On August 10th, 2022, Derek Pascarella (ateam) publicly announced his new translation project: COOL COOL TOON, a rhythm-based music game developed and published by SNK for Dreamcast. The game was originally released on August 10, 2000, in Japan only, followed by a portable counterpart named “COOL COOL JAM“, released for the Neo Geo Pocket Color later in 2001.
Also helping out with the project are artist Cargodin and translator popomocco who handled the original translation that Derek is patching into the game.
Announcement post on Twitter:
Early work-in-progress video:
Preview screenshots with variable-width font…
Pocomocco’s Original Translation…
COOL COOL TOON is essentially a story-based rhythm game, similar to games like PaRappa. However, its structure allows for more freedom to spend time in town between levels. Still, it basically boils down to several menus where you talk to random characters and/or pick up new outfits, as opposed to actually exploring new areas…
COOL COOL JAM, its portable counterpart released on the NGPC, was much simpler game in scope, but the real ‘hook’ was that it provided cross-platform connectivity between the Dreamcast and the NGCP…
When asked whether COOL COOL JAM would be translated as well, Derek said that, “it’s already been partially translated” (apparently there was a half-baked attempt to localize it before being cancelled), and that he “went out and bought a NGPC and RetroHQ gamedrive so [he] can test all of that out – making sure [he does] 100% of the DC side”
Examples of the existing localization attempt…
Hopefully this project may yield a “two-for-one” release for the community to enjoy… Either way, we look forward to seeing this project completed, and SHIRO! will keep you posted on any news as it comes down the pipe!
A massive Saturn fan since Christmas ’96, Dave is enthusiastic about growing the community and spreading Saturn love and knowledge to fans old and new. Co-founding the SEGA SATURN, SHIRO! podcast back in 2017 and creating the SHIRO! SHOW in 2020, he seeks to create interesting and engaging Saturn-related content for the community. Dave’s interests circle around game preservation, and he is a huge fan of game magazines and developer interviews.
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