Due to spacing issues with the text boxes of Adventure of Link, a lot of information got lost in translation. Though the script for the game is only 683 words long, a retranslation reveals at least one lost reference, two dialogue boxes that were translated differently, and a couple of messages that seem unique to the English version. The hints in the game also become far more straightforward.
Resources:
• Adventure of Link Script Dump (J)
• Adventure of Link Script Dump (U)
• Contextual Information
In addition to hosting a script dump from the Japanese version of Adventure of Link, LLTVG was kind enough to let me borrow some of their contextual information for how the text is used in-game. Learning Languages Through Video Games is a fledgling wiki that boasts game retranslations accompanied by linguistic notes to help language learners on their road to fluency, something that might be of interest to the readers of this site. Check it out!
The text in this document is organized like so:
| Original English Script | Japanese Script | GlitterBerri’s Translation |
| AFTER GANON WAS DESTROYED, IMPA TOLD LINK A SLEEPING SPELL WAS CAST ON PRINCESS ZELDA. SHE WILL WAKE ONLY WITH THE POWER OF NO.3 TRIFORCE SEALED IN A PALACE IN HYRULE. TO BREAK THE SEAL,CRYSTALS MUST BE PLACED IN STATUES IN 6 WELL GUARDED PALACES. LINK SET OUT ON HIS MOST ADVENTURESOME QUEST YET… ©1987 NINTENDO |
SEVERAL YEARS AFTER GANNON WAS DESTROYED,LINK LEARNS FROM IMPA ABOUT THE ANOTH- ER SLEEPING PRINCESS ZELDA. HE IS TOLD SHE CAN ONLY AWAKEN WITH THE NO.3 TRY- FORCE SEALED IN THE GREAT SANCTUARY AT DISVALLEY. TO REMOVE THE SEAL, CRYSTALS MUST BE EMBEDDED INTO A STONE STATUE STANDING IN 6 SANCTUARIS. LINK SETS OUT ON AN ADVENTUROUS QUEST… ©1987 NINTENDO |
N/A |
The text for the Japanese version here isn’t actually included as part of the dump I used. I transcribed it from the video below showcasing the Famicom Disk System version of the game. It’s somewhat more Engrishy than its successor. Speaking of the comparison between the Japanese FDS release and the North American NES version, listen to the difference in the quality of the music.
| PLEASE LET ME HELP YOU. COME INSIDE. |
チョット ヨッテ イカナイ？{END} |
Won’t you come in? |
| I CAN RESTORE YOUR LIFE. |
・・・・・ ライフヲ カイフクシテアゲルワ{END} |
… I will restore your life. |
| STOP AND REST HERE. |
ヤスンデ オユキ{END} | Come and rest. |
| I CAN GIVE YOU MAGIC. COME BACK ANYTIME. |
マジックヲカイフク シテアゲヨウ マタ イツデモオイデ{END} |
I’ll restore your magic. Come back anytime. |
| I AM MUCH TOO BUSY TO TALK TO A STRANGER. |
チョット イソグンデナ アバヨ{END} |
I’m a little busy. Goodbye. |
| HELLO! | コンニチワ{END} | Hello. |
| HELLO YOUNG FELLOW. |
ハイハイ コンニチワ{END} | Yes, yes, hello there. |
| SORRY. I KNOW NOTHING. |
シラナイワ ゴメンネ{END} | I don’t know, sorry. |
| EACH TOWN HAS A WISE MAN. LEARN FROM HIM. |
マチヲ ミツケタラ ソノマチノ マジシャ ンニアッテ マホウヲ オソワルトイイワ！{END} |
When you find a town, go see the magician there and he will teach you magic! |
| FIND THE HEART IN SOUTHERN PARAPA. |
パラパノ シンデンノ ミナミノ カイガンニ ハートノウツワガアル{END} |
There is a heart container on the shore south of Parapa Temple. |
| ONLY THE HAMMER CAN DESTROY A ROADBLOCK. |
ハンマーガアレバ ミチヲフサグ イワヲ コワセルンジャガ・・{END} |
If you have a hammer you can break the rocks that block the way.. |
| WELCOME TO RAURU |
ラウルヘ ヨウコソ！{END} | Welcome to Rauru! |
| GET CANDLE IN PARAPA PALACE. GO WEST. |
パラパノ シンデンデ ローソクヲ トッタラ ニシノ トンネルカラ ツギノシンデンニユケ{END} |
Once you get the candle from Parapa Temple, go through the west tunnel to the next temple. |
| GORIYA OF TANTARI STOLE OUR TROPHY. |
タンタリサバクノ ゴーリアガ マチノ メガミゾウヲ ヌスンデシマッタワ{END} |
Goriya of Tantari Desert stole the goddess statue from the village. |
| YOU SAVED THE TROPHY COME SEE MY UNCLE. |
マア！メガミゾウダワ オジイサンニ アッテ イッテ！{END} |
Oh! That’s the goddess statue! Go see Grandpa! |
The original translator mixed up “ojiisan” (grandpa or old man) with “ojisan” (uncle).
