Guide to Buying Fan Translated Yaoi Games

[Kimchi Tea]

There's some great yaoi games with fan translations, and while you can find plenty of sites to download them (I won't judge), some of them are easier to buy legally than you might realize.

I've only listed English translations, but if you're looking for fan patches in another language, let me know and I'll do my best to help! I'm also mostly familiar with visual novels, so if you're aware of BL-related game translations in other genres, please post a link!

Note on pricing: the exchange rate fluctuates, but 100 JPY = 1 USD is generally a safe estimate.

Buying Downloadable Games

Japanese sites don't always take foreign credit cards, or might require a Japanese mailing address for signup. DLsite English and DMM are the most friendly to non-Japanese users, as they both accept PayPal and have account sign-ups in English, so that's what I've focused on here.

DMM

When you first load the site, you'll get a choice of viewing in English or Japanese. However, the English version is just a bad machine translation that doesn't even work for all the site content, so you're better off viewing it in Japanese and using the Translate Page function in Google Chrome if you need it.

First verify that you're 18 ("はい"). Click log in ("ログイン", the silhouette at the top right), click the yellow button to create a new account, and log in with your Twitter/Google/Facebook ID.

To add an item to your cart, click the yellow shopping cart button. For payment, you can choose credit card ("クレジットカード") or points ("ポイント"), which you can buy using PayPal. (If DMM does accept your credit card, you'll get bonus points for using it, but I find PayPal more convenient.)

Click "Buy Points" ("ポイントをチャージする"), then PayPal. You can input a custom amount (at least 500 points) in the box at the bottom of the page.

DLsite English

The whole signup and check-out process is in English, which makes things easy. You can buy adult items using points or credit card, but you can only use PayPal for all ages items. The workaround is to buy points from the all ages page,[ssl.dlsite.com] which you can then use for purchases on the adult site. However, you can only buy points in set increments and with a minimum of 1000 points.

Buying Physical Games

1. Check for used/resale copies on Ebay. You'll have the best luck for more popular games, such as DRAMAtical Murder. Good because you don't have to go through an intermediary, but the prices might be a bit steep.

2. Use a proxy shipping service. For a commission, they will order items from Japanese sites and forward the packages to you. I've used Treasure Japan[treasure-japan.com] before and had a very good experience. Other options include Tenso[www.tenso.com] and From Japan.[www.fromjapan.co.jp] You can find tons of used games for low prices at Surugaya,[www.suruga-ya.jp] and they'll ship everything in one order (and for free if you buy a certain amount), so you'll only have to worry about paying the shipping for the proxy service to forward the package to you, and not combining multiple orders from different sellers. EDIT: Surugaya now has an English site[www.suruga-ya.com] that you can order from directly without a proxy, but I haven't tried it yet.

3. Use a proxy bidding/shipping service to shop on Japanese auction sites. I've never done this, so I can't give you any advice. Sorry.

[Kimchi Tea]

Fan Translated Games

24-ji, Kimi no Heart wa Nusumareru ~Kaitou Jade~ (24時、君のハートは盗まれる～怪盗ジェイド～) a.k.a. Phantom Thief Jade
Developer: Pink Clover
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v3448
English Patch: Aarinfantasy[aarinfantasy.com] (requires registration)
Purchase: Surugaya,[www.suruga-ya.jp] Amazon.co.jp.[www.amazon.co.jp]

Akaya Akashiya Ayakashino (あかやあかしやあやかしの) (BL subtext only)
Developer: HaccaWorks*
Rating: All Ages/15+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v5841
English Patch: Complete web-based translation.[rikoren.dreamwidth.org] An actual patch is in progress, and a partial patch is available.
Purchase: Amazon.co.jp (PC,[www.amazon.co.jp] PSP[www.amazon.co.jp]). I've seen a few copies of the PSP version on Ebay, as well.

CAGE -OPEN-
Developer: LOVE&DESTROY
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v10694
English Patch: Recently updated.[dreamer-chan.tumblr.com] Three and a half of four routes are translated. Requires Visual Novel Reader.[vnr.aniclan.com]
Purchase: Download edition at DLsite English[www.dlsite.com] (contains DRM which won't let you launch the game through VNR; you have to run the EXE directly and then detect the game). No longer sold.

DRAMAtical Murder
Developer: Nitro+Chiral
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v5916
English Patch: Aarinfantasy[aarinfantasy.com] (account required)
Download: DMM[dlsoft.dmm.co.jp]
Physical: Nitro+Chiral[nitroplus.ecq.sc]
List of places to buy physical copies.[dmmd-support.tumblr.com]
It's also pretty easy to find on Ebay.
An official English release from JAST BLUE has been announced, but no release date yet. Released!

