James Bond Jr. (NES)

This page details one or more prototype versions of James Bond Jr. (NES).

Download John Smith: Special Agent (Source Code) File: John_Smith_(NES)_Source_Code.zip (679.56 KB) (info)

The source code for a prototype version, called John Smith: Special Agent, is available here, provided by its programmer - Eurocom founder Chris Shrigley.

Changes#

To do: There's more.

Proto	Final

Besides the new logo, John Smith was to be published by Taxan.

Proto	Final

Fixed typo, "Carribean" to "Caribbean".

Proto	Final

Proto	Final

Proto	Final

"Defence" was changed from its British spelling to its American spelling, "Defense".

Proto	Final

Besides the new player graphics, the prototype starts you off with four lives instead of six.

Unused Graphics#

Older unused version	Current used version	Final unused version

There are three different sets of the game panel graphics in the source files: old, current, and final. The current one is used as the working version, used in the sources. The older version mentioned in sources too, but commented. For unknown reason the final version is present in the data folder, but never mentioned in any source files. The oldest version is most different from the others, it has the rocket graphics for the Mission 1 slightly smaller than in the later versions. Also the "Smart Bomb" weapon graphics is different here. Also, there are full font graphics, which is replaced with clouds graphics for cutscenes in the later releases. The current and the final versions has small differences between weapon icon and its counter frame. The final version exactly the same as in release version, except the character's icon itself.

There is one unused CHR block for the Mission 1 subgame in the sources. In this version there are wires from the columns too, at the top and at the bottom of the picture. But since the final screen is shrinked, they decided to remove it. The final picture is the same, but lack the upper and bottom wires.

To do: Restore.

There are two different development stage CHR data chunks for early font graphics. They lack coloring as in the final versions, and has some differences in the char layouts between them.

Unused Text#

There is the copyright text at the end of BANK2 too, as well as in the final version.

JOHN SMITH - SPECIAL AGENT WAS DESIGNED AND PROGRAMMED BY EUROCOM ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE (C) COPYRIGHT 1990/91/92

In-Game Text#

Among the files included in the archive, there are a few files containing much if not all, of the in-game text for cutscenes on various development stages. This gives us a bit of info on what was changed before the game was finished and then changed to James Bond Jr.. For example, before the Scumlord, there was Baron Von Skinkhausen. Other than that, the final version of the text seems pretty close to the final product, with identical mission objectives and all.

Note, all following scripts are ripped from sources or packed data files and converted to the common format for convenience. All special characters are converted to the actual characters to represent its actual appearance on the screen. Older scripts however has all the same characters as is, not converted to the special symbols.

First of all, here is the older script version with just only $27 lines of text, some of them are not existing here. Text here is not formatted at all, the special symbols are placed as is. Probably the early version of the game has slightly different text routines and didn't store them in the CHR ROM.

TXT1    many of the worlds top scientists have been kidnapped.
TXT2    agents have seen missiles on a carribean island.
TXT3    our old enemy, the baron von skinkhausen, is responsible.
TXT4    the best man to bring him to justice is john smith.
TXT5    "john, we've got a job for you. the baron is upto ...
TXT6    his old tricks again and we need your help. you must fly to ...
TXT7    his secret island and find and disable his missiles."
TXT8    "o.k colonel i'll see what i can do."
-
-
TXTB    john flies under cover of night to the barons secret island
TXTC    once over the island, john bails out and ...
TXTD    parachutes safely to the island below.
-
-
-
-
-
TXT13   "curses mister smith. you may have disabled my missiles but ...
TXT14   i still have the scientists and the 'world domination device'."
TXT15   "well done john. you're doing a good job."
TXT16   "thanks colonel. i'm making my way to the barons office ..."
TXT17   "complex. the blue prints to the 'world dominationdevice' ...
TXT18   are hidden in safes throughout the building."
TXT19   "here i go!"

TXT1B   a big chopper (ooeerr!)
TXT1C   i've nicked a helecopter colonel
TXT1D   nice one john
TXT1E   oh dear i'm going to crash
TXT1F   oh look! there's a factory
TXT20   here i go then
-
TXT22   curses agent smith
TXT23   i'm making my way to the barons fortress
TXT24   nice one john
TXT25   toodle pip
TXT26   the entrance to the barons secret fortress
TXT27   here i go

The second version of this script has some missing lines filled and added some more lines:

TXT1    many of the worlds top scientists have been kidnapped.
TXT2    agents have seen missiles on a carribean island.
TXT3    our old enemy, the baron von skinkhausen, is responsible.
TXT4    the best man to bring him to justice is john smith.
TXT5    "john, we've got a job for you. the baron is upto ...
TXT6    his old tricks again and we need your help. you must fly to ...
TXT7    his secret island and find and disable his missiles."
TXT8    "o.k colonel i'll see what i can do."
-
-
TXTB    john flies under cover of night to the barons secret island
TXTC    once over the island, john bails out and ...
TXTD    parachutes safely to the island below.
TXTE    "you've disabled the missile! well done john!"
TXTF    "ha! ha! ha! you've failed. soon i will rule the whole world!"
-
TXT11   game over colonel
-
TXT13   "curses mister smith. you may have disabled my missiles but ...
TXT14   i still have the scientists and the 'world domination device'."
TXT15   "well done john. you're doing a good job."
TXT16   "thanks colonel. i'm making my way to the barons office ..."
TXT17   "complex. the blue prints to the 'world domination device' ...
TXT18   are hidden in safes throughout the building."
TXT19   "here i go!"
TXT1A   "well done john, you've found a blueprint."
TXT1B   a big chopper (ooeerr!)
TXT1C   i've nicked a helecopter colonel
TXT1D   nice one john
TXT1E   oh dear i'm going to crash
TXT1F   oh look! there's a factory
TXT20   here i go then
TXT21   disabled a machine room
TXT22   curses agent smith
TXT23   i'm making my way to the barons fortress
TXT24   nice one john
TXT25   toodle pip
TXT26   the entrance to the barons secret fortress
TXT27   here i go
TXT28   rescued a scientist
TXT29   the baron escapes
TXT2A   well done john
TXT2B   ta very much colonel
TXT2C   now do it all over again
TXT2D   "john, you haven't disabled all of the missiles yet!"
TXT2E   "john, you haven't found all of the blueprints yet!"
TXT2F   "john, you haven't destroyed all of the machine rooms yet!"
TXT30   "john, you haven't found all of the scientists yet!"
TXT31   john makes his way into the heart of the barons fortress.

Here we have the next version with mostly all lines filled after all. Still have no special formatting and a lot of special symbols:

TXT1    many of our top scientists have been kidnapped!
TXT2    agents have seen missile silos on a Carribean island!
TXT3    we believe that baron von skinkhhausen is responsible!
TXT4    our only hope is to send in john smith ...
TXT5    "john, the baron must be stopped at all costs."
TXT6    "your first task is to find and disable his defence missiles."
TXT7    john is flown in under cloud cover
TXT8    when the plane can go no further john bails out ...
TXT9    and parachutes down to the island below ...
TXTA    "i'm going in ..."
TXTB    once the baron learns of johns attempt to foil his plans ...
TXTC    he tries to launch all his missiles.
TXTD    but john has already disabled the guidance systems!
TXTE    "damn you smith! you may have disabled by missiles"
TXTF    "but i still have the world domination device!"
TXT10   "so thats what you're up to!"
TXT11   "colonel, it seems the baron has built some kind of domination machine."
TXT12   yes john, we know. intellingence say that the blue prints are hidden in safes in the barons office complex."
TXT13   you must find them and get them to us as quickly as possible."
TXT14   "be careful john there may be booby-traps."
TXT15   "okay colonel ..."
TXT16   "colonel, i'm flying back with the blue prints!"
TXT17   "oh no! i've been hit! looks like i'll have to crash land this helicopter!"
TXT18   "colonel i'm okay. i've stumbled on the barons factory!"
TXT19   "john, that will be where he's making the w.d.d. find and destroy all the parts!"
TXT1A   "curses! i will wait for you agent smith, then I will have my revenge!"
TXT1B   "okay john, now you must find and release the scientists."
TXT1C   "okay colonel, then I've got a personal task ..."
TXT1D   "i understand john ..."
TXT1E   "intelligence says that the fortress is impenetrable!"
TXT1F   "i'll find a way in colonel."
TXT20   after searching, john finds the only flaw in the barons security ...
TXT21   an entrance through a dissused mine-shaft ...
TXT22   "well done john! you've disabled the missile!"
TXT23   "ha! ha! ha! you've failed. now i will rule the whole world!"
TXT24   "bad luck john, maybe you'll do better next time"
TXT25   "well done john, you've found a blueprint."
TXT26   "well done john, you've disabled a machine room
TXT27   "well done john, you've rescued a scientist
TXT28   the baron flys to safety in his escapes pod.
TXT29   "well done john! you completed your missions but failed to capture the baron"
TXT2A   "if you want to bring him to justice, you must complete the missions again!"
TXT2B   "john, you haven't disabled all of the missiles yet!"
TXT2C   "john, you haven't found all of the blueprints yet!"
TXT2D   "john, you haven't destroyed all of the machine rooms yet!"
TXT2E   "john, you haven't found all of the scientists yet!"
TXT2F   &&&&&&& continue game ? &&&& &&&& (a) - yes : (b) - no &&&& 
TXT30   the barons fortress island is destroyed!
TXT31   "well done john! you completed your missions and captured the baron!"
TXT32   "i think you deserve a well earned holiday ..."
TXT33   "i'm on my way colonel!"
TXT34   "well done john! you've completed your mission. you must now find the teleport. ** end **