| IN PARAPA DESERT USE THIS MAGIC TO SURVIVE |
シンデンハ パラパ サバクニ アル コノマホウデ ミヲマモルガヨイ{END} |
The temple is in Parapa Desert. Protect yourself with this magic. |
| I CANNOT HELP YOU ANYMORE. GO NOW. |
モウオマエニ オシエ ルコトハナイ キヲツケテイキナサイ{END} |
I don’t have anything more to tell you. Go, and take care of yourself. |
| HAMMER… SPECTACLE ROCK… DEATH MTN. |
デスマウンテンノ メガネイワニ セイナ ル ハンマーガ アルソウジャ・・{END} |
It seems there is a sacred hammer at Death Mountain’s Spectacle Rock.. |
| DO NOT GO SOUTH WITHOUT A CANDLE. |
ローソクガナケレバ マチカラ ミナミハ トテモキケンヨ！{END} |
Without a candle, it is very dangerous to the south of town! |
| FIND MAGIC IN A CAVE SOUTH OF THE CASTLE. |
オシロノ ミナミノ ドウクツニ マジック ノ ウツワガ アルゾ{END} |
There is a magic container in a cave south of the castle. |
| TOWN OF RUTO |
ルトノマチ{END} | Town of Ruto |
| I FOUND A MIRROR UNDER THE TABLE. |
テーブルノシタデ カガミヲ ミツケタゾ{END} |
I found a mirror under the table. |
| I LOST MY MIRROR. |
カガミヲ ナクシタワ シクシク{END} |
I lost the mirror. Sob, sob. |
| OH! YOU FOUND MY MIRROR! FOLLOW ME. |
マア！ワタシノカガミ ウチマデ ツイテキテ{END} |
Oh! That’s my mirror! Follow me to my house. |
| WITH THIS YOU CAN JUMP VERY HIGH. |
ジャンプアップノ マホウヲ オボエテ ユクガヨイ{END} |
Go and learn the Jump Up magic. |
| I AM ERROR. |
オレノナハ エラー ダ・・・{END} |
My name is Error… |
| SOUTH OF KINGS TOMB IN MIDO IS A TUNNEL. |
ホントウニ ミドマデ イッタノカ！ オウノ ハカノミナミニ カミ ヘノ ヌケアナガアル{END} |
So, you really went to Mido! There is a passage to God south of the king’s tomb. |
“God” refers to “神殿” (shinden), literally “god palace”, meaning “temple”.
| IN MIDORO SWAMP FIND A HANDY GLOVE. |
ミドロヌマノシンデン ニ セイナルテブクロ ガ アルハズヨ！{END} |
There ought to be a pair of sacred gloves at Midoro Swamp Temple! |
| EYES OF GANON ARE EVERYWHERE BE CAREFUL |
マチニ ガノンノイチ ミガ マギレコンドル{END} |
Ganon’s conspirators have slipped into the town crowds. |
| WATER TOWN OF SARIA |
ミズノマチ サリア{END} | Water Town of Saria |
| IF ALL ELSE FAILS USE FIRE. |
ミッツノ チカラノ レベルガ ソロエバ シンノチカラト ナルゾ！{END} |
When the 3 levels of power align, their true strength will be realized! |
According to LLTVG Wiki “This refers to the fact that continuing after a game over or even a saved game, causes your attack, magic and life levels to drop to the lowest of the three levels. If you level them up evenly, you have less to lose. (This level up system is unique to the Japanese version.)” This message was presumably replaced by an unrelated message in English when the system was no longer used in the overseas release.
