Japanese exclusive games with full english support

[Usselman]

Hello everyone, today I've got a weird one. This is quite rare and unusual, although it does happen occasionally.

Does anybody else here know of any japanese exclusive games with full english text support or voice acting? I've come across at least 2 or 3 titles where this is the case, although the only one I can remember off the top of my head right now is double steal the second clash for the original xbox.

Developed by a japanese team, with full english menus and voice acting, but was never released in north american or pal regions. Can anybody else on this fine forum help me find more bizarre occurrences such as these? looking for anything that's pre-ps3 and didn't receive any official release in other regions than japan.

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

here's another example, acid for the ps1. all the menus are in english despite being japan exclusive

 

[LiberoVulpesLiberoVulpes's icon]

If memory serves, the Dark Hunter games were meant to help Japanese gamers learn English, they have dual language support, I haven't played them myself, so can't comment if the Voice Acting is RE1 levels.

They are on the repo.

Dark Hunter Jou: Ijigen Gakuen (Japan) Saturn ISO – RGT Repository

Dark Hunter Jou: Ijigen Gakuen (Japan) Saturn ISO for SEGA Saturn. Genre: Visual Novel. Published and developed by Koei

retrogametalk.com

Dark Hunter Ge: Youma no Mori (Japan) Saturn ISO – RGT Repository

Dark Hunter Ge: Youma no Mori (Japan) Saturn ISO for SEGA Saturn. Genre: Visual Novel. Published and developed by Koei

retrogametalk.com

 

[SnicketySlice]

Poinie's Poin.
https://retrogametalk.com/repository/ps2-iso/poinies-poin-japan/

 

[Usselman]

Poinie's Poin.
https://retrogametalk.com/repository/ps2-iso/poinies-poin-japan/

Oh I remember this one now, I have yet to play it myself. thank you for reminding me.

 

[bjork]

I could be making this up, but I feel like some DS and GBA games had a thing that would detect your console's region and use that region's language. I only say this based on a DS Puyo Puyo game doing it, as well as Yugioh Worldwide Edition on GBA. But I have no idea how common that is with any games, exclusive or no.

[edit - I just remembered there's a Golgo 13 game on PS1 that can be played with english voiceovers, I don't recall if the text could be changed too or not. I never finished it, but it was basically like an audiobook but you see the manga art as it goes]

 

[Usselman]

Just gotta say, i've been playing double steal the second clash throughout the night, and this game is absolutely amazing. criminal we never saw it, despite it being fully in english. everything about the game is awesome, some of the best graphics on the xbox, fun arcade gameplay, and awesome ost.

 

[ParmShellwood]

If memory serves, the Dark Hunter games were meant to help Japanese gamers learn English, they have dual language support, I haven't played them myself, so can't comment if the Voice Acting is RE1 levels.

They are on the repo.

Dark Hunter Jou: Ijigen Gakuen (Japan) Saturn ISO – RGT Repository

Dark Hunter Jou: Ijigen Gakuen (Japan) Saturn ISO for SEGA Saturn. Genre: Visual Novel. Published and developed by Koei

retrogametalk.com

Dark Hunter Ge: Youma no Mori (Japan) Saturn ISO – RGT Repository

Dark Hunter Ge: Youma no Mori (Japan) Saturn ISO for SEGA Saturn. Genre: Visual Novel. Published and developed by Koei

retrogametalk.com

Don't forget the Emit Value Pack, which is also part of the same collection along with the ones you already mentioned.

 

[JoueurCitoyen]

When Gyakuten Saiban released for Nintendo DS, it featured full Enligsh support (before releasing in the West)!

Also IDK if that counts but I think Sin & Punishment was dubbed in English (and subbed in Japanese) if that counts?

 

[Usselman]

JailBreaker​

this weird ps1 game has english dialogue for some reason.

 

[Wesmess]

I could be making this up, but I feel like some DS and GBA games had a thing that would detect your console's region and use that region's language. I only say this based on a DS Puyo Puyo game doing it, as well as Yugioh Worldwide Edition on GBA. But I have no idea how common that is with any games, exclusive or no.

Outside of China with the Ique shit, I'm pretty sure the BIOS of the GBA is the exact same no matter where you got it and it definitely had no way to detect what region the cartridge was from. It just doesn't have that sort of technology in it.

 

[Usselman]

When Gyakuten Saiban released for Nintendo DS, it featured full Enligsh support (before releasing in the West)!

Also IDK if that counts but I think Sin & Punishment was dubbed in English (and subbed in Japanese) if that counts?

I'm primarily looking for games which were never actually released officially in other territories. weird niche, I know.

 

[Vexicrypt]

Phase Paradox, despite being a Japan exclusive, has full English voice acting.

 

[Usselman]

Phase Paradox, despite being a Japan exclusive, has full English voice acting.

yes that's right i remember this one as well, thank you. looks cool.

 

[Stare best girl]

not a japan-only game but a version japan-only, De La Jet Set Radio has multi-language support

 

[Usselman]

not a japan-only game but a version japan-only, De La Jet Set Radio has multi-language support

I love jet set radio. sega in general is kinda awesome, they've made some of the best arcade games I can just keep coming back to, unlike other developers

 

[DAME NINGEN]

G-Saviour on ps2 and the original Metal Wolf Chaos on xbox both had english voice acting.

