.
Despite the title, I'll be using localized names (Mega Man, Bass, etc.) even when talking about the original Japanese games for consistency and to annoy the purists.
BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!!!!
If Mega Man wins:
If Bass wins:
Oh my. We're only in the first stage of the game, and we already see some differences.
In RM7, Bass is antagonistic and shady from the start, openly mocking Mega Man and his power level if he (Bass) wins.
In MM7, Bass is still shady, but he's less aggressive and more condescending in his victory. He tells Mega Man he's too weak to fight Dr. Wily and that he should "sit this one out." He also likes his ellipses slightly more often.
Another thing to note is how Bass refers to Dr. Wily. In RM7, he consistently calls him just Wily, only using the honorific in the finale. In MM7, Bass refers to him as Dr. Wily in this scene, only to switch back to just Wily afterward.
Also, in RM7, Bass says, "Let's go, Gospel!" before leaving, regardless of the battle's outcome. But in MM7, Bass only says the equivalent line if he's the winner. Why? Beats me.
If you think this is a bit tame, don't worry—the changes are only getting more drastic from here on out.
See? I told you there would be more!
In RM7, even though Bass is supposed to play the role of a wounded robot in need of repairs, he does a terrible job—he's more concerned with the humiliation of it all than anything else. And as a cherry on top, he practically spells out that he's a traitorous little weasel with his last line.
In MM7, Bass is far more willing to put himself down and make himself look pathetic and pitiful to a disgusting degree. He even calls Mega Man a friend, seemingly playing on his largely unwarranted feelings of camaraderie.
AI disclosure: A large language model was used for proofreading.
Preface
The Mega Man franchise has been around for a long time, and throughout its lifespan, it's been subjected to every localization technique you can think of—gameplay changes, name changes, music changes, cut content, added content, mistranslations, censorship, bad voice acting, etc. Hell, the very name that Westerners know the franchise by is an example of that.
In this article trilogy, I want to explore Bass-related aspects of Mega Man game localizations. Specifically, I'll be looking through all scenes in which Bass speaks and analyzing how his lines differ between the original Japanese text and the English localization.
This part will focus on Rockman/Mega Man 7, while the next two will be about Rockman/Mega Man 8 and Rockman & Forte/Mega Man & Bass. The reason I chose those games is that they have the most dialogue, which means more opportunities for localization changes.
Why Bass, you may ask? Well, that's because he's my favorite Mega Man character, and I wanted an excuse to write about him.
... What? If you don't want stupid answers, don't ask stupid questions.
Despite the title, I'll be using localized names (Mega Man, Bass, etc.) even when talking about the original Japanese games for consistency and to annoy the purists.
BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!!!!
Opening Stage
If Mega Man wins:
| Speaker | Japanese | Translation | Localization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | やるな，ロックマン！ | Not bad, Rockman! | You are as good as they say, Megaman. |
| Mega Man | えっ，ぼくを知ってるの？君は，だれ... | Huh, you know me? Who are you... | You better tell me who you are? |
| Bass | おれはフォルテだ，こいつはゴスペル | I am Forte, this is Gospel. | I'm Bass and he's Treble. |
| Bass | おれ達はワイリーのてから世界を守るために戰っているんだ... | We are fighting to protect the world from Wily's hands... | We have been trying to stop Dr. Wily while you were gone... |
| Bass | おまえの力を，ためさせてもらった。さすがだな，ロックマン。 | I have tested your strength. As expected, Rockman. | I see now that you don't need our help... |
| Bass | いくぞ，ゴスペル！！ | Let's go, Gospel!! | N/A |
| Mega Man | ...フォルテ...？ | ...Forte...? | .... Bass....? |
If Bass wins:
| Speaker | Japanese | Translation | Localization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | これが，ロックマンだと... | This is Rockman...? | This is... Megaman?? |
| Mega Man | えっ，ぼくを知ってるの？君は，だれ... | Huh, you know me? Who are you... | You better tell me who you are? |
| Bass | おれはフォルテだ，こいつはゴスペル | I am Forte, this is Gospel. | I'm Bass and he's Treble. |
| Bass | おれ達はワイリーのてから世界を守るために戰っているんだ... | We are fighting to the protect the world from Wily's hands... | We have been trying to stop Dr. Wily while you were gone... |
| Bass | おまえの力を，ためさせてもらった。 | I have tested your strength. | You are much too weak to battle Wily. |
| Bass | この程度のヤツが，これまで地球の平和を守っていただと | Someone of this level has protected world peace all this time? | Maybe you better sit this one out. |
| Bass | へっ，笑わせるぜ！！いくぞ，ゴスペル！ | Heh, you make me laugh! Let's go, Gospel!! | Let's go Treble! |
| Mega Man | ...フォルテ...？ | ...Forte...? | .... Bass....? |
Oh my. We're only in the first stage of the game, and we already see some differences.
In RM7, Bass is antagonistic and shady from the start, openly mocking Mega Man and his power level if he (Bass) wins.
In MM7, Bass is still shady, but he's less aggressive and more condescending in his victory. He tells Mega Man he's too weak to fight Dr. Wily and that he should "sit this one out." He also likes his ellipses slightly more often.
Another thing to note is how Bass refers to Dr. Wily. In RM7, he consistently calls him just Wily, only using the honorific in the finale. In MM7, Bass refers to him as Dr. Wily in this scene, only to switch back to just Wily afterward.
Also, in RM7, Bass says, "Let's go, Gospel!" before leaving, regardless of the battle's outcome. But in MM7, Bass only says the equivalent line if he's the winner. Why? Beats me.
If you think this is a bit tame, don't worry—the changes are only getting more drastic from here on out.
Shade Man Stage
| Speaker | Japanese | Translation | Localization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | ちいっ！サゴ相手に油斷したぜ。こんな所でダメージを食っちまうとはよ... | Tch! I underestimated the small fry. I can't believe I've taken damage in a place like this... | Damn... I was careless! |
| Bass | 拳句の果てにおまえなんかにこんな無樣な姿をみられちまった | In the end, you've seen me in this unsightly state. | I feel so stupid to have been defeated so easily... |
| Bass | このウデじゃ，オレも引退だ...ワイリーを倒す役命はおまえに讓っておくぜ！ | At this stage I gotta pull out. I hand the role of defeating Wily to you! | Maybe I should give up and leave Wily to you! |
| Mega Man | そんなことないよ！！ぼくがライト博士に連絡するから，治してもらって，二人で戰おうよ | You don't have to! I will get a hold of Dr. Light, so get yourself fixed and let's fight together. | No. We are a team. Dr. Light will be glad to fix you up. |
| Bass | 濟まないな。だが，おまえのその優しさが命とりにならなきゃいいのにな | Sorry about this. But, hopefully that kindness of yours doesn't take your life. | Thanks. I'm glad that I have a friend like you... |
See? I told you there would be more!
In RM7, even though Bass is supposed to play the role of a wounded robot in need of repairs, he does a terrible job—he's more concerned with the humiliation of it all than anything else. And as a cherry on top, he practically spells out that he's a traitorous little weasel with his last line.
In MM7, Bass is far more willing to put himself down and make himself look pathetic and pitiful to a disgusting degree. He even calls Mega Man a friend, seemingly playing on his largely unwarranted feelings of camaraderie.
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