Konami arcade games and versions

[Despatche]

this is really a subset of the whole "version differences" thing but i figure the issues in these games are a little more well-known. i think we've all heard the horror stories about things like the us version of metamorphic force being extremely annoying. the general consensus is that the japan versions of konami arcade games, particularly their beat em ups, are more balanced compared to other versions.

exactly how far does this go, though? can those with more experience break down each version of any konami game that's like this? i doubt it's exclusive to beat em ups; i'm sure things like sunset riders and g.i. joe may also be a bit more annoying than they would normally be. and is it always the japan version? tit doesn't seem to have a specific japan version in mame, and the simpsons also has an "asian" version; also, there doesn't seem to be a 4-player japan the simpsons. maybe mame is just missing some sets right now?

[Emuser]

Lightning Fighters/Trigon - Only difference is in 1p mode, 2p mode is identical between both, but you can't play 2p side solo in Trigon. Only differences in the U.S. version are that in 1p mode, the trigon weapon doesn't appear at all, there are no checkpoints, and you respawn with 1 bomb if you die whereas you spawn with none in the Japan version.

Thunder Cross 1 - In 1p and coop, the game is completely different. In the U.S. version, you ONLY have Vulcan shot, no Boomerang or Tailshot. You are also stuck with 2 FIXED pods by default instead of getting up to 4 adjustable pods in the JP version. U.S. version gives you 3 bombs (lil' baby) that cannot be restocked in one credit. The worst thing about the U.S. version other than stage 7 becoming the most tedious thing ever without Tailshot is the addition of these ridiculous homing ball things that will blow up no matter what you try to do even if you leave them alone, they release homing bullets that are DAMN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE to dodge. U.S. version of this game is cancer, shame on Konami for taking a shit on the U.S. version of this.

Xexex - U.S. version has coop whereas JP did not, instead of lives players get a lifebar with no checkpoints upon continuing and a 20 second continue timer instead of a 10 second timer. You are also stuck with 1 weapon through the whole game with a very low bullet allowed on screen count instead of the varied number of weapons available in the JP version. The game doesn't end either whereas the JP version ends after 2 loops. I would highly suggest avoiding the U.S. version is it is quite awful in all regards.

[Skykid]

Aliens world version has additional 3D stages the JP omits. The JP ver. has titles to introduce each stage whereas the US just flows together. The JP is markedly easier on defaults and the aliens are a dark purple instead of luminous pink.

Iirc system11 also noted the JP has superior audio.

[BrianC]

I heard X-Men and Simpsons are easier for the JP versions. If I remember correctly, the JP X-Men gives out a power up for the mutant powers making it so you don't run out as often.

Loco-Motion/Guttang Gottong seems to be more forgiving for the US version where the gates don't close as fast.

Not a difference between arcade versions, but the arcade Frogger had licensed music that was changed or removed for the 360 and GBA versions. As far as I know, the only ports that have most or all of the music are Sega Genesis, a few of the Sierra disk/tape based computer versions, and the Starpath Supercharger tape version for Atari 2600 (not to be confused with the Parker Bros 2600 port).

As far as I know, there are no differences between versions, but Tutankham got renamed to Horror Maze for the US DS Konami Collection. The change makes no sense since the game did have a US release and was even ported to multiple systems (most notably 2600 and Colecovision).

[Ed Oscuro]

Super Contra loops instead of ending at the first clear (in the US and probably world version also).

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Only difference between the original JPN & USA region PCBs of A-Jax (circa 1987) was the main title screen upon boot-up indicated country origin. Other than that slight screen change, both feature the same gameplay & game mechanics as usual -- 8-way digital joystick with 3 button layout support from the get-go and running as a standard Jamma PCB indeed. Not to mention support for both upright cabs + cocktail table styled cabs as well to maximize profits to benefit arcade operators/owners worldwide. On board stereo sound option was available if so desired.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[DrVenom]

The japanese Simpsons allows you to carry more health and it has a bomb item that you can pick up in the levels. There might be more differences as well.

[Chaos Phoenixma]

in addition to that, there's more health items. They're very rare in the US version.

I also remember you getting your health restored at the start of a level in the Japanese version while you keep your health where it was in the US one. Could be remembering wrong as I never really played it too much as I don't care too much for the genre.

And although not really a gameplay thing, the score is pretty much the same between versions, just it's multiplied by 100 in the Japanese version for whatever reason. So 250 points on the US version would be 25,000 on the Japanese one. Though that's ignoring the fact that it's not really comparable anyway because of the differences in gameplay.

I think the enemy AI may also be more aggressive in the US version as well.


The US version seems designed more with the idea of getting as many quarters out of you as possible than the Japanese version is, but it is still possible to 1cc it.


Would definitely like to hear more about the differences in the various beat em ups. The only ones Konami ones I have any experience with are Simpsons(both versions are in the PS3/360 releases), TMNT 1989(XBLA and the NES version of it), and the XBLA remake of Turtles in Time which people say wasn't very good(but I got it when it was on sale for like 160 points/$2, and it was fun enough for that and got the full gamerscore). It's a genre I never cared for because most of the ones I've tried always felt pretty cheaply designed to try to take your money.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

this is really a subset of the whole "version differences" thing but i figure the issues in these games are a little more well-known. i think we've all heard the horror stories about things like the us version of metamorphic force being extremely annoying.

The US version of Metamorphic Force isn't "extremely annoying", it's simply pure bullshit. I wouldn't have imagined it's possible to 1CC it unless I saw Janet's run of the game (someone who's also beaten some ridiculously difficult beat 'em ups like X-Men and Simpsons, both of which suffer from poor collision detection). It's worth noting that even his 1CC of Metamorphic Force US version does so with only single digits health (I think 3 or 2? he was one hit away from death, in spite of a crazy run with amazing execution).

For reference, there's actually 3 different major versions of Metamorphic Force:

JP Version: well-balanced, health items actually recover a fair chunk, you have an extra life in case of a death, the game can be no-deathed with a bit of practice

European: health bar changed to a numerical meter that drains over time like Gauntlet (?!), no extra life

US: batshit fucking crazy difficulty, basically the European version made to blatant credit feeder. Numerous changes include the Stage 2 boss having a way more ridiculous dash attack with far less startup time, more speed, and can be now used multidirectionally making it harder to dodge. The bug swarm in Stage 3 has massively upped health, taking far more hits to kill (making them pretty scary). Stage 5 now has a boss rush before the demon lady, easily the hardest thing in the entire game.

There's probably more changes to enemy behaviour and patterns, but I haven't played the US version much because, well, it's the US version.

[BrianC]

Crime Fighters US also has a stupid number countdown meter instead of an actual life meter like the JP version.

[cools]

Borrowing some of this information for something I've been considering for a while: http://forum.arcadeotaku.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=28947