Development:Pokémon Red and Blue/Localization

This is a sub-page of Development:Pokémon Red and Blue.

Localization is one heck of a process, and the source code was kind enough to include a folder literally dedicated to in-progress translation files, found within the Document directory.

Sub-Pages

Around 200 backups of the various text banks were archived, giving us the best look one could ever hope for, as to how Game Freak went about bringing Red and Blue to the West. Differences common to all early files include:

• The capitalization of a lot of "important text" is missing.
• We can see some early localization bits, such as early Pokémon names, or Team Rocket being known as "Rocket Team".
• Early dialogue tends to directly refer to the player as "son" or "boy". This was ultimately changed to more neutral terms, like "kid".
• A lot of the text differences from the games' manual can be seen here.
• The early script used to be way more exclamation mark-heavy, which was toned down, replacing most with regular periods.

In-Game Text 1 Backups of i_msg2_0.dmg0.

In-Game Text 2 Backups of i_msg2_1.dmg0.

In-Game Text 3 Backups of i_msg2_2.dmg0.

In-Game Text 4 Backups of i_msg2_3.dmg0.

In-Game Text 5 Backups of i_msg2_4.dmg0.

In-Game Text 6 Backups of i_msg2_5.dmg0.

In-Game Text 7 Backups of i_msg2_6.dmg0.

In-Game Text 8 Backups of i_msg2_7.dmg0.

In-Game Text 9 Backups of i_msg2_8.dmg0.

In-Game Text 10 Backups of i_msg2_9.dmg0.

In-Game Text 11 Backups of i_msg2_a.dmg0.

Pokédex Text Backups of pmfile.dat0.

Water Encounters

Found in water_enc.txt is a file listing the various fishing rod encounter tables. Funnily enough, a handful of early Pokémon names, in English, are listed alongside their Japanese equivalents. These include Goldy (Goldeen), Neptune (Seaking), Jilly (Tentacool), Slowmo (Slowpoke), and Dragoon (Dratini). These names can be seen in early promo material.

Trademark Issues

Found in POKEMO10.DOC is a document dated June 12th 1998, in which the process of trademarking localized Pokémon names is discussed at length. Back when this document was written, 132 names are said to have been localized and approved by legal representatives, with only 19 left to worry about. These 19 Pokémon are as follows:

Original Message	Translation	Notes
０１４：御社の返信待ち。	014: Waiting for a reply from your company.	Kakuna started off as "Kokoon".
０３７：リーガルより却下。新しい名前は既に完成し、 リーガルの承認待ち。承認後御社へ。	037: Rejected by legal. New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval. After approval, forward to your company.	Vulpix started off as "Foxfire".
０５９：新しい名前は既に完成し、リーガルの承認待ち。	059: New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval.	Arcanine started off as "Blaze".
０６６：リーガルの返事待ち。	066: Waiting for a reply from legal.	Machop started off as "Kara-Tee".
０７８：新ネーム、リーガルより承認済。別紙参照。	078: New name already approved by legal. See attached sheet.	Rapidash started off as "Gallop". Detailed further down the line.
０８４：新ネーム、リーガルより承認済。別紙参照。	084: New name already approved by legal. See attached sheet.	Doduo started off as "Dodo". Detailed further down the line.
０９２：リーガルより却下。新しい名前は既に完成し、 リーガルの承認待ち。承認後御社へ。	092: Rejected by legal. New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval. After approval, forward to your company.	Gastly started off as "Spirit".
０９３：リーガルより却下。新しい名前は既に完成し、 リーガルの承認待ち。承認後御社へ。	093: Rejected by legal. New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval. After approval, forward to your company.	Haunter started off as "Spectre".
０９４：新しい名前は既に完成し、リーガルの承認待ち。	094: New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval.	Gengar started off as "Phantom".
１０５：リーガルより却下になり、新しい名前を考案中。	105: Rejected by legal. A new name is being considered.	Marowak started off as "Guardia".
１０８：リーガルより却下。新しい名前は既に完成し、 リーガルの承認待ち。承認後御社へ。	108: Rejected by legal. New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval. After approval, forward to your company.	Lickitung started off as "Tonguetyd".
１１４：リーガルより却下。新しい名前は既に完成し、 リーガルの承認待ち。承認後御社へ。	114: Rejected by legal. New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval. After approval, forward to your company.	Tangela started off as "Meduza".
１２３：新ネーム、リーガルより承認済。別紙参照。	123: New name already approved by legal. See attached sheet.	Scyther started off as "Stryke". Detailed further down the line.
１３０：新ネーム、リーガルより承認済。別紙参照。	130: New name already approved by legal. See attached sheet.	Gyarados started off as "Skulkraken". Detailed further down the line.
１３１：新ネーム、リーガルより承認済。別紙参照。	131: New name already approved by legal. See attached sheet.	Lapras started off as "Ness". Detailed further down the line.
１３３：リーガルより却下。新しい名前は既に完成し、 リーガルの承認待ち。承認後御社へ。	133: Rejected by legal. New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval. After approval, forward to your company.	Eevee started off as "Eon".
１４２：リーガルより却下になり、新しい名前を考案中。	142: Rejected by legal. A new name is being considered.	Aerodactyl started off as "Ptera".
１４７：新ネーム、リーガルより承認済。別紙参照。	147: New name already approved by legal. See attached sheet.	Dratini started off as "Dragoon". Detailed further down the line.
１４８：リーガルより却下。新しい名前は既に完成し、 リーガルの承認待ち。承認後御社へ。	148: Rejected by legal. New name already finalized and awaiting legal's approval. After approval, forward to your company.	Dragonair started off as "Dragyn".