| NOTHING. | ユウシャ ロト ココニネムル{END} |
The Hero, Loto, sleeps here. |
Here, we English players lose a Dragon Quest reference. Loto, also known as Erdrick, is a longstanding hero of the games.
| RETURN THE CRYSTAL TO THE PALACE IN PARAPA. |
ソノ クリスタルヲ シンデンニ モドサレ ルノカ！ キタニアル トンネルヲヌケナサイ{END} |
So, you will return the crystal to the temple! Go through the tunnel to the north. |
| USE KEYS IN PALACES THEY ARE FOUND IN. |
シンデンノ カギハ カナラズ ソノシンデンデ オツカイナサイ{END} |
Please be sure to use the temple keys in the temples where they are found. |
| TALK WITH MY FATHER BEFORE YOU LEAVE TOWN |
シンデンニユクマエニ アタシノ ウチニキテ ジイチャンニ アッテ{END} |
Before you leave town, come to my house and see Grandpa. |
| USE THIS MAGIC TO RESTORE YOUR LIFE. |
ライフ フッカツノ マホウヲ サズケヨウ{END} |
I’ll teach you the Restore Life magic. |
| ONLY TOWN FOLK MAY CROSS THIS RIVER! |
マチノヒト イガイ カワヲ ワタセナイナ{END} |
Only the townspeople can cross the river. |
| YOU KNOW BAGU? THEN I CAN HELP YOU CROSS. |
バグノ シリアイカ！ ソレナラ ハシヲ カケテヤロウ{END} |
A friend of Bug’s, eh! In that case, go on and cross the bridge. |
| NO ONE IS HERE BUT A CHURCHBELL WILL RING. |
コノマチノキョウカイ シンプモ イナイノニ イツモ カネガナルワ{END} |
Though the church in this town has no priest, the bell always tolls. |
| THE ISLAND PALACE IN THE SOUTH HAS A RAFT |
イカダハ ミナミ ニアル コジマノ シンデンニ アルゾ{END} |
The raft is at the Islet Temple to the south. |
| FIND MAGIC IN A CAVE IN MORUGE SWAMP. |
モルゲヌマノドウクツ ニ ヤマイヲナオス セイナルミズガ アル {END} |
Within a cave in Moruge Swamp there is sacred water that cures illness. |
| HARBOR TOWN OF MIDO |
ミナトマチ ミド{END} | Harbor Town of Mido |
| THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. ITS VERY QUIET |
ドアハ ヒラカナイ ヤケニ シズカダナ{END} |
The door won’t open. It’s awfully quiet. |
| PLEASE. MY DAUGHTER IS SICK. HELP HER! |
ムスメガ ヤマイデ シニソウジャ オイオイ{END} |
My daughter is ill and looks as though she’s at death’s door. Sob, sob! |
| THE WATER OF LIFE! QUICK COME WITH ME. |
コレハ！セイナルミズ コレデ ムスメノ イノチハ スクワレタ ウチヘキテクダサイ{END} |
This is sacred water! With this, my daughter’s life will be saved. Please come to my house. |
| ASK ERROR OF RUTO ABOUT THE PALACE. |
ルトニスム エラーガ シンデンノコトヲ シッテイルハズダ！{END} |
Error, who lives in Ruto, ought to know about the temples! |
| THIS MAGIC WORD WILL GIVE YOU POWER. |
コノジュモンデ ヨウセイノ チカラヲ カリルガヨイ{END} |
Borrow the power of the fairies using this spell. |
| WHEN YOU JUMP PRESS DOWNWARD TO STAB. |
ジャンプ シタトキ キーヲ シタニ イレナサイ{END} |
When you jump you must press the down key. |
| BAGU IS MY NAME. SHOW MY NOTE TO RIVER MAN. |
オレノナハ バグ ダ ワタシバノ オトコニ コノテガミヲ ミセロ{END} |
My name is Bug. Show this letter to the ferry landing man. |
| ZZZ… | グーグー・・・{END} | Zzz, zzz… |
| LET ME BE! MASTER IS IN WOODS N OF RIVER |
ウルサイナ！ ココノ シュジンハ カワノ キタノ モリニ イッテイルヨ{END} |
Let me be! The master of this house has gone to the forest north of the river. |
TOWN-001.bin, 0x036B
| THIS IS KINGS TOMB |
N/A | N/A |
This message doesn’t appear to have a Japanese equivalent.
