The goal of this translation is to produce a blend between "what the original Japanese version was like" and "what a good localization would have been in 1987". This means some effort is needed to adapt the intent of the original Japanese more or less literally as needed. As a result, some of the character dialogue is extended beyond what was in the original Japanese, occasionally adding some hints, sometimes adding some extra style to some of the bare-bones dialogue where we are able to extend things beyond the space restrictions that also limited the Japanese script.
Spoilers ahead
Telling you the names of all the things in the game is a kind of spoiler, so don't look here unless you're OK with that.
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| アリサ | arisa | ALIS | Alis | Alisa | Transliteration. Later games use "Alis" but the "a" is there in the original. |
| チョウコオネーサン | choukooneesan | Choko Oneesan | Transliteration | ||
| ダモア | damoa | DAMOR | Damor | Damoa | Transliteration |
| エスパー | esupaa | ESPAR | Espar | Esper(s) | Transliteration |
| ゲーマーノ ミキチャン | geemaano mikichan | MIKI | Miki | Gamer Miki-chan | Transliteration |
| ソウトク (総督) | soutoku | GOVERNOR | Governor | Governor-General | Translation |
| ラシーク | rashiiku | LASSIC | Lassic | LaShiec | Transliteration. Fits with later translations. |
| ルツ | rutsu | LUTZ | Lutz | Lutz | Transliteration |
| ルベノ | rubeno | LUVENO | Luveno | Luveno | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| メデューサ | mede~yuusa | MEDUSA | Medusa | Medusa | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ミャウ | myau | MYAU | Myau | Myau | Transliteration (and onomatopoeia) (unchanged) |
| ネキセ | nekise | NEKISE | Nekise | Nekise | Transliteration (unchanged). Could be "Nekiseh" to imply the correct pronunciation. |
| ネロ | nero | NERO | Nero | Nero | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| オテガミ チエチャン | otegami chiechan | Otegami Chie-chan | Transliteration | ||
| スエロ | suero | SUELO | Suelo | Suelo | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| タジム | tajimu | TAJIM | Tajim | Tajim | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| タイロン | tairon | ODIN | Odin | Tylon | Transliteration. Controversial - could also be "Tairon", "Tyrone", "Tyron", ... |
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| アルゴル | arugoru | ALGOL | Algol | Algol | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| アルチプラノ | aruchipurano | ALTIPLANO | Altiplano | Altiplano | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| アビオン | abion | ABION | Abion | Avion | Transliteration |
| バルテボ | barutebo | BORTEVO | Bortevo | Bartevo | Transliteration |
| バヤ マーレ | baya maare | BAYA MALAY | Baya Malay | Baya Marlay | Transliteration |
| カミニート | kaminiito | CAMINEET | Camineet | Camineet | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| カスバ | kasuba | CASBA | Casba | Casba | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| コロナ | korona | CORONA | Corona | Corona | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| デゾリス | dezorisu | DEZORIS | Dezoris | Dezoris | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ドラスゴー | dorasugoo | DRASGOW | Drasgow | Drasgo | Transliteration |
| エピ | epi | EPPI | Eppi | Eppi | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ガシコ | gashiko | GOTHIC | Gothic | Gothic | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| グアラン | guaran | GUARON | Guaron | Guaran | Transliteration |
| イアラ | iara | IALA | Iala | Iala | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| マハル | maharu | MAHARU | Maharu | Mahal | Transliteration |
| モタビア | motabia | MOTAVIA | Motavia | Motavia | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ナウラ | naura | NAULA | Naula | Naula | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| パルマ | paruma | PALMA | Palma | Palma | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| パロリト | parorito | PAROLIT | Parolit | Parolit | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| パセオ | paseo | PASEO | Paseo | Paseo | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| シオン | shion | SCION | Shion | Shion | Transliteration |
