After Burner (NES)

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, this is indeed a Sega game on the NES. So are this, this, this, both of these, and this.

Sound Test#

USA	Japan

In the US version, hold B while starting the game before the title screen appears to enter a sound test. In the Japanese version, press A + Start on the title screen.

Background Test#

In the US version, hold B + Left on controller 1 and A on controller 2 at the same time while starting the game (before the title screen appears).

There is no proper initialization for initial values for the menu, so on some emulators you just get the black screen. On controller 1 press Down a couple of times then press Left to start displaying something. If displayed correctly, use the D-Pad buttons on controller 1 to select backgrounds, CHR data for it and proper palette. There is no data what patterns and palettes belongs to the particular background. Press and hold Select to temporarily hide the menu.

Stage Select#

In the US version, during gameplay, press Select to pause it, then press A + Down + Left on controller 2 and Down + Left on controller 1 at the same time. Press Up / Down to select a stage, press Select to return back to the game. This cheat can be done in all levels except 8 and 17. But you can still get to these stages with this cheat from any other stages.

Unused Graphics#

An unused Sega logo font found in the US version. The final game uses the generic font instead. It looks identical to the Japanese version's at first glance, but differs slightly.

Unused unique Hang-On and OutRun reference sprites meant for intermission stages. These are also exclusive to the US version. The Japanese version does feature these cameos, but uses different sprites, with two extra frames for the car and one extra frame for the bike.

Regional Differences#

Note: The exact date of the US version is unknown but it was most likely made before the JP version.

The Japanese version is known as After Burner II and the graphics were almost completely changed and given more detail, making the game look more polished.

USA	Japan

• Font was changed.
• Background was changed from blue to black.
• An exclamation point was added to "PUSH START BUTTON".
• Logo was changed and given more colors to resemble the arcade logo more.
• TENGEN was changed to SUNSOFT.
• "(C)1989" and "(C)1987 SEGA" are now blue.

USA	Japan

The intro is different. In the US version, the logo just drops from the top and bottom to the center. The JP version is more accurate to the arcade version; the logo appears backwards, then the balls form a II and the logo changes to normal while the II rotates.

The Japanese version has the II explode after doing nothing for a while on the title screen.

The Japanese version also has an exclusive animated intro that's not in the US version.

USA	Japan

• The number 65 was changed to 3.17.
• TENGEN ENTERPRISE was changed to SUN ENTERPRISE.

Stages#

Overall the animated backgrounds for the stages were redrawn to add more detail.

Stage 1#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 2#

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USA	Japan

Reload Weapons#

USA	Japan

Stages 4 and 7#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 6#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 8#

USA	Japan

Stage 9#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stages 10 and 19#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stages 11 and 16#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 12#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 14#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 15#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 17#

USA	Japan

Stage 18#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 20#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 21#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Stage 22#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

Intermission Stages#

USA	Japan

USA	Japan

For the first intermission stage, the Japanese version adds a motorcycle and for the second one, it adds a car. references to Hang-On and Out Run.

Ending#

USA	Japan
N/A
N/A

The US version has a one-screen ending while the Japanese version includes 3 black and white photos.

Credits#

The Japanese version also adds credits screens.

Game Over#

USA	Japan

The Japanese version's Game Over is animated.

Font#

USA	Japan

The font was also changed.

Audio#

The music was completely changed and not only that, but one additional track that was missing in the US version was added.