Format: SEGA Mega Drive
Region: Japan
Release date: 20/09/1991

The first version of the game to go on sale was the Japanese release, which features cover art of Annet and you can also see Hastur in the top left corner. The cartridge is the same shape as most other Mega Drive games, meaning you can't place it into a American or European system without modifications or an import adapter. The good news is that this version doesn't have any lockout protection, so it can be played on any region of Mega Drive/Genesis systems.

This version is the rarer of the two and the price of it has risen in recent years. When I first wrote this page back in 2008, I saw copies go on eBay for around the $40 mark. However, as with pretty much all games sold via eBay now, sellers tend to stick to buy it now auctions only, and have the prices set at ridiculous levels. A lot of sellers are asking for over $200 for this now.

Format: SEGA Genesis
Region: America
Release date: 1991

Published by Renovation Products, this version is mainly identical to the Japanese release apart from the obvious things like all the Japanese text now being in English. The only major change is that Al Capone's name was changed to Vincente DeMarco, and a couple of edits were made to cutscenes featuring him -see this page for more info. The box features new cover artwork, with Annet fighting several mob guys whilst Hastur can be seen next to the Empire State building. The manual is unfortunately in black and white, but features almost all of the artwork from the Japanese version and has a detailed description of the story and characters, along with the usual things like how to play and information on the first few levels.

I paid just 99 pence for my copy of this via eBay in 2008, and it was boxed complete with manual. Good luck getting this for that price these days, however -I've seen sellers trying to charge $50 just for the cartridge. This version of the game is region free, so it can be played on any region of Genesis/Mega Drive console.

Format: SEGA Mega Drive
Region: Europe
Release date: Cancelled

El Viento was meant to be released in Europe, with Ubi Soft set to publish it. However, this, for the most part, didn't happen, and the European version was cancelled. However, it has later come to light that the game was released in France. But the French version is basically the American version of the game, but with an additional French instruction manual. See this page for more details.

Format: Evercade
Region: Europe & USA
Release date: 2022

Almost 30 years after its original release, El Viento finally got a re-release on something. It's included on Renovation Collection 1, which features several other games, including Arcus Odyssey and Valis 3. The Evercade is a handheld console which is compatible with cartridges, and it has various game collection carts available for it. There is also a home console version of the Evercade, called the Evercade Vs, which is compatible with all Evercade games.

Format: SEGA Mega Drive & SEGA Genesis
Region: Europe & USA
Release date: 2023

Set to be published by Retro-Bit, this version of El Viento will work with Genesis and European Mega Drive systems. It's confirmed to be the USA version of the game, but will include a reversible cover featuring the USA and Japanese original box art, a full color instruction manual, a new pink cartridge featuring art from one of the Japanese advertisements and a slip cover. Priced at around $60/€70, this is currently your best if you want to own a physical version of the game for your SEGA console -it's considerably cheaper than trying to get the first two versions mentioned above.