NOTE: This specific post outlines the guidelines that one should follow when making and editing Japanese games in the database.
The rest of the topic provides background information on what was discussed and agreed upon. The style guide and foreign language guide should be referred to for games released in other languages that are not Japanese.
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Examine the languages used on the front cover of the case very carefully. There are several rules to keep in mind when naming games from Japan in the database.
Any part of the game’s title that is
English or has any characters of the Latin alphabet
must be included in the title that is entered into the database.
Any part the game’s title that is in
katakana must be written as its
English translation. For reference, writing in katakana uses more simplified, angular strokes, and is used for words that are meant to be in the English language but are difficult for Japanese speakers to say. It’s
usually used for pronouns or very specific names or brands.
Any remaining portion of the title in
kanji or hiragana that is not already represented by another form above must be
romanized using the most recognized transliteration. Hiragana and kanji are typically used for native Japanese words, and
usually are what makes up a game's subtitle. Kanji in particular features complex and compacted symbols, and can sometimes represent a whole word rather than sounds.
Some examples to look over, with listings for reference:
Example 1 - Super Mario Bros. (FC) [JP]
Name on Japanese Case:
スーパーマリオブラザーズ…
…becomes
Super Mario Bros. in the database
http://vgcollect.com/item/103212Example 2 - Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut (GC) [JP]
Name on the Japanese case:
ソニックアドベンチャーDXデラックス...
…becomes
Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut in the database
http://vgcollect.com/item/99231 Example 3: Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods (SFC) [JP]
Name on the case:
ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース...
...becomes
Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce in the database
http://vgcollect.com/item/16884Example 4 - Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (X360) [JP]
Name on the case:
Ace Combat 6: 解放への戦火...
…becomes
Ace Combat 6: Kaihou e no Senka in the database
http://vgcollect.com/item/97309Example 5 - Mega Man Battle Network 6: Cybeast Falzar (GBA) [JP]
Name on Japanese Case:
Rockman EXE 6 電脳獣 ファルザ…
…becomes
Rockman EXE 6: Dennoju Falzar in the database
http://vgcollect.com/item/103635Larger image:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/gba/929992-mega-man-battle-network-6-cybeast-falzar/images/170194This style is the overall accepted method when Japanese games are talked about in English speaking countries, so it’s not inherently difficult to find the right translation. However, it does warrant additional caution when creating or editing names of Japanese games
