Line #28 Main/RemadeForTheExport


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6	[[Administrivia/ExampleAsAThesis Imagine this]]: You're the American branch of a Japanese game company. Your company has a catalog of successful, long-running franchises that could stretch across the Pacific; problem is, a good portion of them [[NoExportForYou never actually made that jump themselves.]] Can you be blamed? It's not like North America had a market in the early 90's for anything with more text than a hearty [[BlindIdiotTranslation "Congraturation!"]] or more strategy than [[GoombaStomp "jump on the enemies]] and [[EverythingTryingToKillYou don't get hit"]] (and even if there was, that's the company line and you're sticking with it).
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8	But then, somehow or another, the fans find out. [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros Maybe a character made an appearance in a crossover that did make the jump]]. Or maybe it's just that in this glorious age of the Internet where anyone who can use a web browser can discover that you've been holding out. Whatever the cause, your shortsightedness has reaped the wrath of a sizable chunk of your fanbase. Oops.
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10	So, on a whim, perhaps due to pressure from your parent company or the fans who are flooding your inbox with death threats on a daily basis, [[SequelFirst you release the latest game in the series in America]]. Surprise, surprise: it's a hit, the fans want more, and now you've got the next game and the game after that lined up on your release schedule. And thus you have a successful franchise transplant, even if it was [[LateExportForYou a decade or so late]].
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12	But what's this? The fans are still sore about the games they ''missed''? What can you do? The consoles they were released for have been dead for years; outside that VocalMinority of the core fanbase, nobody would buy the old games if you brought them over as-is. How can you make money off of these games when you have no profitable way of releasing them?
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14	Honestly, not much. Not on your own, anyway. But your Japanese branch likes money just as much as you do, and seeing how many of the titles the North American fans want happen to already be well-established classics in Japan, you can expect them to get ''[[VideoGameRemake remade]]''. They port the game to a new system, slap a fresh coat of paint on it and append a fresh subtitle to the name, and you can then localize the brand-new version, proudly declaring on all the merchandising (and maybe on the packaging too) that it's "a lost adventure available outside of Japan for the first time ever!"
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16	It should be noted that while this does mostly apply to the trip between Japan and America, it often rubs off into the European export as well (because so few games are localised into [[UsefulNotes/BritishEnglish UK English]]).
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18	This scenario is the ideal remedy for the scourge of NoExportForYou, although there will always be those who won't be satisfied with anything but the unmodified original. Even beyond that, there's also the chance that the [[BadExportForYou remake will be worse than the original]]. ([[Administrivia/TropesAreTools gasp!]])
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20	A sub-trope of VideoGameRemake. See also AmericanKirbyIsHardcore. May be a result of SequelFirst, AdaptationFirst or MarthDebutedInSmashBros Almost always a case of LateExportForYou.
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23	!!Video Game Examples:
24	* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'':
25	** ''Gyakuten Saiban'' ("Turnabout Court") was originally a trilogy of Japan-only adventure games released on [[Platform/GameBoyAdvance GBA]], starring [[BunnyEarsLawyer pointy-haired lawyer]] Ryuuichi Naruhodo and pitting the player against a set of diabolically-contrived frame jobs in order to see his innocent clients cleared of their charges and the guilty parties brought to justice. Featuring a strange blend of oddball humor and murder most foul, the games never saw the light of day in North America... That is, until Creator/{{Capcom}} decided to remake the first title as a [[Platform/NintendoDS DS]] game: As it would give Japanese players the option to play the game in English, Capcom figured that they may as well try giving the game a North American release a shot, dubbing the game ''[[VisualNovel/AceAttorney Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'', with the {{punny name}}s of characters changed into puns easier for English-speaking players to get. Its resounding success inspired Capcom to bring its sequels internationally as well.
26	** ''VisualNovel/TheGreatAceAttorney'' games on the Platform/Nintendo3DS were not localized nor were the mobile ports, but the games were later announced to be released worldwide in 2021 for the Platform/PlayStation4, Platform/NintendoSwitch, and Platform/{{Steam}} in the form of a CompilationRerelease.
27	* The original ''VideoGame/AdventuresOfLolo'' for the NES was created specifically to introduce the Eggerland series to the American market and consisted entirely of recycled puzzles from the earlier Eggerland games released in Japan. The sequels to it were then brought to Japan, but with the title numbers bumped down and some puzzles swapped out for harder ones.
28	* ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing2001'' is an enhanced version of ''Dōbutsu no Mori+'', the initial [[Platform/NintendoGameCube GameCube]] port of the Platform/Nintendo64 original, and was the first game in [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing the series]] to be released outside Japan. Much of the game, including its character models, furniture, and holidays, were reworked to have a less uniquely Japanese and more "international" feeling, as the localization team wished to give players outside of Japan the same experience worldwide. The original development team was so impressed that they imported these changes back into the Japanese version with ''Dōbutsu no Mori e+'', adding even more new features atop of that.
