Super Robot Taisen A Portable Translation PSP

Super Robot Taisen A Portable Translation
Super Robot Taisen A Portable Translation
General
Author	Steel Soul
Type	Translations
Version	1.01
License	Mixed
Last Updated	2018/06/19
Links
	Download
	Website

To celebrate Super Robot Wars A Portable’s 10th anniversary, this is a full translation of the game into English. This translation was born out of friendship, respect for the original work and their authors, and love for Super Robot Wars and their related anime series.

Over the 5 years of the project, the Steel Soul team tried to build a translation that would convey the original experience - in the story, in the graphics - to English speakers. They sincerely hope that you enjoy your time with A Portable, even if it comes kicking you hard with its difficulty.

Installation

Game information
Japanese title	# スーパーロボット大戦A PORTABLE
English title	Super Robot Taisen A Portable

ROM information
ROM format	ISO
Size	1497792512 (59468000)
MD5	982F761FECCA87E5919AB0C743C7DDDA
SHA-1	96424DEBB24DA5479CCD6F0830F06D48057B2652
CRC32	5D2AB6B1

This patch is distributed in xdelta3 format. Apply it to your legal ISO backup of the Japanese original UMD.

To apply the patch you can use:

Windows - Use DeltaPatcher or xdelta UI.
Mac - Use MultiPatch.
Linux - Use xdelta, or run DeltaPatcher in wine.

Windows user can also use the batch files provided with the patch:

Extract the patch's zip to a folder.
Get version 3.0.11 of xdelta.
Extract the 2 exes from there and add them to the directory of the patch.
Have your ISO in the same directory as the patch.
Make sure your ISO is named SRT_AP_J.iso.
Now choose one of:
- "patch_files_64bits.bat" on a Windows 64-bit machine (most recent machines are, in case you doubt).
- "patch_files_32bits.bat" for older Windows machines.
Give it a good minute, it can take some time.
This creates SRT_AP_English.iso.

Note:

"Bad vshader was cached" error on PPSSPP: Don't use Vulkan shaders for this game, try DX11 instead.
Do not use UMDGen's dummy feature. dummy.bin now contains useful stuff.

User guide

About the game

Super Robot Taisen A Portable is a turn-based strategy game (released only in Japan) boasting well-known anime mecha series:

Getter Robo, G’s Benkei, Shin Getter Robo.
Gundams-a-plenty! MS Gundam, Char’s Counter attack, The 08th MS Team, 0083: Stardust Memory, Zeta Gundam, Gundam ZZ, Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, Mobile Fighter G Gundam.
Metal Armor Dragonar.
Martian Successor Nadesico.
Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, UFO Robo Grendizer.
Combattler V, Voltes V, Tosho Daimos.
Daitarn 3, Zambot 3.
and some of the Banpresto Original characters from Original Generation (no Excellen, though, but enough beauties, don’t worry).

The story is independent from other entries, so the game can be played regardless of whether you have played Original Generation for instance. You will however play as either Axel or Lamia, whose stories are more fleshed out here than in the GBA entries. As is the tradition in Super Robot Wars, the story branches on some occasions to invite you to multiple playthroughs.

The game features a special “evasion erosion” mechanism, and enemies with a lot of evasion. This has made fans consider this game as one of the harder entries in the Super Robot Wars series.

Other game features include (skippable) battle animations with voices, in-battle and in-dialog save options, multiple spirits casting in a single action, multiple pilots for some of the bigger mechs.

This is actually a PlayStation Portable remake of the Game Boy Advance game with the same title (without “Portable”). Some of the features mentioned above were not present on its GBA counterpart, and the graphics are obviously higher res’ and re-done.

Incompatibilities with the JP version

Using a Japanese "intermission" save will actually prevent some texts from being translated (as they come from the save itself). "Continue" (suspend) saves from the Japanese games will probably have undesired side-effects.
Savestates from the Japanese game won't work properly (as the memory layout is different).
Reading a save with Japanese icon will prevent the game from using the translated version of the icon. It is strongly recommend removing your Japanese SRW AP saves from the memory card before playing.
Hacks to give yourself more money, skills and others may or may not work.
The save editor still works, although it is unable to render text properly or let you rename your hero & robot in a way the English game likes.

