River City Girls Zero is the kind of game you think we won’t see! It’s a localization of a Super Famicom game from 1994 called Shin Nekketsu Koha: Kunio-tachi no Banka. So what is it doing here? Well, WayForward’s River City Girl spin-off starring Kunio and Riki’s girlfriend Misako and Kyoko did a great job! The game also showcases them as featured characters! Which means it’s here. The release is generally odd for a different reason. River City Zero there is one localization based on the spin-off and one “original” (Literal / Original) without taking into account that character development. But what’s interesting is how the comparison of the two shows how the localization process changes things to make them more fluid and consistent with the way things are worded in the new language.
The idea behind the two localizations is to provide a localization that takes into account what we know about Misako and Kyoko. River City Girl. The thing is, this is a Super Famicom game that is very naked when it comes to its story. Not much there. As a result, RCG localization can feel like it has more personality. It flows better and sounds more natural. Meanwhile, the Original can be flat and awkward. It’s more direct, but can sometimes read like an unedited version of the script’s RCG version.
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This appears immediately, then continues to repeat throughout River City Girls Zero. For example, when Kunio and Riki were imprisoned, police officer Takayama and an inmate named Gouji mentioned a cell that sounded unnatural. In the Original, they would call it Room 218.” In the RCG, it’s “Cell 218.” Both mean the same thing, but in English we just use “cell” to refer to someone’s room in a prison. It’s an example of a recurring style decision. Instead of trying to make things flow, it’s more precise. As a result… I find it harder to read.
Direct is not the only difference. The Native Localization option features swearing. Words like “damn” and “bitch” are used by the main and supporting characters. Again, a stylistic choice. These can actually fit into either script. After all we are talking about some teenagers, thugs, cops and villains. They are rough around the edges. Colorful language will make sense.
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However, I would say that there is no such language in the RCG localization River City Girls Zero which means it tends to treat Misako better. The original localization might make the characters sound a little gross or offensive to her. At the same time, it makes her seem like a bad person. (It’s true that she behaves a bit treacherously after meeting Kunio and Riki again.)
A good example is Kunio and Riki’s conversation with a friend named Hiroshi. He visits them in prison. Hiroshi brings up a rumor suggesting that Misako is cheating on Kunio with Daiki, who has “replaced” him as the top dog. Kunio later calls her “bitch” in the original localization. In the RCG, he calls her “unfaithful”. I’d say the RCG scenario could have been more realistic, rather than fitting in with a subplot where we aim to originate, connect, and see her as a hero. Especially if we have to believe that they are in a committed relationship. But at the same time, we have a character who is the hero who immediately believes someone without all the facts.
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It also continues to make her look bad in another way. Misako joins the party in River City Girls Zero. In the Original, however, she doesn’t want to. There is less enthusiasm. What, between previous comments from Kunio and her behavior, makes me wonder why they’re together? The original script felt like they really didn’t like each other, which made me think, “Why are they together in the first place? Why is she still here? I feel the immediacy compromises the overall atmosphere, while the RCG version adds a nuanced feel that makes it feel like a temporary rough patch with the tension going away.
Which version of River City Girls Zero which localization someone prefers will be up to them. I prefer the RCG version. It sounds more natural to me. (I also don’t want to correct certain words or phrases.) Someone might prefer the Original option. That is also good. But the fact that both are here shows how localization editors provide can create a gameplay flow and convey a message.
River City Girls Zero available for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and PC.
