What's different of JPN Bios & USA Bios Sidearms PCB?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I just recent won an eBay auction for a used Capcom Sidearms PCB. When I plugged into my Supergun & booted it up, it came up with the original Japan Copyright notice and displayed the original Japanese arcade title of: "Hyper Dyne Sidearms: (some extra Japanese kanji script inserted here) Zettai Gattai!"

I've only played the USA Bios version of Sidearms PCB that was released by Capcom/Romstar in 1988 (and the Hyperware's Ultracade version of Sidearms -- really isn't the same as the original PCB of the same name indeed).

My questions regarding the original Japanese version of Sidearms PCB:

1.) What are the differences/similarites between the JPN Bios & USA Bios versions of Sidearms PCB?

2.) (This next question, here, is for our Japanese speaking/reading shmuppers) What does the "Zettai Gattai!" name translate into English from Japanese?

3.) Does anyone have PDF or JPEG scans of the original Japanese Sidearms PCB manual, storycard & instruction card? (Sure, I've seen complete USA Bios PCB kits of Sidearms sold on USA eBay from time to time...although most sold are the bare-bones Sidearms PCB anyways).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

After trying out the JPN Bios version of Capcom's Sidearms PCB last night, I found out there really isn't any differences of the original Japanese or USA Bios version of Sidearms PCB (other than the extra animation title of "Zettai Gattai!" in JPN Bio ver.).

What is the dipswitch settings for a Sidearms PCB?


I like the intial concept of Capcom making an arcade shmup title with the idea of "transforming jets into powered armored mecha suits and when combined with each other, Player 1 controls the mecha suit while Player 2 just fires away" -- pretty cool two-player cooperation style of gameplay for an arcade shmup title in Sidearms PCB.

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Some hidden anime references found in Sidearms PCB:

If you notice when playing a serious gaming session of Sidearms PCB, there are subtle references to the Japanese anime series of: Machine Soldier Dorvack -- Powered Armored Suits and armored suits shown in the Super Dimensional Calvary Southern Cross for the 1P & 2P mecha characters.

Some enemy characters look as if they were lifted from the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross series as paying homage to that groundbreaking anime series like the missle launching green-colored female Zentradei armored suits.

Also, if you looking at the background scenery, one will find a subltle "nod" to Miyazaki's Nasicauaa in Valley of the Wind anime movie of the powerful creature known as the "Fire Demon" that destroys the world during the "Seven Days of Fire" incident -- it is shown in Sidearms PCB game as a background sprite.
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PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

If one tries out either 1P or 2P mecha suit character in Sidearms PCB, and upon grabbing the flashing "alpha-beta" combo icon, one can get two completely different joint-combo powered-up mecha suits with a 2-hit before self-destruction.

Too bad Capcom didn't make another arcade sequel to it's Hyper Dyne Sidearms PCB.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[system11]

If one tries out either 1P or 2P mecha suit character in Sidearms PCB, and upon grabbing the flashing "alpha-beta" combo icon, one can get two completely different joint-combo powered-up mecha suits with a 2-hit before self-destruction.

Too bad Capcom didn't make another arcade sequel to it's Hyper Dyne Sidearms PCB.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Actually, Forgotten Worlds is considered the sequel. Those, together with Section Z are known as the 'Jet Pack Heroes' series. Allegedly.

[ccovell]

My dictionary says "Zettai Gattai" means "absolutely combine", which makes sense.

[Neo Rasa]

I always refer to Section-Z/Sidearms: Operation Hyperdine/Forgotten Worlds as "The Badasses that Strafe Trilogy." I actually got that to catch on with some of my friends.