History Main / RegionalBonus

* Music/TheHaloEffect's debut album ''Days of the Lost'' contained an extra track on the Japanese pressing, "Path of Fierce Resistance". The band released the track to the rest of the world as a standalone single a few months after the album came out.

* The original Japanese release of ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore: Formula Front'' did not allow players to directly control their [=ACs=] in battle. This feature was added in the Western version, ''Armored Core Formula Front: Extreme Battle''.

** The Japanese version of ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion'', which was released after other regions, adds Easy and [[UnlockableDifficultyLevels unlockable Hard]] difficulty levels, a gallery mode to view the ending images you've obtained, and eight additional ending images showing Samus's childhood.

** The Japanese version of ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion'', which was released after other regions, adds Easy and [[UnlockableDifficultyLevels unlockable Hard]] difficulty levels, a gallery mode to view the ending images you've obtained, and six additional ending images showing Samus's childhood obtained by completing the game in "Child Mode" without kanji.

** Non-Japanese versions of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'' added a few totally new base conversations to the game, which gave Edward, Leonardo and Nolan a new unique weapon each. They also modified a few of the skills to be less luck-based, added support for higher resolution and added an option for permanent saves in-battle instead of the traditional SuspendSave. (Though they're disabled on Hard Mode)

* Horrible inversion with ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonAndTheLastSpecter'', which completely cuts down the RPG ''Professor Layton's London Life''. That amounts to ''over half the game''. On the other hand, the North American version not only has it intact, but also has it available from the beginning--Japanese players had to unlock it.

** The international versions of ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2'' awards the player Mission Crowns for completing missions in either Solo or Multiplayer Mission Mode. In the Japanese version, it is only possible to earn Mission Crowns by playing Multiplayer Mission Mode.
** ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' tried to make up for the time it took to be released overseas with a limited special edition for Europe: a small artbook showing characters renders and world artwork, as well as two postcards. [[SarcasmMode Woo-hoo.]] The in-game content for both EU and US, however, added Pete as a D-Link summon, stickers and an extra boss, nothing more. Cue the Final Mix adding extra stuff by the crapload.
** The American and European/Australian versions of ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance'' include recipes for Dream Eaters that could only be obtained by AR Cards in Japanese.

** The Japanese version of ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion'', which was released after other regions, adds Easy and [[UnlockableDifficultyLevels unlockable Hard]] difficulty levels, a gallery mode to view the ending images you've obtained, and six additional ending images obtained by completing the game on "for Kids" mode without kanji, which reference the ''Manga/MetroidManga''.
** In the European version of ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'', Samus' suit has a lot of additional dialog; in an inversion, since there were worries at the time about the series' reception the conversion was also forcibly de-canonised with references to Samus' previous life with the Chozo omitted. For some reason, so was any reference to the Space Pirates having entered Metroid Prime's lair and built its armour.
** The pirates being responsible for Prime's armor was a gaping plot hole, since Prime's lair is in the Impact Crater--an area the pirates were ''still trying to find a way to enter'' throughout the whole game. Unfortunately, the new version just creates a different plot hole: Metroid Prime was supposed to have absorbed some weapons the Pirates were reverse-engineering from Samus's arsenal (explaining how the boss fight works), but that's impossible if Prime never encountered them.

** The game also gained some ''extremely'' tough {{Bonus Boss}}es, such as the Dark Aeons. This proved to be a double-edged sword for all but the most dedicated level grinders, as the Dark Aeons prevent the player from re-entering several important locations. For example, if you don't grab one of the keys to Tidus' InfinityPlusOneSword on your first trip to Zanarkand, then you'll find Dark Bahamut blocking your path later on.

->''Color me legitimately amazed that the American special edition of ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' is superior to the one in Japan and Europe. I've become so used to so many Nintendo things lately either taking significantly longer to come out in North America, being better/bigger everywhere but NA, or just outright only being released everywhere but NA.''

* The American release of ''VideoGame/{{Solatorobo}}'' got the bonus Soundtrack CD the Japanese got with pre-orders. Europe, of course, didn't get it, though at least the game came earlier there for once. US release also fixed some translation errors.

* The German version of ''VideoGame/Left4Dead2'' included a few weapons from ''[[VideoGame/CounterStrike Counter-Strike: Source]]'' in exchange for the removed violent bits, though a bit of Developer Console or mod usage allows these weapons to be used outside of the German version.

