Mr. Big
He learned how to jump!
Fighter title
| My translation | Arcade translation | Home translation |
|---|---|---|
| The Cruel Shadow Ruler of Southtown | The Killer Chrome Dome | The Glittering Sultan of Southtown |
Arcade sourced from The Arcade Flyer Archive, maunal sourced from Rage Quitter 87. Thank you!
Well, that's different. The Japanese is all about Big's position - the man ruling the city before Geese. The arcade is just about him being bald. Well, okay then.
Then the home version tries to split the difference, with "sultan of Southtown" being a good sub for "ruler of Southtown" and "glittering" probably referring to his skull. I can tell, because in the blurb right under the title it literally says "Big has polished his scalp [...]".
Incidentally, the last time we saw "sultan of Southtown" was in Fatal Fury 3, from Chonshu, about Geese. As everyone probably guessed, it's highly likely the same person worked on both.
Interview
What do you treasure? Everything about this city.
Who's your rival? Don't ask stupid questions!
What's been on your mind recently? There's a guy in the organization who's been making some funny moves lately...
Finally, give us a word about your participation in the current tournament. No comment.
Intro vs Yuri
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Fighting little girls is just gonna dull my edge...hm? | Oooh, such a pretty little opponent. Shall we? |
| Eek! I hate baldies! I hate them! Go away! Noooooooo! | Yaah! Get away, cueball, I hate bald men. Yaah! |
Big goes from being irritated about having to fight Yuri in Japanese to being eager for it in English. The English line also loses the "hm?" at the end, which is what sets up for Yuri's line. It gives the exchange a different feel in English.
Meanwhile Yuri's line is pretty straight. "Yaah!" is a weird way to render shrieks, more like a martial arts noise. "Cueball" is a pretty good bit of slang, though.
Intro vs Eiji
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Fighting guys like you is a pain in the ass, but I got this little pole here that'll pay you back for all my trouble. | Fighting gnats like you is a major pain in the... |
| You, defeat me? What foolishness. | I'm not a gnat! Think of me as a fly in your scalp ointment. |
Well, Big's line loses the entire second half in editing, and SNK suddenly shies away from swearing - was "ass" just a bridge too far, even in the more permissive environment of the arcade? I can see where they got "gnats", and I think it works, though the implication is probably meant to be more that Big hates ninja.
Eiji's line is changed to play off Big's, of course. A pretty plain line in Japanese turns into a weird bug joke in English. "[The] fly in your ointment" is a common enough phrase, then it turns into "scalp ointment" for an extra bald joke. Sure.
Intro vs Jack
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| I am positively astounded at your incompetence. I have no more use for you. | To call you dumb would be an insult to dumb people. |
| Right then, I'll teach you all about how amazing the mighty Jack really is! | Wait a second. Are you saying I'm stupid? |
Big's line once again loses its second half, but this one is more important. In Japanese he's cutting his ties with Jack because Jack's just too incompetent to keep around, a bit of story/character development that's completely lost in English. The English does feature a classic insult, but without the second part it's just another bit of generic trash talk.
Then Jack's line goes from typical self-aggrandizement to playing off Big's line. Of course.
Intro vs Lee
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| The heck's up with you? I don't have time to play around with some clown, so I'll take you down quick! | Look, I don't have time to fight with Taoists. |
| Even if you don't have a reason, I certainly do. That would be defeating you! | I'm Confucian. And I have a lot of time. |
The lines have the same basic joke, but instead of being about Big being impatient and Lee being a weirdo, they're about...Chinese religions? Very strange.
Also very cut down. My renditions could probably be cut down some, but besides "jokes" it's possible that character limits had a hand in this somewhere.
Intro vs Robert
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| This Italian punk again, huh? Run along home like a good boy now. | The little guy from Italy, huh. Go home, sonny. |
| You got a lot of guts to taunt me, Mr. Pole. | I'm from Spain,crud. And don't bring nations in to this, baldy! |
No, Robert is not Spanish, he is Italian. Despite what the game itself says in the language you played it in.