29	* ''VideoGame/AnotherCode'''s sequel, ''Another Code: R - A Journey Into Lost Memories'' for the Platform/{{Wii}}, was only released in Japan and Europe and never saw a North American or Australian release. It wouldn't be until the 2024 remake of both games, ''Another Code: Recollection'', that the game would finally see a release there.
30	* Inverted with ''VideoGame/BalloonKid'', the sequel to ''VideoGame/BalloonFight''. The original Platform/GameBoy game was only released in the West, but there was a Platform/GameBoyColor version titled ''Balloon Fight GB'' that was released almost a decade later. There was also an earlier [[Platform/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] port titled ''Franchise/HelloKitty World'' that [[DolledUpInstallment replaces all the original characters with Sanrio ones]].
31	* Although the original arcade version of ''VideoGame/BattleGaregga'' was released in North America, China, and Europe, the Platform/SegaSaturn port [[NoExportForYou wasn't]]. It took 20 years for the game to have a consumer port for those regions, when ''Battle Garegga Rev.2016'' was released not only in Japan for [=PS4=] and Xbox One, but the rest of the world as well (including regions that never got the arcade version).
32	* ''Bomberman '94'', the third and final ''VideoGame/{{Bomberman}}'' game for the PC Engine, was ported to the Platform/SegaGenesis and released in the west under the name of ''Mega Bomberman'' after sales of the Platform/TurboGrafx16 were discontinued in the States. There were no ''Bomberman'' games for the Japanese Mega Drive.
33	* Due to the Platform/TurboGrafx16 never taking off in the U.K., ''[[VideoGame/{{Bonk}} Bonk's Adventure]]'' and ''VideoGame/{{Bomberman}}'' were instead ported to the Amiga under the titles of ''B.C. Kid'' and ''Dyna Blaster'' respectively (with ''Dyna Blaster'' receiving additional ports for Atari ST and IBM compatibles).
34	* Although ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault: Flying Fairy'' was never released outside of Japan, its UpdatedRerelease, ''Bravely Default: For the Sequel'', got an international release thanks to Creator/{{Nintendo}}.
35	* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'':
36	** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaTheDraculaXChronicles'' for the [[Platform/PlayStationPortable PSP]] was made primarily because the original ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' for the [[Platform/TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] never had an overseas release before (the [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX SNES version]] of ''Dracula X'' was a ReformulatedGame that simply adapted the same plot and game system into entirely new stages). The game contains both, a remake and the original, as well as its sequel ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight''.
37	** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX'' for the SNES arguably counts as well, as it was treated as a replacement game to the PC Engine version for a while as far as the west was concerned. The American version uses the same cover and manual illustrations as the PC Engine game instead of the new art that was created for the Super Famicom's ''Dracula XX'' release. Strangely, the European version uses the new art from the Japanese version's packaging and manual, while changing the title to ''[[MarketBasedTitle Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss]]''.
38	* The international versions of ''VideoGame/ChaosLegion'', as well as the Japanese PC port based on the Western [=PS2=] release, had its gameplay mechanics changed (e.g. enemies can be either organic or metallic, and can take more damage some Legions while resisting others), {{nerf}}ed Sieg's damage output and resistance to enemy attacks, and made some enemies more aggressive, effectively making the game [[DifficultyByRegion harder than the original Japanese version]] after receiving criticism for the underused Legion system and Sieg being considered too powerful from the outset. New enemy types, altered enemy placements, and inflated EXP requirements for the Legion's abilities were also present in the international versions.
39	* ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' never saw a release in Europe. The DS port did, however, make it to the rainy shores of Britain and beyond in 2009.
40	* The 1991 PC Engine CD-ROM game ''[[Manga/SpaceAdventureCobra Cobra II: The Legendary Man]]'' was ported to the Platform/SegaCD and released in North America in 1995 under the title of ''The Space Adventure''.
41	* ''VideoGame/ClockTower1995'' is one of the most classic SurvivalHorror games to be released in the 90's. It's also never seen an official western release in any capacity despite the game getting ported to [=PlayStation=] and computers (the series suffered a bad case of SequelFirst, as ''VideoGame/ClockTower2'' became the world's first exposure to the series), taking until ''2024'' for the first game to finally see a proper worldwide release thanks to Creator/WayForwardTechnologies announcing a remake for all modern systems back in July 2023.
42	* Although the original ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' was never released in Japan (owing at least in part to its very late release date of March 2001 leaving almost no room for translation; its European release was English-only), the Xbox remake ''Conker: Live and Reloaded'' was.
43	* ''VideoGame/CrimzonClover'' is a Japan-only release, but the game has no MediaNotes/RegionCoding and simply requires a PC with enough power to take it and a modern version of Windows. ''Crimzon Clover for [=NESiCAxLive=]'' is not only Japan-only, but is limited to the ''[=NESiCAxLive=]'' platform, a digital distribution service for arcade cabinets with service limited to Japan. ''[=CCfNxL=]'' was ported back to PC as ''Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION'' and released internatonally with seven language options, including English and Japanese.
44	* ''Crisis Zone'', the GaidenGame of ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis'', zig-zags this. Even though the original arcade version was released internationally, the [=PS2=] remake, with its Grassmarket District storyline and some new features, stayed outside of Japan.
