Tutorial How To Run Japanese Games On Windows

[muttdoggy]

This guide is intended to help anyone understand how to run a Japanese game on a Windows OS while also being able to troubleshoot some of the most common errors. It is not a tutorial on how to play a game in Japanese itself.

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Installation Process

Some games will require an installation, as such, you should ensure your system is properly set to Japanese system locale for non-Unicode programs before starting. See Below.

1. Most Japanese games will require a fan-made translation patch to be applied on top of a clean install of the game in it's original language. Make sure you have both the game data discs and the most up to date translation patch from the translator's website.
2. Acquire and install optical drive emulation software, such as
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   ,
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   , or
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   . What this software does is create a virtual CD/DVD drive with which to "mount" and run disc images (1:1 copies of the original game disc converted into a large data file). Typically these files have extensions such as .iso, .bin, .ccd, .img, .mdf, and so on.
3. Set your system to properly display in Japanese for non-Unicode programs. This ensures that the game works properly in the environment it was coded for, otherwise you may run into any particular game not working properly, such as installation failures, the game engine failing to run, garbled text, and so on.
4. After mounting, seek out any read-me files included with the game and/or patch for installation instructions. Most often the patch will require you to run an application after installing the game or to copy the patch files into the installation directory. If the translation group allows it, there may be an option to use the translation patch itself to install the game for you (provided you have all the necessary disc images containing the game data mounted of course).

Note: Some game downloads come pre-patched and won't require further installation. In Windows Vista,7+, it is recommended to install games outside of the default Program Files (x86) folder, due to legacy issues with how these modern OS handle the Programs Files folders and how older games modify files within those folders.

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System Locale For Non-Unicode Programs

Windows 8/10
Click Start, then Control Panel. Click "Clock And Region" and pick Region. Click the Administrative tab. Under the Language for non-Unicode programs section, click Change system locale and select Japanese. Click Apply.


Windows 7
Click Start, then Control Panel. Click "Clock, Language and Region" and pick Region and Language. Click the Administrative tab. Under the Language for non-Unicode programs section, click Change system locale and select Japanese. Click Apply.


Windows Vista
Click Start, then Control Panel. Click "Clock, Language and Region" and pick Regional and Language Options. Click the Administrative tab. Under the Language for non-Unicode programs section, click Change system locale and select Japanese. Click Apply.


Windows XP
Click Start, then Control Panel. Click "Region and Language Options" and pick Region and Language. Click the Administrative tab. Under the Language for non-Unicode programs section, click Change system locale and select Japanese. Click Apply.

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Locale Emulator Software

It should be noted that it is not a perfect alternative as many games will experience text errors, crashing, or just plain not work while run using Locale Emulators, as opposed to properly setting your system to Japanese locale. So, while it may seem convenient at first, it is not a viable alternative for playing more than several games. You have been warned.

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  (Supports Windows XP, Vista)
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  (Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7)
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  (Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10+)
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  (Supports Windows 7, 8.1, 10+)

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Basic Troubleshooting And Common Problems

Make sure you have followed ALL of the install instructions included with your game and/or translation patch.

• Check to make sure your system locale is set to Japanese Locale for non-Unicode programs (Found under the Advanced tab in Region & Language in the Control Panel).
• In addition to setting the system locale, you may need to re-install the game entirely, if you originally installed the game under default system locale.
• Using Locale Emulators may be causing unavoidable errors in running the game.
• Older games may require running the executable in an administrative or compatibility mode.
• There may be issues with User Rights Management in Windows 7 involving games installed in the default program files folder. Try installing the game outside of C:/Program Files (x86).
• Some games may have issues with fonts or font support. Ensure you have eastern Asian language packs installed. But there also may be additional custom fonts included with a patch by the translation team that need to be installed separately.
• If a game has issues with video playback it may be because of the default settings of video codecs such as ffdshow or LAV splitter. Try installing or re-installing CCCP or disabling options relating to MPEG playback.
• You may need to install/reinstall/update video card drivers and/or Direct X.
• Install and run the game as an administrator.
• Make sure your graphics card drivers are up-to-date
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  ,
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  .
• If all else fails, a virtual machine with either Windows 7 or Windows XP installed will generally solve all OS compatibility issues. I recommend
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  (commercial) or
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  (free).

