Capcom is a renowned video game developer known for creating some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history. From Resident Evil to Street Fighter and Devil May Cry, Capcom has consistently delivered unforgettable gaming experiences that have captivated fans around the world.
One aspect of their games that often gets overlooked, however, is their English dubs. While some may argue that Japanese voice acting is always the superior choice, Capcom has proven time and time again that they can produce quality English dubs that enhance the overall experience of their games. Let's take a look at some Capcom games with the best English dubs, spanning a wide range of genres and platforms.
10 Street Fighter 4 (2008)
Street Fighter IV features a diverse cast of characters from around the world, each with a unique fighting style and personality. The game was originally released in Japanese with English subtitles, but later received an English dub for Western audiences.
The English voice acting received mixed reviews, with some fans praising the performances while others criticized them for being over-the-top or inconsistent with the character's personalities. Despite this, the inclusion of an English dub helped make the game more accessible to Western audiences who may not have been as familiar with Japanese voice acting and likely contributed to the game's overall positive reception in the West.
9 Dragon's Dogma (2012)
Dragon's Dogma features an English dub that received passable reactions from most players. While some gamers praised the performances of the voice cast, others criticized the quality of the voice acting, noting that some of the voices felt out of place or lacked emotional range.
The voice acting did not significantly impact the overall reception of the game, as players were more focused on its unique gameplay mechanics and expansive open world. Despite the mixed reception, Dragon's Dogma has maintained a very dedicated fan base.
8 Ghosts 'N Goblins Resurrection (2021)
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection features English voice acting for the first time in the franchise's history. The English dub was generally well-received by Western fans, who appreciated the effort put into the performances and the script localization.
Some fans noted that the voices added to the overall charm and humor of the game, while others appreciated the accessibility that the English dub provided. While the English dub may not have been the deciding factor for many players, its inclusion likely contributed to the popularity of Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection.
7 Dino Crisis (1999)
Dino Crisis's voice acting received mixed reviews from western fans. Some appreciated the performances, while others criticized the dub for its wooden delivery and awkward pacing. Despite the mixed reception, the English dub helped to make the game more accessible to a wider audience, particularly those who may not have been able to play the game in its original Japanese language.
Additionally, the English voice acting added to the game's atmosphere and immersion, helping to draw players deeper into the tense and suspenseful gameplay. Overall, while the voice acting in Dino Crisis was not without its flaws, it played an important role in making the game a success in the western market.
6 Resident Evil (2002)
Resident Evil featured an updated script and improved voice acting compared to the original release in 1996. The English dub was appreciated by Western fans and critics for the improved performances of the voice actors, particularly those of the main characters Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine.
The addition of new dialogue and re-recorded lines also helped to enhance the game's atmosphere and immersion, making it a standout horror game of its time. The success of the English voice acting in Resident Evil helped to establish a new standard for the series and inspired subsequent Resident Evil games to prioritize high-quality voice acting in both English and Japanese versions.
5 Monster Hunter: World (2018)
The English dub of Monster Hunter: World was praised for its quality and how it added to the immersion of the game. Many players felt that the voice acting added personality and depth to the characters they interacted with throughout the game.
Some players even felt that the English voice acting surpassed the original Japanese one. As the fifth installment of the series, Monster Hunter: World received positive reviews for the English dub, as it contributed to the overall positive recognition of the game in western markets.
4 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2005)
Ace Attorney, originally released just in Japan, was later localized and released in North America featuring an English dub. The voice acting was generally well-received by fans, as the game's quirky and humorous tone was captured perfectly by the cast.
The success of the English dub helped to popularize the series in the West, leading to its continued success and several sequels being released in English. Overall, the English dub of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was a major factor in its popularity and success among Western audiences.
3 Devil May Cry 3 (2005)
Devil May Cry 3 is widely considered to have one of the best English voice-acting performances in video games. The game's voice cast, led by Reuben Langdon as the wisecracking Dante, was praised for its energetic and engaging performances. Western fans of the series have generally preferred the English dub over the original Japanese voice track, proving that part of the game's popularity is based on its more accessible audio.
The success of the English voice acting in Devil May Cry 3 helped to establish the series as a major player in the action genre and contributed to its enduring popularity among fans. It also set a high bar for other games in the genre to meet in terms of voice-acting quality.
2 Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
The Resident Evil 4 remake is enjoying great attention from fans, as it offers very realistic English lines and enhanced audio. The game's dialogue was a little changed from the original one, as the characters received more lines. The most drastic change was Ashley's dialogue, which went from irritating some fans to being enjoyable and accurate for her situation.
The game's English voice acting was praised for its quality and the performances of the actors. The Resident Evil series is known for its memorable characters and dialogue, and a good English dub is crucial for the Western audience to fully enjoy the game. Therefore, Capcom's Resident Evil once again raised the bar for how any English dubs should look like.
1 Resident Evil 2 (2019)
The voice acting of Resident Evil 2 was praised by many fans for its high-quality English dub. The voice cast managed to bring the characters to life and deliver convincing performances that helped enhance the immersion of the game. The actors captured the essence of their respective characters and conveyed the appropriate emotions throughout the game's intense and often horrifying scenarios.
The English dub also received accolades for its lip-syncing, which was almost seamless and made it seem as though the characters were actually speaking English rather than just dubbing over the original Japanese audio. Overall, the excellent voice acting played a significant role in the positive reception of the game by western audiences.