To create a functional "Undub" for the US version of Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
on the Wii, you must manually swap the audio files from the Japanese release into the North American ISO. This process restores Japanese voice acting while keeping the English text and menus. Prerequisites You will need the following tools and files:
: Both the North American (USA) and Japanese (JAP) versions of the game. WiiScrubber 1.40 : Used to open and manipulate the Wii ISO files. PartitionBuilder
: Included with WiiScrubber, used to rebuild the modified game partition. : Required for WiiScrubber to decrypt the ISOs. Step-by-Step Installation Guide Extract Japanese Audio WiiScrubber and load your Japanese ISO
Right-click on the second partition (usually the main game partition) and select Extract Partition . Save this to a folder named Extract USA Files In a new WiiScrubber window, load your Extract the second partition to a folder named
Expand that same partition in WiiScrubber and extract individual files ( partition.bin ) to a separate folder named /partition/ Swap the Sound Files Navigate to your folder and find the sound folder Copy this folder and paste it into your folder, overwriting the English audio files. (Optional) You can also copy the movie folder
from the Japanese version to see the original Japanese opening video. Rebuild the Partition PartitionBuilder Select the files you extracted earlier ( partition.bin , etc.) and point the "Source Folder" to your modified Build the new partition file. Inject the Modified Partition Go back to the WiiScrubber window with the Right-click the second partition and select Load Partition . Choose the new partition file you just built. tales of symphonia dawn of the new world usaundub wii
: Do not delete the original partition; only replace it to avoid breaking the ISO. Key Benefits of the Undub Skit Voices
: Unlike the official US release, which removed voices from character skits, the undub restores these using the Japanese audio. Original Experience
: Allows you to hear the original cast (including returning characters from the first game) while still following the story in English. Emulation Ready
: The resulting ISO works on original Wii hardware (via homebrew) and the Dolphin Emulator
Here’s a well-developed feature for a hypothetical Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World USA Undub version for the Wii:
Marta is often dismissed as a yandere archetype—obsessive, clingy, violent toward Emil. But the Undub reframes her. Voiced by Rie Kugimiya (the "queen of tsundere"), Marta’s aggression is not comedic; it is desperate. She knows Emil is not the boy from her memory. She knows she has projected the image of a savior onto a broken shell. Yet she forces the narrative anyway, punishing Emil for failing to be her fantasy. To create a functional "Undub" for the US
In one crucial late-game scene (Flanoir), Emil admits he has no memory of their childhood promise. In English, this is awkward. In Japanese, Marta’s silence is devastating. She doesn’t respond because she cannot accept that she has been in love with a ghost. The Undub reveals that Dawn of the New World is not a romance; it is a study of codependency. Marta loves the idea of a hero, and Emil needs someone to tell him he exists. They are not saving the world—they are using the apocalypse to avoid therapy.
Since this is the specific version requested, we must address the audio first.
Japanese Voice Track (The Undub): The original localized release suffered from a lack of voice acting in skits and a somewhat inconsistent English dub. The Undub version restores the original Japanese audio, and the difference is palpable. The voice acting in the Japanese track is significantly more emotive.
The Music: Motoi Sakuraba, Akiko Tsuboi, and Kazumi Mitome provide a stellar soundtrack. While it doesn't quite reach the iconic heights of the first game's soundtrack, tracks like "Like an Edelweiss" and the intense battle themes perfectly fit the game’s atmosphere.
Verdict on Audio: The Undub elevates the narrative from "cringe-worthy teen drama" to a respectable JRPG melodrama. If you are a fan of Japanese VA, this version turns a 6/10 story experience into an 8/10 experience.
Q: Does the Undub work on the PAL (European) version?
A: The patch is designed for NTSC-U (USA). PAL versions have different file structures. Look for a specific PAL Undub or manually extract the audio stream from a JPN ISO – a more complex process. Postgame Targets
Q: Will the Undub work on the Wii U’s vWii mode?
A: Yes. Wii U’s vWii mode with Homebrew and USB Loader GX runs patched ISOs flawlessly.
Q: Are subtitles affected?
A: No. The Undub only touches audio files. All text, menus, and subtitles remain in English.
Q: Is there an HD texture pack for Dolphin?
A: Yes. Fans have created 1080p/4K texture packs that pair perfectly with the Undub. Search "Dolphin ToS 2 HD textures."
Q: Can I switch between English and Japanese voices on the fly?
A: No. The Undub permanently replaces the English voice files. To revert, you need the original ISO.
First, a quick refresher. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (known in Japan as Tales of Symphonia: Ratatoskr no Kishi – "Knight of Ratatoskr") is a direct sequel set two years after the original Tales of Symphonia. You follow Emil Castagnier, a timid young man fused with the spirit Ratatoskr, and Marta Lualdi, a spirited girl on a quest to save the world.
The game introduced a monster-collection system (predating Pokémon's Switch era hype), a refined "Flex Range Linear Motion Battle System," and brought back fan-favorites Lloyd, Colette, and Zelos. However, the original Wii Western release (the "USA" version) was marred by one major criticism: the English voice acting.
Developer: Namco Tales Studio Platform: Nintendo Wii Version Reviewed: USA Undub (Japanese Audio / English Text)