On this page we will explore the differences between the Japanese, American, and European versions of HyperZone.
HALKEN LOGO vs. HAL AMERICA LOGO
Japanese & European
Opening Demo Logo | |
American
Opening Demo Logo |
Japanese & European
Ending Logo | |
American
Ending Logo |
The American version of HyperZone replaced the Halken logo with the Hal America logo. However, part of the Halken logo remains in the American version's ROM.
Japanese & European | |
American |
Part of the logo was overwritten with the Hal America logo, but the other half is still in there, but left unused since Hal America obviously wanted their own particular logo on the game instead.
TITLE SCREENS & DUMMIED OPTION MENU
Japanese
Title Screen | |
American & European
Title Screen |
The Japanese version of HyperZone had a much different title screen from the English versions. The font was different and a background of green microchips can be seen scrolling through the letters.
This microchip background is also used for one part of the ending sequence on all versions.
Stored with the background graphics for that part of the ending on all versions are tiles for the game's title written in the same font as the Japanese version's title, as well as what looks like text and a cursor for an Option menu that doesn't exist in any version. No way to access this Options menu has yet been found, although it's likely that it was removed. It's unknown what "SAR" and "ECD" would have meant.
OLD CAPITAL & MATERIAL FACTORY
Japanese
Area 1 | |
American & European
Area 1 |
Japanese
Area 3 | |
American & European
Area 3 |
For some bizarre reason, the Old Capital and the Material Factory were switched around on the English versions of the game. I do not know why this change was made, but it certainly explains a couple of things.
1. It explains why the music for these two stages is switched around in the Sound Test (music in the sound test is generally in the same order that it appears in the game).
English Version Demo Area 1 | |
English Version Actual Area 1 |
2. It explains why the game's demo shows the H-Wing playing the Material Factory stage. In the English versions of HyperZone, it is impossible to be playing on the Material Factory with the green and yellow ship shown in the demo. But the demo is based on the Japanese version which has these two stages reversed, and therefore you can play as the H-Wing on the Material Factory (assuming you earned enough points to get it, but you most likey will).
English Version Area 1 Boss | |
English Version Area 3 Boss |
Another thing about this switch is that it means you fight the first "Mega Ton" boss on the Material Factory background and the SFC Controller boss on the Old Capital background.
Japanese Version Area 1 Boss | |
Japanese Version Area 3 Boss |
But they clearly fit better with the themes of their Japanese version stages. The Mega Ton's color scheme works better with the Old Capital and the Controller boss's colorful "buttons" fit with the Material Factory's colorful flashing lights. And it just seems to make more sense that the Game Controller is the boss of a (Toy?) Factory and not of a city.
Also of note is that on all versions of the game, the Neo Megalopolis boss is an "upgraded" version of the Mega Ton boss from Area 1. Makes sense that the city stages would have similar bosses. This makes it all the more mysterious as to why this change was made.
ENEMY CHANGES
Because of the changes made to the Material Factory and the Old Capital between the English and Japanese versions, some changes to the enemies were made, too. Along with that, however, are some inexplicable name and sprite changes to enemies in other stages as well.
Japanese Version Old Capital Enemies | |
English Version Old Capital Enemies |
The Old Capital Tank, Dust Cannon, and Pot were removed from the game entirely. Box still exists, but was recolored and moved to the Material Factory stage (see below). S Ball and Egger were imported from the Japanese version's Material Factory, and S Ball's sprite was changed slightly (also see below). Chin and Kan were added to the English version. And for whatever reason, Cannon was renamed to Ton.
Japanese Version Old Capital Enemies | |
English Version Old Capital Enemies |
Ten was added to the English version. For some reason, the blue glow was removed from the middle of C 01, C 04, and C 08. The only reason I can speculate as to why that was done is because on the Japanese version, these enemies have the behavior patterns of Ton, Chin, and Kan since the Material Factory is the third stage, and therefore they shoot bullets. But on the English version, they have the behavior patterns of Tank, Pot, and Box, meaning they do nothing. So perhaps that blue glow was meant to portray their bullet-firing spot warmed up, which wouldn't be necessary now since they don't shoot, but sheesh, that still seems like a rather goofy change to make.
Japanese Version Grass Land Enemies | |
English Version Grass Land Enemies |
In the Grass Land enemies set, Momcy was renamed to Mumoky, Mush became Musha, and Hoocy became Hooky.
Japanese Version Ripple Field Enemies | |
English Version Ripple Field Enemies |
For some inscrutable reason, UFO was renamed YUFO for the Ripple Field enemy set.
Japanese Version
Neo Megalopolis Enemies | |
English Version
Neo Megalopolis Enemies |
Aside from Tank and Cannon trading places on the screen, the only change to the Neo Megalopolis enemies ending screen is that Yokobary was renamed Yokabary. I don't understand it, either.
Japanese Version Bio Plant Enemies | |
English Version Bio Plant Enemies |
In the Bio Plant set, Womcy became Womacy, and P Cet became Pycet.
There was no change to the Blast Furnace enemies on either version.
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