45	* When Creator/{{Capcom}} originally made the ''VideoGame/DisneysMagicalQuest'' trilogy for the [[Platform/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]], the third installment never made it out of Japan. When the series was remade for the Platform/GameBoyAdvance in the early-to-mid 2000s, the third game was finally exported to countries outside Japan.
46	* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong [[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry Land]] III'', three years after being released in North America and Europe, made it to Japan in the form of a Platform/GameBoyColor remake (titled ''Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong'') that was released nowhere else.
47	* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'':
48	** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestI'': The North American version of the game received a graphical facelift as well as a battery-backed save instead of a 20-character long password system used in the Japanese version.
49	** The whole series is a curious case: While its popularity in Japan has never spread beyond its borders, it's one of the few franchises where the publishers didn't monkey with the numbers to hide missing entries. Adding to the bizarreness is that it was never the publisher's decision not to release the missing games outside of Japan: it was the ''developers.'' Given the choice between localizing their latest title for the overseas market and starting work on a sequel, they chose the latter -- twice in succession -- thus condemning ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV'' and ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVI'' to import-only status for many years and leaving a curious gap between the fourth (for NES) and seventh (for Platform/PlayStation) entries.
50	** A remake of the fourth game was made for [=PlayStation=] and announced for North America, but due to the aforementioned development team disbanding, it never came to fruition without someone to program the game to implement the English script, and the frustration continued when ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV'' was remade for Platform/PlayStation2. Finally, post-merger Creator/SquareEnix came through for the North American market, delivering the "Zenithian Trilogy" -- ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIV'', ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestV V]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestVI VI]]'' -- all on Nintendo DS.
51	** While North America had never seen the ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestIV DQIV]]'' remake before 2008, Europe had never seen DQIV ''at all,'' or any of the preceding games, originally leading to the curious decision to ax the numbers from the European titles and refer to them [[StoppedNumberingSequels solely by their subtitles]] of ''[[AlliterativeName "Chapters of the Chosen"]]'' and ''[[AlliterativeName "Hand of the Heavenly Bride"]]'', possibly in a vain attempt to hide this fact, though ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'' and ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVI'' were released with the numbers intact. Thanks to Internet, nobody was fooled by the ones with the numbers removed.
52	* ''VideoGame/{{Fahrenheit}}'' was remade for North American release as ''Indigo Prophecy'', largely due to explicit sexual content which was edited out for that region. ''Fahrenheit'' features some explicit sex scenes [[{{Fanservice}} (one of which was player controllable!)]]. ''Indigo Prophecy'' retains only one of these scenes ([[spoiler:because it results in a significant pregnancy]]), and the 3D models are given different skins so that [[NippleAndDimed the woman has no nipples]] in the amended scene.
53	* The ''VisualNovel/FamicomDetectiveClub'' duology consisting of ''[[VisualNovel/FamicomDetectiveClubTheMissingHeir The Missing Heir]]'' & ''[[VisualNovel/FamicomDetectiveClubTheGirlWhoStandsBehind The Girl Who Stands Behind]]'', probably due to their heavy subject matter (both games are murder mysteries) and text-heavy nature (which Nintendo may have seen as unlikely to appeal to Western audiences), evaded any form of export for quite some time. For a lot of Western Nintendo fans, it was simply known as "[[MarthDebutedInSmashBros the game where that one schoolgirl Trophy]] in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'' comes from" (her only other appearance outside Japan was as an unlockable costume in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker''). In 2021, it was announced that the remakes originally thought to be Japan-only would actually be seeing international release that same year.
54	* ''VideoGame/FatalFrameMaskOfTheLunarEclipse'' was originally produced for the Wii in 2008, and it never was released outside of Japan. Fast forward fourteen years later, it was announced on 09/13/2022 that the game would be remastered for ninth generation consoles and released in 2023.
55	* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
56	** Due to fact that Nintendo released ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyI'' a bit late in the American market (three years after the Japanese release to be precise), ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII'' for the NES were skipped, with their numbers being appropriated by ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI''; ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' for the SNES was also passed over for American release, and no ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games came out in Europe before ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. After ''FFVII'' for the Platform/PlayStation brought the series international recognition, Square released remakes of five of the previous six games for that system (generally in [[CompilationRerelease two-packs]]) in North America and Europe with their proper titles. The actual ''Final Fantasy III'' was the one older ''Final Fantasy'' game which never saw release on the [=PlayStation=] nor Game Boy Advance, but it was later remade for the Platform/NintendoDS with a massive overhaul and finally saw its long-awaited international release. That being said, fans outside of Japan couldn't officially experience a version of ''FFIII'' based more closely on the original Famicom version released in 1990, notably featuring four nameless Onion Knights as the protagonists instead of the four named characters from the DS remake. That changed ''31 years'' later with the release of its ''Pixel Remaster'' remake in 2021.
57	** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' was [[BlindIdiotTranslation translated to Engrish]] and released in North America, but it never saw the light in Europe until the [=PSP=] port, with a much better translation.
