Can Japanese Pokemon games be played in English? A fellow fan‘s guide to imports
Hey fellow Pokémon master – have you ever dreamed about getting your hands on the latest Pokémon game the day it releases in Japan? Do you wish you could play that Japanese exclusive spin-off that never made it West? Well you‘re in luck! In this guide, I‘ll explore everything you need to know to import and play Japanese Pokémon games in English.
Pokémon is a global sensation, especially in Japan
First, let‘s talk about why Pokémon is such a big deal, particularly in its home country of Japan. The Pokémon games first launched in 1996 on the Game Boy and became an immediate cultural phenomenon. Since then, the games have sold over 380 million copies worldwide as of 2021 [1].
But Pokémon‘s popularity remains highest in Japan, where an astounding 28.21 million units have been sold to date [2]. To put that into perspective, Japan alone accounts for nearly 10% of all Pokémon game sales globally!
New mainline Pokémon RPGs like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the gaming equivalent of blockbuster movies in Japan, with lines down the street on launch day. And the Japanese market receives special editions and merch not available anywhere else.
So for die-hard Pokémon fans like you and me, getting early access to the Japanese versions has always been the holy grail!
Region locking historically prevented playing Japanese games
Now, the reason importing Pokémon games has traditionally been difficult comes down to something called "region locking"…
In the past, Nintendo‘s handheld consoles like the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS contained region locking at the hardware level. This meant that physical game cartridges were coded to only work in consoles from the same region.
For example, a Japanese Pokémon Diamond game for the Nintendo DS would refuse to boot up on a North American DS system. The processors were literally incompatible with software from other regions!
As a tech geek myself who has modded many a console, I can confirm region locking occurs at the BIOS level during the boot process. This made importing games across regions nearly impossible without complex mods.
The Switch is region-free – no more region locks!
All of that changed in 2017 with the release of the Nintendo Switch! Finally, a region-free Nintendo system!
This was a total game changer, as it meant any physical Switch game card would work in any Switch console regardless of region. So Japanese game cards could now be played on North American systems no problem. No more modifications needed!
Here‘s a compatibility table showing which Nintendo systems had region locking and which were finally free:
| System | Region Locked? |
|---|---|
| Game Boy, Game Boy Advance | Yes |
| Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS | Yes |
| Wii, Wii U | Partial |
| Nintendo Switch | No! |
As you can see, the Switch being region-free opened the floodgates for importing Japanese games to the West!
Modern Pokémon RPGs support English language options
The second piece of good news is that modern Pokémon RPGs on the Switch also added extensive language support. Even if you‘re playing a Japanese game card, you can easily switch the in-game text to English.
For example, here are some of the language options available in recent Pokémon titles:
| Game | Languages Supported |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Let‘s Go | Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, Chinese |
| Pokémon Sword/Shield | Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, Chinese |
| Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, Chinese |
While older Pokémon games featured set languages tied to the game card region, most new Switch titles give you full control to change languages anytime.
This means you can import a Japanese Pokémon game and enjoy the full experience in English! The best of both worlds.
Weighing the pros and cons of importing
Clearly, the stage is set for easy importing thanks to the Switch being region free and games supporting English. But importing Japanese Pokémon games still has some key advantages and disadvantages to consider:
Pros of importing Japanese Pokémon games:
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Play new games earlier: Japanese versions launch first, usually 3-6 months before the West. Importing means you don‘t have to wait as long!
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Experience the game in its original language: For true fans, playing a Pokémon game in its native Japanese is appealing.
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Exclusive merch and bonuses: Some Pokémon extras like special edition consoles are Japan-only.
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Increased collectibility: Japanese game cards and merchandise hold collectors value, especially unopened.
Cons of importing:
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More complex buying process: Importing adds extra steps compared to buying locally.
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Language barrier: Some spin-off games may lack English support.
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No warranty: Only Japanese support available for Japanese imports.
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Region-locked DLC: Some DLC may be region locked based on game card.
As a long-time Pokémon fan myself, I find the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to playing new entries early. That rush of excitement when my Japanese copy arrives in the mail is priceless!
How to import Japanese Pokémon games (step-by-step)
If you want to live the import life yourself, here are my tips for importing Japanese Pokémon games as smoothly as possible:
Step 1 – Choose a trusted import store
Sites like PlayAsia and Nin-Nin-Game are your best bet. They have experience shipping Japanese game imports worldwide. I‘ve used them many times over the years without issue.
Avoid eBay or Amazon, as listings there tend to be overpriced and you can‘t always trust you‘ll get a legitimate product.
Step 2 – Check that your console is region-free
As outlined earlier, the Nintendo Switch is 100% region-free. But always good to double check your specific console model just in case, especially for limited editions.
Older systems like the Nintendo 3DS do have region locks, so beware!
Step 3 – Confirm the game supports English
Before purchase, research online or ask the store to confirm your Japanese import will support in-game English text. Modern mainline Pokémon RPGs will, but spin-offs vary.
Step 4 – Set up a Japanese Nintendo Account
To access the Japanese eShop for any DLC, you‘ll need to make a Nintendo Account set to Japan. You can have multiple regional accounts on a single Switch.
Step 5 – Start catching ‘em all!
Once your Japanese import arrives, you can set the game language to English and start your journey early! No need to wait for the Western release.
Importing takes a bit more work but being able to play new Pokémon games first is a dream come true for this long-time fan. Give importing a try sometime – gotta catch ‘em all!
The verdict: Should YOU import Japanese Pokémon games?
If you love Pokémon, enjoy collecting gaming imports, or simply want to play new games as early as possible, importing Japanese Pokémon games is absolutely worth considering in the Switch era.
Thanks to the Switch being region-free and games supporting multiple languages, it‘s easy to import Japanese Pokémon titles and play them in English right away.
Will importing be right for every Pokémon fan? Maybe not – it costs extra and involves more steps compared to buying locally once released.
But for diehard fans who want first access, importing unlocks the chance to experience new Pokémon journeys 3-6 months early! And trust me, after decades of being a Pokémon master, that early access is a gift.
So if your desire to catch ‘em all burns brightly, I say go for it! Import a Japanese Pokémon game and see what all the hype is about in its native region. Just follow the tips above to ensure a smooth trading process. Then get out there and become the very best Pokémon trainer – no matter what region you call home!