Early Localization Graphics

This is a sub-page of Kirby & the Amazing Mirror/Unused Graphics.

The Japanese and American versions of the game include unused work-in-progress graphics for the different localizations of the European version. Since there are so many of these leftovers, it's likely that localization work was being developed alongside the main game. These graphics have all been documented below, complete with nice comparisons.

Exclusive To The Japanese Version#

Early Spanish File Select#

These early Spanish file select graphics can be found starting at 007560B8. In the early version, the letters are wider, and the circles in the second file are smaller. The final European version uses a thinner font, which allows for the circles in the second file to be bigger. It's worth noting that in the prototype, the same graphics from the final European version can be located in 0062BEA4.

Early Graphics	Final Spanish Graphics

Early English Mode Select#

The offset 00766A98 has some WIP graphics for the "Start Game" and "Sub-Games" buttons from the mode select screen. However, the only real difference is found on the letter "M" on both buttons. The text is actually pulled straight from Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, as the M also sported that same design in that game.

Early Graphics	Final English Graphics

Early French Mode Select#

This time, the French graphic for the "Start Game" button also has an earlier version using the same text from Nightmare in Dream Land, reading "Choix Jeu" (Choose Game). The text was changed to "Debut Jeu" (Start Game) for the final version. The unused graphic can be found at 007747D8.

Early Graphic	Final French Graphic

Early English Erase File Graphics#

At 00769618, an early English graphic with a thicker font for the message that pops up when trying to erase a file can be found. This piece of text was also ripped straight from Nightmare in Dream Land, and this depiction makes the letters pitch-black, removing their unique shading from that game, making them appear as if they are blending with each other.

Early Graphics	Final English Graphics

Early English and German Player Select#

Early graphics for the buttons to choose the player settings can also be found. The differences are minor, however.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		00768B98	The final version of the English graphic makes the letters L and E in "MULTIPLAYER" thinner. This is done so the Kirbys don't appear to be lacking space and to be consistent with the width of the other letters in the "PLAYER" part.
		0076FE18	The final version of the German graphic makes the barely noticeable change of making the top end of the letter S in "MEHRSPIELER" thicker.

Early Boss Endurance Select#

Some WIP Boss Endurance menu button graphics for the European version of the game are also present. The way the words are stylized more closely resembles Nightmare in Dream Land‍ '​s own Boss Endurance select graphics.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		0076D4D8	Nearly identical to the final version. The B got some corners filled and a multiplayer icon was added next to it for the final graphics.
		0077A218	French graphic. The whole sentence was capitalized for the final release, and the B received the same changes as the ones detailed above. A multiplayer icon was added.
		00773F98	German graphic. Like with the French graphics, the whole sentence was capitalized. The B also got some corners filled, the M was redrawn, and a multiplayer icon was added in the final version.
		00786618	Italian graphic. The early version is nearly identical to the final version, as only a multiplayer icon was added.
		00780418	Spanish graphic. The final version is completely capitalized, and a multiplayer icon was added.

Early Menu Top Bars#

Various of the top bars that appear in the main menus have earlier, unused versions with very minor differences.

English
Early Graphics
French
Early Graphics
Italian
Early Graphics
Spanish
Early Graphics

Early Music & Sound Graphics#

Starting at 007BC818, early graphics for the text shown in the Sound Player can be found. The main differences are found in the letters M and N, as they were changed to resemble actual uppercase letters.

Early Graphics	Final Graphics

Early Kirby Wave Ride Graphics#

Early NLZ compressed graphics exist for some of the text appearing in the Kirby Wave Ride sub-game:

The notices that appear when starting and finishing a race have unused graphics for all languages, except Italian, as graphics for the Italian localization of the game do not exist.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		Offset 003943B8, Image 725	French graphic, translating to "LET'S GO!". The early version's gradient is different, as it's made of 4 by 4 pixel boxes instead of 1 by 1. The final version is way more compact.
		Offset 003943B8, Image 725	French graphic, translating to "ARRIVAL". The early version also uses the different gradient style. Once again, the final version was made more compact.
		Offset 003913B0, Image 724	German graphic. The early version is actually just the normal English graphic. The final version uses a more elaborate gradient.
		Offset 003913B0, Image 724	German graphic, translating to "GOAL". The final version uses the more elaborate gradient style.
		Offset 00397688, Image 726	Spanish graphic, translating to "NOW!". The final version uses a better gradient as well, and it also makes the letter A one pixel thinner.
		Offset 00397688, Image 726	Spanish graphic, translating to "GOAL". The final version uses a better gradient while also making various adjustments to the letters to make the graphic more compact.

The graphics that pop up when jumping at the peak of a ramp have early versions in Spanish. The "EXCELLENT!" graphic in all languages hadn't been drawn yet, so they used the regular English graphics as placeholders.

Early Graphics	Final Spanish Graphics	Location	Description
		Offset 00397688, Image 726	Graphic translating to "GOOD!". The early version misspells it as "¡BIAN!". The final version corrects it to "¡BIEN!".
		Offset 00397688, Image 726	Graphic translating to "GREAT!". The final version uses thinner letters.