58	* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' was first introduced to Western gamers through the appearance of Marth (from the original ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Fire Emblem]]'' for the [[Platform/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]]) and Roy (from the then-upcoming ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade'') in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee''. Shortly afterward, Creator/{{Nintendo}} began releasing the series outside Japan, beginning with ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade''[[note]]funnily enough, this was a prequel to Roy's game, which had released a year prior and still has yet to receive a Western release of any kind[[/note]]. So far, three of the six preceding ''Fire Emblem'' games have slowly undergone the remake process; the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragon first]] and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem third]] games were remade for the Platform/NintendoDS (though only first remake was exported), while [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden the second]] was remade for the Platform/Nintendo3DS as ''Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia'' [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening following]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemFates a]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes huge]] NewbieBoom.
59	* A Platform/NintendoDS remake of the original ''VideoGame/FrontMission1'' was released in North America, after Creator/SquareEnix had released two later sequels there.
60	* ''Franchise/{{Gundam}} Battle Assault'', a ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' (and, [[VideoGame3DLeap later]], ''VideoGame/VirtualOn'') pastiche, is an entire series of this.
61	** The first game was a remake of the Japanese game ''Gundam: The Battle Master 2'', tweaked to focus on ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Gundam Wing]]'' (which was prominent in the States at the time due to its airing on Creator/{{Toonami}}), complete with Wing Gundam replacing the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Hamma-Hamma]] (Wing being little more than a PaletteSwap of the Zeta) and a plotline centering on Heero Yuy kicking everyone else's butts to bring peace.
62	** A couple of years later when ''[[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam G Gundam]]'' was brought to America, the game was remade again as ''[[VideoGame/GundamBattleAssault2 Battle Assault 2]]'', bringing in machines from ''G'' as well as the ''Wing'' movie ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWingEndlessWaltz Endless Waltz]]'' (as well as several characters from ''[[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Zeta]]'' and ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ ZZ]]'' being removed to avoid spoilers in anticipation of '''their''' American release, which mostly fell through).
63	** Then, when ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Gundam SEED]]'' came to the States, its own action game for the Platform/PlayStation2 was remade as ''Battle Assault 3'', becoming a 3D fighter (and gaining Wing Zero, Tallgeese, God Gundam, and Master Gundam, their character models taken from the earlier game ''Encounters in Space'').
64	* ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonBackToNature [[DistaffCounterpart For Girl]]'' was never released on its home console, the [=PlayStation=], outside of Japan but was directly ported to the Platform/PlayStationPortable.
65	* ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'', released in 2001, was a victim of this, just like its [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Predecessor]] ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun''. The original arcade game, as well as Platform/{{Dreamcast}} port, were Japan-only. The [=GameCube=] port was made for international markets in 2003, two years after its original release.
66	* The first three ''VideoGame/InazumaEleven'' games were originally for the DS, but later received a bundled-up remake entitled ''Inazuma Eleven 123: The Legend of Endou Mamoru'' for the 3DS. Europe had previously received localized versions of the first two games, but around the time it was to receive the third, the DS's life was gone for all intents and purposes and Europe instead received the 3DS port. Some time later, North America (which had never received the game up until then) finally received the first game, carrying the European DS version's translation with some edits for localization on the 3DS port. Most of Europe also received the remake as well... except for the UK, which [[NoExportForYou wasn't as lucky]] since [[http://level5ia.com/inazumaeleven/uk/ the North American localization had redubbed voices that differed from the already-established British voice actors.]]
67	* Similar to [=MangaGamer=] and their remakes of older {{Visual Novel}}s mentioned below, we have Creator/{{JAST}} USA's localization of Creator/{{Nitroplus}} titles. Older titles are ported to the newer engine Nitroplus has been using since 2008.
68	* The ''Series/KamenRiderRyuki'' game for the original Platform/PlayStation was remade for the Platform/{{Wii}} as a ''Series/KamenRiderDragonKnight'' game, with an added BeatEmUp mode. Bonus export remake points: Developer Eighting recycled the engine and many assets from the [=PlayStation=] 2 game ''VideoGame/KamenRiderClimaxHeroes''. In turn, the stuff created for ''Dragon Knight'' was recycled by adding the rest of the ''Ryuki'' cast to ''Climax Heroes OOO''.
69	* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':
70	** ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsCoded'' was remade as ''Re:Coded'' on the Nintendo DS for a non-Japanese release... because ''Coded'' was only for cell phones.
71	** The [[UpdatedRerelease Final Mix]] versions of ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI I]]'', ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII II]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep Birth by Sleep]]'' at long last made it to Western shores as part of the ''HD [=ReMIX=]'' collections for [[Platform/PlayStation3 PS3]] and [[Platform/PlayStation4 PS4]]. This was also the first time the European region got ''Re:Chain of Memories''.
72	** ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsX'', a Japanese-only browser game, was remade and localized for mobile devices as ''Kingdom Hearts Unchained/Union X''.
73	* ''VideoGame/Left4Dead2'', already released internationally, has a specific version called ''LEFT 4 DEAD: SURVIVORS'' for Japanese arcades, which features greatly toned-down violence and gore along with a brand new cast of survivors and Japanese voice acting. In addition, it allows the player to unlock new skins and coins are used to buy play time instead of "lives".