Below that are several proposals for new Pokémon names, which are noted as "already approved by legal". We also get to a see a potential English name for Rapidash, which ultimately never got used, Game Freak instead going with a mix rapid, dash, and ash (giving the idea of a fast, fiery horse).

Original Message	Translation
０７８＜ギャロップ＞ ＴＲＯＴＴＡ(トロォタ) GALLOPがリーガルより却下になり、類似する単語を探し、若干修正を加えました。TROTTAは語源がTROTで“馬の早駆け”を意味します。進化前の名前が“PONYTA(ポニータ)”ですので、語呂を合わせる意味から“タ”を加え“TROTTA”としました。	078<Gallop> TROTTA Since GALLOP was rejected by legal, we searched for a similar word and made some changes. TROTTA is derived from TROT, and means "horse galloping". Since its pre-evolution's name is "PONYTA," we added a "ta" to the name to make it "TROTTA".
０８４＜ドードー＞ ＤＯＤＵＯ(ドードュオ) ドードー(DODO)がリーガルより却下になりましたので、次の様にアプローチし命名しました。 頭一つを“DO(ドー)”ととらえ、ＤＯが２つなので“DUO”が連想され、“DODUO”となりました。進化後の“DODRIO(トリオのDO)”とも意味が通じます。	084 <Dodo> DODUO DODO was rejected by legal, so we took the following naming approach. One head is regarded as "DO", and since there are two DOs, "DUO" is fitting, resulting in "DODUO". This also works with its evolution, "DODRIO" (as in a trio of DOs).
１２３＜ストライク＞ ＳＣＹＴＨＥＲ(サイサー) 語源は“SCYTHE”です。これは農業用など、草等を刈り取る為の大きめの“鎌”です。ERを加え“鎌を操る者”とも取れますし、音的にも“SLICER(スライサー、切り裂き)”に似ている事からイメージ的に合います。	123 <Strike> SCYTHER This name comes from "SCYTHE". It is a large sickle, used in agriculture to cut grass and the likes. By adding "ER", it can be read as "one who wields a scythe". It also sounds like "SLICER", so it fits what this Pokémon is about.
１３０＜ギャラドス＞ ＧＹＡＲＡＤＯＳ(ギャラドス) 日本名に戻しました。言葉の意味は英語ではありませんが風貌に合い、モンスターらしく濁音が伴う事から名前を元に戻しました。	130 <Gyarados> GYARADOS Changed back to the Japanese name. While the meaning of the name is not English, it still fits with this Pokémon's appearance, sounding like a monstrous cry. Thus, this name was reverted back to its original one.
１３１＜ラプラス＞ ＬＡＰＲＡＳ(ラプラス) 日本名に戻しました。言葉の“音”と“意味”は英語的に捉えれば‘何かを＋(プラス)’したニュアンスで大きいという感じが汲み取れます。見方を変えフランス語風に捉えれば‘ラ・プラス’となりこれを英語で言うと“THE PLACE(広い場所)”となりこのポケモンの特徴(人が乗れる位大きいポケモン)を表現出来るのでは無いかと思い元に戻しました。	131 <Lapras> LAPRAS Changed back to the Japanese name. In English, this name could be understood as "something plus", giving the idea that is Pokémon is imposing. If you change the way you look at it, it could be read as "La Place" in French, or "THE PLACE" (a seat) in English. This conveys the characteristics of this Pokémon (as in, one large enough to carry a person). Reverted back to its original name.
１４７＜ミニリュウ＞ ＤＲＡＴＩＮＩ(ドラティニィ) ハクリュウ、カイリュウと進化する前の小さ目のドラゴンというアプローチで命名しました。DRAMINIですとイメージ的にこのポケモンの大きさよりかなり小さくなってしまうのでMINIよりTINYという言葉を使用しました。そのままではひねりが無く、かつ直接的になるのでTINIとしました。	147 <Miniryu> DRATINI It was named taking the approach that it is the smaller dragon, prior to evolving into Dragonair and Dragonite. The word "TINY" was chosen rather than "MINI", because "DRAMINI" would convey the wrong idea as to this Pokémon's appearance. We then went with "TINI", because otherwise it would be too direct and self-explanatory.