Known limitations

Renaming heroes and their robots is more restricted than it would be in modern entries in the SRW series, and you can "get a bad display of text" if you enter too long a name. The game will assume the name is less than 80 pixels, and you are limited in number of characters, but doesn't check the pixels at the time you rename heroes/robots, so it's up to you to be reasonable.
The "Gundam Deathscythe Hell" has the hell of a long name. We couldn't get ourselves to use an abbreviation for it, so it does "overflow" out of the small status box at the bottom of the screen when the cursor hovers over it.
"Hyper Mega Particle Cannon" just doesn't fit either. We know abbreviated versions are imperfect, but that's just the way it is.
Puru 2 decided she'd appear before Puru in the pilots pedia. That's just it. We couldn't find how to change that, though that shouldn't prevent anyone from enjoying the game.
A unit that is underground will be offered to surface with a menu item that reads "Land" (like it would for a flying unit). While this isn't elegant, there are few units that go underground and we wanted to keep a verb here (rather than going with "on surface" or things like this). It's still fairly understandable.
The combo attack "Darkness God Finger" has Domon's line incorrect (as it is the same line in Japanese for another attack). It still sounds cool, though.
This translation has been tested on PSP "fat" with 6.60 ME-1.8, PSP-2000 with 6.60 PRO-B10, PSP 3000, and the PPSSPP emulator. Other setups may or may not work.

Limitations from the original game

Like the original game, the Counter skill item doesn't really grant the pilot who uses it the Counter skill (although the Pilot will list it in his/her skills).
The battle animation for the Stoner Sunshine has hin Getter Robo split into Getter Robo machines instead of their newer counterpart.
The battle animation for the Dendronium's large beam saber uses red, instead of pink.
The battle animation for one of Light's attacks cuts the audio for his attack a bit short.

Screenshots

Compatibility

Tested on:

PPSSPP version 0.9.9.1
Real "fat" PSP (firmware ME 6.60-1.8)
Real "slim" PSP-2000 (firmware 6.60 PRO-B10)
PSP 3000

Changelog

v1.01

Typos Lisa -> Risa. (reported by Hakhan Dakharan), blow -> blew, Ensing -> Ensign, wondering->wonder, Noble->Nobel, fine->find, Ocean->Oceano, D-Weapon->D-Weapons, upgrade->upgraded, on->in his diet, Richet->Richter, explaning->explaining.
Titles fixes to make sure graphics and texts are coherent, inc. feedback from Cahos Rahne Veloza.
Added info about the shader to be used in PPSSPP.
weapon rename: Zanber -> Zamber (from online feedback).
Amuro's "thanks to him if" -> that (from online feedback).
Lemon's "me*No, ALL of us".
Various other edits.
Fix Soul's short name on the quick status screen (from online feedback).

v1.00

Final preparations for official release.

v056

Koji dialog upgrade: "universe" -> "known universe".
Fixed & upgraded game-clear save message.
Fixed graphics for titles of episodes 10spaceM, 11-12earthM, 23M, 25F-M, 28F.
Fixed credits freezing on real PSP and emulator without "ignore illegal reads/writes".

v055

Upgraded intro text.

v054

Fixed instant Game Over at start of episode 37.

v053

Fixed crash when G-Gundam's ultimate weapons that require a skill are selected on the attack screen (Thanks Kingcom).

v052

Adjusted intro text scrolling speed at the start of the game.
Adjusted expected max length of main character's name and his/her robot's name. Thus re-shuffled all story dialog boxes accordingly.

v051

Beta-ready patch.
All crazy missions translated and edited.
Mission 1's re-edits.
Double-checks of Lamia/Axel lines.
Episode titles updates / edits.
Status screens & encyclopaedia entries for "truly Japanese" characters now abide English-culture conventions.

v050

Added missions 14, 15 and 16.

v049

Added mission 13.
Re-re-inserted 12s.
Chibodee language style edits.

v048

Fixed route split display on episode 8.
Actually renamed Rath Angriff to Razangriff.
Actually renamed original attacks to their mixed Japanese-English forms (instead of pure English).