| スクレ | sukure | SKURE | Skure | Skray | Transliteration |
| ソピア | sopia | SOPIA | Sopia | Sopia | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| トリアダ | toriada | TRIADA | Triada | Triada | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ウーゾ | uuzo | UZO | Uzo | Uzo | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| セラミックソード | seramikkusoodo | CRC. SWD | Ceramic Sword | Ceramic Sword | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ヒートガン | iitogan | HEAT.GUN | Heat Gun | Heat Gun | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| アイアンアクス | aianakusu | IRN. AXE | Iron Axe | Iron Axe | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| アイアンソード | aiansoodo | IRN. SWD | Iron Sword | Iron Sword | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ラコニアンアクス | rakonianakusu | LAC. AXE | Laconian Axe | Laconian Axe | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ラコニアンソード | rakoniansoodo | LAC. SWD | Laconian Sword | Laconian Sword | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| レーザーガン | reezaagan | LASR.GUN | Laser Gun | Laser Gun | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ライトセイバー | raitoseibaa | LGT.SABR | Light Saber | Light Saber | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ニードルガン | niidorugan | NEEDLGUN | Needle Gun | Needle Gun | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| サイコウォンド | saikowondo | WAND | Wand | Psycho Wand | Transliteration |
| サーベルクロー | saaberukuroo | SIL.FANG | Silver Fang | Saber Claw | Transliteration. Sega translation changed the meaning. |
| ショートソード | shootosoodo | SHT. SWD | Short Sword | Short Sword | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| シルバータスク | shirubaatasuku | IRN.FANG | Iron Fang | Silver Tusk | Transliteration. Sega translation changed the meaning, see also "SIL. FANG". |
| チタニウムソード | chitaniumusoodo | TIT. SWD | Titanium Sword | Titanium Sword | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ウッドケイン | uddokein | WOODCANE | Wood Cane | Wood Cane | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ダイヤノヨロイ (ダイヤの鎧) | daiyanoyoroi | DMD.ARMR | Diamond Armor | Diamond Armor | Transliteration + translation |
| フラードマント | furaadomanto | FRD.MANT | Frad Mantle | Frad Mantle | Transliteration |
| アイアンアーマ | aianaama | IRN.ARMR | Iron Armor | Iron Armor | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ラコニアアーマ | rakoniaaama | LAC.ARMR | Laconian Armor | Laconian Armor | Transliteration |
| レザークロス | rezaakurosu | LTH.ARMR | Leather Armor | Leather Clothes | Transliteration |
| ライトスーツ | raitosuutsu | LGT.SUIT | Light Suit | Light Suit | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| トゲリスノケガワ (棘栗鼠の毛皮) | togerisunokegawa | THCK.FUR | Thick Fur | Spiky Squirrel Fur | Translation |
| ホワイトマント | howaitomanto | WHT.MANT | White Mantle | White Mantle | Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ジルコニアメイル | jirukoniameiru | ZIR.ARMR | Zirconian Armour | Zirconia Mail | Transliteration. Note that zirconia is a cheaper version of diamond. |
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| アニマルグラブ | animarugurabu | GLOVE | Glove | Animal Glove | Transliteration |
| ボロンシールド | boronshiirudo | IRN. SLD | Iron Shield | Bronze Shield | Transliteration. Swapped with Iron Shield in Sega translation. |
| セラミックノタテ (セラミックの盾) | seramikkunotate | CRC. SLD | Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield | Transliteration + translation |
| アイアンシールド | aianshiirudo | BRNZ.SLD | Bronze Shield | Iron Shield | Transliteration. Swapped with Bronze Shield in Sega translation. |
| ラコニアシールド | rakoniashiirudo | LAC. SLD | Laconian Shield | Laconian Shield | Transliteration |
| レーザーバリア | reezaabaria | LASR.SLD | Laser Shield | Laser Barrier | Transliteration |
