Unlike modern consoles or PCs, original arcade game machines are closed systems not designed for software modifications. Therefore, player-created fan translations are not handled by the physical arcade cabinets themselves. The process occurs entirely through software emulation and ROM (Read-Only Memory) hacking. Here’s a breakdown of how it works.

The primary tool for fan translations is the arcade emulator, such as MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator). Emulators software that mimics the hardware of an arcade system on a modern computer. Translators work with ROM files, which are digital dumps of the game's original code and data stored on the arcade board's chips.

The process begins with ROM hacking. Specialists use hex editors and tile editors to locate the game's text data within the ROM file. Arcade games often store text as graphical tiles in a dedicated memory section rather than as easily editable text strings. The translator must first identify the character set, then extract these graphical tiles, redesign them for the new language (e.g., converting Japanese Kanji to the Latin alphabet), and re-insert them back into the ROM. This can be incredibly complex due to space limitations; if the new text is longer, programmers must find unused space in the ROM or develop compression techniques.

Another significant challenge is the program code itself. The game's code points to specific memory addresses to display text. If the new text is in a different location or has a different length, the code must be adjusted using assembly language to ensure correct display and avoid crashes. For more advanced translations, hackers might even modify the game's code to add features like larger font support or text wrapping.

Once the modified ROM is created, it is tested extensively within the emulator. It is crucial to note that these translated ROMs are designed to run on emulators, not on original arcade hardware. While it is technically possible to burn the modified ROM onto a physical chip and install it in an arcade board, this is a complex, risky process primarily undertaken by dedicated enthusiasts and preservationists.

The legality of fan translations is a gray area. While creating a patch for a ROM you own is often seen as a transformative work for preservation, distributing the complete translated ROM file typically violates copyright law. The arcade game industry itself does not support or handle these unofficial modifications; the effort is driven entirely by fan communities passionate about preserving and making classic games accessible to a global audience.