Kotaku: yakuza 2

SEGA Explains Yakuza 2's Japanese Voices

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:00:00 MDT

Ryu Ga Gotoku is a solid game with great voice acting. With the game was localized for the West, SEGA made the mistake of dubbing over the voices in English with folks like Michael Madson and Luke Skywalker. It didn't work. At all. Sure, both of those are talented actors, but the dubbing didn't fit. It was, to put it nicely, a "criminally bad f*ck up". But SEGA listened. SEGA cares. According to SEGA's Associate Producer Kevin Frane:

When Yakuza was released in the U.S. without a Japanese voice track, there was actually a significant fan outcry. Obviously, this is a very Japanese game, set in Japan and dealing heavily with Japanese culture, and quite a lot of people thought that not having the original Japanese dialogue affected the game’s sense of authenticity. When definitely took that fan reaction into account when making the ultimate decision to go ahead with the Japanese voice track for Yakuza 2.

Bravo, SEGA. Nice to know you're listening!

Sega tells us why they kept the Japanese voice track in Yakuza 2 [Siliconera]

Yakuza 2 Gets American Release Date

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:00:00 MDT

Good times! Sega's announced today a release date for Yakuza 2 in the US. Yes, we know, it came out in Japan in 2006, but let's try and look on the bright side for once, eh? It'll be out on September 9 (Europe, you get it on September 28), and instead of trying to get the likes of Michael Madsen back into the recording studio, the sequel will just be sticking to the Japanese voice actors, with English subtitles provided.

Yakuza 2 Will Feature The Japanese Language

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Phew! Sure seems like Sega listens to fans. After the first Yakuza game was released with an English language dub, erasing the brilliant original Japanese one, people complained. Why not, you know, release the game with subtitles? It is called Yakuza and English dubbing, no matter how good, kills the mood! Well, that is, unless you're one of those can't-see-foreign-movies-with-subtitles people. For the PS2 sequel, Sega points out on the game's official site:

Authentic, cinematic sequel. The gritty, genuine portrayal of life in the Yakuza is made more realistic throughout 16 gripping chapters with a return to the original Japanese voice cast and English subtitles.

Bravo, Sega, bravo. The game does a neat job of authentically capturing Osaka's nightlife (above) — though needs more people. Still, it's a PS2 game and quite a nice looking one at that!

Games Yakuza 2 [SEGA via Sega Nerds]

Yakuza 2 Takes Another Baby Step Towards American Release

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:30:00 MDT

While the Japanese continue to enjoy Yakuza 3, Americans are stuck with Yakuza 1. Don't even have Yakuza 2. Which came out in December 2006. But, hey, don't be so slum, chum. The ESRB have gone and classified it, which means it'll at least be out sometime. In the future. Which could be in six months, it could be while you toil the rest of your life away in an alien salt mine, who knows. The point is you can cross "if" off your speculation whiteboard, and circle "when" a little more furiously.

Yeah, we’re getting Yakuza 2 [Siliconera]

Yakuza 2 Also Coming To Europe

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:40:00 MDT

Yakuza 3, aka Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!, may already be out in native Japan, but the previous episode has yet to leave the country. Good news for Europe though, as Sega has announced that Yakuza 2 will see a release on the PlayStation 2 sometime in 2008. That seems to be as far as it's willing to nail it down, just like the North American release, something the publisher has been quiet about lately. Let's bug Sega and find out what's what!

Yakuza 2 Coming To The U.S.

Mike Fahey — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:50:27 MDT

With the announcement of Yakuza 3 last week, gamers across the U.S. had one question on their minds: "Where's Yakuza 2 for the PS2?" Well Sega's got your Yakuza 2 coming, announcing it and two new DS titles slated for stateside release in 2008. The second game, released in Japan last December, picks up where the first left off, continuing the story of Kazuma as he fights to prevent a war between two rival clans. In addition to Yakuza 2, Sega also announced Dinosaur King and Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer for the Nintendo DS. Dinosaur King somehow involves digging for fossils plus special moves, which sounds...nice? Meanwhile Shiren is a remake on an SNES game using the Mystery Dungeon engine you either love or hate with every fiber of your being, with me firmly in the latter camp. Still, Yakuza 2!

Sega Bringing Yakuza 2, Shiren To North America [Gamastura]

How'd Blue Dragon Stack Up Against The Competition?

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 20:20:06 MST

We all know Blue Dragon for the Xbox 360 shifted a respectable 80,000-plus units during launch week, but were gamers really lining up for it in droves? Nah. Ashcraft's non-scientific sample showed that most Japanese gamers were there for either the umpteenth Gundam release or Yakuza 2. Looks like the Media Create sales pretty much prove it.

Here are the top ten selling titles in Japan for October 4th through the 10th.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Federation vs. Z.A.F.T. II Plus (PS2) - 337,559 / new
Yakuza 2 (PS2) - 274,822 / new
Pokemon Diamond (DS) - 98,859 / 1,996,275
Blue Dragon (Xbox 360) - 80,348 / new
Pokemon Pearl (DS) - 75,206 / 1,669,367
Wii Sports (Wii) - 72,382 / 248,549
Kirby Squeak Squad (DS) - 66,421 / 465,462
Wii Play (Wii) - 62,863 / 237,160
Jump Ultimate Stars (DS) - 62,068 / 278,640
Common Knowledge Training (DS) - 55,208 / 720,752

Hit the jump for the next ten, to see where Zelda for the Wii wound up.

Love and Berry DS Collection (DS)
New Super Mario Brothers (DS)
Momotarou Dentetsu 16 (PS2)
Healthy Support Recipe 1000 DS (DS)
Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS)
More Brain Age (DS)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)
Tales of Destiny (PS2)
Yakuza (The Best) (PS2)
Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA)

Another week, another impressive showing for the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2. Pretty astounding drop off for Zelda as well, which I assume is mostly related to the amazingly strong first week sales. And Love and Berry just keeps on keepin' on! Michael McWhertor

More Media Create Sales

Yakuza 2 Stuff To Make You Look Tough

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:22:39 MST

Sega stuff you can't get from a game you can't play. While Yakuza met a horrible dubbing fate, it's doubtful that Sega will give the game's PS2 sequel (called Ryu Ga Gotoku 2) the same drubbing for an US/Euro release. To get Japanese gamers ready for the title's December 7th domestic release, various stores retailers across the country are holding lottery type events to give away neat freebies like this jacket, which I'd actually wear anywhere except Japan. Brian Ashcraft

Ryu Ga Gotoku 2 Schwag [Insert Credit]