| レザーシールド | rezaashiirudo | LTH. SLD | Leather Shield | Leather Shield | Transliteration |
| ペルセウスノタテ (ペルセウスの盾) | peruseusunotate | MIRR.SLD | Mirror Shield | Shield of Perseus | Transliteration + translation |
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| フロームーバー | furoomuubaa | HOVRCRFT | Hovercraft | FlowMover | Transliteration |
| アイスデッカー | aisudekkaa | ICE DIGR | Ice Digger | IceDecker | Transliteration |
| ランドマスター | randomasutaa | LANDROVR | Land Rover | LandMaster | Transliteration |
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| エアロプリズム | earopurizumu | PRISM | Prism | Aeroprism | Transliteration |
| アルシュリン | arushurin | ALSULIN | Alsulin | Alsuline | Transliteration. Not sure if there is some reason for the name. |
| カーバンクルアイ | kaabankuruai | AMBR EYE | Amber Eye | Carbuncle Eye | Transliteration |
| コンパス | konpasu | COMPASS | Compass | Compass | Transliteration |
| ダモアクリスタル | damoakurisutaru | CRYSTAL | Crystal | Damoa's Crystal | Transliteration |
| ダンジョンキー | danjonkii | DUGN KEY | Dungeon Key | Dungeon Key | Transliteration |
| イクリプストーチ | ikuripusutoochi | TORCH | Torch | Eclipse Torch | Transliteration |
| エスケープクロス | esukeepukurosu | ESCAPER | Escaper | Escape Cloth | Transliteration |
| ガスクリア | gasukuria | GAS. SLD | Gas Shield | GasClear | Transliteration |
| ソウトクノテガミ (総督の手紙) | soutokunotegami | LETTER | Letter | Governor[-General]'s Letter | Translation |
| ハプスビー | hapusubii | HAPSBY | Hapsby | Hapsby | Transliteration |
| ラコニアンポット | rakonianpotto | LAC. POT | Laconian Pot | Laconian Pot | Transliteration |
| ラエルマベリー | raerumaberii | NUTS | Nuts | Laerma Berries | Transliteration |
| ライトペンダント | raitopendanto | MAG.LAMP | Magic Lamp | Light Pendant | Transliteration |
| マジックハット | majikkuhatto | MAGC HAT | Magic Hat | Magic Hat | Transliteration |
| マスターシステム | masutaashisutemu | M SYSTEM | Master System | Master System | Transliteration |
| ミラクルキー | mirakurukii | MRCL KEY | Miracle Key | Miracle Key | Transliteration |
| パスポート | pasupooto | PASSPORT | Passport | Passport | Transliteration |
| ペロリーメイト | peroriimeito | COLA | Cola | PelorieMate | Transliteration. This is a play on "CalorieMate", a Japanese brand of "energy bar" |
| ポリメテラール | porimeteraaru | POLYMTRL | Polymeteral | Polymeteral | Transliteration |
| ロードパス | roodopasu | ROADPASS | Roadpass | Road Pass | Transliteration |
| ルオギニン | ruoginin | BURGER | Burger | Ruoginin | Transliteration. Similar to PelorieMate, this is a corruption of Arginine V (アルギニンV, aruginin V), a Japanese brand of "energy drink" |
| サーチライト | saachiraito | FLASH | Flash | Searchlight | Transliteration |
| ヒミツノモノ (秘密の物) | himitsunomono | SECRETS | Secret | Secret Thing | Translation |
| ショートケーキ | shootokeeki | CAKE | Cake | Shortcake | Transliteration |
| スーズフルート | suuzufuruuto | FLUTE | Flute | Soothe Flute | Transliteration |
| テレパシーボール | terepashiibooru | SPHERE | Sphere | Telepathy Ball | Transliteration |
| トランカーペット | torankaapetto | TRANSER | Transer | TranCarpet | Transliteration |
| ジリオン | jirion | ZILLION | Zillion | Zillion | Transliteration |
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ビンドワ | bindowa | ROPE | Rope | Bind | "Binds" enemy so it can't attack. Transliteration. |
| スルト | suruto | EXIT | Exit | Bypass | Exit dungeon. Suruto means something like "and then...". May also come from "するっと", meaning to pass somewhere easily. |
| フレエリ | fureeri | FIRE | Fire | Fire | Fire attack (-10DP x 2). Transliteration (unchanged). |
| ヒール | hiiru | HEAL | Heal | Heal | +20HP. Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ムオーデ | muoode | OPEN | Open | Magic Unseal | Open sealed doors. "Mu" prefix for "magic"; the word "oode" can mean "to open one's arms wide". |
| ムワーラ | muwaara | PROT | Protect | Magic Waller | Creates a "wall" that blocks attacks and magic. "Mu" prefix for "magic", plus transliteration. |
| パウマ | pauma | HELP | Help | Power Boost | Boosts AP. "Pow" transliteration. |