From this point the text routines are slightly changed, text is compressed to 5-bit format, moved to the CHR ROM and a lot of characters were removed from the alphabet (32 chars max). For the following script there are no source or text files. The script were decompressed from hex file, which is were used for compiling the older revisions of the game. This is the most recent version of the game script before the final version, has $3D strings and has lack of the most special symbols. Apostrophes are removed completely and there are no numbers at all.

TXT1    many of our top scientists have been kidnapped!
TXT2    agents have seen missile silos  on a carribean island!
TXT3    we believe that baron von       skinkhhausen is responsible!
TXT4    our only hope is to send in john smith ...
TXT5    "john, the baron must be stopped at all costs"
TXT6    "your first task is to find and disable his defence missiles."
TXT7    john is flown in under cloud    cover
TXT8    when the plane can go no further john bails out ...
TXT9    and parachutes down to the      island below ...
TXTA    "im going in ..."
TXTB    once the baron learns of johns  attempt to foil his plans ...
TXTC    he tries to launch all his      missiles.
TXTD    but john has already disabled   the guidance systems!
TXTE    "damn you smith! you may have   disabled by missiles"
TXTF    "but i still have the world     domination device!"
TXT10   "so thats what youre up to!"
TXT11   "colonel, it seems the baron has built some kind of
TXT12   world domination machine."
TXT13   yes john, we know. intellingence says that the blue prints
TXT14   are hidden in safes in the      barons office complex."
TXT15   you must find them and get them to us as quickly as possible."
TXT16   "be careful john there may be   booby traps."
TXT17   "okay colonel ..."
TXT18   "colonel, im flying back with   the blue prints!"
TXT19   "oh no! ive been hit! looks     like ill have to crash land!
TXT1A   "colonel im okay. ive stumbled  across the barons factory!"
TXT1B   "john, that will be where hes   making the w.d.d.
TXT1C   find and destroy all the parts!"
TXT1D   "curses! i will wait for you    agent smith !
TXT1E   then i will have my revenge!"
TXT1F   "okay john, now you must find   and release the scientists."
TXT20   "okay colonel, then ive got a   personal task ..."
TXT21   "we understand john ..."
TXT22   "intelligence says that the     fortress is impenetrable!"
TXT23   "ill find a way in colonel."
TXT24   after searching, john finds a   flaw in the security
TXT25   an entrance through a dissused  mine shaft...
TXT26   "well done john! youve disabled the missile!"
TXT27   "ha! ha! ha! youve failed. now  i will rule the whole world!"
TXT28   "bad luck john, maybe youll do  better next time"
TXT29   "well done john, youve found a  blueprint."
TXT2A   "well done john, youve disabled a machine room
TXT2B   "well done john, youve rescued  a scientist
TXT2C   the baron flys to safety in his escapes pod.
TXT2D   "well done john! you completed  your missions...
TXT2E   but failed to capture the baron"
TXT2F   "if you want to bring him to    justice...
TXT30   you must complete the missions  again!"
TXT31   "john, you havent disabled all  of the missiles yet!"
TXT32   "john, you havent found all of  the blueprints yet!"
TXT33   "john, you havent destroyed all of the machine rooms yet!"
TXT34   "john, you havent found all of  the scientists yet!"
TXT35           continue game
TXT36        "a" yes      "b" no
TXT37   the barons fortress island is   destroyed!
TXT38   "well done john! you completed  your missions...
TXT39   and also captured the baron!"
TXT3A   "i think you should take a well earned holiday "
TXT3B   "im on my way colonel!"
TXT3C   "well done john! youve          completed your mission.
TXT3D   you must now find the teleport..