See also UsefulNotes/ImportGaming. Contrast NoExportForYou, though some examples of it are RemadeForTheExport. The {{inver|tedTrope}}se is BadExportForYou, when features are removed for the export. Compare DifficultyByRegion.

* The different regions which the ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' games have been released in (Japan, North America, Europe, and Korea) have different holidays; however, since ''New Leaf'''s multiplayer is interoperable between regions, a person with any version of ''New Leaf'' can access any holiday (translated into their language) if they're friends with someone from a different region. Additionally, some holidays fall on different days or have different items associated with them in different versions. The holidays in ''New Leaf'':
** Japan: Setsubun (February 3rd), Hina Matsuri (March 3rd), Children's Day (May 5th), Tanabata (July 7th), Obon (August 15th or 16th), Otsukimi (September/October)
** North America: Groundhog Day (February 2nd), Shamrock Day[[note]]i.e., St. Patrick's Day[[/note]] (March 17th), Earth Day (April 22nd), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Autumn Moon (September/October), Explorer's Day[[note]]i.e., Columbus Day[[/note]] (second Monday in October), Festive Furniture Season (December 1st through 23rd)
** Europe: Shamrock Day (March 17th), Autumn Moon (September/October), Naughty-or-Nice Day (December 6th)
** Korea: Lunar New Year (January/February), Great Full Moon (February/March), Arbor Day (April 5th), Parents' Day[[note]]replaces Mother's Day from the other regions[[/note]] (May 8th), Teachers' Day[[note]]replaces Father's Day from the other regions[[/note]] (May 15th), Chuseok (September/October)

** The Japanese version of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade The Blazing Blade'' required you to beat [[HarderThanHard Hector Hard Mode]] to see a secret epilogue [[SequelHook linking the game to the previous one, of which this is a prequel]]. In the American version, you just have to beat the game on any difficulty. [[BadExportForYou Inverted]] for Europeans, who got the Epilogue completely removed.

* ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes2DesperateStruggle'' had several exclusives in Japan (where it was made, came out ''last'', and with the smallest sales).

* When ''VideoGame/LollipopChainsaw'' was released in Japan, Juliet's anime cosplays were only obtainable through DLC. The American and European releases of the game included them right on the disc instead.
** Then on Valentine's Day 2013, the game got a Special Edition in Japan only, which included several bonuses, such as a DVD containing all of the game's cutscenes.

* The Japanese game ''[[Videogame/AdventuresOfLolo Lolo no Daibouken]]'' for the Game Boy had only fifty levels. The European version, ''Videogame/AdventuresOfLolo'', had ''one hundred forty-four'' . . . ''and'' it added Super Game Boy support, a tutorial, and a VariableMix soundtrack.

** The Japanese version of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemElibe Rekka no Ken]]'' required you to beat [[HarderThanHard Hector Hard Mode]] to see a secret epilogue [[SequelHook linking the game to the previous one, of which this is a prequel]]. In the American version, you just have to beat the game on any difficulty. [[BadExportForYou Inverted]] for Europeans, who got the Epilogue completely removed.

** The American and European versions of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemAkaneia Shadow Dragon]]'' featured bonus content not included in the Japanese version, such as five additional multiplayer maps, instead of just one, like in the other versions. These extra maps were later included in the [[NoExportForYou Japan-only]] DS remake of ''Mystery of the Emblem''.
** Almost every FE released in the west gets some small improvements, you can find a full list [[http://old.serenesforest.net/general/local3.html here]].

See also UsefulNotes/ImportGaming. Contrast NoExportForYou, though some examples of it are RemadeForTheExport. The {{inver|tedTrope}}se is BadExportForYou, when features are removed for the export.

* In Japan, censorship laws require genitalia to be censored, even in pornography. The result is that whatever Japanese-release pornography you view or read will most likely have mosaics and [[BleepDammit so-small-they're-pointless censor bars]]. This law does not carry over to the United States, where porn from Japan, especially H-anime, can be [[AmericanKirbyIsHardcore exported to in all its uncensored glory]].

* Also inverted for ''VideoGame/PokemonStadium'': In North American versions, there was a Gallery feature where you could take pictures of your Pokémon, but neither the Japanese nor European versions got such a feature.

* Several of the ''Videogame/{{Yakuza}}'' games from ''3'' onward have some of the paid DLC bundled in the western localized releases.

** ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'' has a substory that involves meeting an English speaking tourist, who the Japanese player character doesn't understand. For the English dub, "English" is represented by just speaking really slowly, and an AsideGlance is added to acknowledge the inherent silliness.