| ラクスタ | rakusuta | BYE | Bye | Quick Dash | Exit a battle. "Raku" means 'comfort, ease', and "sutasuta" is sound-symbolic for 'quickly running'. |
| リーバス | riibasu | RISE | Rise | Rebirth | Resurrects a dead person to full life. Transliteration. |
| ドヒール | dohiiru | CURE | Cure | Super Heal | +80HP. "Do" prefix for "super" spells, plus transliteration. |
| テレパス | telepasu | TELE | Telepathy | Telepathy | Talk to enemies. Transliteration. |
| テルル | teruru | TERR | Terror | Terror | Decreases enemy DP. Transliteration. |
| タンドレ | tandore | THUN | Thunder | Thunder | Lightning attack (-30DP to all enemies). Transliteration. |
| ペヤラク | peyaraku | CHAT | Chat | Transrate | Talk to enemies, but responses are worse than with Telepathy - or the enemy will attack you (if it is stronger than you and cannot talk magically). Might be a play on the words "perapera" ("ぺらぺら", "fluent") and "honyaku" ("翻訳", "translation"), created by taking the word "perayaku" ("ぺら訳", "fluent/perfect translation") and switching the second and third syllables. This word corruption maybe implies the lower quality of the result. |
| トルーパ | toruupa | FLY | Fly | Troop | Return to last church. Transliteration. |
| ラプット | raputto | TRAP | Trap | Untrap | Disarms traps. "Raputto" is a jumbled-up "トラップ"/"torappu", which is transliterated. |
| ワーラ | waara | WALL | Wall | Waller | Creates a "wall" that blocks attacks. Transliteration (unchanged) |
| ヒューン | hyuun | WIND | Wind | Wind | Wind attack (-10DP x 3). Original is onomatopoeic for a strong gust of wind but there's no good English equivalent. |
| Japanese | Romaji | Sega original translation (in-game) | Sega original translation (interpretation) | Retranslation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| モンスターフライ | monsutaafurai | SWORM | Sworm | Monster Fly | Transliteration |
| グリーンスライム | guriinsuraimu | GR.SLIME | Green Slime | Green Slime | Transliteration |
| ウイングアイ | uinguai | WING EYE | Wing Eye | Wing Eye | Transliteration |
| マンイーター | maniitaa | MANEATER | Man Eater | Maneater | Transliteration |
| スコーピラス | sukoopirasu | SCORPION | Scorpion | Scorpius | Transliteration |
| ラージヤーゴ (ラージ水蠆) | raajiyaago | G.SCORPI | Gold Scorpion | Giant Naiad | Transliteration + translation |
| ブルースライム | buruusuraimu | BL.SLIME | Blue Slime | Blue Slime | Transliteration |
| モタビアンノーフ (モタビアン農夫) | motabiannoofu | N.FARMER | N.Farmer | Motavian Peasant | Transliteration + translation |
| デビルバット | debirubatto | OWL BEAR | Owl Bear | Devil Bat | Transliteration |
| キラープラント | kiraapuranto | DEADTREE | Dead Tree | Killer Plant | Transliteration |
| バイターフライ | baitaafurai | SCORPIUS | Scorpius | Biting Fly | Transliteration |
| モタビアンイビル | motabianibiru | E.FARMER | E.Farmer | Motavian Evil | Transliteration |
| ヘレックス | herekkusu | GIANTFLY | Giant Fly | Herex | Transliteration |
| サンドワーム | sandowuumu | CRAWLER | Crawler | Sandworm | Transliteration |
| モタビアンマニア | motabianmania | BARBRIAN | Barbarian | Motavian Maniac | Transliteration |
| ゴールドレンズ | goorudorenzu | GOLDLENS | Goldlens | Gold Lens | Transliteration |
| レッドスライム | reddosuraimu | RD.SLIME | Red Slime | Red Slime | Transliteration |
| バットマン | battoman | WERE BAT | Werebat | Bat Man | Transliteration |
| カブトガニ (兜蟹) | kabutogani | BIG CLUB | Big Club | Horseshoe Crab | Translation |
| シャーキン | shaakin | FISHMAN | Fishman | Shark King | Transliteration |
| リッチ | ritchi | EVILDEAD | Evil Dead | Lich | Transliteration |
| タランチュラ | taranuchura | TARANTUL | Tarantula | Tarantula | Transliteration |
| マンチコア | manchikoa | MANTICOR | Manticore | Manticore | Transliteration |
| スケルトン | sukeruton | SKELETON | Skeleton | Skeleton | Transliteration |
| アリジゴク (蟻地獄) | arijigoku | ANT LION | Ant Lion | Antlion | Translation |
| マーシーズ | maashiizu | MARMAN | Marshman | Marshes | Transliteration |
| デゾリアン | dezorian | DEZORIAN | Dezorian | Dezorian | Transliteration |
| デザートリーチ | dezaatoriichi | LEECH | Leech | Desert Leech | Transliteration |