| STOP BY FOR AWHILE |
チョット ヨッテ イカナイ？{END} |
Won’t you come in? |
| REVIVED! | ・・・・・ アア！ イキカエッタ{END} |
… Ah! You’re revived! |
| REST HERE. | ヤスンデ オユキ{END} | Come and rest. |
| HOW ABOUT THAT? ITS MY SPECIAL MEDICINE. |
ドウダイ！ アタシノ トクセイノクスリダヨ{END} |
What do you think? It’s my special medicine! |
| I KNOW NOTHING. |
オレハ ナニモ シランヨ{END} |
I don’t know anything. |
| PLEASE SAVE OUR TOWN! |
マチヲ スクッテ！{END} | Save the town! |
| YOU MUST SAVE HYRULE! |
ハイラルヲ オスクイクダサレ{END} |
I would ask you to save Hyrule. |
| I CAN NOT HELP YOU. |
チカラニ ナレナイワ{END} | I can’t help you. |
| THE RIVER DEVIL EATS THOSE WHO ARE WEAK. |
マモノガ カワニ スミツイテ タビビト ヲ タベテシマウ・・{END} |
The monster eats travellers who settle down by the river.. |
| JUMP IN A HOLE IN THE PALACE IF YOU GO. |
シンデンニユクノカ？ ナカデハ オソレズニ アナニ トビオリロ！{END} |
You’re off to the temple? Don’t be afraid to jump into the hole within! |
| WELCOME TO NABOORU |
ナボールヘ ヨウコソ{END} | Welcome to Nabooru. |
| WANT TO GET SOME WATER? |
ミズヲ クンデユコウ{END} | Draw some water. |
| SEE A MAN IN DARUNIA BEFORE THE ISLANDS. |
ダルニアノマジシャン ニ アウマデ メイロ ジマノ シンデンニ ハイラナイコトネ{END} |
Don’t go to Maze Island before seeing the Darunia magician, alright? |
| I AM THIRSTY. |
ノドガ カワイタワ{END} | I’m thirsty. |
| YOU HAVE WATER. COME TO MY HOUSE. |
ミズヲ モッテルノネ ウチニ オイデナサイ{END} |
You have water, I see. You should come to my house. |
| WITH BOOTS I COULD WALK ON THE WATER. |
セイナルブーツガ アレバ ウミノアサセ ヲ アルケルンダガナ{END} |
If you have the sacred boots you can walk in the ocean shallows. |
| EAST OF TRIPLE EYE ROCK AT SEASHORE. |
ミイヒノイニーウガ ツワガ ガ トツア メノシカンハノワル トカイテ アルゾ！{END} |
There is a heart container on the shore east of Triple Eye Rock. |
This is a puzzle. Reading the entire message from left to right will give you nonsense. However, reading only the first three lines from top to bottom instead of horizontally, it says “ミツメ イワノ ヒガシノ カイガンニ ハートノ ウツワガ アル” . This is what I have translated.
