Trial Version

This is a sub-page of Proto:Shadow the Hedgehog.

This prototype is documented on Hidden Palace.

This page is rather stubbly and could use some expansion.
Are you a bad enough dude to rescue this article?

To do:
Document the differences in the other playable levels such as some ending prematurely, also clean up the article as seen fit.

A Trial Version is a late build of Shadow the Hedgehog. It has a build date of October 31, 2005, which is three weeks after the final US GameCube build was compiled. While it shares the same the same stages as the TGS demo, it's possible that this version was meant for store kiosks in Japan given this was built post-final, and the demo being in Japanese.

Unused Menus#

Notably, not only does it use the TGS level select, the data for the E3 stage selects (playable and media) still exist and can be accessed through hacking.
The playable E3 menu uses the same code as TGS, including loading the same levels, while the media E3 menu causes the game to freeze.
The retail main menu exists, and through modifying a line in the nukkoro.inf config file to set the "ROM" field to either "ALPHA", "BETA" or "FINAL" the entire game can be accessed. All stages, music and cutscenes are present on the disc.

Differences#

Title Screen#

There is text saying "Trial Version" below the game's logo.
The Trial Version says "Press Start Button", like the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of this game, while the retail game simply says "Press Start".

Retail	Trial Version

Pressing Start takes you to the aforementioned TGS level select menu.

Gameplay#

When leaving the game idle for a minute during a stage (paused or not), completing a stage, quitting the game from the pause menu or getting a Game Over, the game will kick you out and show a coming soon screen similar to the E3 build with the Japanese release date, before sending you back to the title screen.

Stage Differences#

Westopolis#

Retail	Trial Version

The three flames found on the right building were removed.

Retail	Trial Version

There is only one Black Wing instead of two.
The first Secret Key that's found to the right of the Red Fruits area was removed in this version, and due to this, there are only four keys that the player can collect in this stage.
The floating Shield item present in the area with the third checkpoint was removed.

Retail	Trial Version

The Goal Ring was moved slightly further back in this version. The two weapon containers were replaced by two GUN containers. This is also where the level ends as the jump panels that take the player to the final section were removed from this version, making both the Hero and Dark missions of this stage impossible to beat.

Retail	Trial Version

The 1-Up item, found in the gate to the left of the fifth checkpoint, was replaced by this demo's fourth Secret Key.

Retail	Trial Version

If the final section is accessed by using a charged up spin dash, followed with a well-timed jump and a usage of Chaos Control, the player can still access the final section of the stage. However, all enemies that are found in this area were removed, though.

Cryptic Castle#

Only the first half is playable and due to this, the Dark mission is impossible to beat.

The ability to teleport between checkpoints does not work. The reason for this is because many checkpoints, including ones beyond the Goal Ring were deleted, and the checkpoint warp system requires at least 6 checkpoints in a level in order to work.

Retail	Trial Version

The first Egg Pawn in the area with the Pumpkin Balloon was replaced by a third destructible gravestone.

Retail	Trial Version

The first Egg Pierrot was replaced by an Egg Pawn.
The six rings that are in the Eggman container that's located on the tower to the right, were replaced by a 10 ring item in the same container.

Retail	Trial Version

One of the lanterns is missing and has been replaced with an Eggman container, which contains a shield inside. In the final game, you must light up the lantern to spawn a balloon that leads to the second fire pit. However, in the Trial Version, a spring is present on the rail instead.

Retail	Trial Version

A surprise pumpkin prop was added inside where Cream is located.
A bomb was added to the right of the fake wall where Cream is located.

Retail	Trial Version

The two moving platforms are spread out more in the Trial Version.

Retail	Trial Version

The Egg Pawn and the six rings at the top were removed, and were replaced by two black poles, a checkpoint and the Goal Ring.

Retail	Trial Version

The two Black Wings and the item box roulette, were replaced by a single pulley in this version.

Retail	Trial Version

The Shadow crate is replaced with a spring in a guarded box. This launches you to the top, where you can find the Goal Ring.

Retail	Trial Version

Cheese has been moved to where you find the Black Arms Flyer.

Black Bull#

Black Bull is much weaker in this demo, taking far less hits to defeat than in the retail game.
The player doesn't start off with 10 rings in this version.

Debugging Content#

URA Stage Select [Ohmura senyo]#

Watch on YouTubeA debug stage select menu that can be found in both this version and the later OPM 102 demo, allowing you to select any stage that isn't a boss stage or test stage, can be accessed by pressing X at the title screen. Unfortunately, it seems to be broken, as trying to load any stage (all of which are present on the disc), will crash the game. This is due to the fact that the code to actually load a stage has been removed, rendering it unusable.

D-Pad left/right: cycles 0X00
D-Pad up/down: cycles 000X