Anyway, Big's line is pretty straight. It's Robert's line that goes off the rails for no describable reason. I don't even know what to say about it, besides that I guess it was rewritten to play off Big's line, but in a completely insane way so I can't figure out what it's trying to do.
I don't know man.
Intro vs John
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| You know, when I think about it...we never had a match together, did we. | So this is our first fight together? |
| Yeah, so I'm really happy to get this opportunity! | So? For you this is the first and last time. |
This is almost straight, but loses a lot of interesting and character-building nuance.
Big's line is less of a reminiscence and more of a straight statement of fact. Then John's line becomes more of a typical brag between unrelated fighters than someone happy to get to fight his friend. Basically, the Japanese lines emphasize that Big and John know each other and are on good terms, which the English lines lose. Too bad.
Intro vs King
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Hey you. If you don't want that pretty face messed up, you'd better head home right now! | If you wish to keep that face the way it is, go home. |
| Thanks for the warning. But it's not me who's going to get their face messed up - it's you! | Thank you for your concern. But I won't be hurt. |
This is more-or-less straight, just very, very cut down. Big's line is edited to the bone, but the idea is there. King's line loses the threat against Big, which just makes it sound kind of odd. There's no real inaccuracy besides losing a bit, though.
Intro vs Takuma
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Long time no see, Takuma. But I have no further use for you - get lost! | It's been a long time, Takuma. So now I will kill you. |
| I'm going to pay you back in full for back then, Big. Get ready! | Gee, Big. What a touching way to say you love me. Boo hoo. |
Well, the first part is correct. The entire thing about Big no longer needing Takuma is lost in English, replaced with a very abrupt segue. The English sounds almost like Big is going to kill Takuma because he hasn't seen Takuma in forever, which is...not quite right. He's just getting rid of a subordinate that's not playing along anymore.
Then Takuma's generic declaration of vengeance is replaced with...shipping?
I'm very confused.
Intro vs Temjin
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| I just can't place your face. You Chinese? Or maybe Japanese? | Hmm. I can't quite figure you out? Chinese? Japanese? |
| I'm the strongest man in Mongolia, Temjin! Isn't it obvious? | I am Temjin, the strongest in Mongolia! |
I had a heck of a time with Big's "can't place your face" because he's using Japanese that doesn't show up in the dictionary or Google and I'm still bad at this. I took my best shot.
And that's the most interesting thing to say about this, because it's a very plain translation. The only thing that's missing in English is Temjin's little comment at the end, but that's not actually important.
Intro vs Ryo
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| So you're here, Ryo. I owe you big, and I'm gonna pay it back in full! | You're Ryo. Huh, I'm gonna pay you back for the last fight. |
| A revenge match, huh? Suits me fine. Come at me any way you want! | Great. It should come to about $1,500 for the dental work. |
Big's line is very straight. A bit stilted, but it's all there.
Ryo's line...
Okay, talking about how the other guy beat your teeth in the last time you met is not the best pre-fight taunt. I'm just saying. Unless the idea is that Ryo beat Big's teeth in, but then how would he know the dental bill?
Either way, it's a complete change. Jokes!
Intro vs Mickey
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| So you're John's boxer friend, huh? Show me what you've got. | So you're John's friend? Show me your stuff. |
| Oh, so you're that guy's old army buddy, Big? Pleased to meet ya. | You're Big, huh? Could you turn down the glare of your skull? |
Big's line is again, very very straight. When the official translation is only a couple phrasing differences away from mine you can tell someone didn't care.
And Mickey's line goes from recognition of the connection and a (presumably sarcastic) greeting to...a bald joke.
Sure!
Intro vs Big
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Who gave you permission to dress like that? You've got a lot of guts. | You sure have a lot of courage with that get-up there, pal. |
| You're pretty outspoken for a faker. That's gonna get you in trouble. | How would you like a namchuk in your nose? |
Kishi got 1P Big's line for me.