74	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsFromZeroAndTrailsToAzure'' went unreleased in the west for years due to a variety of reasons [[labelnote:note]] The company that made the PC port going under, the PSP being discontinued among others [[/labelnote]]. It wasn't until 2022 and 2023 that players are able to play the duology with NISA and the Geofront fan translation team using the ''[[UpdatedRerelease Kai]]'' version.
75	* ''VideoGame/LikeADragonIshin'', a ''VideoGame/{{Like a Dragon}}'' spinoff based in feudal Japan, only came out in Japan during its initial release in 2014, but its 2023 remake got an international release.
76	* Nearly thirty years after its original, Japanese-exclusive release, ''VideoGame/LiveALive'' got this treatment in 2022 for the Platform/NintendoSwitch, with new HD-2D graphics akin to Creator/SquareEnix's other games at the time, such as ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler'' and ''VideoGame/TriangleStrategy'', and full voice acting.
77	* ''Franchise/MagiNation'' did this in reverse, taking a North American-made Platform/GameBoyColor game and giving it a Platform/GameBoyAdvance remake that was exclusive to Japan (though they changed the DeadpanSnarker hero into an IdiotHero).
78	* Over time, [=MangaGamer=] has been remaking older {{Visual Novel}}s in modern engines for the English releases, such as ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'', which was remade in Platform/{{Unity}} in 2009/2010, and ''A Kiss for the Petals: Remembering How We Met'', which was remade in Platform/RenPy in 2015, roughly half a year after its original Japanese release.
79	* ''[[VideoGame/MarySkelterNightmares Mary Skelter 2]]'' debuted on the [=PlayStation=] 4 in Japan, but received a late Nintendo Switch port; the latter was the only version of the two that Idea Factory International chose to localize. The Chinese [=PS4=] version of ''Mary Skelter 2'' infamously had its Purification mode DummiedOut post-release, corresponding with several other {{Fanservice}}-heavy games on the [=PS4=] receiving last-minute [[{{Bowdlerise}} Bowdlerization]], so the Switch version likely happened to avoid having to take those measures for the North American and European releases.
80	* ''VideoGame/MedabotsMetabeeAndRokusho'' is a Game Boy Advance remake of ''Medarot 2: Kabuto and Kuwagata'' for the Game Boy Color, released to capitalize on the ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' anime that was airing internationally.[[note]]The anime is heavily based on ''Medarot 2'', which is why it was remade instead of the first ''[[VideoGame/MedarotKabutoAndKuwagata Medarot]]''.[[/note]] Japan was actually the ''last'' region to see a full retail release of the game.
81	* The original Platform/{{MSX}}2 versions of ''VideoGame/MetalGear1'' and ''VideoGame/MetalGear2SolidSnake'' were never released outside Japan (with the exception of an English version of the first game that came out in Europe). Around the time ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' came out, Konami remade both games for mobile phones, although these were still strictly Japanese releases. It wasn't until their inclusion in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence]]'' that both games saw a proper international release.
82	* ''VideoGame/MetalWolfChaos'', in spite of the premise consisting of the U.S. President and the evil Vice President duking it out in HamToHamCombat in mechs with lots of explosions and ''[[PatrioticFervor BURNING AMERICAN FREEDOM]]'', originally was released in Japan only, partly due to the lack of a publisher willing to export it, partly because it's against U.S. law for non-government entities to use the POTUS seal, and partly the events of the 9/11 attacks played a role in why Creator/FromSoftware was reluctant on releasing the game overseas. 15 years later, it was [[UpdatedRerelease remastered]] as ''Metal Wolf Chaos XD'' for the [=PlayStation=] 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2019.
83	* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'':
84	** ''[[VideoGame/MonsterHunter2004 Monster Hunter Freedom]]'' features all elements that originally debuted in the Japan-exclusive ''Monster Hunter G'', namely G-Rank quests, all subspecies and some quality-of-life improvements. And unlike ''G'', it was brought overseas.
85	** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter4'' on the Platform/Nintendo3DS stayed in Japan, but its UpdatedRerelease ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'' saw an international release. It retains all the content from its original version and adds its own, robust content for a more complete experience.
86	** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterGenerations''[[note]]''Monster Hunter X'' [[MarketBasedTitle in its home country]][[/note]] was localized outside of Japan but its UpdatedRerelease ''Monster Hunter XX'' was not. At least, not on the 3DS. When the game was ported to Switch, it finally got an international release as ''Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate'' -- a year later, to avoid "self competition" with the soon-to-be released (at the time) ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld''.
87	* Several NES ports of arcade games were ported twice, usually for different regions:
88	** The NES port of ''VideoGame/{{Rampart}}'' was a straight port of the arcade version by Tengen, whereas the Famicom version by Creator/{{Konami}} retains the play mechanics, but alters the aesthetics and plot considerably.
89	** The European version of ''VideoGame/RainbowIslands'' is noticeably more authentic to the arcade original (with the exception of the music due to copyright issues, although the North American release had the same problem) and had the two player mode while the Famicom/North American release didn't.
90	** ''VideoGame/FantasyZone'' was ported to the NES by Tengen in North America, but by Sunsoft in Japan. The Sunsoft version sports graphics that are a bit more colorful but also a bit more cramped. Its music may be more accurate in its bassline, but the Tengen version's music sounds more complete overall. For some reason, Tengen also reduced the number of targets per stage from eight to six.
91	* ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' games
92	** Naruto: Ninja Council 3 was actually Ninja Council 4 in Japan, however when it was brought over to America, it was remade as Ninja Council 3, removed several characters (such as Kimimaro, the Sound Four's stage 2 transformations and Naruto and Sasuke's ultimate forms), edited some of the missions, and included a gallery, which the Japanese game did not have.
93	** Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles also changed the story, and removed Itachi, Kisame and Tsunade to prevent spoilers.
94	** Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution is Naruto: Gekito Ninja Taisen 3 in Japan, in the West, it added motion controls from Gekito Ninja Taisen EX, removed Kiba, Zabuza, Haku, Iruka and Mizuki, included 3 mini games, changed several story elements and added a new playable character, Kisame, using his model from Gekito Ninja Taisen EX.
95	** Naruto: Clash Of Ninja Revolution 2 is actually Gekito Ninja Taisen 4 in Japan, however to prevent spoilers, the game had to be remade. Several characters were removed (the Sound Four, Hiruzen, Kimimaro, Iruka, Zabuza, Haku, Mizuki), some brand-new characters were added (Bando, Towa, Komachi, Kagura), motion controlled gameplay was added and the story was completely remade. The sequel, Naruto Shippuden: Clash Of Ninja Revolution 3, is a completely original game.
96	* ''VideoGame/OsuTatakaeOuendan'' was a successful rhythm action title for DS and one of the most highly-imported games for the platform. Smelling money, Nintendo reinvented the game for the Western market as ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents'': different characters, different songs, exact same gameplay. It was good enough that ''Japanese gamers imported it as a sequel.'' Since then, ''Ouendan'' has seen an official sequel in Japan, though ''Elite Beat Angels'' has remained a one-shot IP.
97	* ''VideoGame/{{Picross}} e9'', the last in the ''Picross e'' series on Platform/Nintendo3DS, was originally released only in Japan. It would later get a Western release as DLC for ''Picross S+'', which consists of remakes of the ''e'' releases on Platform/NintendoSwitch but using the engine of ''Picross S''.
98	* ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' is an interesting case, as the Western releases were based both on the UpdatedRerelease Japanese ''Pokémon Blue'' (engine, sprite work, in-game text) and the original ''Red and Green'' (Pokémon encounters and in-game trades), rather than just being direct exports of either. The name change was also the result of marketing[[note]]Red and Blue are seen as better "opposing colors" in the West, and Blastoise was deemed to be a better cover monster than Venusaur[[/note]], but led to an odd situation when the 2004 remakes (''[=FireRed=] and [=LeafGreen=]'') retained the names of the Japanese releases internationally. As for the games themselves, the mish-mash of features resulted in some minor errors, such as an NPC saying that the Raichu you traded him evolved.
99	* ''Psychic World'', a side-scrolling action game for the Platform/SegaMasterSystem and Platform/GameGear, is a remake of an [=MSX2=] game titled ''Psycho World''. Notably the Master System version was only released in Europe.
100	* ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoTetris'' had caught the interest of many international gamers back during its release in 2014. Despite this, the game was hit by a case of NoExportForYou, thanks in part to Creator/{{Ubisoft}} holding much of the ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' license outside of Japan. For a while, the game seemed like it would get no international release due to being ScrewedByTheLawyers. But then, they made a Platform/NintendoSwitch version, and Creator/{{Sega}} used the opportunity to get the ''Tetris'' license for that system outright. As an added bonus, they were even able to [[LoopholeAbuse find a technicality in Ubisoft's license]] that allowed them to bring over the Platform/PlayStation4 version as well.
101	* ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun'' was a Japan-only vertical scrolling shooter released in 1998, despite being praised by the overseas critics. However, its SpiritualSuccessor, ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'', was released internationally on [=GameCube=]. ''RS'' was rereleased internationally on Platform/XboxLiveArcade in 2011, 13 years after its original release.
102	* ''Rockman & Forte'' was released exclusively in Japan for the [[Platform/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem Super Famicom]] in 1998 (which was pretty late during its lifespan, since the platform was already discontinued in the West and the succeeding Platform/Nintendo64 had been around for two years) and then ported to the Platform/GameBoyAdvance in 2003, in which it received an official western release as ''VideoGame/MegaManAndBass''.
