The original Japanese Sengoku Basara 3 (called Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes in the West) featured legendary voice actors. Date Masamune, voiced by Kazuki Yao, became iconic for his bizarre, cool catchphrases like "Are you ready guys?!" and "Here we go!" (spoken with a thick Japanese accent).
In the English dub, Capcom replaced these with generic, forgettable lines. Worse, they stripped the Japanese voices from the Western disc entirely. You could not select the original Japanese audio. For fans of the anime or the Japanese voice cast, this was a dealbreaker.
Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (released in Japan as Sengoku Basara 3) is a beloved hack-and-slash action game. However, the Western (NTSC-U/PAL) Wii release features an English dub that, while serviceable, strips away much of the over-the-top, anime-inspired charisma of the original Japanese voice cast.
The "Undub" patch replaces the English voice files with the original Japanese audio while keeping all English text, subtitles, and menus. For fans of the series, this provides the most authentic and entertaining experience.
Verdict: The Undub version is superior to the official Western release and is highly recommended for both new players and returning veterans.
No. The subtitles and menus remain the exact English text from the official release. You will read "Date Masamune" while hearing "Date Masamune" spoken in Japanese. Some names differ slightly (e.g., "Matsu" vs. "Matsukaze"), but it’s negligible.
| Aspect | English Dub | Japanese Undub | |--------|-------------|----------------| | Character Authenticity | Characters like Date Masamune lose their iconic "Ore no michi" catchphrases. | Retains famous lines, grunts, and personality quirks. | | Voice Actor Quality | Some miscasting; delivery feels toned down. | Stars top-tier seiyuu (e.g., Kazuya Nakai, Tomokazu Sugita, Soichiro Hoshi). | | Over-the-Top Energy | Muted; less shouting, fewer dramatic battle cries. | Full, unrestrained theatrical energy—essential for Basara. | | Subtitles | Matches dub script (sometimes altered). | Displays original Japanese script translated to English. |
Key example: Masamune’s iconic “Are you ready, guys?!” vs. his Japanese “Let’s party!” – the original has a completely different, more fitting vibe.
For most fans of Sengoku Basara’s theatrical style, the undub delivers a better overall experience thanks to the energetic Japanese performances that match the game’s flamboyant characters and pacing. If you decide to pursue an undub, follow reputable community guides and ensure you remain within legal boundaries for game ownership and region usage. sengoku basara samurai heroes wii undub better
Would you like a short step‑by‑step guide for applying an undub patch (technical steps and precautions)?
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The "undub" version of Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes on Wii is considered superior by many for featuring the original Japanese voice acting, which better matches the game's high-energy, over-the-top anime style. By keeping English text and menus while providing native audio, the patch offers the optimal balance of accessibility and authentic aesthetic. Read more about fan opinions on the GameFAQs forum. Is there an undub patch of this out somewhere? - GameFAQs
Report Title: Optimizing Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (Wii): The "Undub" Advantage
Date: [Current Date] Subject: A practical guide to acquiring and applying the "Undub" patch for the Wii version of Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (NTSC-U/PAL), and why it is the definitive way to experience the game.
Yes, but you may need to force NTSC video mode. Most Undub patches are made for the USA version (NTSC-U). PAL users can either convert their ISO or use Dolphin’s region-free option.
While Sengoku Basara is not a grim war drama, the English script sanitized several historical references and softened character personalities. Takeda Shingen’s booming, aggressive samurai speech was made more generic. The flirtatious and psychotic nature of Oichi was toned down. The chaotic energy of the original script was replaced with safe, Saturday-morning-cartoon dialogue.
Undubbing Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes on the Wii offers fans a way to experience this action-packed game in its original form. While the process requires some technical know-how and involves navigating complex issues around game modification, for enthusiasts, the reward is well worth the effort. With a restored authentic experience, players can dive deeper into the world of feudal Japan, enjoying the game as it was meant to be played. The original Japanese Sengoku Basara 3 (called Sengoku
The undub version of Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes for the Wii is considered superior by many fans because it restores the original Japanese voice acting while keeping the English text, providing a more authentic atmosphere for its feudal Japanese setting. While the official Western release featured decent English performances from actors like Johnny Yong Bosch, the undub version eliminates the "babbling" some players find repetitive in the English dub and aligns the game's high-energy style with its anime roots. Core Gameplay & Performance
Despite being a Wii title, the game is renowned for its smooth performance and visual flair:
Performance: It maintains a impressively high and stable frame rate, even when hundreds of enemies are on screen, making it one of the better multi-platform titles for the Wii.
Combat Mechanics: The combat is fast-paced and arcadey, focusing on massive combos that can reach up to 99,999 hits. Characters possess unique "Basara Arts" and "Hero Time" abilities that slow down time for devastating attacks.
Character Variety: There are 16 playable characters, each with significantly different move sets and weapons, ranging from standard swords to shotguns and ball-and-chains. Key Differences in Versions
Choosing the undub or Japanese version affects more than just the voices:
The decision to use an "undub" version of Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes
for the Wii—which restores the original Japanese voice track with English text—is a common preference among fans who feel it captures the game's authentic energy. While the official English dub is noted for its "all-star" cast and campy charm, the undub is often considered superior for its thematic consistency and character portrayal. Why the Undub is Preferred Authentic "Engrish" and Vocal Cues : Characters like Date Masamune "Are you ready?"
are designed with a specific "badass" persona that relies on deep-voiced Japanese delivery mixed with unique "Engrish" phrases (e.g., "Are you ready?", "You see?") that do not translate perfectly to a purely English performance. Thematic Alignment Sengoku Basara
series is defined by its over-the-top, bombastic, and "gloriously bizarre" take on Japanese history. Many players find that the original Japanese voice actors (seiyuu) lean more effectively into this "anime-style" intensity, whereas some English voices can feel miscast or "stilted". Cultural Accuracy
: Critics of the Western localization point out changes like the spelling of "Saika" to "Saica" and altered character name pronunciations that can be jarring for those familiar with the historical period. Atmosphere over Convenience
: While the English dub allows players to focus on combat without reading subtitles, proponents of the undub argue that the Japanese audio provides a wider range of emotion and quality that fits the "spectacle" of the game's combat mechanics. Counterpoint: The English Dub's Strengths
Despite the popularity of undubs, the official English version of Samurai Heroes is often cited as one of the better dubs in the genre. High-Profile Talent : It features well-known actors like Troy Baker
(Mitsunari Ishida), whose "angsty" performance is highly regarded. Self-Aware Humour
: The English cast successfully captures the series' campy, tongue-in-cheek humor, which reviewers have noted makes the otherwise repetitive gameplay more enjoyable. Product Availability
If you are looking for physical copies of the original Western release or the Japanese counterpart, these are currently available through several retailers: Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes