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Retronauts
481: Retronauts Episode 481: The Localization Gap & Sega SG-1000 preview
Sep 17, 2022
Nadia Oxford explores the different game experiences '80s kids had growing up in the U.S. vs. Japan. Jeremy Parish relays his findings from a year-long trip through Sega's SG-1000 library, highlighting the impact of localization on the Western gaming experience and the origins of the localization gap in video games.
05:29
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Quick takeaways
- The localization gap in the 1980s significantly shaped the Western gaming experience, particularly through edited artwork and tone in RPGs.
- The emergence of Space Invaders in Japan marked the shift to Japan becoming a major player in the video game industry alongside the US, leading to further development and popularity of games.
Deep dives
The 1980s Localization Gap in Western Gaming
The podcast episode explores the 1980s localization gap and how it significantly impacted the Western gaming experience compared to Japan. The hosts discuss how localization efforts edited the tone of games, particularly in RPGs, to adapt them for Western audiences. They highlight the example of Dragon Quest (or Dragon Warrior) and how the localized artwork for the game differed from the original Japanese art by Akira Toriyama. The hosts express admiration for the westernized adaptation of the artwork and encourage listeners to compare and appreciate the differences. They emphasize the significance of the localization gap in shaping the nostalgic gaming experiences of Western gamers.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode