Everything about censorship answered.

[Bitwolf]

So if you’re anything like me, you’ve heard of this games opening message that says something along the lines of “these games have been modified to fit the current changing Social standards”, and were instantly mortified that the games may have been censored and wanted to know what’s going on.

Well, it’s true, Square Enix did infact censor these games, IN 1989 While it is true that this port claims to have modified it for “current Social standards” (I’ll get back to this, don’t worry.) these games have never been “uncensored” in North America, not in the 90’s, and sure as hell not now. So if you see that message and think “welp, guess I’m playing the original cart/rom, because it’s uncensored.” Bad news for ya there.

(If you wish to know what was cut in the original version, this video contains all the changes made to the original and some from the new release, I time stamped it but if it fails go to 4:36 https://youtu.be/9HOr45WeVZo?t=276)

So what actually happened? Well for starters the Japanese version actually contains this message too, a slur was removed from the Japanese collection. Along with several references to other Japanese properties.

https://mobile.twitter.com/baku_zero/status/1338615071732162560

Now that’s not to say that the North American version didn’t change things further from the 89 one, here’s a list of changes that are known from the switch version.

-“Colt” became “pistol” and “redbull” became “redhorns”. These changes were made to avoid square getting the pants sued off of them.

-“catcraw” was corrected to “catclaw”

- A character now introduces themselves as a “flatfoot” rather than “detective”, the original Japanese had her introduce herself as a detective informally, so this change is likely an accuracy one (though I think “gumshoe” would have worked better)

-A late game soldier in 2 had their initials changed from “SS” to “SF”, likely to avoid comparisons to German WW2 soldiers. (Despite the sprite implying that’s what he actually is) https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/3/35/FFLII_Commando.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/39?cb=20121215225011

-The “N. bomb” item is now the “A. Bomb”, while the reasons for its change might seem obvious, the next reason puts its reason into question.

-Atomic power plant is now just “powerplant”, weird how the bomb was changed to say “atomic” but they then removed that word from the power plant itself.

-“Color” was changed to “Pigment” most likely a joke about the fact the game boy has no color.

Did you notice something? Only one or two of those could really be considered a change to “fit changing societal norms” the rest are to avoid lawsuits and correct translation issues (of a already censored translation, mind you.

So why did they say the game is modified due to social norms when in the NA version it really wasn’t? Most likely they probably just translated the Japanese menu as is and didn’t think to modify the disclaimer to say that they just corrected a few issues, rather than leaving it implying further censorship to the NA translation.

So what do we do with all this?

Well after all that, I think that even if you don’t care that it’s censored, you still shouldn’t buy this version and instead play the wonderswan remake of 1 and the DS remakes of 2 and 3. They’re far superior in every way, and not censored. They were never officially released in English, but I’m sure you smart cookies can figure out how to play them on your big strong pc’s.

Oh and since I know this will cause inevitable discourse, please try to keep it civil, don’t give the mods a reason to nuke what it’s meant to be purely informative.

Sources:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/298912-collection-of-saga-final-fantasy-legend/78936498

+ The video and twitter thread shown earlier.

[Bitwolf]

Автор сообщения: Mr. Grim

I don't care that it's "censored" and I don't care that you think I shouldn't buy them and instead acquire games I had not paid for and in a manner that most would consider to be illegal.

Then by all means purchase the collection, you don’t need to defend your purchase to me, sounds like you’re a tad insecure when people don’t like things you like.

[Bitwolf]

Автор сообщения: gorba

Does this mean Nintendo is going to call the GameBoy:

GameThey
GameName
GameZe

???

Nintendo has absolutely nothing to do with this collection so I don’t understand your point. These collections rarely if ever name the systems they emulate due to legal reasons.

[Bitwolf]

Автор сообщения: darksagerk

Thanks for the deets, OP.

No problem, thankfully what’s changed doesn’t matter too much, square really should have made that message less aggressive in the west.

[菠薐草]

I will never play a game that has been changed from the original. I am sick and tired of these "translators" changing things to fit their limited "cultural" view.

That is why I rarely speak English. I have learned to read Japanese through one hundred + hours of military training and I can read a kanji at five hundred paces in standard light novel print. Unless you are going to get on my level, you all need to put nappies on like the whining little triggered kids that you are.

Now, momma has spoken. Go and clean the dishes.

Have fun.

[Отиум]

I recently saw the beginning of Legend 2 and was just about to buy a refurbished backlit modded Advance or GBC and looking for a copy of Legend 2 with a new battery. Needless to say, I’m very excited to play this.

So, thank you for the PSA. That sentence being on the storefront seemed like reason enough to not support the release, just in case they get any ideas in the future. But when it comes to the stuff you mention in this post, I can deal.

[Bitwolf]

Автор сообщения: xym

I recently saw the beginning of Legend 2 and was just about to buy a refurbished backlit modded Advance or GBC and looking for a copy of Legend 2 with a new battery. Needless to say, I’m very excited to play this.

So, thank you for the PSA. That sentence being on the storefront seemed like reason enough to not support the release, just in case they get any ideas in the future. But when it comes to the stuff you mention in this post, I can deal.

Yeah, square really shot themselves in the foot with that message, really implied more of an overhaul.

[Blind]

Didn't Perfect Dark also rename their N. Bomb?

I'll have to check if Megaman V changed theirs

[Deilin]

Own FF VII... Ignored remake
Own FF VIII... Ignored remake

Pretty much "remakes" for me aren't really worth it if they feel they have to change things. And, really, I don't don't consider the FF VII remake a remake or a FF game. Even with past remakes, where they "add missing content" they tend to not be worth it. If they feel they need to censor, I always wonder if the project it worth the while to begin with. If the creator feel the need to censor themselves, then they shouldn't bother, because they are killing their own story.

[Blind]

Автор сообщения: Deilin

Own FF VII... Ignored remake
Own FF VIII... Ignored remake

Pretty much "remakes" for me aren't really worth it if they feel they have to change things. And, really, I don't don't consider the FF VII remake a remake or a FF game. Even with past remakes, where they "add missing content" they tend to not be worth it. If they feel they need to censor, I always wonder if the project it worth the while to begin with. If the creator feel the need to censor themselves, then they shouldn't bother, because they are killing their own story.

Honestly, the Pixel Remasters of 1~4 so far are really really good so I jokingly said they should do a pixel remaster of FF8, like, in 2D. I think it legit would go good.

[Volimar]

I think I found another change. In FF Legends 2, there's an enemy called Partisans. I think in the old game they were called Terrorists. Makes sense why they'd change that.

[Atlus]

There's several more enemy name changes. I personally am of the opinion they randomly changed things simply to get paid. Translators and localizers would typically get paid per word. So padding out the amount of work they do means they could get paid more.

This collection is inferior as rather than giving an honest version of the game, they simply vomited out the same exact versions from over 30+ years ago and expect you to pay a premium for what's essentially 3 ROMs and an emulator.

[Bitwolf]

Автор сообщения: Atlus

There's several more enemy name changes. I personally am of the opinion they randomly changed things simply to get paid. Translators and localizers would typically get paid per word. So padding out the amount of work they do means they could get paid more.

This collection is inferior as rather than giving an honest version of the game, they simply vomited out the same exact versions from over 30+ years ago and expect you to pay a premium for what's essentially 3 ROMs and an emulator.

Yeah, typically I love supporting these collections, but this one is a particular brand of not caring.

At least fully desensor them all or give us the far better remakes.

[censorship = death :(]

it's still censorship. it's still wrong. imagine thinking "nbomb" is offensive or SS...

it's so stupid.

[censorship = death :(]

Автор сообщения: Melodia

None of what is changed, as listed, is actual censorship.

Now, bananas? That's censorship (though one that makes complete sense, and is pretty funny)

... no it's any change for sensitivity or inconvenience.

ss to sf and n bomb to A bomb.

i get what you're trying to say but that is still censorship. and redbull to red horns... still censorship.

it's literally the definition. we should have to become criminals and break the law by emulating it in order to get the full experience.

[censorship = death :(]

Автор сообщения: Bitwolf

So if you’re anything like me, you’ve heard of this games opening message that says something along the lines of “these games have been modified to fit the current changing Social standards”, and were instantly mortified that the games may have been censored and wanted to know what’s going on.

Well, it’s true, Square Enix did infact censor these games, IN 1989 While it is true that this port claims to have modified it for “current Social standards” (I’ll get back to this, don’t worry.) these games have never been “uncensored” in North America, not in the 90’s, and sure as hell not now. So if you see that message and think “welp, guess I’m playing the original cart/rom, because it’s uncensored.” Bad news for ya there.

(If you wish to know what was cut in the original version, this video contains all the changes made to the original and some from the new release, I time stamped it but if it fails go to 4:36 https://youtu.be/9HOr45WeVZo?t=276)

So what actually happened? Well for starters the Japanese version actually contains this message too, a slur was removed from the Japanese collection. Along with several references to other Japanese properties.

https://mobile.twitter.com/baku_zero/status/1338615071732162560

Now that’s not to say that the North American version didn’t change things further from the 89 one, here’s a list of changes that are known from the switch version.

-“Colt” became “pistol” and “redbull” became “redhorns”. These changes were made to avoid square getting the pants sued off of them.

-“catcraw” was corrected to “catclaw”

- A character now introduces themselves as a “flatfoot” rather than “detective”, the original Japanese had her introduce herself as a detective informally, so this change is likely an accuracy one (though I think “gumshoe” would have worked better)

-A late game soldier in 2 had their initials changed from “SS” to “SF”, likely to avoid comparisons to German WW2 soldiers. (Despite the sprite implying that’s what he actually is) https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/3/35/FFLII_Commando.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/39?cb=20121215225011

-The “N. bomb” item is now the “A. Bomb”, while the reasons for its change might seem obvious, the next reason puts its reason into question.

-Atomic power plant is now just “powerplant”, weird how the bomb was changed to say “atomic” but they then removed that word from the power plant itself.

-“Color” was changed to “Pigment” most likely a joke about the fact the game boy has no color.

Did you notice something? Only one or two of those could really be considered a change to “fit changing societal norms” the rest are to avoid lawsuits and correct translation issues (of a already censored translation, mind you.

So why did they say the game is modified due to social norms when in the NA version it really wasn’t? Most likely they probably just translated the Japanese menu as is and didn’t think to modify the disclaimer to say that they just corrected a few issues, rather than leaving it implying further censorship to the NA translation.

So what do we do with all this?

Well after all that, I think that even if you don’t care that it’s censored, you still shouldn’t buy this version and instead play the wonderswan remake of 1 and the DS remakes of 2 and 3. They’re far superior in every way, and not censored. They were never officially released in English, but I’m sure you smart cookies can figure out how to play them on your big strong pc’s.

Oh and since I know this will cause inevitable discourse, please try to keep it civil, don’t give the mods a reason to nuke what it’s meant to be purely informative.

Sources:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/298912-collection-of-saga-final-fantasy-legend/78936498

+ The video and twitter thread shown earlier.

THANK YOU . this is very informative. as much as i'd LOVE to stop any and all censorship... this is a lot less severe than final fantasy 6 and taking out a punch.

i'm glad people are giving a care. NOw if i could get my posterior motivated to create an anti censorship law that protects creators from "changing social norms"..
screw social norms... there's a matter of principle and we can logically determine what is censorship or not.

heck the worries about being sued for using "redbull" and "colt" are obvious over reaches of copyright law.

Seuss and Maus should not be censored. especially not for offense. We shouldn't have to live in a nation of cops where dirty jokes and saying something 2 years ago takes your job away... there's far worse things.

we can't say we live in a free society if we think that we can stop bad speech through force and coercive threats. MORE speech is the only acceptable consequence. ... and not changing and expanding the definition of bigotry to things it is not.