* The English localized release of the PC version of ''[=SoniComi=]'' has many of the improvements from the Japan-exclusive [=PS3=] remake, such as improved graphics and models, an enhanced interface, extra outfits and a few new features. In Japan, that content was never made available for PC.

* The background animation for the ''VideoGame/{{DJMAX}}'' song "Xlasher", which is sung in {{Engrish}}, has Korean subtitles in Korean releases of the games. The overseas releases remove them, clearing up some room at the bottom of the screen.

* The German version of ''VideoGame/Left4Dead2'' included a few weapons from ''[[VideoGame/CounterStrike Counter Strike: Source]]'' in exchange for the removed violent bits, though a bit of Developer Console or mod usage allows these weapons to be used outside of the German version.

* The German version of ''VideoGame/Left4Dead2'' included a few weapons from ''VideoGame/CounterStrike: Source'' in exchange for the removed violent bits, though a bit of Developer Console or mod usage allows these weapons to be used outside of the German version.

Digital media aren't released at the same time across the world, or in the exact same format. Instead, they are released in separate regions, and occasionally by country. Generally games are released in up to 3 main regions: NTSC-J[[note]]for '''J'''apan[[/note]], NTSC-U/C[[note]]named after the '''U'''nited States and '''C'''anada, but used across the Americas[[/note]], and PAL[[note]]used in most places not using NTSC, such as the following examples[[/note]]. [[labelnote:Actually...]] The three regions, going by TV standards alone are NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. They chose to split NTSC up to enforce regional shenanigans, at best being price differences and at worst being to enforce a NoExportForYou situation, and SECAM regions generally get the same games as PAL regions.[[/labelnote]] The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAL_region PAL region]] is the digital media region that includes Europe, Australia and much of Africa. PAL usually gets games last, but they sometimes get bug fixes (for a GameBreakingBug and/or {{Good Bad Bug|s}}) and sometimes bonus features. ''However'', it's not the only region that receives region specific content; for example, the NTSC-U/C region is a fairly common target for such changes in Japanese games, and if an example of an NTSC-U/C bonus is released in PAL countries at a later date, the changes typically make it over there as well.

European bonuses specifically are usually justified as Europe being VindicatedByHistory in terms of gaming, as the PAL region suffered ''massive'' amounts of NoExportForYou, with ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' and ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' being the biggest offenders [[note]]''VideoGame/{{Terranigma}}'' is one exception, being released in Europe but not North America[[/note]], which finally got a European and Australian release in their original forms on the Wii's Virtual Console, albeit only in English since they're actually the NTSC-U/C versions (although games such as a number of ''[[UsefulNotes/PlayStationNetwork PSOne Classics]]'' and ''Franchise/KingdomHearts [[VideoGameRemake Re:]] [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories Chain of Memories]]'' keep the tradition even today).

!!NTSC-to-PAL Examples:

** Both versions also had BossRush modes in the original PAL releases (mind you, ''[=MGS2=]'''s boss rush mode wasn't as long as in ''Substance''). ''[=MGS2=]'' also had the Theater mode.

* The PAL version of ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders: The Second Runner'' features extra content that were later included in the Japan-exclusive ''Special Edition'' of the game.

** The PAL version's largest change was a slower loader which solved issues with the NTSC version locking up. Flaahgra's theme was glitched in the NTSC version so the first part looped endlessly, which was corrected in the PAL version too. Alterations were also made to correct numerous issues with bosses, changing their vulnerabilities and in some cases removing glitchy behaviour like the Sheegoth attacking an invisible Samus during its introduction cutscene. The PAL version also has some {{sequence break|ing}}s prevented or at least made harder (for example they added many pieces of rubble that can only be destroyed by Power Bombs to prevent early access to some items). Plus, the PAL version added a narrator in the intro and ending cutscenes.

* The first ''VideoGame/{{Tenchu}}'' game got two extra missions in the PAL version, reworked first mission, and multi-track audio. The game is later re-released in Japan as Tenchu: Shinobi Gaisen.

* The PAL version of ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'' gets a harder version of the NewGamePlus with a reversed mansion and changes in Boss attacks. The UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS remake implements the PAL Hidden Mansion (minus being flipped) in all regions, but with new twists as well.
** It's also impossible to get an A rank in the PAL version of ''Luigi's Mansion'' without the extra money in The Hidden Mansion. You don't have to beat the game in The Hidden Mansion, just beat most of the Speedy Spirits and Golden Mice (money ghosts) in there.