103	* ''VideoGame/{{Romancing SaGa}}: Minstrel Song'' is a [=PS2=] remake of the SNES ''[=Romancing SaGa=]''. Until its release in 2005, none of the ''Romancing'' trilogy had reached stateside -- though the rest of the ''VideoGame/{{SaGa\|RPG}}'' games arrived on their original platforms. ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa2'' was later remade for [[Platform/PlayStationVita Vita]] and mobile, but the Vita version wasn't released in English until 2017 where the game was also ported to [=PS4=], Platform/NintendoSwitch, Platform/XboxOne, and PC. ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa3'' followed suit two years later on the same platforms. Strangely, the DS remakes of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyLegendII'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyLegendIII'' were never localized, despite having brought over the original Platform/GameBoy versions.
104	* The American version of ''VideoGame/ShenmueII'' for the [[Platform/SegaDreamcast Dreamcast]] was canceled a few months before its scheduled release date, so an Platform/{{Xbox}} port was released in its place a year later in 2002. Europe got both the Dreamcast version (which kept the Japanese voice acting and added subtitles) and the Xbox port.
105	* The Platform/SegaCD version of ''VisualNovel/{{Snatcher}}'' was made exclusively for the overseas market and never had a domestic Japanese release (although it was made using the [[Platform/TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] version as its base). Bonus points to the localization team for expanding the ending and explaining what happens to [[spoiler:[[WhatHappenedToTheMouse Mika, Katrina and Napoleon before Gillian leaves for Moscow]]]].
106	* ''VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsBattleForBikiniBottom'' wasn't released in Japan, as THQ wasn't based in the country at the time. The ''Rehydrated'' VideoGameRemake in 2020, however, was -- it even got a new Japanese voice track.
107	* The original ''VideoGame/StarOcean'' was never released stateside; the franchise didn't gain ground in America until the coming of ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheSecondStory''. In 2008, however, Creator/TriAce released [[Platform/PlayStationPortable PSP]] remakes for not only ''Second Story'' (as ''Star Ocean: Second Evolution'') but, before that, the original (as ''Star Ocean: First Departure'').
108	* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBrosTheLostLevels'': The original game, known in Japan as ''Super Mario Bros. 2'', was originally exclusive to that country due to Nintendo of America's reluctance to import it ([[DolledUpInstallment adapting]] ''VideoGame/DokiDokiPanic'' for the Western version of ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros2'' instead), but was then brought overseas when it was remade for the SNES as part of ''VideoGame/SuperMarioAllStars'', with several changes to make its difficulty more bearable. A somewhat altered remake was included on ''Super Mario Bros. Deluxe'' for the Platform/GameBoyColor, unlockable after completing the first game. The Famicom Disk System version was eventually released on thePlatform/{{Wii}}'s (and later systems') Platform/VirtualConsole service outside of Japan and is sold as ''The Lost Levels'', though the actual game is unaltered (i.e. the title screen still says "Super Mario Bros. 2").
109	* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'':
110	** Although the original version of ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' was released in English in North America, Europe and Australia didn't get it at all. However, they did get the Platform/Nintendo3DS UpdatedRerelease.
111	** And even then, the American version contained [[RegionalBonus additional bonuses of its own]], which were faithfully ported to the 3DS version.
112	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces'' was exported to North America, Europe and Australia as the [=PS3=] version, the EnhancedRemake ''Tales of Graces ƒ''.
113	** Ditto with ''VideoGame/TalesOfHearts'', which the West got in the form of said game's PS Vita remake, ''Tales of Hearts R''.
114	* The ''Tantei Jinguuji Saburo'' VisualNovel series remained Japan-only for two decades, until the original three games for the Famicom Disk System were remade for the Platform//NintendoDS as ''VisualNovel/JakeHunter: Detective Chronicles''.
115	* While ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'' ended up getting a 3D remake for the Platform/PlayStation4 and Platform/NintendoSwitch, it was predated by the latter console's ''[[CompilationRerelease Collection of Mana]]'', which includes the original game's first-ever release outside of Japan. In fact, the original plan was to just remake the game for international release, but the staff of Creator/SquareEnix's Western divisions convinced the ''Mana'' series producer to make the original Platform/{{Super Nintendo\|EntertainmentSystem}} version available worldwide as well.
116	* ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'' was originally released a doujin project from Creator/TypeMoon back in 2000. It was later remade and released in 2021, with the remake set to come out in English 2024.
117	* The first two ''VideoGame/{{Valis}}'' games were originally for the Platform/{{PC88}}, Platform/{{MSX}} and other Japanese computers; the internationally released versions were the considerably redesigned remakes for the Platform/TurboGrafx16 and Platform/SegaGenesis.
118	* Inverted with ''[[VideoGame/WonderBoyIIITheDragonsTrap Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap]]'' for the Platform/SegaMasterSystem. The game was meant to be released in Japan as well under the name of ''Monster World II'', but the sudden discontinuation of the Sega Mark III in that region caused the game to be canceled. The game was eventually released in Japan, in the form of a [[Platform/TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] remake titled ''Adventure Island'' (retitled ''Dragon's Curse'' in the west to avoid confusion with Hudson's own ''VideoGame/AdventureIsland'' series), and later as a straight Platform/GameGear port of the original Master System title.
119	* Slight variant for ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch3''. Though it was also on 3DS, Level-5 opted to take the three versions and combine them into one for a massive mega game for International players.
