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| A prototype of the Japanese version has been available on most ROM sites since the dawn of time, I don't know who got this dumped. It's a very early version, with only one playable level, but it has lots of differences when compared to the final version. Read about it here. | |
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Prototype |
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| These scans are from issue 37 of EGM. Their preview shows screens from a build that has a lot in common with the prototype ROM, but there are some other differences. First off, the character select screen shows different icons for Axel and Blaze. Every character appears to be highlighted in the screen, in the prototype, only the character you are currently on is highlighted. Max is highlighted in the screenshot, but his sprite is missing, along with all of his star stat rankings. The prototype has these things. |
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Preview |
Prototype |
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| This screen shows Axel doing a jump kick. It seems there were no enemies in this preview, as the score is at zero. Compared to the prototype, this screen shows that the windows in the background aren't glitched, a poster was added to the wall on the HEAVEN store, and a small object is on the ground -this isn't there in the prototype, but was added for the final version. There seem to be some differences with the HUD, in the screen, everything appears to be slightly higher than it is in the prototype. |
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Preview |
Prototype |
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This screen shows Sammy doing a jump. The shop sign can't quite be seen because of the timer, but it appears to be functional, whilst it's glitched in the prototype. There is also a poster on the wall to the right which isn't there in the prototype. |
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Preview |
Prototype |
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The next screen shows the very start of the level, with the scenery matching the final version -however, Max has his prototype sprite. |
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Final |
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These screens are from issue 40 of EGM. They show a more complete version of the game, as characters have had their moves changed -Axel is shown doing his grand upper and dragon wing, for example. However, one oddity is that the preview shows Sammy's name as "Eddie". |
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Final |
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This screen shows that Electra was in a different place originally, she was further to the left. The final version moves her all the way to the right. |
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Final |
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She also had the unfortunate name of "Erectra" in the preview, something that was thankfully noticed and fixed for the final game. The piano and light shine were also moved around a little. |
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Final |
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This screen shows the boss area of level 1. The background is similar to what's seen in the prototype, but building to the left doesn't have a broken sprite. The windows in the background got changed for the final version, and the enemy placement is different. The trashcans are also missing in the preview. |
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Preview |
Final |
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The preview also shows the character select screen portraits for all of the characters. From what I can tell, they're all the same or very close to the final version, apart from Max, who had some changes made to his, such as with one of his eyes. |
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Video footage |
Final |
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| This footage of the game can be seen on a French SEGA game preview tape. The character select screen shows the fourth character's name as Eddie. This was changed to Sammy for the Japanese version, and Skate for the American version. Max is still using his older sprite that was featured in the prototype, the most telling difference being the position of his arms. Also note that the second stat is listed as "TECHNIC" in the preview, this was corrected for the final release. You can also see the Japanese logo of Bare Knuckle II behind the stats, something which isn't there in the final version. |
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Video footage |
Final |
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| The preview footage also shows that some of the signal punks were at one point going to be called Akitosi, this name was dropped from the final game completely. This might have been an in-joke however, as the game's main programmer is credited as Akitoshi Kawano in the final version. |
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Video footage |
Final |
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| Further on in the level, the preview shows some Hakuyo enemies here, in the final version they never appear here, you won't meet them until the second level. They also have signal's life bar icon. Also of note is that whenever Max does a jump attack, he makes a grunt that was changed for the final version, but his original grunt can still be heard in the sound test -see below for more on that. |
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Video footage |
Final |
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| The video footage shows some differences to the background, such as the posters being orange. The first guy to leap out of the manhole has red pants in the footage, whilst he has blue pants in the final version. He's also just called Donovan in the footage, for the final version this generic enemy has a unique name: MC. K. |
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Video footage |
Final |
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| Like in one of the EGM previews, Electra's starting position is different in the video than it is in the final version. However a further difference is the pillar to the right of the screen which was removed from the final release, and the piano is in a different position. | |
Video footage |
Final |
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| Also like in the EGM preview, the video footage shows Electra's name as "Erectra". | |
Video footage |
Final |
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| The boss area has some background differences, such as the windows. However the biggest change is that the boss is different! He's only briefly seen in the footage, but it's the boxer who is the boss of the fifth level in the final version. He shows a stationary sprite in the footage that isn't seen in the final game. He's also called Rocky and has Signal's life bar icon in the footage, for the final version he had his name changed to R. Bear and has his own icon. | |
Video footage |
Final |
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| A further oddity in the footage is that it later shows Zamza as being the level one boss! This guy is in the final version, but he's first seen as the boss for the third level. He has a different and glitchy color palette in the footage, which isn't seen in the final game. He also has signal's life bar icon. In the final version of the game, there is only one boss to fight at the end of the first level: Barbon. |
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Video footage |
Final |
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| The above screen is from a different preview video, which has a few short clips from the game. The clips contain the usual early version differences (different Max sprite, different background details, Zamza as the first boss) along with some very different enemy placement. The most significant of these is that Blaze is seen fighting Bongo in level one, these large enemies aren't seen until the fourth level in the final version. Bongo also has Signal's life bar icon in the footage. | |
The following sounds can be heard in the game's sound test, but are never used in the game itself:
BGM no |
Title | Comment |
1 |
Go Straight | A different version of the first level's music. |
3 |
In the Bar | A slower version of the version used in the game. |
9 |
Little Money Avenue | Despite not being used in the game, this track was still included on the soundtrack. |
Voice no |
Title | Comment |
9 |
Grunt | A grunt that Max used in some the preview footage (see above) for his jump attacks, but as he was given a new voice for the final version, this never gets used. |
34 |
Death scream | Possibly an early death scream for an enemy, until it got replaced with something else. |