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Save Data Location

Save data location will vary with each Game, here's a list of possible locations:

1. My Documents
   • ex: C:\Users\[...]\Documents\Developer\Title\Saves
2. Appdata
   • ex: C:\Users\[...]\AppData\Local\Developer\Title\Saves
3. Installation Folder
   • ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\Game
4. For Windows 8/7/Vista, any games installed to Program Files (x86) that keep saves in its installation folder may have those saves re-located to the VirtualStore folder.
   • ex: C:\Users\[...]\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Game

 

[Bloo]

Re-did thread, sources used:

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[Omar2652]

And nothing written about how da fuk does the emulator works !!! Just downloaded an emulator , there is no exe file in it. just a few shit files and I have spent more than an hour tryn to figure out how to use the emulator for the game.... G O O D T H R E A D!

 

[Bloo]

And nothing written about how da fuk does the emulator works !!! Just downloaded an emulator , there is no exe file in it. just a few shit files and I have spent more than an hour tryn to figure out how to use the emulator for the game.... G O O D T H R E A D!

Do you also need a video with every single detail on how to use software? Maybe a whole series of videos would be better.

Google

 

[Royale Payne]

It was really that easy?

 

[iamnuff]

Ok, Bunch of dumb questions but I just went from Win7 to win10 and none of my usual methods are working.

Locale issues. Japanese language mode doesn't seem to work, system keeps trying and failing to download something. Last time I tried it fucked up a bunch of stuff that took days to fix, so I'll not be attempting that again.

Applocale does't do shit on win10 but I managed to get Locale Emulator working. Now I can rightclick on an .exe and run the game through LE.
Now what about Zip files tho? Unzipping a game in the wrong locale messes with all the filenames, right? Can Locale Emulator help with that in some way, or do I have to find all my games pre-unzipped?

 

[ChubbyCheek]

sorry for bad English, all Goggl Translate

I've got that somewhere from a Hentai forum 2015.
The best and fastest, I love it
An entry in the registry allows this context


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\Locale Japanese]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\Locale Japanese\command]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\AppPatch\\AppLoc.exe \"%1\" \"/L0411\""

Attach File inkl. Apploc + Install + Remove File

 

[Reapergod36]

So I applocale I can't seem to get to install. I run windows 10 and every time it goes through the installation and says that some files failed to install.

 

[Anarking]

So I applocale I can't seem to get to install. I run windows 10 and every time it goes through the installation and says that some files failed to install.

Yeah I've been having this problem as well trying to play studioS games (and any enterbrain type game for that matter) I tried locale emulator but it was apparently dirty as it caused my computer to stop and start and it still didnt solve the problem
I may need a link to a clean NTLEA installer and try that as windows 10 is fighting hard to keep me from having fun. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[SilentSevenStar]

I need help with this... any ideas?¿
And my pc is windows 10 ?¿?¿?

 

[Parashutic]

Guys, i know that my request doesn't fit this thread, but i need emergency help:
I update my windows to a new version and after that i can't run jap games with Locale emulator, i add jap language in wind settings, choose my region as Jap, but it doesn't help..
Mb smbd know what to do?
Cz before update all was good

 

[Parashutic]

Guys, i know that my request doesn't fit this thread, but i need emergency help:
I update my windows to a new version and after that i can't run jap games with Locale emulator, i add jap language in wind settings, choose my region as Jap, but it doesn't help..
Mb smbd know what to do?
Cz before update all was good

I find the solution
(at least it helps me)
I delete my local emulator
Idk but 2.3.1 now doesn't work on my pc, find newer version and install

 

[ingyenszex]

