Originally released in Japan for the Sega Mega Drive in 1990, Assault Suit Leynos was later brought to the West under the title Target Earth, but with significant changes. Now, a newly released fan retranslation sets out to restore everything that was lost.
What Was Changed in the Original Localization?
The Western release of Target Earth was heavily censored and simplified, removing or altering several important story elements. Key cut content included:
- Romantic dialogue between major characters.
- Death scenes, including a fully animated cutscene at the end of Episode 3, along with another key moment later in the game.
What This Retranslation Restores
This retranslation patch, developed by GoodLuckTrying (project lead, script translation, and custom background design) and Tryphon (responsible for all hacking), restores all censored content and makes additional improvements to enhance the experience. Notably, the ROM size was expanded to 8Mb (1MB) to allow for:
- Unique mission introduction screens for every level.
- Variable Width Font (VWF) for smoother, more readable dialogue.
The project also received support from Mi, who assisted with native translation checks to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
Conclusion
For fans of classic 16-bit action games, this retranslation offers a chance to experience Assault Suit Leynos as it was originally intended, complete with its full storyline, emotional weight, and refined presentation. Whether you’re revisiting the game or discovering it for the first time, this version is the definitive way to play. Download the patch here.