| COME BACK WHEN YOU ARE READY. |
イマノ オマエニハ オシエテヤレナイ！{END} |
I won’t tell you the way you are now! |
| THIS MAGIC WILL MAKE YOUR SWORD SHOOT FIRE |
ツルギヨリ ホノウノ デル マホウジャ{END} |
This is magic that will make your sword shoot fire. |
| YOU KNOW ALL I CAN TEACH YOU. GO. |
モウオマエニ オシエ ルコトハナイ キヲツケテイキナサイ{END} |
I don’t have anything more to tell you. Go, and take care of yourself. |
| THE DEVIL DOES NOT LIKE NOISE |
マモノハ オトヲ キラウワヨ{END} |
Monsters hate noise. |
| A POWERFUL KNIGHT LIVES IN THIS TOWN. |
コノマチニハ スゴウ デノ ケンシガイルゾ{END} |
A powerful swordsman lives in this town. |
| MAGIC KEY READS… TREASURE OF KASUTO |
マホウノ カギハ カストノ タカラ ト カイテアル{END} |
The magic key reads “Treasure of Kasuto”. |
| THE PALACE HAS A FALSE WALL |
シンデンニハ ニセノ カベガ アルゾ！{END} |
There are false walls in the temple! |
| MOUNTAIN TOWN OF DARUNIA |
ヤマノマチ ダルニア{END} | Mountain Town of Darunia |
| IT IS SAID THE EAST OF NABOORU HAS… |
ナボールノ ズット ヒガシニ カミガスム ト カベニカイテアル{END} |
On the wall is written “God lives to the far east of Nabooru.” |
Once again, “God” refers to “神殿” (shinden), literally “god palace”, meaning “temple”.
| THERE IS SOMEONE BEHIND THE DOOR! |
？？ ドアノムコウデ ヒトノ ケハイガスル{END} |
?? There are signs of someone behind the door. |
| RESCUE THE KIDNAPPED CHILD ON THE ISLAND |
コドモガ メイロジマ ニ サラワレテシモウ テノウ ・・・{END} |
It’s said that children are kidnapped on Maze Island. |
| YOU ARE A HERO FOR SAVING MY CHILD.COME |
ユウシャヨアリガトウ ウチヘ オイデナサイ{END} |
Thank you, Hero. Please come to my house. |
| THIS MAGIC WILL STRENGTHEN A SHIELD. |
オマエノタテニ チカラヲ アタエル マホウダ！{END} |
This magic will strengthen your shield! |
| WHEN YOU JUMP PRESS UP TO STAB. |
ジャンプシタトキ キーヲ ウエニ イレテミロ！{END} |
When you jump try pressing the up key. |
| WE HAD TO FLEE KASUTO. |
ミンナ カストカラ ニゲテキタノヨ{END} |
Everyone fled from Kasuto. |
| THE OLD MAN WHO REMAINS HAS MAGIC. |
マチニノコッタ チョ ウロウハ スゴイ マジシャンダッタワ！{END} |
The old man who remained in the village is an amazing magician! |
| 22222 | ・・・・{END} | … |
I’m not sure why this turned into 22222 in English.
| HIDDEN TOWN OF KASUTO |
ヒミツノマチ カスト{END} | Secret Town of Kasuto |
| LOOKS LIKE I CAN GET IN THE FIREPLACE. |
オヤ！？ ダンロニ ハイレソウダ！{END} |
Huh?! Looks like you can get in the fireplace! |
| CALL FOR HELP AT THE THREE EYE ROCKS. |
サバクノ ミツメイワ デ カミヲヨビナサイ{END} |
Call to God at Three Eye Rock in the desert. |
Once more, “God” refers to “神殿” (shinden), literally “god palace”, meaning “temple”.
| THE HOLE IN PALACE IS ENDLESS TRAP. |
シンデンノ アナハ ソコナシニ クリカエ スソウジャ クルクル{END} |
It seems the hole in the temple is a neverending bottomless pit. Twirl, twirl. |
| DO YOU HAVE THE 7 MAGIC CONTAINERS |
マジックノ ウツワハ {D7}コアルカイ？{END} |
Do you have {D7} magic containers? |
| YOU DESERVE MY HELP. FOLLOW ME. |
イイモノヲ アゲヨウ ツイテオイデ{END} |
I’ll give you something good. Follow me. |
| THERE IS A SECRET AT EDGE OF TOWN. |
マチノハズレニ ヒミツガアル{END} |
There is a secret on the outskirts of town. |
| REMEMBER THE MAGIC WORD. |
フシギナジュモンヲ オボエテイキナサイ{END} |
Learn this mysterious spell. |
| KASUTO. STRANGE… IT IS DESERTED. |
カスト・・・ヘンダナ マッタク ヒトノ ケハイガナイ！{END} |
Kasuto… it’s strange. There’s no sign of anyone! |
| THE TOWN IS DEAD. LOOK EAST IN WOODS. |
コノマチハ ハイキョ マチノヒトハ ドウク ツノ ヒガシノモリニ カクレスンデイル{END} |
This town is in ruins. The townspeople live hidden within the forest east of the cave. |
| I CAN GIVE YOU MOST POWERFUL MAGIC. |
サイキョウノマホウヲ サズケヨウ{END} |
I’ll teach you the most powerful magic. |
| YOU ARE PERSISTENT FIND HEART OVER OCEAN |
シツコイネ！ ウミノウエデ ハート ヲ ミタヨ！キーキー{END} |
You’re stubborn! I saw a heart above the ocean! Squeak, squeak. |
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Spotted a typo.
