Regional Differences
Same game, different experience
Games often varied between regional releases—different content, censorship, difficulty adjustments, and even genre changes between Japan, America, and Europe.
Overview
Localisation went beyond translation. Japanese games received American makeovers: changed sprites, removed religious imagery, added difficulty. European versions often ran slower on PAL systems. Some changes improved; others baffled. Understanding regional differences became essential knowledge for serious players and collectors.
Fast facts
- Causes: censorship, cultural adaptation, technical requirements.
- Common changes: difficulty, sprites, text, content removal.
- PAL issues: 50Hz versus 60Hz speed differences.
- Box art: frequently different between regions.
- Modern persistence: some changes continue today.
Types of changes
Regional variations included:
- Censorship: violence, religious imagery, substance references.
- Difficulty: often made harder for Western release.
- Sprites: character designs changed.
- Content: scenes or features removed/added.
- Technical: PAL optimisation (or lack thereof).
Notable examples
Famous regional differences:
- Contra (NES): renamed Probotector in Europe with robot sprites.
- Final Fantasy: spell names, monster designs changed.
- Sonic CD: different soundtracks by region.