In the later builds, they address some special codes for switching to the number characters, while keeping the 32-chars alphabet. A letters "q" and "z" (never used in other texts, note that the only word using the letter "q" in the previous texts: "quickly", were reworded) are used for special symbols. Following is a comparison between the final "James Bond Jr." script and the latest "John Smith" script. You may notice some little rewording apart from changing the "baron" to "scumlord" and mostly the text alignment fixes (some of the prototype text strings didn't fit on the screen, which is fixed in the released version as well). See, in the "John" version there are no special symbol before the numbers in password display strings. In the source this symbol is the same as ".", so if you compile sources "as is", the intro sequence will glitch every time when the "." symbol is displayed.

TXT1  many of our top scientists have been kidnapped!
TXT2    agents have seen missile silos  on a caribbean island!
TXT3     we believe that scumlord is     responsible!
TXT4    our only hope is to send james  bond jr.
TXT5     "james, scumlord has to be       stopped at all costs."
TXT6    "your first task is to find and  disable his defense missiles."
TXT7    james is flown in under cloud   cover.
TXT8     when the plane reaches the      island james bails out ...
TXT9     and parachutes down to the      island below.
TXTA    "i'm going in!"
TXTB    once scumlord learns of james'  attempt to foil his plans ...
TXTC     he tries to launch all his      missiles.
TXTD    but james has already disabled  the guidance systems!
TXTE    "curse you bond! you may have    disabled my missiles
TXTF     but i still have the world      domination device!"
TXT10   "so that's what you're up to!"
TXT11   "colonel, scumlord has built     some kind of super weapon
TXT12    called the world domination     device."
TXT13   "james, we know. intelligence    says that the blueprints
TXT14   have been hidden in safes in    scumlord's office complex."
TXT15   "you must find them and get     them to us as soon as you can."
TXT16   "be careful james there may be   booby traps."
TXT17   "okay colonel ..."
TXT18   "colonel, i'm flying back with   the blueprints!"
TXT19   "oh no! i've run out of fuel!    i'll have to crash land!"
TXT1A   "colonel i'm okay. i've found    scumlord's factory!"
TXT1B   "james, that will be where he's  making his super weapon."
TXT1C    "find and destroy all the        parts!"
TXT1D   "curses! i'll have my revenge!"
TXT1E   "james, now you must find and    release the scientists."
TXT1F   "okay colonel, then i've got a   personal score to settle!"
TXT20   "i understand james."
TXT21    "intelligence says that the      fortress is impenetrable!"
TXT22   "i'll find a way in colonel."
TXT23   after searching, james finds a  flaw in the security ... 
TXT24   an entrance through a disused   mine shaft.
TXT25   "well done, you've disabled the  missile!"
TXT26   "ha! ha! ha! you've failed! now  the world will be mine!"
TXT27   "bad luck james, maybe you'll    do better next time."
TXT28    "well done, you've found a       blueprint!"
TXT29   "well done, you've disabled a    machine room!"
TXT2A    "well done, you've rescued a     scientist!"
TXT2B    scumlord flies to safety in     his escape pod.
TXT2C   "well done james! you completed  all your missions ...
TXT2D   but failed to capture scumlord
TXT2E   "if you want to bring him to     justice ...
TXT2F    you must complete all the       missions again!"
TXT30   "james, you haven't disabled     all of the missiles yet!"
TXT31   "james, you haven't found all    of the blueprints yet!"
TXT32   "james, you haven't disabled     all of the machine rooms yet!"
TXT33   "james, you haven't found all    of the scientists yet!"
TXT34           continue game                "a" yes      "b" no
TXT35    scumlord's island fortress is   destroyed!
TXT36              the end
TXT37   and also captured scumlord!"
TXT38   "i think you should take a well  earned holiday."
TXT39   "i'm on my way colonel!"
TXT3A   "well done james! you've         completed your mission.
TXT3B   now find the teleport ..."
TXT3C     the passcode to start on         mission two is ^addeib
TXT3D     the passcode to start on        mission three is ^cfigaa
TXT3E     the passcode to start on        mission four is ^dcadha
TXT3F     the passcode to start on         mission one is ^bbdghe
TXT40     the passcode to start on         mission two is ^bdgfeh
TXT41     the passcode to start on        mission three is ^ihdabe
TXT42     the passcode to start on        mission four is ^gihabc