ナボールノ ズット
ヒガシニ カミガスム
ト カベニカイテアル
It’s “kami”, not “kame”. It’s the same “Kami” -> “Shinden” thing going on everywhere else. “There is a god (temple/palace) far to the east of Nabooru.”
Also, nice catch with the acrostic. That would’ve tripped me up but good.
Spotted a typo.
ナボールノ ズット
ヒガシニ カミガスム
ト カベニカイテアル
It’s “kami”, not “kame”. It’s the same “Kami” -> “Shinden” thing going on everywhere else. “There is a god (temple/palace) far to the east of Nabooru.”
Also, nice catch with the acrostic. That would’ve tripped me up but good.
Oops, thanks. =)
Actually, I can’t take credit for figuring out the puzzle! I got the solution from the site with the context linked above.
Oops, thanks. =)
Actually, I can’t take credit for figuring out the puzzle! I got the solution from the site with the context linked above.
Good job. I hope you can do for Rockman & Forte/Megaman & Bass versions for Gameboy.
Good job. I hope you can do for Rockman & Forte/Megaman & Bass versions for Gameboy.
I’m not familiar with that game. Any particular reason you’re interested in a retranslation?
I’m not familiar with that game. Any particular reason you’re interested in a retranslation?
Oh, something to do with rom hacking but since you are not familiar with that game. No worries. Again, good job. 🙂
Oh, something to do with rom hacking but since you are not familiar with that game. No worries. Again, good job. 🙂
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Do you have any thoughts on their use of the name “Error”? It always seemed like an odd choice for a name.
Do you have any thoughts on their use of the name “Error”? It always seemed like an odd choice for a name.
I think it was just a joke on the developers’ part. Tongue in cheek, poking fun at all the bugs and errors they got programming the game, I’d guess. =)
I think it was just a joke on the developers’ part. Tongue in cheek, poking fun at all the bugs and errors they got programming the game, I’d guess. =)
Hey GlitterBerri, thank you for the translation. I was just re-playing AoL and noticing how incredibly cryptic the dialogue is. The original Zelda has the same problem of course, but the amount of dialogue is so limited that it doesn’t matter nearly as much.
I can’t believe Nintendo didn’t bother to clean up the translation at all when they re-released it for the GBA.
…I can’t believe Bagu’s real name was Bug. Hahaha.
Hey GlitterBerri, thank you for the translation. I was just re-playing AoL and noticing how incredibly cryptic the dialogue is. The original Zelda has the same problem of course, but the amount of dialogue is so limited that it doesn’t matter nearly as much.
I can’t believe Nintendo didn’t bother to clean up the translation at all when they re-released it for the GBA.
…I can’t believe Bagu’s real name was Bug. Hahaha.
Bagu and Bug are technically both correct romanizations of バグ.
I could be wrong but shouldn’t this part:
マホウノ カギハ
カストノ タカラ
ト カイテアル
be translated to “”The Magic Key is the treasure of Kasuto” is written here”? Because this is something written on the wall in an abandoned house in old Kasuto and not on the key itself.
Bagu and Bug are technically both correct romanizations of バグ.
I could be wrong but shouldn’t this part:
マホウノ カギハ
カストノ タカラ
ト カイテアル
be translated to “”The Magic Key is the treasure of Kasuto” is written here”? Because this is something written on the wall in an abandoned house in old Kasuto and not on the key itself.
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