The English Patch works by taking the original discs (Scenario 1, 2, 3 and the PD) and creating a disc image file for each of them, whilst replacing the Japanese from the original disc with the English translation. Each disc image can then be burned to a CDR and played on a mod chipped Sega Saturn. Although a mod chipped Saturn is the recommended way to enjoy the translation, the Swap trick (search YouTube for Sega Saturn Swap Trick) can be used if a mod chipped Saturn isn’t available. One of the many available Optical Drive Replacement solutions can also be used, but they are on the expensive side. The disc image can also be played using a Sega Saturn emulator, such as SSF. See Emulation page for additional information.

There is no set time, so patches are released when it is felt that the patch will add a significant update to the translation. This is an all volunteer effort. No one is getting paid for their time, so updates come out when they come out.

Please refer to the Patch Instructions page or the Read Me.doc file that is included with the SF3Patch install.

The preferred method of playing the SF3 patched disc image is to burn it to a CDR and play it on actual mod-chipped Saturn hardware. If you don’t have a mod-chipped Saturn, get one. As an alternative, the Swap Trick can be used. If you can afford an Optical Drive Replacement, that’s probably the best option of them all.

Emulators offer a way to play if you don’t have a modded Saturn or want the convenience of playing on a computer, but may have various graphic and sound problems. These drawbacks are not unbearable, but do take away from the overall experience. Choose the emulator that is right for your computer hardware. SSF is the old reliable option, but newer emulators may offer a better experience. See Emulation page for additional information about emulating SF3.

Unless your error/bug is in a section that has at least been released as a Beta, then there is no need to tell anyone about it. Each section of the Translation goes through a rigorous review before it is released as Beta. Sections/chapters that have not been released as a Beta have not gone through the official review, and are more or less a playable preview.  Please refer to the Progress page for Beta release information.

If you find an error/bug that causes the game to crash or freeze, or an error in an officially released Beta section, then post a reply with your findings to each scenario’s error report topic. Please review the existing entries of the topic briefly to verify your issue is unknown.

Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3

First, verify it is not a hardware or emulator problem. You can usually do this by testing other similar games with the hardware or emulator. If it is a burnt disc, test another burnt disc. If you’re using an emulator, test another game image. If you have isolated the issue to the patched disc image, try re-patching the disc. Don’t attempt any other activities on the computer while the patch is running. This can cause errors in the disc image. Follow the instructions provide on the Patch Instructions page or the included Read Me.doc exactly.

The Shining Force III: Translation Project is to a point now where we only really need Japanese to English translators, and a plethora of beta testers.

If you are a Japanese to English translator or want to be considered for the beta test, email legalize freedom! and volunteer.