* [[http://www.psu.com/MK-vs-DC-Universe-US-version-cut,-UK-gets-more-gore--a0005333-p0.php Due to rating differences]], the PAL version of ''VideoGame/MortalKombatVsDCUniverse'' is less censored, though this merely amounts to the camera not zooming in during the Joker and Deathstroke's gun fatalities.
* ''VideoGame/ShadowHeartsCovenant'' ''almost'' got one of these: hacking into the PAL version of the game reveals some items that were only present in the Japan-only [[UpdatedRerelease Director's Cut]] version, with descriptions fully translated into English. Unfortunately, for one reason or another they decided not to implement them in the final released version.

* The European version of ''VideoGame/RockBand'' got nine additional songs by European artists that weren't on-disc in the American version. On the day of the European release, those same nine songs became available for download in the US version, but the fact still stands that they're paid downloads for the US version but included with the game in the European version. On the other hand, Tokio Hotel's ''Monsoon'' doesn't export (for whatever reason) to ''Rock Band 2''. Since the bonus songs cannot be bought in Europe, that song is inaccessible for PAL users outside of the original game.

* ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' came with nicer packaging for PAL regions, four artwork postcards, a making of documentary, Ico Trailer and a Concept Art Gallery.

* The PAL version of ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphoniaDawnOfTheNewWorld'' has two extras: a gallery mode that allows you to view character skits and concept art, and special head-slot equipment that changes the appearances of Emil and Marta (ala the "attachments" in ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'').
* The PAL Release of ''VideoGame/DragonBallZBudokaiTenkaichi 2'' has extra characters and stages. In this case, these were bonuses being added to the Japanese Wii version, but PAL came late enough to scoop those up for both of their versions of the game.

** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver]]'' removed the slot machines outside of Japan, and actually added a new game which is based less on luck and does not gamble coins called [[http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=14990 Voltorb Flip]], which is apparently quite fun in itself. On the other hand, there's also no way to buy coins ([[SarcasmMode presumably even spending in-game money to advance the game was too much like gambling even without any bets]]), so the only way to get most of the really expensive [=TMs=] or Pokémon is to play the game over and over and over again.
* Also inverted for ''VideoGame/PokemonStadium'': In North America, there was a Gallery feature where you could take pictures of your Pokémon, but neither Japan nor Europe got such a feature.
* The PAL version of ''VideoGame/PokemonChannel'' contained a quest which allowed players to download Jirachi, which was not available outside of an event.

* The PAL version of ''VideoGame/BlazBlueCalamityTrigger'' was released several months late, but came with additional colour schemes for characters, and more importantly, all characters had Unlimited versions instead of just Ragna, Rachel, Hakumen and Nu. This is paid DLC in America and Japan. All of this is slightly offset by the horrid boxart.

* In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'', there are no unbreakable windows for challenges in the PAL version, meaning gamers there can use a Golden Hammer to completely skip the hardest Boss Battles challenges like beating it on Intense. Which is incredibly useful, since the challenge is NintendoHard.

* Toys/RockRaiders gave the PAL edition not just three bonus missions, but ''eighteen completely different main levels''.

* The PAL version of ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven Fever'', known as ''Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise'', contains both Japanese and English soundtracks, much to the chagrin of people who wanted such an option in the North American release.

* The North American release of ''VideoGame/SlyCooperAndTheThieviusRaccoonus'' allows you to unlock the alternate opening cutscene from the Japanese version, but the PAL release also allows you to unlock the Japanese ending.

!! Non-PAL Examples:

** The North American and PAL releases of ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'' got extra pins, changed around some effects, added several tracks to the soundtrack and doubled the experience from [[SocializationBonus "mingle" mode]] to compensate for lower population density/less public transport/less DS per person. Fans also argue that they have a much more fitting title as opposed to the Japanese title; since "The World Ends With You" acts as a metaphor for [[spoiler: Neku's self-centered attitude, which means his world will end with him with no friends]].

** The North American and PAL versions of ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII'' replaced the MIDI soundtrack with symphonic renditions, has voice acting for story moments, and modified the menu system.

* For each region after the original PAL release, ''VideoGame/RollAway'' was given more features and level alterations until the Japanese version featured custom balls, alternate endings, a birds-eye view option and the previously DummiedOut tutorial level, but apparently was buggier than the PAL and American versions.