v047

Mission 12s and corresponding encyclopaedia entries.
Renamed Rath Angriff to Razangriff.
Renamed original attacks to their mixed Japanese-English forms (instead of pure English).

v046

Mission 11s and corresponding encyclopaedia entries.

v045

Encyclopaedia entries for 09s and 10s, with edits.
Very minor edits to remove warnings on story text auto-ending.

v044

Mission 08 real insertion, 09s and 10s edits (without pedia edits for now).

v043

Episodes 08, 09 devil, 10 devil, 11 devil, 12 devil, 09 space.
Encyclopaedia matching these new episodes.
Cut Japanese font mostly out to free RAM (fixes encyclopaedia crash).

v042

Episode 07 edits & test feedback enhancements.

v041

Episode 7 translated.
The encyclopaedia now boasts info for Gandal, Empress Janera, Kamille, Miyuki, Neuen and Prince Heinel.
Fixed the description for the Gain spirit going overboard.

v040

Episode 6 translated.
Translated encyclopaedia entries for Char, Kou, Gato, Burning, Nina, and associated units.
Fixed hailing from the wrong ship for non-pilot characters during dialog on the map.
Fixed other, invisible stuff.

v039

Fixed name having appended space characters at the end if you edit it. (Only remaining problem: if you enter an empty name, then clear the game's warning, then there is no cursor where you start typing. But it works.)
Fixed crash at the end of the credits on real console.

v038

Mission 05 Sonic edits.

v037

Re-inserted battle quotes (oops).
2 edits on story.
Fixed 1 Shiro battle quote not having carriage returns at all.

v036

Episode 05 and associated pedia entries (3 characters, 7 units).
Names alignment with another SRW translation project (yet need to align attack names).
Fixed pedia entries being allowed to split parentheses away from opening double quotes.
Pedia alignment properly justified. (Remaining differences come from the font graphics style.)

v035

sh: SKIT EPISODE 5 + STUBBED EPISODES >=6 + Halloween title screen.
Fixed "yo" typo.
Fixed batch inside patch still using old xdelta3 extension.
Edits, some more, and yet another few.

v034

Fixed typo "unite all Super Robots".
Unmuted Benkei in battle demo carrousel.
Changed patch extension to .xdelta (from .xdelta3).
Rathgrith -> Rath Angriff.
Ashsaber -> Ash Savior.

v033 Halloween 2015 demo

Fixed Japanese text in some case when upgrading a skill.
More edits.

v032

More edits.

v031

Lamia·Loveless -> Lamia Loveless.
Fixed Open Get (map) graphics, and improved offensive/defensive support to use icons.
Many edits.
Manual fix for Ruri's pedia entry.
Re-numbered skit as an attempt to fix crash after credits.

v030

Finished credits edition.
Removed battle quotes from unused characters.

v029.

Took advantage of more space in terrains names.
Changed boxing rules when a parenthesis is open.
Edits of credits (50%).

v028

Fixed skit episode title.
Fixed Axel text going haywire in the skit.
Swordcut->sword parry on the map.
Fixed "-" eating up #R robot name code in skit.
More edits to map & battle.

v027

Added entries missed (copy-paste).
Properly generated the patch.
Fixed missing end tag in Bright's entry (tool limitation).

v026

Fixed casing of the 01SM mission title: "fell" -> "Fell".
Fixed alignment of pilot name on the bottom line of the units list.
Forced words to stick together for "Diana A" and "Getter x".
Fixed quotes in game save title.
Edited pedia entries for Bright, Relena, Turchinov, Akito, Yurika, Gai, Ruri, Uribatake, Minato, Megumi, Mr. Prospector.
Edited pedia entries for Magma Beast Darkron, Nadesico, Aestivalis (Akito) Ground.

v025

Centered & reduced spacing of pedia entries.
Actually applied new lines ending logic (false news in v24).
Some editing.

v024

Changed logic to lines splitting in story
Mod Equip screen: corrected the "weapons:" status info.
Fixed crash on pedia entry display on real PSP (introduced in v23).
Hilder's Bomb is now a Bomber Raid.
edited EWAC's description.
Fixed layout for "Lv" and "Will" of enemy units list screen (map->units list-> start).
Corrected position of transformation / pilot for spirit popup-menu if spawned right
Edited Vindel battle quotes.

v023

Bio edited for Astonaige Medoz, Amuro Ray, Bright Noah, Noin Lucrezia, Lady Une, Kaine Wakaba, Tapp Oceano, Light Newman, Linda Plato, Aoi Wakaba, Meio Plato, Werner Fritz, Karl Gainer, Dan Kruger, Koji Kabuto, Sayaka Yumi, Boss, Tetsuya Tsurugi, Jun Hono, Kenzo Kabuto, Gen. Darkness, Marshal Hell, Ryo Nagare, Hayato Jin, Musashi Tomoe, Prof. Saotome, Michiru Saotome, Jack King, Mary King, Miyuki Saotome, Benkei Kuruma, Tekkoki, Kochoki, Hakkotsuki, Lisa, Burai, Hidler, Axel Almer, Lamia Loveless.
Some "raw" bios inserted, to be edited.
Fixed instances of "Bharm".
Fixed lines cut mid-way in pedia.
Fixed "#R" appearing instead of the name of Lamia's ride in 01RF.

v022

Fixed Title -> Series on BGM list.
Replaced PILOTS LIST with BIOGRAPHIES, and SELECT BGM with JUKE BOX.
The Bharm empire is born! Long live the emperor!

v021

Units & Pilots alphabetical sorting now working. Also made that the default sort, and the "series, importance" sort is available through the Banpresto icon (instead of the reverse).
Cyclopedia lines auto-ender is now operational. Lines arealso justified, a remarkable improvement over the original "free style" line ending.
Fixed underline in characters rename screen.
Fixed black pixels on intermission->view unit->select unit->unit info tab on PSP HW but not ppsspp.
Aligned pilot name on Equip part screen when taking part from another unit.

v020

Super route, episode 4 raw-translated.
Fixed opening quotes, "Equipped" going overboard on the units list of the Equip menu.
Various edits.
Incomplete progress on the renaming screen (underline incorrectly matched to characters).
Save game VWF complete. (Works for new games only.)
sword & shield icons now centered on unit list from map, and "MAP Weapon" displayed in full, with "Top Attack" replacing "Conventional" (like on other screens with that info).
Aligned banpresto sorting logos on a bunch of screens.
Finished replacing "Range" with "Ranged" when referring to the pilot characteristic.

v019

Super route, episode 3 translated.
Fixed Axel & Soulgain descriptions going overboard and being weirdly cut.
save game / suspend game icons translated. warning: reading a save with Japanese icon will prevent the game from using the translated version.
Patched save problem, but characters renaming needs to be reworked.

v018

Lower-cased over-Rated descriptions. And other minor edits.
Aligned 3rd line of skills descriptions on the "Find" screen.
Renamed weapons for Vysaga, Soulgain and Zweizergain. Again.
Solved backlog bug. YEAH!
Introduced game save corruption (because of charactersrenaming improvement).

v017

Fixed screen when choosing from which unit to take a part (top right text).
Equip Parts now reads "Equipped Parts" on the unit status screen.
Load / Save /home on real PSP now has English prompts (instead of Japanese) -*thanks to JamRules.
Fixed: quick status cast spirit: show menu + cancel + show menu => menu shifted off-screen.
Reworked cast spirit / find spirit to get rid of the target words on the left.
Aligned text for View button (by 1 pixel) with icon on Weapon select & tons of other screens.
Character name edit now allows 9 characters per field, and no longer goes to phonetics, and no longer overlaps.
Robot name edit no longer goes to phonetics, either.

v016

Added translations & edits of Real episodes 2 & 3, as well as roughly edited Real 4.
2 more edits to episode 1 of the Super Male route.
Renamed Soulgain and Zweizergain weapons away for fidelity to the Chinese myth.
Cheer & Bless descriptions moved up one line.
Rephrased several ace bonuses that could go off-screen to the right.
Voltes V's "V" is now a Roman five on the battle carousel.
Replaced "General" Miwa with "Secretary" Miwa.
Encyclopaedia can now have descriptions spanning over more lines than in Japanese.
On the mission objectives screen, made episode number yellow (like the label).
Cleaned up the layout of the 3 full-upgrade bonus screens.
Removed Japanese quotes around episode title in intermission, deployment & save screens.
Reworded the color option in the System menu.
Fixed support unit choice screen (Support overlapped its level).
Reworded & re-centered explanatory text on the "Find" screen.
Fixed: Find then select a spirit: arrow for page overlapped page number.
Replaced the "abc" icon that sorts by series, with a hero-like mask.

