This thesis deals with Japanese niche games and their presence in the western game culture. Japanese niche games are games targeted for smaller, more defined audience, rather than for larger user base. These games are often quite different from the more popular titles that get most of the general media coverage.

The thesis strives to present an understandable definition about Japanese niche games and facts about their localization, case studies regarding them and their fanbase and its efforts. The games and examples addressed are mostly related to games relevant at the time of writing. The thesis was made based on vast existing knowledge and verifying the information of recent events related to subject matter. Based on covered infor-mation it can be concluded that the localization of Japanese niche games for western countries has mostly progressed for the better.

The sources used in the thesis primarly consist of reliable news pages from news sites mostly dedicated to Japanese niche games, and discussion forum entries regarding the matter.