Trainer Names

POKEMO10.DOC also shortly describes troubles relating to some trainer names. Blaine was originally going to be called "Coleman" (like a pun on "Coal Man"), which was definitely rejected due to there already being an American company of the same name.

As for "Jr.Trainers♂" and "Jr.Trainers♀", it appears that the original Japanese names were used, which was shut down fairly quickly due to "Scout Movement" holding the trademark. Even the Japanese names were later changed to "Camper" and "Picnicker" respectively during the development of Pokémon Gold and Silver.

Both "Coleman" and "scouts" can be seen in early script backups. The former apparently got scrapped around the time character names were capitalized. As for the latter, one of the two references to "scout" was replaced with "hikers" (uncapitalized), and the second with "cool guy".

Original Message	Translation
前頁のような状態です。又他に“カツラ→ＣＯＬＥＭＡＮ”もリーガルより使用不可になっており新しい名前を考案し、リーガルの承認を待っている状態です。 その他にトレーナー名の“ボーイスカウト”“ガールスカウト”も商標の問題で使用不可になり“JR.TRAINER♂”“JR.TRAINER♀”でよろしいか否か御社の返信待ちの状態です。	This situation is as discussed earlier. The name "COLEMAN" for KATSURA was also rejected by legal. We are waiting for approval from them. In addition, the use of "BOY SCOUT" and "GIRL SCOUT" as trainer names has been prohibited by legal, due to trademark issues. We are waiting for your answer on whether we can use "JR.TRAINER♂"/"JR.TRAINER♀" or not.

Pokémon Nicknames

POFINAL.XLS is a spreadsheet containing the names of all Pokémon, characters, moves, and the likes, both in Japanese and English. While labeled as "final", the sixth sheet does contain a difference, which may indicate a last-second change. Indeed, the nickname of the in-game trade Nidorina is listed as "BOB", instead of "TERRY". This was likely a mistake, confusing Nidorino and Nidorina.

Still on the topic of in-game trade Pokémon, this sheet also has localized names for the trades from Japanese Blue. These never wound up getting used, as Red and Blue uses the in-game trades from Red and Green (only with Nidoran♀ replaced with Nidoran♂, for some reason). Interestingly, MYMO, while not in all caps, would later be used as the nickname for the in-game Mr. Mime trade in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Location	Pokémon	Nickname (Japanese)	Nickname (English)
Route 2	Mr. Mime	まさる (Masaru)	MYMO
Underground Path 5--6	Poliwag	ロモたん (Romo-tan)	WAGSTER
Route 11	Kangaskhan	ロダン (Rodan)	FLUFFY
Route 18	Tauros	ぎゅうた (Gyūta)	JIMBO
Cerulean City	Haunter	ゴーすけ (Ghosuke)	MICHELLE
Vermilion City	Farfetch'd	アッカ (Akka)	SWANNY
Pokémon Lab	Graveler	さぶろう (Saburō	JENNY
Pokémon Lab	Slowpoke	オスカル (Oscar)	SHANE
Pokémon Lab	Krabby	どうらく (Dōraku)	VALERIE