v015

Fixed menu on quick status screen being a bit off-screen.
Fixed Lamia's name on pilot tab of status screen & rename screen.
Made Latin the default entry method on character / robot rename screen, and limited characters choice to Latin & symbols.
Partial use of VWF on savegame screen.
Revamped method of applying the patch, by providing a patch on the ISO instead of a patch on the ISO contents.

demo v014

Inserted edited Episode 01 for all four routes, and edited Episode 2 for the Super Male & Female routes.
Battle quotes edited for Nadesico, Dragonar, Getter Robo, Gundam Wing, and Combattler V characters, and a couple more.
Support for multiple dialog boxes being added (compared to the original).
Location names in dialog can now be longer.
Fixed spacing around colon and semi-colon.
Fixed translation in 01SM for Axel's line before Sayaka mentions sending an S.O.S.
Fixed background graphics of dialog showing a vertical white line in 4 times magnification ratio.
Fixed the "where'd all my money go?!" bug spotted by Jeftah (whereby funds would be truncated on the intermission main screen).
Added support for commented lines in story translations.

demo v013

Lemon battle quote translated -*so all battle quotes are translated now.
Fresh new coat of paint! Edited battle quotes for Axel, Boss, Sayaka, Koji, Jun, Tetsuya, Great General of Darkness.
Edited story for Super Male route, episode 1.
Fixed bug on line splitting when ellipsis is at the start of a word.

demo v012

Almost all battle quotes translations (except Lemon).
More battle quotes editions (Axel).
Episodes edition started (Ep SM 1).
Intro text edits.

demo v011

Battle quotes editions! (Wong, Master Asia, Allenby, Schwartz, Rain, Ramba Ral, Fuunsaiki, Char, Domon, Chibodee, George, Lalah, Sai Saici, Argo, Zombie Soldiers).
More battle quotes translations! (Gai Daigoji, Emperor Olban, Raiza, General Balbas, Admiral Richter, Kyoshiro, General Jangal, Prince Heinel, Commander & Lady Gandal, General Blacky, Minister Zuril, King Vega, Empress Janera, Warchimedes, Rubina, Kirika, Hikaru Makiba, Maria Grace Fleed, Killer the Butcher, Koros, Commander Mylene, Commander Torres, Great Marshall of Hell, Jin, Turchinov, Ganan, Werner, Karl, Dan, Min, Gol, Wufei, Zechs, Quatre, Duo, Trowa, Wong, Master Asia, Allenby, Argo, George, Sai Saici, Chibodee).
Move episode title further to the right on Objectives screen (for better look for the final one).
Restored honour to the Tsurugi family (by giving Tetsuya his family name back).
Aligned ALL remaining text.
De-jammed the Ra Cailum's MAP weapon (used to crash).
Inserted all 105 episode titles (graphics).
Finally translated the copyright screen *and added the 2 ending credits screens for the same price.

pre-demo v010

More battle quotes translations! (Genichiro, Schwarz, Rain, Karius, Neuen, Delaz, Kayra, Cima, Kelly, Burning, Aina, Ginias, Ramba Ral, Gaia, Mash, Ortega, Kochoki, Lisa, Emperor Burai, Noin, Rosamia / Rosammy, Roux, Sayla, Puru Two, Haman, Fuunsaiki, Light, Tetsukan, Hayato, Musashi, Quattro, Fa, Berserk Kyoji, Mashymre, Chara, Rakan, Bright, Meganoid Soldier, Giganos Soldier, Shadow Mirror Soldier, Baam Soldier, Hakkotsuki, Hidler, Michiru, Miyuki, Jack, Benkei).
Menu layouts upgrades.
Centered series titles in battle demo carousels.
Fixed crash on spirits because of missing text end.
Fixed crash on mission pre-deployment screen because of long episode titles.
Fixed crash when FUB-ing some units.
Fixed bug by which Lamia would replace all soldier-type mooks in battle animations.
Moved texts around in menu/status/etc screens. Updated list of limitations with exact remaining items.