1P Big's line is nicely rephrased, and honestly, just well done in the official translation. It's not stilted, it gets the meaning across, and it sounds good. Excellent work!
...and then 2P Big's line is completely rewritten to both misidentify Big's weapons and to misspell "nunchuk" (probably just a typo).
SNK giveth, SNK taketh away.
Ending A
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Goon: Just as we planned, boss. None of the participants in King of Fighters were worthy opponents for you. | Goon: Boss,all of the contestants in the King of Fighters battle have been defeated. We are the victors. |
| Big: That's right. Well, that means we've messed up all of his plans. He should understand now, this kind of individual action in the organization is just gonna get you hurt. | Big: As I thought. Now they're all running back to their mommies and licking their wounds. Life is great. |
| Big: He's all in a panic even as we speak! No mistake about that! Hahahahaha.... | Big: We are the champions, my friend. And we will keep victorious til the end. Wah hah haaaaah! |
The ending you get if you don't fight Geese.
There's a nuance difference in the first line: the Japanese goon says that Big beating all the other contestants was planned from the beginning, but this isn't in the English. Instead they're just bragging about being the victors.
And then there's a big (heh) difference in Big's lines. In Japanese, he is very clearly talking about Geese and their power struggle over Southtown. But in English, it's just about the other participants and Geese isn't mentioned at all, even in vague terms. Even Big's gloating over Geese's (presumed) struggles is replaced with...Queen references?
We Are the Champions was released in 1977, so at least it's a correct period reference.
I just don't know why it's there.
To the Police Commissioner
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Suit: Mr. Big. The commissioner has requested to meet with you. Would you please come with us? | Suit: Mr Big? The police commisioner would like a word with you. Could you walk this way? |
| Big: Hmph, so he sniffed me out, huh? Well then, guess this is what you call a showdown. | Big: Hmm. Okay. I'll go with you but I can't walk that way. Bad leg. |
The goon's line was translated by Kishi.
...this is the third damn time! That joke still doesn't work in text! Stop it! Stop it!
Anyway, Japanese Big's line is about the plot, English Big's is a joke they reused three times. I don't even know.
Intro vs Geese
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Geese: I'm afraid I cannot allow unsanctioned actions in my city, Big. It's too bad, but I'm going to take care of you here and now... | Geese: Big, I can't allow this independent behavior in my town. Now, I must ask you to take a trip. |
| Big: "My" city? You're really sounding like a tyrant there, Geese. But this's the last time you'll be able to flap that big mouth of yours. You're going down! | Big: Your town? After all I did for you? Washing your car, your dog. Why you... |
Japanese note: So Geese's usual personal pronoun is 私/watashi, a fairly polite and neutral pronoun that in this case means Geese is too powerful and self-assured to brag. But here he uses 俺/ore, which is masculine and much more informal. It really shows off a difference in how Geese treats Big versus...everyone else, which is cool.
But it's hard to translate so hahaha whelp.
Geese's line is fairly straight, once you account for character limits, but there is one thing. In Japanese, he's pretty clearly saying he's going to rub Big out, which in English just becomes "ask you to take a trip". It's an odd bit of softening, and I wonder if there was meant to be more of a joke, or an implication, or something.
Big's line is then completely rewritten after the first sentence. In Japanese, Big is Geese's equal (or superior?) and they're struggling for power in Southtown. Big sarcastically comments on Geese already declaring Southtown his city and declares his intention to wipe Geese out instead. Then in English it sounds like he's one of Geese's subordinates that's out of line, which is not what's happening at all. However, Big being Geese's subordinate does match the intro, which is a nice bit of consistency.
