The story about the most radical sword out there appears to be a direct upgrade of The Legend of Kage by the same developers.
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Debug Leftovers#
Game Genie code AESNNNNY (US) or AENNONNY (Japan) will re-enable some debug leftovers:
- During the game, press B on Controller 2 to skip the current level.
- While the game is paused, you can add any items and ammo to your inventory by using the D-Pad and A on Controller 2.
- Enable invincibility by pressing Left + B on Controller 2 (for the US version) or Controller 1 (for the Japanese version).
Reset String#
The game uses the string
Yoshikawato determine if the game was soft or hard reset.
(Source: CaH4e3)
Regional Differences#
This game was notable for being the first 3Mb (384KB) Famicom game commercially released, which was advertised as a selling point on the Japanese cover, in addition to using the Taito X1-005 ASIC. Possibly due to technical constraints at that time (Nintendo's more powerful MMC3 ASIC wasn't available at that moment, which could've been more suitable for this game given its various similarities to the aformentioned Taito X1-005), the game was heavily cut-down and reformulated to run on MMC1 inside an 2Mb (256KiB) ROM for the US release.
Title Screen#
Japan |
US |
|---|---|
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Introduction#
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'...But what does it mean?' |
After booting the game, the Japanese version shows the Jikuju (a type of Shingon Buddhist mantra) of Acala1. The US version just goes to the title screen.
Password#
The password screen looks very different between regions. Also, in the Japanese version the password screen is selectable from the main menu. For the US version, it's only accessible by holding Up and pressing A, B, A, B on the title screen.
Japan |
US |
|---|---|
 |
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Gameplay#
The game system is greatly different between versions.
Object |
Japan |
US |
|---|---|---|
Life system |
The player will die upon taking any hit. By collecting a "substitute dummy" item, one is consumed upon taking hit, and the player can continue fighting with a few seconds of invincible time. |
The player has a life gauge which only drains a part after taking hit. When the life gauge is empty, if the player carries red orbs and black orbs, they will be consumed such that red orbs restore health and black orbs extend max health. |
Projectile attack |
There are 10 types of projectiles in total, where the player can pause and choose which to use. Some of them are effective against specific enemies mostly found in next stage, while some of them simply deal more damage to most enemies. |
The player can collect the "shuriken" item to increase the efficiency of the only projectile in use. |
Temporarily powerups |
There are 8 different scrolls which give various effects for a period of time. |
There are only 3 different items which give temporal boosts. |
Special powers |
There are 10 special powers able to be selected. One of them even consumes remaining players to attack. |
There are only 3 special powers. |
Enemy rooms |
The room is dark. If the player carries torches, one of them is consumed to light up the room layout. |
The room is always lit. |
Enemies |
Most of the regular enemies only take a single hit to kill. |
Even the weakest of enemies will take two or more hits. |
Invisible enemies |
They exist. Players can carry talisman to block their damage, or use one of the special powers to make them visible for a while. |
They don't exist. |
Levels#
The Japanese version contains a whopping number of 13 stages, while the American version only contains 7. Some levels feature different level design, enemies and bosses. Here is a list of the corresponding levels.
Stage |
Japan |
US |
|---|---|---|
Bamboo grove |
Stage 1-1 |
Stage 1-1 |
Mountain forest |
Stage 1-2 |
Stage 1-2 |
Cemetery |
Stage 1-3 |
Stage 2-1 |
Evil temple |
Stage 1-4 |
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Flame mountain |
Stage 2-1 |
Stage 2-2 |
Cavern |
Stage 2-2 |
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Frozen mountain |
Stage 2-3 |
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Demon tower |
Stage 2-4 |
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Bottomless swamp |
Stage 3-1 |
|
Fortress exterior |
Stage 3-2 |
Stage 3-1 |
Fortress gates |
Stage 3-3 |
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Fortress interior |
Stage 3-4 |
Stage 3-2 |
Netherworld |
Stage 4 |
Stage 4 |
Ending#
The ending is the mostly the same in both versions, but with some minor differences.
- The US version says "Stage 4 Clear" after beating the last boss, the Japanese version goes straight to the ending.
- After rescuing the princess in the Japanese version, the ending shows a piece of artwork with the hero and princess riding a horse.
- After the hero rides off into the sunset, the Japanese version shows the same poem from the introduction.
- The "End" screen of the Japanese version shows 企画製作 タイトー (Planning and Development by Taito) instead of the Taito logo.
Japan |
US |
|---|---|
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The Pocky & Rocky series | |
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Arcade |
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SNES |
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Game Boy Advance |
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Related Games | |
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NES |
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Game Boy Advance |
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PlayStation 2 |
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