| クライオン | kuraion | VAMPIRE | Vampire | Cryon | Transliteration |
| ビッグノーズ | biggunoozu | ELEPHANT | Elephant | Big Nose | Transliteration |
| グール | guuru | GHOUL | Ghoul | Ghoul | Transliteration |
| アンモナイト | anmonaito | SHELFISH | Shellfish | Ammonite | Transliteration |
| エグゼキュート | eguzekyuuto | EXECUTER | Executer | Executor | Transliteration |
| ワイト | waito | WIGHT | Wight | Wight | Transliteration |
| スカルソルジャー | sukarusorujaa | SKULL-EN | Skull-En | Skull Soldier | Transliteration |
| マイマイ (まいまい) | maimai | AMMONITE | Ammonite | Snail | Translation |
| マンチコート | manchikooto | SPHINX | Sphinx | Manticort | Transliteration |
| サーペント | saapento | SERPEN | Serpent | Serpent | Transliteration |
| リバイアサン | ribaiasan | SANDWORM | Sandworm | Leviathan | Transliteration |
| ドルージュ | doruuju | LICH | Lich | Druj | Transliteration |
| オクトパス | okutopasu | OCTOPUS | Octopus | Octopus | Transliteration |
| マッドストーカー | maddosutookaa | STALKER | Stalker | Mad Stalker | Transliteration |
| デゾリアンヘッド | dezorianheddo | EVILHEAD | Evil Head | Dezorian Head | Transliteration |
| ゾンビ | zonbi | ZOMBIE | Zombie | Zombie | Transliteration |
| リビングデッド | ribingudeddo | BATALION | Battalion | Living Dead | Transliteration |
| ロボットポリス | robottoporisu | ROBOTCOP | Robotcop | Robot Police | Transliteration |
| サイボーグメイジ | saiboogumeiji | SORCERER | Sorcerer | Cyborg Mage | Transliteration |
| フレームリザード | fureemurizaado | NESSIE | Nessie | Flame Lizard | Transliteration |
| タジム | tajimu | TARZIMAL | Tarzimal | Tajim | Transliteration |
| ガイア | gaia | GOLEM | Golem | Gaia | Transliteration |
| マシンガーダー | mashiingaadaa | ANDROCOP | Androcop | Machine Guard | Transliteration. Could be "Guarder" |
| ビッグイーター | bigguiitaa | TENTACLE | Tentacle | Big Eater | Transliteration |
| タロス | tarosu | GIANT | Giant | Talos | Transliteration |
| スネークロード | suneekuroodo | WYVERN | Wyvern | Snake Lord | Transliteration |
| デスベアラー | desubearaa | REAPER | Reaper | Death Bearer | Transliteration |
| カオスソーサラー | kaosusoosaraa | MAGICIAN | Magician | Chaos Sorcerer | Transliteration |
| セントール | sentooru | HORSEMAN | Horseman | Centaur | Transliteration |
| アイスマン | aisuman | FROSTMAN | Frostman | Ice Man | Transliteration |
| バルカン | barukan | AMUNDSEN | Amundsen | Vulcan | Transliteration |
| レッドドラゴン | reddodoragon | RD.DRAGN | Red Dragon | Red Dragon | Transliteration |
| グリーンドラゴン | guriindoragon | GR.DRAGN | Green Dragon | Green Dragon | Transliteration |
| ラシーク | rashiiku | SHADOW | Shadow | LaShiec | Transliteration |
| マンモス | manmosu | MAMMOTH | Mammoth | Mammoth | Transliteration |
| キングセイバー | kinguseibaa | CENTAUR | Centaur | King Saber | Transliteration |
| ダークマローダー | daakumaroodaa | MARAUDER | Marauder | Dark Marauder | Transliteration |
| ゴーレム | gooremu | TITAN | Titan | Golem | Transliteration |
| メデューサ | medyuusa | MEDUSA | Medusa | Medusa | Transliteration |
| フロストドラゴン | furosutodoragon | WT.DRAGN | White Dragon | Frost Dragon | Transliteration |
| ドラゴンワイズ | doragonwaizu | B.DRAGN | Blue Dragon | Dragon Wise | Transliteration |
| ゴールドドレイク | goorudodoreiku | GD.DRAGN | Gold Dragon | Gold Drake | Transliteration |
| マッドドクター | maddodokutaa | DR.MAD | Dr. Mad | Mad Doctor | Transliteration |
| ラシーク | rashiiku | LASSIC | Lassic | LaShiec | Transliteration |
| ダークファルス | daakufarusu | DARKFALZ | Dark Falz | Dark Force | Transliteration. Could be "Dark Falz" as seen in later PS games. |
| ナイトメア | naitomea | SACCUBUS | Saccubus | Nightmare | Transliteration |
The currency of Algol is "メセタ" (meseta). In-game is is sometimes referred to by the pseudo-currency-code MST. Two questions arise for localisation:
- Should it be capitalised? For the original US translation, we can't tell. For English, we chose yes.
- Should it be pluralised? For the original US translation, they chose yes. For English, we chose no, by similarity to the way "yen" and other east Asian currencies are not pluralised. For languages where "yen" is pluralised, we pluralise Mesetas.