120	* ''XZR II'' originally was a Japan-only computer game, but when it was greatly overhauled as ''Exile'' for the Platform/SegaGenesis and [[Platform/TurboGrafx16 TurboGrafx-CD]], both console versions were translated.
121	* The combined remake of ''VideoGame/{{Ys}} Book [[VideoGame/YsIAncientYsVanishedOmen I]] & [[VideoGame/YsIIAncientYsVanishedTheFinalChapter II]]'' for the [[Platform/TurboGrafx16 Turbo CD]] is an unusual example: the original ''Ys'' was previously released outside Japan in the forms of stand-alone ports for the Platform/SegaMasterSystem and IBM PC, but not ''Ys II''.
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123	!!Non-Video Game Examples
124	* In the 90's and up until the 2000's, it was pretty common for children's programming imported from other parts of the world to be repackaged for North America instead of being shown as their own individual show by adding new segments to the original show to extend the runtime or creating an entirely new show, which would be the FramingDevice for the series they wanted to import. The shows that were subject to this treatment included:
125	** ''Series/ShiningTimeStation'', a show about life at a train station, was made to frame episodes of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends''.
126	** ''The Fox Cubhouse'' centered around the adventures of a girl named Rosie and her puppet friends or a girl named Sunny (this varied depending on the season) and aired programs such as ''Series/JohnsonAndFriends'' and ''WesternAnimation/MagicAdventuresOfMumfie'' in between the live action segments.
127	** The ''Amazin' Adventures'' version of ''Series/{{Thunderbirds}}'' spliced in footage of two children interacting with the titular characters.
128	** ''Series/BigBag'' played cartoon shorts from around the world like ''William's Wish Wellingtons'', ''Koki'' and ''Slim Pig'', surrounded by a main story about a general store. It also included two shorts that were made for the show, ''Troubles the Cat'' and ''Ace and Avery''.
129	** The American version of ''Series/TotsTV'' added segments involving Mr. Noah, a storyteller, and Jane, an animal expert, to extend the normally 10-minute long runtime of the show.
130	** Clips from ''WesternAnimation/{{Tugs}}'' were chopped up and recycled as part of ''WesternAnimation/SaltysLighthouse'', where they would play in 5-minute segments that showed what the tugboats in the harbor did when nobody was around.
131	** The 1997 ''WesternAnimation/MrMenAndLittleMiss'' animated series was made into a VarietyShow with various live-action segments all tied to a theme with Mr. Men stories in between.
132	** ''WesternAnimation/NoddysToylandAdventures'' was incorporated into ''Series/TheNoddyShop'', a series about an antique toy store where toys and a pet lobster come to life.
133	** ''It's Itsy Bitsy Time!'' showed various cartoon shorts from around the world with transitions themed around a circus.
134	** Early United States-version episodes of ''WesternAnimation/{{Caillou}}'' featured segments about Caillou's cat Gilbert and his toys Rexy and Teddy going on adventures, along with live-action segments with children called the Cailettes.
135	** Similarly, ''Series/HolaSproutitos'' framed episodes of ''Sesame English''.
136	* Another non-video game example is found in the ''Toys/{{Gormiti}}'' toyline. The "Series 1" of figures released in most countries in 2008 is actually a remake of the true first series released in Italy in 2005. Those figures were originally released in Italy as the "Energheia" series, presented as resurrected and buffed forms of the original characters, and then used to launch the franchise in the world.
137	* Indonesian channel ''Trans TV'' at the time when the series was new, airs ''Series/BladeTheSeries'' and ''Series/TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles'' as TV Movies in the same timeslot that covers re-airing of older theatrical releases, covering 4 episodes in the span of two hours.
138	* ''Series/MsMarvel2022'': The series was released in Pakistan and reassembled into three films through theater licensor HKC Entertainment. Each film contains two episodes released on a bi-weekly basis, within the original series release period. This was done to get around the lack of Creator/DisneyPlus availability in the country at the time.
139	* Sprout programming blocks such as ''Series/TheSunnySideUpShow'' and ''Series/TheGoodNightShow'' aired gold-standard, curriculum based programs such as ''WesternAnimation/DragonTales'', ''WesternAnimation/AngelinaBallerina'', and ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' in between the host segments.
140	* Episodes of ''Series/{{Teletubbies}}'' often get repackaged for the countries they are shown in. For example, the segments involving the titular characters may remain the same, but some elements may be changed, like the Tummy Tales segments, the Magical Events, and in some cases, having half the episode being taken up by one of the spin-off ''Teletubbies Everywhere''.
141	* Even automobiles occasionally get this. A prominent recent example: for North American buyers (outside Mexico) who were jealous of world markets for their fire-breathing GR Yaris hot hatch, powered by a 1.6 liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 268 horsepower, Toyota promised a hot hatch Americans could call their own - and reverse-engineered another, larger chassis (the Corolla) and used that same engine, with some extra horsepower at that (300 - a significant jump) to make the GR Corolla, only sold alongside its little brother in its home country, and later Thailand, Malaysia, and Oceania.
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Context Main / RemadeForTheExport