pre-demo v009

Title of male super mission 1 better hallowed.
Corrected "EXTRA" sub menu title (from "OPTION").
Replaced map message for Double Image (from "After Image" to "Dble Image").
Ditto for "Sup.Att." -> "Off.Sup." and "Sup.Def." -> "Def. Sup."
More battle quotes translations! (Char, Lamia, Axel [enemy version], Tapp, Meio, DG Rain, Hyoma) *over 50% translated.
Centered text now OK (but some menus / status screens still need some work).
Translated A-character spirit abbreviations on "cast spirit" screen (their layout is still incorrect, though).
Introduced special abbreviations for "General" and "Marshal". even though they are non-canonical, we need room.

pre-demo v008

More more more Battle quote translations! (Gun Jem, Kappei, Icer, Liser, Banjo, Duke, Ryoma, Tekkoki, Kinta, Dungele, Kenichi, Vega Soldier, Kazuya, Aizam, Yurika (+Minato, Megumi, Ruri, Mr. Prospector), Jovian Soldier/Officer, Akito).
Terrain names translated.
Spirit "short names" (on the short status screen, from a "x" press on the map) translated.

pre-demo v007

More more Battle quote translations! (Domon, Heero, Mariemaia Soldier, Kaine).
Menu translations (English text, but text hasn't been moved around yet. Terrains remain in Japanese for now.)

pre-demo v006

More battle quotes translated: Kamille, Four, Glemy, Puru, Judau, Zeon Cyber-NT Soldier, Warrant Officer Tehen (and Zombie soldiers too ;) => combat anim's demo reel 1 translated!
Further SRW logo upgrades & quick "j" font fix.

pre-demo v005

Gato battle quotes translated.
A few map typos & minor upgrades (thanks to Dashman).

pre-demo v004

Translation of battle quotes for Lalah, Kou, Shiro, Norris, Amuro (on top of Koji, Sayaka, Boss, Tetsuya, Jun, Great General of Darkness, Axel [as main], Zeon Soldier, AI.
Font is now no longer bound by a graphical transformation. In other words: it looks much nicer! This does make quite a few lines flow off-screen, though.

pre-demo v003

Finalized chapter title (for Male Super mission 1).
More edits to the descriptions of items, seishins, etc.

pre-demo v002

Fixed missing text in chapter 1's epilogue (by cutting the translation short for Kenzo Kabuto's line).
More rephrasing of the main dialog & item descriptions & battle quotes
First attempt at translating chapter 1 title (graphics edits *still unfinished business!).
Replaced main menu "OPTION" with "EXTRA" (as this leads to the list of robots / pilots / BGM's).
A few minor font edits.
Corrected "#R" replacing the main robot name.
Fixed missing description for the booster item.
Fixed fuel tank & Ranged +5 items having wrong descriptions.

pre-demo v001

Initial version.
First text for Chapter 1, Male Super route.
Battle dialog translations for Axel, Koji, Sayaka, Boss, Tetsuya, Jun, Great General of Darkness, and the AI (lol).
Translated most item / weapons / seishin names & descriptions.
Most graphics translated.

Credits

The team:

Translation of battle quotes, items, names, titles, spirits, weapons, bonuses, skills & abilities: TheMajinZenki.
Edition of battle quotes & story: JeftahX, SSJCyberSonic, KyrilSolin.
Texan accent editing: Blaine_Kodos.
Programming, graphics, various reviews: BlackDog61.
Early testing: Lord Oddeye, deets, Greenrose, Kaio Shin.
With expert consulting from Kingcom, Dashman, JamRules & furrykef.
Using Klarth's (great!) TableLib and also sjisdump.
Thanks to AGundam, MrWorm, Sporky McForkinspoon, MarsRaven, cj_iwakura and others for their interest and helps here and there.

External links

Romhacking.net - https://www.romhacking.net/translations/3658/
Romhacking.net - http://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,19055.msg270339.html