Burai MSX2 English Fan Translation Demo Launches in 2024: Classic RPG Receives Revival on Nintendo Switch

Burai, a beloved RPG originally developed by Riverhill Soft, is making exciting waves in the retro gaming community thanks to a dedicated fan translation effort.

The 1990 MSX2 version of Burai—already notable for its place among Japanese computer RPGs—will soon be accessible in English for the first time, with a sample demo expected later this year.

This comes hot on the heels of recent official reissues for the classic, including releases on the Nintendo Switch eShop as part of D4 Enterprise's EGGCONSOLE series and by publisher Mebius, demonstrating enduring demand for classic Japanese RPGs among overseas audiences. Originally released on the PC-88 in 1989 and swiftly ported to platforms like the PC-98, FM-Towns, and MSX2, Burai distinguishes itself through an epic narrative featuring eight heroes confronting the followers of the evil god Daar.

Its top-down exploration and turn-based battles evoke the golden age of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs).

The saga continued in 1990 with Burai: Gekan and later saw enhanced adaptations on the PC Engine Super CD-ROM², Super Famicom, and Sega CD.

Yet, for decades, none of these editions received an English language localization, making them difficult for international fans to fully experience. Now, a team of experienced translators and programmers—previously responsible for Project Melancholia, the acclaimed retranslation of SD Snatcher—has taken up the challenge to bring Burai (specifically, Burai Joukan for MSX2) to a wider audience.

Led by Rieks Warendorp Torringa (handling translation, research, and beta testing) and programmer Max Iwamoto (specializing in reverse engineering and coding), the fan project is making significant headway.

The translation is already 7 chapters complete out of the game's total 12, and the main engine work is finished, as confirmed in the team’s recent update. The highly anticipated demo, which covers Burai’s introductory section, will debut at FutureDisk 50—the final entry in the renowned MSX disk magazine series.

This special disk will be available at the MSX2GOTO40 event on September 13th in Amsterdam, where collectors and enthusiasts can be among the first to try the English adaptation.

Recognizing the global reach of the MSX community, the demo will also be made available online through the project's official website. This English fan translation comes at a pivotal moment, as the resurgence of classic Japanese PC RPGs on modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch continues to draw new and returning fans.

The recent Switch reissues, facilitated by D4 Enterprise’s EGGCONSOLE and publisher Mebius, underscore a renewed appreciation for foundational RPG titles.

As preservation and community efforts bridge language gaps, Burai’s revival exemplifies how classic games retain lasting value and cultural significance—even decades after their initial release.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo eShop PC Switch MSX2+ English MSX2 Burai Riverhill Soft EGGCONSOLE Mebius FutureDisk 50 Project Melancholia SD Snatcher PC-88 Super Famicom Sega CD