 

[Felipe]

For some reason those two come to mind:

Final Fantasy X: International (English+UNDUB) PS2 ISO – RGT Repository

Final Fantasy X International is a role-playing video game published by Square Enix as advanced version of Final Fantasy X for Sony's PlayStation 2.

retrogametalk.com

Final Fantasy X-2: International + Last Mission (English Patched) PS2 ISO – RGT Repository

Final Fantasy X-2: International + Last Mission (English Patched) PS2 ISO Game ID: SLPM-65478. Languages: English Patched. For Sony PlayStation 2.

retrogametalk.com

 

[Orclease]

Try these links...

Japanese Nintendo DS games with full English support
Japanese Nintendo 3DS games with full English support
Japanese Nintendo Switch games with full English support
Japanese PlayStation 3 games with full English support
Japanese PlayStation 4 games with full English support
Japanese Xbox 360 games with full English support
Japanese Xbox One games with full English support

 

[CaptainToad]

Puppet Zoo Pilomy has almost entirely English as far as I can tell. It's a NTSC-J exclusive PS1 game.

The Book of Watermarks, also on PS1 and JP-exclusive. A Myst-like, so maybe a little tricky at times.

Extreme Power, also NTSC-J and on PS1.

Gamera 2000, also NTSC-J and on PS1. It has English acting, although some Japanese in menus I think, but it's so simple it's definitely playable.

And I believe the Wizradry games on PS1 might have the full english still intact like some of the other Wizardry ports that do the same in Japan.

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

Oh, the PS2 game Metal Slug (the JP-only 3D one, not the 2D games) has English that can be unlocked with a code on console or PCSX2.

Info: https://randomhoohaas.flyingomelette.com/msmia/ps2/index.html

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

Otostaz on PS2 *might* be in English? I'd need someone to confirm.

 

[jankusanagi jankusanagi]

Phase Paradox, despite being a Japan exclusive, has full English voice acting.

But not English text, right? Important distinction

So it's like the first three OG Resident Evil, basically.

 

[Usselman]

G-Saviour on ps2 and the original Metal Wolf Chaos on xbox both had english voice acting.

I love metal wolf chaos. so so much. i'm happy it got an official port to steam.

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

Try these links...

Japanese Nintendo DS games with full English support
Japanese Nintendo 3DS games with full English support
Japanese Nintendo Switch games with full English support
Japanese PlayStation 3 games with full English support
Japanese PlayStation 4 games with full English support
Japanese Xbox 360 games with full English support
Japanese Xbox One games with full English support

unfortunately i'm looking specifically for platforms that are before the ones you've posted, ps1 and ps2 era

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

Puppet Zoo Pilomy has almost entirely English as far as I can tell. It's a NTSC-J exclusive PS1 game.
View attachment 119175
The Book of Watermarks, also on PS1 and JP-exclusive. A Myst-like, so maybe a little tricky at times.
View attachment 119176
Extreme Power, also NTSC-J and on PS1.View attachment 119177
Gamera 2000, also NTSC-J and on PS1. It has English acting, although some Japanese in menus I think, but it's so simple it's definitely playable.
View attachment 119179
And I believe the Wizradry games on PS1 might have the full english still intact like some of the other Wizardry ports that do the same in Japan.

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

Oh, the PS2 game Metal Slug (the JP-only 3D one, not the 2D games) has English that can be unlocked with a code on console or PCSX2.

Info: https://randomhoohaas.flyingomelette.com/msmia/ps2/index.html

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

Otostaz on PS2 *might* be in English? I'd need someone to confirm.View attachment 119181

wow some great pics here man, thank you for sharing so many.

puppet zoo is entirely new to me, and not even on RGT (rip CDromance) big ups.

extreme power is also new to me as well, thank you. gamera 2000 looks so cool gotta play that one.

and that 3d metal slug game i've seen before but really need to touch. looks so cool. otostaz looks neat too, I'll have to investigate to see if i can find an english language option in the settings.

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

But not English text, right? Important distinction

So it's like the first three OG Resident Evil, basically.

still cool to me that there are some JP exclusives where you can stumble through them and at least understand the plot. It's unique and odd for a J game to have full english voices but never hit western shores.

Post automatically merged: Oct 15, 2025

Also, DEEP FREEZE for the ps1 had english voice acting!

 

[bjork]

Outside of China with the Ique shit, I'm pretty sure the BIOS of the GBA is the exact same no matter where you got it and it definitely had no way to detect what region the cartridge was from. It just doesn't have that sort of technology in it.

Yeah, I know nothing about any of that. I just know that for my job at the time, I was required to play a Japanese version of Worldwide Edition and it was in english.

 

[Wesmess]

Yeah, I know nothing about any of that. I just know that for my job at the time, I was required to play a Japanese version of Worldwide Edition and it was in english.

You can change the language by pressing Start at the stage select screen. You most likey got a copy where the last person who played changed the language.

 

[bjork]

You can change the language by pressing Start at the stage select screen. You most likey got a copy where the last person who played changed the language.

Oh shit! Fired up the rom like "that doesn't sound right?" but it sure is. Alright then, mystery (for me anyway) solved!

 

[stealthRUSH stealthRUSH]

Willy Wombat on Sega Saturn has audio voice acting, music performance in English