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Today we'll be taking a look at some of the ways that Kid Icarus: Uprising was changed
when it was brought over from Japan to English countries.
Kid Icarus: Uprising is a third-person shooter for the Nintendo 3DS with quite a big focus
on story and dialogue.
Whilst there aren't many graphical differences between regions, you can however find a lot
of differences in the way the game was translated from the original Japanese script.
The English localizers took a lot of liberates with the English script, as was spoke about
by the game's Japanese creator in this interview with IGN.
Here, creator Masahiro Sakurai explains: "As for how Uprising’s over-the-top English
localization came to be, Sakurai admitted he gave Nintendo of America a lot of leeway
so the game would be enjoyable for native speakers of English.
“The Japanese version is definitely very comedic too,” he said.
“It's something that takes advantage of the nuances of Japanese conversation, and
not all of it works directly in English.
We had NOA handle the localization, and I told them to change the meaning and content
as much as they want - that I wanted conversations that sound natural and enjoyable to a native
speaker.”"
This translation freedom also seems to have extended to the game's cover art, which has
quite an interesting difference between the Japanese version of the left and the English
release on the right.
As shown, the two versions are nearly identical but with a few subtle changes - one of these
being that, over in Japan, Pit is presented as smiling, whereas outside of Japan, his
expression was changed to look more serious.
This change was likely made due to Nintendo of America feeling that a more serious looking
Pit would be a better marketing strategy over in the US.
Similar changes have been made to many of the Kirby games over in the West, with Kirby
often being presented more cute over in Japan, but being made to look more determined in
English due to believing this is a style that the West prefers.
In fact, curiously, Kid Icarus: Uprising's creator, Masahiro Sakurai, is also the creator
of the Kirby games.
As mentioned though, it wasn't just the marketing style that was different in Japan but you
can also find all kinds of differences in the game's translation.
Some of these are more subtle than others, or are just due to Japanese jokes that wouldn't
work as well in English.
Some of these differences are more notable though and this video will give a few examples
of some of the more interesting ones.
First though, a big thanks to the YouTubers milkyFlandere and MrMalicar for not only translating
but adding to subtitles to many of the Japanese scenes.
Across these two channels, you will be able to find a vast amount of the game translated
and if that's something you're interested in checking out, you'll be able to find a
link in the description.
Back to a few of the more interesting differences though - a curious change can even be found
in one of the game's trailers leading up to its release.
First up is the English trailer.
In the Japanese version, Pit's reason for not wanting to get undressed isn't because
of saving on laundry but because of being worried that Palutena will look.
There's a scene similar to this one in the actual game, except its Magnus talking to
Pit about why he won't take his clothes off.
In the English version, Pit says it's because he doesn't want to steam
the
sacred buns...
Over in Japan though, Pit says that he doesn't want Magnus to see his butt!
A more curious change occurs in chapter 9, following
defeating the boss Underworld Gatekeeper.
In the Japanese version, Dark Pit hurts himself in the process - saying that he overdid it,
whilst Palutena comforts him saying that he didn't break any bones.
Nintendo Treehouse however changed this so Dark Pit doesn't have any issues at all and
acts confident and cocky.
You may have also noticed how Dark Pit isn't given the nickname "Pittoo" over in Japan
but instead "BlaPi".
This is because Dark Pit's name in Japan is Black Pit instead and BlaPi is an abbreviation
of this.
It's possible that this was changed over in the West due to racial connotations, but this
isn't known for certain and it's also far from the only name was changed during the
game's localization.
Viridi, for instance, isn't known as Viridi in the Japanese version but instead she is
called "Nature".
Viridid is the goddess of nature, which is where her Japanese name comes from.
The English name on the other hand is based on the Latin word for the colour green as
well as youthfulness.
Of course, to Japanese players, having the name "Nature" being in English would seem
foreign and more interesting, which wouldn't have carried over to English players and is
likely why it was changed.
Another naming change can in fact be found with the game's name itself.
Over in Japan, Kid Icarus: Uprising is instead called New Light Mythology: Palutena's Mirror.
This isn't a new change though, as the original 1986 game for the NES was called Light Mythology:
Palutena's Mirror, whilst the English version was called Kid Icarus.
But for our final change for today, we'll be taking a look at the final battle with
Hades - which doesn't just have a translation difference but has the actual scene altered
over in the West.
The English version has Hades sneeze during his and Pit's verbal exchange...
Over in Japan though, Pit is the one to sneeze and this even comes with unique graphics to
go along...
It's not known why this decision was made, but perhaps it was, like the box art changes,
wanting Pit to be perceived as more serious over in the West.
What do you think of these changes made to the game and what game should Censored Gaming
take a look at next?
Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below and please consider subscribing if videos
on regional differences like this are something you are interested in.
And, until next time, thank you for watching!