International version

In video games, an international version is a relocalized version of a previously released title in its native territory that has gained additional features and contents in foreign releases. While the concept of "international versions" in North American, European, and Australian games is virtually non-existent, it is quite popular in Japanese games, where games are often given additional features by the developers when they are exported to other markets.

A few, if not most, developers are content with simply adapting the foreign version domestically (even if the only difference is relatively superficial, such as translating text and voice dialogue into a local language).

History

The earliest known "International Version" of a game in Japan was the arcade title Mikie: High School Graffiti (released in 1984), which was a relocalized version of a game released in the Mikie, which in turn was an Americanized version of a previously released Konami game titled Shinnyūshain Tōru-kun (新入社員とおるくん, lit. "Freshman Employee Tōru").

Konami conducted a similar practice in 1987 with the rerelease of the arcade title Salamander in Japan under the title of Life Force.

Examples

• Animal Crossing - Re-released in Japan as "Dōbutsu no Mori e-Plus"
• Biohazard 2: Dual Shock Ver. - Contained "USA Version mode" as a new difficulty setting.
• De La Jet Set Radio - Re-release with bug fixes, additional music tracks, and new levels from the localized versions. This version was only sold in Japan via Dreamcast Direct.
• Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII International - Includes all changes from the localized versions and adds the Multiplayer mode cutscenes from the original Japanese version.
• Dissidia: Final Fantasy Universal Tuning - Contains all changes and additions made to the localized versions and adds battle voices in English and Japanese.
• Final Fantasy VII International - Contains changes and additional bosses from the localized versions and adds a fourth disc containing artwork, information, trivia and maps.
• Final Fantasy X International - Includes English voices and adds additional exclusive content. This version was also used for the European release.
• Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission - Includes English voices and theme songs and includes exclusive content, such as an additional playable storyline and battle arena mode.
• Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job System - Includes English voices and contains additional content from the localized versions in addition to exclusive content.
• Final Fantasy XIII International - Includes English voices and Leona Lewis's "My Hands" theme song along with an Easy mode and a booklet with additional content. This version was released for the Xbox 360 only, debuting that version in Japan.
• Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix - Includes the additional bosses, English voices, and new difficulty level from the localized version and adds exclusive content. This version was later released worldwide in 2013 as part of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX.
• Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ - Includes the English voices and content edits from the localized versions and adds additional content and a second disc containing a PS2 remake of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. The Chain of Memories remake was later released as a standalone in 2008, while Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix was later released worldwide in 2014 as part of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX.
• Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix - Includes English voices and additional content from the localized versions and adds additional bosses, modes and content. Like Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, this game was later released worldwide in 2014 as part of HD 2.5 ReMIX.
• Life Force - Arcade rerelease of Salamander using North American title.
• Metal Gear Solid: Integral - Includes English voices and additional difficulty modes along with exclusive content and a third disc containing 300 VR missions.
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance - Includes English voices, and additional storyline content and VR missions. A special skateboarding minigame was included in the PS2 version only.
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence - Includes additional content and a new multiplayer mode.
• Mikie: High School Graffiti - Arcade re-release of Shinyûshain Tôru-kun based on American version.
• Shadow Hearts 2: Director's Cut - Japanese re-release featuring additional content and gameplay changes.
• US Shenmue - Includes English voices.
• Sonic Adventure International - Japanese re-release that features all the changes made internationally.
• Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time Directors Cut - Enhanced version of the original game with additional characters, content and a 2-player battle mode. This version was localized for the North American and European releases.
• Star Ocean: The Last Hope International - PlayStation 3-exclusive re-release with new content. It was released in North America and Europe.
• Super Mario USA - Japanese release of the game known outside of Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2
• Super Mario 64: Shindou Edition - Japanese re-release that features all the changes made internationally plus rumble pak support.
• White Knight Chronicles: International Edition - North American and European release of the Japanese EX Edition of the game.