Good tutorial, thanks

 

[VandalierSoul]

I think Im doing something wrong, if anyone could lend me a hand with this? I started installing AA2, dlcs and everything was going fine, until I had to install the Append I & II, I used NTLEAS to install the first one and everything went okay, but I moved on to the 2nd append and used NTLEAS again but it isn't appearing or opening at all, when I try running it with ntleas again it says it can't start a second instance or something, even though the installer hasn't even appeared or opened yet, I changed my unicode thing to Japanese as its told here but I don't know if Im doing something wrong or NTLEAS is having a stroke, has anyone had this problem before or atleast can someone tell me what I can do?

 

[tblong123]

do you guys know if there are anyways to open gallery full 100% without playing through the game?

 

[Totally not an alt email]

Probably a stupid question, but does switching your system locale to japan have any drawbacks? like does it change my language or anything? I'd rather not do it only to not be able to use my computer.

 

[Crackle]

So is there a step by step guide on how to get these games to run? Going through my backlog of games I never got to play, I'm having damn near no luck getting most to work and it's really starting to get annoying. Like. Holy crap anime sharing is worthless when it comes to asking questions or having a simple guide on "how to properly install the damned no DVD patch" or "This is how you use this crack" or "this is the step by step guide for how to install the shitty Japanese eroge you want to play on your western computer and play it".

 

[Bubbaray1962]

So is there a step by step guide on how to get these games to run? Going through my backlog of games I never got to play, I'm having damn near no luck getting most to work and it's really starting to get annoying. Like. Holy crap anime sharing is worthless when it comes to asking questions or having a simple guide on "how to properly install the damned no DVD patch" or "This is how you use this crack" or "this is the step by step guide for how to install the shitty Japanese eroge you want to play on your western computer and play it".

I just change my system so local is set to Japan. I have been running like this for months and have had no issues with Japanese games. Using NTLEAS and such was a hit or miss. If your not sure how to set your system read the beginning of the thread. It explains how.

 

[JansenX]

This guide is intended to help anyone understand how to run a Japanese game on a Windows OS while also being able to troubleshoot some of the most common errors. It is not a tutorial on how to play a game in Japanese itself.

You must be registered to see the links

​

Installation Process

_____________________________​

System Locale For Non-Unicode Programs

_____________________________​

Locale Emulator Software

_____________________________​

Basic Troubleshooting And Common Problems

_____________________________​

Save Data Location

Something that makes it way easier to run japanese games (mostly rpgmaker ones) is a "hidden" feature of winrar:

I don't know about you guys, but i hate to always change my system settings when i have a game (mostly the rpgmaker games) with too many moon runes etc. just to unpack and run it, since NTLEA and the AppLocale Knockoff for win10 do not work on some games. So i fiddled around in winrar and found out, that you can just unpack .rar and .zip files in "japanese code" as you will within winrar without changing your settings.

You simply open the .rar/zip with winrar -> Options -> Name Code *under Theme* (fuck do i know what the correct translation is - for me its in german ) -> 932 Japanese -> unpack to desired location -> ??? -> PROFIT!

It almost always works. Its correctly unpacked in glorious moon runes and even runs. Only older games don't work (sometimes) for whatever reason, so you still have to change your settings occasionally especially for those games that are not in rpgmaker but atleast you won't have to change all the time just to play some good ol' hentai games .

I couldn't find the tip in any thread (correct if it already exists) so i hope you guys can use it too in the in the guide as a shortcut for the unpacking/changing of settings etc.

 

[Ricktor]

I have just ran into my second game where this has happened.... I can play most games perfectly fine, with the location changed and I also use the emulator. I just bought two pretty expensive games from DLSite and just as the game is starting up, I get the error ' Japanese only' 'you need a Japanese version of Windows to run this game, please exit the game' I am at a loss, I went through this a couple of years ago when I started playing, and everything was fine until now. Anyone else have this happen. I have done everything from the tips section and worked up until now.