TXT1  many of our top scientists have been kidnapped!
TXT2    agents have seen missile silos  on a Carribean island!
TXT3    we believe that baron von       skinkhausen is responsible!
TXT4    our only hope is to send john   smith ...
TXT5    "john, the baron has to be      stopped at all costs"
TXT6    "your first task is to find and disable his defence missiles."
TXT7    john is flown in under cloud    cover
TXT8    when the plane reaches the      island john bails out ...
TXT9    and parachutes down to the      island below ...
TXTA    "i'm going in ..."
TXTB    once the baron learns of johns  attempt to foil his plans ...
TXTC    he tries to launch all his      missiles.
TXTD    but john has already disabled   the guidance systems!
TXTE    "curse you smith! you may have  disabled by missiles"
TXTF    "but i still have the world     domination device!"
TXT10   "so that's what you're up to!"
TXT11   "colonel, it seems that the     baron has built some kind of
TXT12   super weapon called the world   domination device."
TXT13   "john, we know. intellingence   says that the blueprints
TXT14   are hidden in safes in the      barons office complex."
TXT15   "you must find them and get     them to us as soon as you can."
TXT16   "be careful john there may be   booby traps."
TXT17   "okay colonel ..."
TXT18   "colonel, i'm flying back with  the blueprints!"
TXT19   "oh no! i've run out of fuel!   i'll have to crash land!
TXT1A   "colonel i'm okay. i've found   the barons factory!"
TXT1B   "john, that will be where he's  making his super weapon.
TXT1C   find and destroy all the parts!"
TXT1D   "curses! i'll have my revenge!"
TXT1E   "john, now you must find and    release the scientists."
TXT1F   "okay colonel, then i've got a  personal score to settle ..."
TXT20   "i understand john ..."
TXT21   "intelligence says that the     fortress is impenetrable!"
TXT22   "i'll find a way in colonel."
TXT23   after searching, john finds a   flaw in the security
TXT24   an entrance through a dissused  mine shaft ...
TXT25   "well done, you've disabled the missile!"
TXT26   "ha! ha! ha! you've failed! now the world will be mine!"
TXT27   "bad luck john, maybe you'll do better next time"
TXT28   "well done, you've found a      blueprint!"
TXT29   "well done, you've disabled a   machine room!"
TXT2A   "well done, you've rescued a    scientist!"
TXT2B   the baron flys to safety in his escape pod.
TXT2C   "well done john! you completed  all your missions ...
TXT2D   but failed to capture the baron"
TXT2E   "if you want to bring him to    justice ...
TXT2F   you must complete all the       missions again!"
TXT30   "john, you haven't disabled all of the missiles yet!"
TXT31   "john, you haven't found all of the blueprints yet!"
TXT32   "john, you haven't disabled all of the machine rooms yet!"
TXT33   "john, you haven't found all of the scientists yet!"
TXT34           continue game                "a" yes      "b" no
TXT35   the barons island fortress is   destroyed!
TXT36              the end
TXT37   and also captured the baron!"
TXT38   "i think you should take a well earned holiday."
TXT39   "i'm on my way colonel!"
TXT3A   "well done john! you've         completed your mission.
TXT3B   now find the teleport ..."
TXT3C   "the password to start on       mission two is addeib"
TXT3D   "the password to start on       mission three is cfigaa"
TXT3E   "the password to start on       mission four is dcadha"
TXT3F   "the password to start on       mission one is bbdghe"
TXT40   "the password to start on       mission two is bdgfeh"
TXT41   "the password to start on       mission three is ihdabe"
TXT42   "the password to start on       mission four is gihabc"