Hacking Metroid Other M UNDUB Project

[TyRaNtM]

Now that USA, PAL and of course, JAP versions are out for this game, will be interesting if we can do a undub, using JAP release as source of Japanese voices and videos.

I will list the things that i noticed in the game data:
- Seeing the files inside the disc, we have a "sound" and "movie" folder, and that is the most important thing to start with it.
- Sound files are in .aix format, and videos are in .sfd.
- The most curious thing that i noticed, is that ALL japanese voices ARE in the NTSC release (dunno if PAL had it too).
- JAP release has the same filename for sounds and movies as NTSC one.
- JAP release has 5 more files that NTSC one, but that files aren't movie files (and i don't think that are sound files).
- Videos are the only thing that are unique for JAP and NTSC.

So, what we can do?
- Try to see what JAP release do to access to jp sound files instead the NTSC ones.
- If that isn't possible, overwrite the NTSC files with the jp sound files.
- Overwrite the NTSC video files with the JAP ones.
- See if subtitles works with the videos.

All people who are interested in this are welcome to work in this.

 

[Wabsta]

My guess, I havent looked into it yet.. But my guess is that the Sound folder is just a folder with sound files, for like, the guns, sound effects, etc.
And that the movies are Video+Sound+Subs in 1 file.

Just my guess tho, I hope it's different

 

[TyRaNtM]

In sounds folder, voices are mixed with the bg music, but voices are files alone.

 

[TyRaNtM]

We need to test the JAP version of the game, if:
- Really use japanese voices.
- Has japanese videos or are the USA/PAL ones with japanese subtitles.

If the game, have english videos, we can only do the undub in the in-game voices.

EDIT: Playing the japanese release, i can confirm that:
- REALLY USES JAPANESE VOICES.
- Here you can choose japanese or english voices.
- If you choose japanese voices, the videos and gameplay ARE in japanese.

 

[ssjkakaroto]

What I can't understand is why the japanese version has both voices and the american version only has english voices.

 

[kupo3000]

If the USA version already has included the japanese voice data.
Could it be possible that it's unlocked after passing it in hard mode?
Does the japanese version also has the option to use english subs with japanese voices or kanji subs appear instead?

 

[farcry15]

why would you want to undub other m? it's not like it will make it more like super metroid...

 

[TyRaNtM]

I want to report some new things discovered by me:
- I tried replace the exclusive jp sound files into the english ones, the result was good, japanese voices in nearly all non CG cinemas.
- About that, I noticed a few cinemas still in english, so maybe i didn't use all the files, or another files are in another part of the disc.
- CG movies still in english.
- CG movie files has the exact size and i tried hex comparing, are all the same between JAP and NTSC.
- Where I only find some diferences, are in partition.bin and boot.bin.

 

[TyRaNtM]

New little findings:
- Replacing all the jap files from sounds, are all non CG videos where the characters speak.
- Videos has itself the voices. Is like that the videos have both english and japanese ones.
- The "real" problem now is find a way to be able to see the CG videos with japanese voices, maybe we need a .sfd editor or something like that.

Please, comment about this.
If you know about .sfd, will be useful, to be able to edit it or see the solution of this problem.

 

[Forte89]

because the japanese sound files are on the ntsc version, maybe we can use an altdol to switch it.

 

[TyRaNtM]

because the japanese sound files are on the ntsc version, maybe we can use an altdol to switch it.

I will try that possibility, but i don't think that will work.

 

[kupo3000]

Has anyone bothered to check the options after passing it in hard mode?
That's if you can manage to pass hard mode.

It would be ironic that the Japanese audio is included in the USA version with no way to access it normally besides undubbing.

 

[gamefreak94]

Why would you want to undub it? I think the VA is good enough in Other: M, why you people don't?

 

[TheShadowRunner]

OP, i'm really trying but i don't understand what you want to do.
The japanese version has all the language options you need.
This includes JPN audio with English menu/txts.

 

[TyRaNtM]

OP, i'm really trying but i don't understand what you want to do.
The japanese version has all the language options you need.
This includes JPN audio with English menu/txts.

The idea is trying to port that option or at least, force the NTSC/PAL version to use japanese voices and videos.
In all things that i posted here, is possible to use the japanese voices in-game cinemas, but the problem is forcing in CG videos.

Why? Because with that, you can use it in NTSC/PAL versions, and also that thing will be ported to Riivolution for using in retail discs.

 

[TheShadowRunner]

Why? Because with that, you can use it in NTSC/PAL versions, and also that thing will be ported to Riivolution for using in retail discs.

I see, it doesn't make much more sense (just use the Japanese version

), but nvmind me.

 

[TyRaNtM]

Why? Because with that, you can use it in NTSC/PAL versions, and also that thing will be ported to Riivolution for using in retail discs.

I see, it doesn't make much more sense (just use the Japanese version

), but nvmind me.

Say that to people that have Spanish, French, Italian and another languages.
----
If you have the JAP version, at least can you try to research about this?
Do you find weird that the JP version, that is nearly the same as the NTSC version, has more options?
I'm trying to find where is the real difference between both versions, but more help will be great.

 

[rcsgd]

Why would you want to undub it? I think the VA is good enough in Other: M, why you people don't?

It's a personal choice. To me it felt like they translated the Japanese script without considered how a conversation flows in English. As a result, the dialogue sounds stiff and awkward.

 

[kupo3000]

Why? Because with that, you can use it in NTSC/PAL versions, and also that thing will be ported to Riivolution for using in retail discs.

I see, it doesn't make much more sense (just use the Japanese version

), but nvmind me.

Are you sure that english subs appear and not kanji when you choose japanese voices with subs?
Just want to be sure before downloading 7.90 GB.

 

[ssjkakaroto]

Why? Because with that, you can use it in NTSC/PAL versions, and also that thing will be ported to Riivolution for using in retail discs.

I see, it doesn't make much more sense (just use the Japanese version

), but nvmind me.

Are you sure that english subs appear and not kanji when you choose japanese voices with subs?
Just want to be sure before downloading 7.90 GB.

Same here.