Call me stupid, but...

[Jono2]

Why is there English text in Japanese games?  I've always wanted to know this.

"Shine Get"

"Game Set"

why isn't that just in japanese instead?

[Dei Enyt]

In some cases, the Kana wouldn't exactly fit.

It's why Level is represented by "Lv" in English instead of "Reberu" in Japanese Kana, but gamers still seem to get the point.

[extraz]

Many people in Japan take English as a second language

[Jono2]

Many people in Japan take English as a second language

yes, and many people in Quebec take English as a second language too, but everything is still in french there.

many people in France take english as a second language.  stuff is still all in french.

Why wouldn't they make the game so that the entire population can understand it, not just the ones that speak english?

[Nayrman]

There is also the possibility that the words in that language wouldn't "work" like taht or they simply don't have a word for it.
Like how we have call things from Japan in their japanese name (Pokemon) simply because we don't really have a word for it.

[blue_slime]

It's probably just a remaining legacy of the old days when memory and display space were very limited.

[yes.derek]

^{You stupid, but...}

[Mystic]

Same reason they speak English and use it in songs?

[Syncopathic]

English in Japan is considered cool.

[Friendly Hostile]

English in Japan is considered cool.

We have a winner.

[major tom]

English in Japan is considered cool.

Indeed. That's why they make songs such as "Let's go fighting love!"

In America, weeaboos brag about having 'hope' in Japanese on their shirt, but if it was in English on their shirts they wouldn't wear it. In Japan, they probably do wear shirts that say hope and peace in English.

[Riosan]

English in Japan is considered cool.

And vice-versa.

[Mystic]

English in Japan is considered cool.

And vice-versa.

Yes, Japan in English is cool.

[Jono2]

English in Japan is considered cool.

And vice-versa.

no, that's just darn annoying.

[major tom]

no, that's just darn annoying.

To sane people, it is. To weeaboos, it's the awesomeness in a can.