There are two versions of Earnest Evans: one for the Mega CD, and one for the Genesis. There are plenty of differences between the two, which I'll go into detail about here. Pictures on the left are from the CD version, on the right are images from the cartridge version.

 

CD
Cartridge
The CD version has a much flashier animation for the Wolf Team logo, but is missing the "GAME CREATIVE STAFF" the cart version has.

The CD version also has a short jingle as the logo appears, whilst the cart version doesn't have any sound at all.



CD
Cartridge
The CD version's title screen lacks any copyright text, the cartridge version added this along with changing a word (press instead of push) and it also moved the logo up a little bit.



CD
Cartridge
The main menu's choices have different names between versions.



CD
Cartridge
The CD version's music test has a lot more tracks to listen to than in the cart version, as it lets you play cutscene audio. It also has the visual scene option, which was obviously taken out of the cart version as the cutscenes were removed -however this option still exists in the cart version as an unused text string.

The pointer arrow won't briefly flash when you push a button an option in the CD version, but does in the cart version.

Several sound effects in the cartridge version that play in the CD version don't play in the cart version, for some reason.



CD
Cartridge
In the CD version, there is a border beneath the HUD. This was removed from the cartridge version, and everything in the HUD was moved down slightly.



CD
Cartridge
In the secret room in level 2 where you get the hat, the hat sprite is at a different angle between versions.



CD
Cartridge
In level 5 there is a change of enemy placement on the top of the train. In the CD version, there are 3 machinegun wielding bad guys. However, in the cartridge version two of the gunmen are gone, and were replaced with a gangster armed with a pipe.



CD
Cartridge
The bombs that drop down early on in level 6 have different colors between versions.



CD
Cartridge

The credits have some differences between versions, such as certain names being changed for the cartridge version and Mega CD credits being removed.



CD
Cartridge
Another example of this -the cartridge version lists several more people for the ones responsible for the graphics compared to the CD version.



NOTES

-The Mega CD version has several cutscenes complete with voice acting. The cartridge version removes nearly all of these, the only surviving one is the intro -the cartridge version features a few pieces of the CD version's intro, but with all of the dialogue removed and the sequence where Earnest whips the Boatman's cigarette was taken out.


-After beating the final boss, the CD version plays the ending, then goes to the credits. The cartridge version has no ending whatsoever, and goes straight to the credits after the final boss is beaten.


-Due to the format differences, the music is very different, although both soundtracks were composed by Motoi Sakuraba. Some of the music he did for the cart version is based on tracks from the CD version, such as the first level and credits themes.


-There is a loading time of a few seconds after beating a level in the CD version, whilst the cart version has instant loading. This also effects what happens after using a continue -the CD version takes a couple of seconds to resume the action, but the cartridge version resumes instantly.


-When you complete a level in the cartridge version, the words "STAGE CLEAR" will appear in the middle of the screen:

In addition to this, a short jingle will play. This doesn't happen in the CD version, instead once a level is beaten, the screen fades to black.


-Getting a game over will result in being returned straight to the title screen in the CD version, but the cartridge version will have the intro play first.


-The CD version's story takes place in the 1920s, whilst the cartridge version takes place in the 1980s. More on this:

*The CD version has you playing as the same Earnest Evans from El Viento, who has been sent to retrieve the Necronomicon. The cartridge version has you playing as the grandson of Earnest Evans (who's also called Earnest), who has been sent to gather three idol statues and stop Mavur, an evil God who is Hastur's counterpart.

*The CD version features characters not present in the cartridge version and vice-versa. For example, Zigfried is in the CD version, but isn't in the cartridge version. On the other side, the cartridge version has a new villain called "Brady Tresidder" (who isn't actually seen in the game itself, but is mentioned in the manual and on the back of the box) who isn't in the CD version.