System Text #1

その他テキスト.txt (literally "ExtraText.txt") contains some amount of system text, which includes types, status effect, and various menu messages/prompts. These are listed with both the original Japanese, as well as with preliminary translations. Most of these changes are down to word-shortenings, with one of the most noteworthy differences being the player's name having ten characters, whereas in the final games this was changed to seven. This would have likely caused too many issues with dialogue boxes, as even here the Trainer Card info would spill out of the screen. The term "POKéDEX" also doesn’t seem to have been thought of when that document was written.

As for the early battle prompts, a later iteration of them can be seen in early TV adverts.

Early	Final
ＰＬＡＹＥＲ　＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ ＮＯ．　ＯＦ　ＢＡＤＧＥＳ　　　＊ ＣＡＰＴＵＲＥＤ　　　　　　＊＊＊ ＰＬＡＹ　ＴＩＭＥ　　　＊＊：＊＊	PLAYER　******* BADGES * POKéDEX * TIME **:**
ＮＡＭＥＳ ＞ＹＯＵＲ　ＮＡＭＥ	NAME ＞NEW NAME
＞ＤＥＰＯＳＩＴ 　ＣＡＮＣＥＬ	＞HEAL 　CANCEL
＞ＢＵＹ 　ＳＥＬＬ 　ＪＵＳＴ　ＬＯＯＫＩＮＧ	＞BUY 　SELL 　QUIT
＞ずかん 　ＰＯＫＥＭＯＮ 　ＩＴＥＭ 　ＳＡＶＥ 　ＯＰＴＩＯＮ 　ＥＸＩＴ	＞POKéDEX 　POKéMON 　ITEM 　SAVE 　OPTION 　EXIT
ＥＮＣＯＵＮＴＥＲＳ ＣＡＰＴＵＲＥＤ	SEEN OWN
＞ＤＡＴＡ 　ＣＲＹ 　ＴＥＲＩＴＯＲＹ 　ＣＡＮＣＥＬ	＞DATA 　CRY 　AREA 　QUIT
＞ＳＴＡＴＵＳ 　ＳＷＩＴＣＨ 　ＣＡＮＣＥＬ	＞STATS 　SWITCH 　CANCEL
ＮＡＭＥ／＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊　＃＃＃＃ ＭＯＮＥＹ／＄＊＊＊＊＊　　　　＃＃＃＃ ＰＬＡＹ　ＴＩＭＥ／＊＊：＊＊ ＃＃＃＃	NAME/*******　#### MONEY/₽*****　#### TIME/ **:**　####
＞ＦＧＨＴ　ＩＴＭ 　ＰＫＭＮ　ＲＵＮ	＞FIGHT　PKMN 　ITEM　 RUN
＞ＷＩＴＨＤＲＡＷ　ＰＯＫＥ 　ＤＥＰＯＳＩＴ　ＰＯＫＥ 　ＲＥＬＥＡＳＥ　ＰＯＫＥ 　ＳＥＥ　ＹＡ！	＞WITHDRAW PKMN 　DEPOSIT PKMN 　RELEASE PKMN 　SEE YA!
ＢＯＸ　ＮＯ． ＊	BOX No. *
ＴＲＡＮＳＭＩＴＴＩＮＧ！	Waiting…!
＞ＴＲＡＤＥ 　ＣＡＮＳＥＬ	＞TRADE 　CANCEL

System Text #2

The POFINAL.XLS spreadsheet also contains some early bits of text in the twelfth sheet.

Early	Final
FGHT	FIGHT
DONE	CANCEL
ATTK DFND SPD SPCL	ATTACK DEFENSE SPEED SPECIAL
WAITING...	Waiting...!
TRADE COMPLETED!	Trade completed!
TRADE CANCELED	CANCEL
NIGHT SPOT	ROCKET GAME CORNER
UNKNOWN DUNGEON	CERULEAN CAVE

Interestingly, Cerulean Cave is referred to as Unknown Dungeon (its Japanese name) in the official game manuals, as well as several guidebooks. Additionally, this early name for Cerulean Cave was eventually reused as the name of the cave Mewtwo is found in in Pokémon X and Y.