One of the greatest parts of emulation and retro handhelds is playing English-patched games that never had an official translation. RPGs are my favorite genre of games and these seem to be some of the most popular English translations. There was a time when Japan didn’t bother sending these games to the West because they didn’t think they would be popular or too difficult. Let’s take a look at some cool RPGs that never made it over to the West that you can play English translations of!
Mother 3
System: GBA
Mother 3
Let’s kick things off with the game that fans have clamored to bring West for what feels like an eternity. Even Reggie Fils-Aimé and Terry Crews have advocated for the game to be released. There was once an N64 version of the game that was canceled. The final game in the Mother trilogy has you controlling Lucas and multiple other characters taking place an unknown amount of time after Mother 2. I do not want to give away too much of the plot, but it is an emotional rollercoaster with a ton of quirky parts that make the series so great.
The Adventures of Hourai High
System: SNES
Adventures of Hourai High
This game is for anyone who is not wanting an overly serious RPG experience. You are not waking up on your birthday to go on an adventure or getting amnesia in this one. Instead, you are falling out of an airplane to start in a new high school. The game has you joining clubs to get new skills similar to the job system in Final Fantasy V. The combat is like a Dragon Quest game and the humor is that of a Mother game. The game does have that classic too many random encounters, but it is a unique experience nonetheless.
The Adventures of Hourai High – English Patch
G.O.D: Mezameyo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe
System: SNES
G.O.D.
G.O.D. takes place in 1999 in our world. One day you decide to stroll into a cave and run into a big bat that is guarding a Crystal. The floor starts crumbling and aliens are starting to invade. You now awaken 10 years later with the task of traveling the world to help stop the threat. The game is not the most impressive visually and the combat can feel slow, but the story and gameplay make up for it. Just a little fast-forward and you are off to experience a great RPG!
G.O.D: Mezameyo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe – English Patch
Magical Vacation
System: GBA
Magical Vacation
There was once a secret magical war that erupted. Years later, the main character is going to attend a magical school called Will-o’-Wisp. You have the ability to see spirits and use them within combat. This is a unique ability that not many people obtain, even in the magic world. You are then sent to a summer school despite there being rumors of students disappearing. The gameplay of this game reminds me of Golden Sun, but the biggest shining part? The graphics are absolutely gorgeous. It may be one of, if not the best-looking GBA game I have played.
Magical Vacation – English Patch
Bahamut Lagoon
System: SNES
Bahamut Lagoon
This is a fantastic Tactical RPG experience for the SNES. The game is not related to Final Fantasy, but it had help from some of the Final Fantasy teams. It even summons some of the awesome creatures that make the series renowned. You play as Byu, who is part of the Dragon Squad tasked to defend their kingdom. This game looks and plays great, and if you are a fan of the Tactical RPG genre, this one may be for you. I hear there is even a secret channel on our Discord for playing and enjoying this game next month.
Bahamut Lagoon – English Patch
Wonder Project J
System: SNES
Wonder Project J
This game is very unique. There is a robot boy named Pino who wants to seem more human. You don’t control him though, you control a robot fairy who helps scold him when he does something wrong and praise him when he does something right. Remember Hey You Pikachu? It is a bit reminiscent of that game. The game is a unique game that is probably more of a life-sim than an RPG. The graphics are really pushing the SNES to its limits and this is a fun take on the story motifs of Pinocchio.
Wonder Project J – English Patch
Sweet Home
System: NES
Sweet Home
Capcom released this next game that is based on the movie of the same name and plays like a very early Resident Evil. The game has you controlling a group of 5 characters that you can split up into parties as you traverse a mansion. Each character has a unique item that you need to complete the game. You must solve puzzles, battle monsters, and manage your inventory in this Horror RPG. This game even has 5 different endings.
Far East of Eden Zero
System: SNES
Far East of Eden: Zero
Far East of Eden is a series that first started on the TurboGrafx being the first CD-based RPG game. It is a really ambitious addition to the series that was released on the SNES. You play as Higan who has learned that he is the legendary Fire Hero must save the kingdoms by defeating the Demon Lord. The game uses a real-time clock for different events to happen in the game. It depends on what day or time it is for certain events to unlock.
Far East of Eden Zero – English Patch
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
System: SNES
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
Fire Emblem is the peak series when it comes to Tactical RPG games. This game originally was released through the Nintendo Power Flash cartridge and has since been released on the Wii and Wii U virtual console, but still never left Japan. The game features the grid-based maps and tactical combat the series is well known for. You must use the map to your advantage and use the different landscapes. You play as Prince Leaf of Lenster who must free his homeland from two different forces. If you love the Fire Emblem series or even just Tactical RPG games, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 – English Patch
Treasure of the Rudras
System: SNES
Treasure of the Rudras
Every 4,000 years, a Rudra appears with a new race to take over, but the current race must be pushed to extinction. You take control of four characters 14 days before the next Rudra is to appear. Together, you must work together to help save the world. Being a Square game, a lot of the combat is similar to their Final Fantasy titles at the time. The shining star of this one though is the magic system. The game has you creating your own custom spells by combining prefixes and suffixes to make your own spells. Graphically and gameplay-wise, this is a great experience to check out.
Treasure of the Rudras – English Patch
What did you think of this article? What games did I miss and should check out to include in the future Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
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