I. Downloads
SF3Patch.exe (this package) – Self-extracting install includes everything you need to create a patched disc image/CD from the original disc.

SF3Patch.zip (by request) – If there are issues with virus software flagging the self-extracting install and you are not comfortable disabling your virus software for the download and install, this is the patch in zip form. Simply unpack where you would normally install.

This patch is available from the SF3 Translation project FTP courtesy of Moogie and Shining Force Central. Right click and “Save Target As…” to download files. Single left click on a txt file to view.
http://sf3transftp.shiningforcecentral.com/

Daemon Tools (preferred) – Virtual drive for patching disc images and playing the game with a Saturn emulator. Recommend purchase for clean version. Get the latest here: https://www.daemon-tools.cc/products/dtLite

Virtual Clone Drive – Virtual drive for playing the game. Good free option, but not suitable for patching. Get the latest here: https://virtual-clonedrive.en.softonic.com/

II. Patching Process

Information
Once the patched BIN or ISO has been created it can be played using an emulator or burned to a CDR to be played in a Saturn that is able to play backups (mod-chipped, ODE installed, etc). This method will work with all of the Shining Force III discs.

Instructions

SF3Translation.exe (patch wizard located in the SF3PatchWizardV25 directory)
The SF3Translation.exe will work with a physical CD drive or an advanced virtual drive and uses the BIN/CUE format. Windows 7/8/10/11 are supported.

1. Place the game CD in an available CD drive or mount the image in a virtual drive. Supports multiple images mounted at once.

• The disc (or disc image) must be the original game so the patch wizard can identify it as such and patch it properly. It doesn’t have to be the originally pressed disc, but it does need to be an exact copy or image of an original disc. Pre-patched images will not work.
• The Scenario 1 patch requires the NA or PAL version. It will not work correctly with the Japanese version.
• Not all virtual drives will work to mount for patching, Daemon Tools Lite is recommended if you plan to use it during patching, Virtual Clone Drive will not work for this purpose.
  https://www.daemon-tools.cc/products/dtLite
• Verify you have enough hard drive space for patching. 1 GB is a safe amount.

2. Launch SF3Translation.exe.

The first time you launch the exe you will be prompted to download and install Windows .NET 5.0 (must be this version specifically) which is a one-time install that is required for the patch wizard app. Get it manually here: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/5.0
Look for .NET Desktop Runtime 5.0.xx down a bit on the right. Select the version that is right for your system x64 (52mb) or x86 and download.

When it has finished downloading, go to the file and install. Once .NET 5.0 has been installed, re-launch SF3Translation.exe. The message will disappear once it has been installed.

3. Gabriel is your personal patching wizard. He will auto-detect which scenario is in the drive and ask you to verify. You can use the arrow keys to change the selection or click on your selection with the mouse. Click or enter to select Yes or No.

4. Gabriel will ask if you would like to customize the patch. You have the option to choose which updates you want applied based on your preferences. Click or enter to select Yes to customize or No to accept the default settings. Note you can select Yes to customize to see all the options even if you choose not to change anything, but expect minor spoilers in the customize dialog. For those who don’t want to be spoiled whatsoever, the default settings include all General patches (translation, restorations and additions), all Bug Fixes and some basic Quality of Life updates. Nothing that changes gameplay.

After selecting Yes to customize, you will see four headers at the top. General, Bug Fixes, Quality of Life and Mods. Select each of these to see the various options in each category. You can mouse over each update to see a description of it in the bottom window. If more updates are available than the box has room for, a spinning scroll arrow will appear. You can use the mouse wheel, arrow keys or click the spinning arrow(s) to scroll.

Select On or Off for each update. Some patches or mods may conflict with one another and can’t be used together. If there is a conflict, both patch names will turn red and the patch can’t be executed until the conflict is resolved. Choose to keep one and turn the other(s) off to proceed. Select the Done button once you’re happy with your selections.

5. Browse to the location you want to place the CUE/BIN files and provide a name for the files. If you are overwriting, be sure the CUE/BIN isn’t currently mounted and select the BIN file to overwrite. Note you can also choose to save to the (single file) ISO format, but that is not the recommended format to use. Click Save to start the patching process.

6. Wait for the Now Loading… to finish. It’s recommended to allow the patch to finish before launching any other computer activities.

7. Gabriel welcomes you back and reports patching success or failure. He then asks if you would like to patch another disc. If Yes is selected, he will invite you to ready the next disc. Once you press any key to continue, the patch wizard will start again. If multiple disc images are currently mounted, you need only press any key to continue.

8. Use virtual drive software to mount the .BIN (or .CUE) file and run with an emulator or burn the CUE/BIN to a CDR to use in a modded Saturn.

Note:
The patching process should wrap up a few seconds after the disc stops reading. If you run into any issues, please reach out to us to report them. Contact us through the SFC forum thread noted in the release announcement on the official site, the direct email link on the Credits and Contact page of the official site or the Discord community where you can get near instant help.
http://sf3trans.shiningforcecentral.com/
http://sf3trans.shiningforcecentral.com/credits/
https://discord.gg/yWnUVCr

Adding Mods/Patches
Additional mods can be added to the patch wizard at any time. In addition to this patch, a whole host of mods are available with included instructions on the FTP here: https://sf3transftp.shiningforcecentral.com/Mods/

Install these by placing the individual mod folder you want to include in the SF3PatchWizardV25\Custom Mods directory. Then run the patch normally and you should see it in the list under the Mods category.

Some mods will have conflicts with the base patch offerings and will need special consideration and attention to use.

Check back for updates and additional mods being added. While these mods are outside of the scope of this translation and are not provided as a part of it, they are all gameplay changes that have been requested. You can reach out on Discord should you have any issues or suggestions.