DRAMAtical Murder re:connect (DRAMAtical Murder sequel/fandisc)
Developer: Nitro+Chiral
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v10895
English Patch: Aarinfantasy[aarinfantasy.com] (account required)
Purchase: Nitro+Chiral[nitroplus.ecq.sc]
List of places to buy physical copies.[dmmd-support.tumblr.com]

Gakuen Heaven 2 ~Double Scramble!~ (学園ヘヴン２ ～DOUBLE SCRAMBLE！～)
Developer: Spray
Rating: 15+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v7769
English Patch: Full game patch and demo patch.[heaven.neo-romance.net]
Purchase:
Amazon.co.jp (PC)[www.amazon.co.jp], Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]Links to other retailers on the official site.[gakuenheaven.jp]

Kakoi -Enclosure- (囲 -カコイ-)
Developer: a.m.
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v14037
English Patch: Trial and full patch available at Aarinfantasy[aarinfantasy.com] (requires registration).
Physical: Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]
Download: DLsite[www.dlsite.com]

Kichiku Megane (鬼畜眼鏡)
Developer: Spray
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v1413
English Patch: A partial patch is available at Aarinfantasy[aarinfantasy.com] (requires registration). AFAIK there are no plans to finish the translation.
Physical: Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]
Download: DLsite[www.dlsite.com]

Kinbaku Ouji (緊縛王子) (Death Note fangame)
Developer: Orange Pekoe
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v8209
English Patch: A full web-based translation used to be online, but the translator's website is no longer available. You may be able to find the patch from unofficial sources.
Purchase: Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]

Kuro no Tsuki (蒼黒の月)
Developer: Moon Parrot
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v144
English Patch: The translator's site is no longer online, but I found an unofficial mirror.[bl.canadia.info]
Download: DLsite[www.dlsite.com]
Physical: Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]
https://www.amazon.co.jp/MOON-PARROT-蒼黒の月/dp/B00006K0UZ/

Lamento -Beyond the Void-
Developer: Nitro+Chiral
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v432
English Patch: Aarinfantasy[aarinfantasy.com] (requires registration)
Download: Windows 10 update version at DMM[dlsoft.dmm.co.jp]
Physical: Windows 10 update version at Nitro+Chiral store[nitroplus.ecq.sc]
Used older versions at Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]
An official English release from JAST BLUE has been announced, but no release date yet.

Lamento Treasure Disc (Lamento -Beyond the Void- fandisc)
Developer: Nitro+Chiral
Rating: 18+
English Patch: TLWiki[tlwiki.org]
Purchase: Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]

Luckydog1
Developer: Tennenouji
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v1564
English Patch: In progress web-based translation.[terracannon876.wordpress.com] No actual game patch will be made, as the developers have only given their permission for a text translation. The project has been going on literally forever since 2012, but it does still receive updates.
As of June 2017, three and a half of four routes have been translated.
Download: DLsite[www.dlsite.com]
A censored version (full explicit text but no R18 CGs or voice acting) is available for iOS and Android (English guide[terracannon876.wordpress.com]).
Physical: Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]
An official English release from MangaGamer has been announced, but no release date yet.

Okinawa Slave Island (沖縄スレイブアイランド)
Developer: Underground Campaign
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v7691
English Patch: anonymous
Download: Booth[booth.pm]
Note: as of October 2020, Booth is still blocking international cards. However, you can pay using a non-Japanese card through Rakuten Pay.

Otomeido@cafe (おとメイド＠cafe)
Developer: Otoko no Ko Club (おとこの娘倶楽部)
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v13661
English Patch: Lv1 Translations.[lv1translator.wordpress.com]
Download: DMM[dlsoft.dmm.co.jp]
Physical: Amazon.co.jp,[www.amazon.co.jp] Surugaya.[www.suruga-ya.jp]

Silver Chaos
Developer: Vivid Color
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v125
English Patch: Onadoru Euphoria[www.sakuracities.com]
Purchase: Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]
https://www.amazon.co.jp/VividColor-SILVER-CHAOS-シルバーカオス/dp/B000066E1H/

Silver Chaos Fan Box -Eternal Fantasia- (Silver Chaos sequel/fandisc)
Developer: Vivid Color
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v1403
English Patch: Onadoru Euphoria[www.sakuracities.com]
Purchase: Surugaya[www.suruga-ya.jp]
https://www.amazon.co.jp/SILVER-BOX（シルバーカオス-ファンボックス）-~ETERNAL-FANTASIA/dp/B00008K7EE/

Shingakkou -Noli me tangere- (神学校-Noli me tangere-)
Developer: PIL/SLASH
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v3660
English Patch: English trial patch.[vk.com] I'm unsure if the patch project is ongoing.
Purchase: An unvoiced download version is available at DMM.[dlsoft.dmm.co.jp] Package version on Amazon.co.jp.[www.amazon.co.jp]

Suki na Mono wa Suki Dakara Shouganai!! First Limit (好きなものは好きだからしょうがない！！ FIRST LIMIT)
Developer: Platinum Label
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v6018
English Patch: JOAT Translations[joat-translations.tumblr.com]
Purchase: Download version at DMM.[dlsoft.dmm.co.jp] Used physical copies at Surugaya,[www.suruga-ya.jp] Amazon.co.jp.[www.amazon.co.jp]

Togainu no Chi (咎狗の血)
Developer: Nitro+Chiral
Rating: 18+
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v434
English Patch: Full patch available at Aarinfantasy[aarinfantasy.com] (requires registration).
Purchase: Windows 10 update: download version at DMM,[dlsoft.dmm.co.jp] package version at Nitro+Chiral store.[nitroplus.ecq.sc] Used older versions on Surugaya.[www.suruga-ya.jp]
An official English release from JAST BLUE has been announced, but no release date yet. Released!