Win vs Geese
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Big: Prepare yourself, Geese. This is the end for you. | Big: Game over, big guy! |
| Geese: Don't get ahead of yourself, Big. | Geese: Don't believe it for a second! Fool. |
| Big: Gh...what in the world?! | Big: Eh! What the heck...? |
| Suit: This way, Mr. Geese. | Suit: This way, Mr Geese. |
| Geese: Though I lost this time, have no doubt that I'll be back to even the score. Until then, farewell. | Geese: I have lost this time. But I will be back. For now, my farewell. |
| Big: Geese! You bastard, you're running away?! | Big: Leaving so soon, Geese? |
The bits that are the same as Ryo's route were translated by Kishi!
Line by line I can see how the first two lines in Japanese got turned into what they are in English, but all together it comes off as strange. Still, the meaning is there.
The third line is shared with Jack, Eiji, Mickey, and John. Getting their money's worth out of that memory. That it's the same for everyone across every route suggests it's all pointing at one space in memory, though I also wouldn't be surprised if it was duplicated - it's hard to tell.
Big's last line gets punched down quite a bit in English. It does sound kind of villainous, but he's not furious like he is in Japanese.
Geese Goes to Japan
Since Geese's migration is common to all characters, I put it under Misc.
Ending B
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Goon: Boss, that nuisance Geese has now fled the city. | Goon: Geese has been chased out of the city, boss Big. |
| Big: Hmph, so he'd prepared to run away somewhere at a moment's notice? Now my standing in the organization will rise. | Big : Hunh. He's probably on his way to Wisconsin by now! With this, I'll be the only leader in the syndicate. |
| Goon: Well boss, what should we do first? | Goon: Well boss. What shall we perform first? |
| Big: Now now, don't get impatient. Let me think. First things first... | Big: Take it easy. Let's kick back and have some joe. Then... |
Kishi got the second line for me.
This is the ending you get if you fight Geese.
First line doesn't have the goons calling Geese a nuisance or an obstacle, but that's a minor change. There's also a bit of a nuance difference between "fled" and "chased out", though the difference is somewhat academic here.
And...the stunning return of Wisconsin! It's such a random place to bring up twice that it makes me wonder if the editor was from Wisconsin themselves. It's certainly more specific than the Japanese...guess Big didn't know Geese was a Japanophile. There's also a bit of a difference between Big's standing in the organization rising and being the only leader - the first implies there's other leaders out there (who?), the other specifically says only Big is ruling Southtown now (until Geese gets back).
"Perform" is a technically valid translation but it doesn't work in that context. I'd say it's odd they'd do that but uh...I'm used to this by now.
There's also a bit of a nuance difference in the last line, where in Japanese Big is just telling his goons to hold their horses for a bit, and in English he's telling them to relax. He's running a much more chill crime syndicate in English, I guess.
Win Quotes
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| vs self | |
| You might be able to copy my style, but seems like you can't copy my strength. | You fought well. Who is your pal, baldy?! |
| vs others | |
| Well, what'd you think of my pole? So terrifying you can't speak, right? | I thought so. The power of my pole is positively preposterous! |
| Just be grateful I didn't kill you! | Just be grateful I didn't use my plumber's helper, pal! |
Ahem. The vs self line completely changes, from a standard insult to an actual compliment with...okay, I have no idea what "who is your pal?" is supposed to mean. Is it recognizing 2P Big? Is it an insult? Sarcastic? What are you trying to communicate here, SNK?
Mysterious.
So, about poles...a line that sort of sounds like innuendo in Japanese just turns into straight innuendo in English. It's some great alliteration, though, and it doesn't actually lose much meaning - just a slight subject change from Big talking to his defeated opponent to talking to himself.
I feel like it needs to be said again: SNK was usually doing this on purpose. It's just that the purpose is sometimes inexplicable.
Speaking of...a plumber's helper is another term for plunger. What does that have to do with anything? SNK, again, what were you trying to communicate here? Is it innuendo? It sounds like innuendo. It's clearly there on purpose, but why?
Mysterious.