The ranking graphics at the results screen have early versions in French and Spanish.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		Offset 003943B8, Image 725	French graphic, translating to "RANKING". The final version uses thinner letters.
		Offset 00397688, Image 726	Spanish graphic, translating to "POSITION". The early version misspells it as "POSICIOIN". The final version corrects it to "POSICIÓN".

Early Sub-Game Level Prompts#

Also within NLZ Compressed graphics are early "LEVEL" prompts used when sub-games end. These graphics appear in all of the sprite sheets of all the sub-games, but their initial location is taken from Speed Eaters, as that's the sub-game whose sprite sheet comes first. German graphics are finalized, while Italian graphics do not exist.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		Offset 0036F4BC, Image 713	English graphics. It was drawn on top of the Japanese version of this graphic, as it can still be found peeking behind it, reading "レベル" (reberu).
		Offset 00374F0C, Image 715	French graphics. Like the English graphic, it was drawn on top of the Japanese graphic and its remains can still be seen.
		Offset 00377C24, Image 716	Spanish graphics. Like the graphics before it, the Japanese graphic it was drawn on top of can still be partially seen behind it.

Early Italian Sub-Game End Notice#

An early version of the graphic that appears when a sub-game is over in single-pak multiplayer appears multiple times within NLZ compressed graphics. It shows up for the first time at 00351450 as Image 695. The final version uses the simple present conjugation of the verb "spegnere" and also adds an "(OFF)" notice at the end but didn't make adjustments to re-center the text.

Early Graphics	Final Italian Graphics

Early German Master Notice#

At 00601FD8, an early version of the "GET IT!" graphic in German can be found. It received a very major overhaul, but the message remained the same.

Early Graphics	Final German Graphics

Early Borrow Graphics#

Finally, the game hosts early translations for the "borrow" graphics that show up when someone runs out of lives in multiplayer settings.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		00329834	The "Yes" and "No" prompts were capitalized for the final European version.
		0032F334	French graphic. The text was changed from "Prendre?" (Take?) to "Demander une vie?" (Ask for a life?). The "Oui" and "Non" prompts were capitalized.
		0032AEF4	German graphic. The text was changed from "Spende erbitten?" (Request donation?) to "Borgen?" (Borrow?). The "Ja" and "Nein" prompts were capitalized.
		0032F334	Italian graphic. The text was changed from "Prendi?" (Take?) to "Chiedi una vita?" (Ask for a life?). The "No" prompt was capitalized.
		0032C5B4	Spanish graphic. Nearly identical to the final. Like with the Italian version, only the "No" prompt was capitalized.

Early graphics for the orange bars that appear on the screens of other players when someone else requests a life also exist for the French, German, and Italian versions.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		0032EBB4	French graphic. The text was changed from "Prendre" (Take) to "Demande" (Request).
		0032EF74	Another French graphic. The text was changed from "Please" to "Donner" (Give).
		0032A954	German graphic. The text was changed from "Spende erbitten" (Request donation) to "Borgen..." (Borrow...). Thanks to the shorter text, the size of the textbox was reduced as well.
		0032B4F4	Italian graphic. The text was changed from "Prendi" (Take) to "Richiesta" (Request).

Other Localization Graphics#

While the graphics below aren't early localization graphics, they're still used as placeholders of sorts, as they can be found where other graphics are supposed to be in the European version.

Unused Sound Test Button#

Located at 00767B18 is an unused button for a Sound Test mode. It seems like the Sound Test was going to have its own menu like in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, instead of being a part of the Collection Room. Only English graphics were worked on.

Empty Menu Button#

At 0076CC78, near the WIP German menu graphics, there's an empty button that is supposed to go on the main menu. It was probably used as a base by the artists.

Later, at 0076ED98, one more empty graphic can be found, but now it has a circle and a triangle. Nice.

Empty Menu Top Bars#

There's an empty version of the "Multiplayer Cartridge Select" (カートリッジセレクト/Kātorijji serekuto) bar graphic at 0074D0D8. This is a placeholder for the English version.

Later, at 007518F8, there's a completely empty bar graphic.

Unused graphics get more interesting after this, that's a promise.

Exclusive To The US Version#

Despite being released three months after the European version, the US edition of the game is actually based on an early version of the European ROM, and was compiled a week earlier. As such, it hosts placeholder and WIP graphics for the final European release.

Early Boss Endurance Select#

Once again, this release features early graphics for the Boss Endurance buttons. Only French, German, and Spanish are documented below, since the Italian and English graphics are finalized.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		0079C28C	French graphic. Nearly identical to the earliest version of this graphic, but the multiplayer icon is properly implemented, and the capital "B" got the corners on its backside filled with white pixels. The final version is fully capitalized.
		00793F0C	German graphic. It's also identical to its earliest iteration, but of course, it received a multiplayer icon and some white pixels on the "B". The final version is in capital letters.
		007A458C	Spanish graphic. Also identical to its earliest iteration, but with a multiplayer icon. The final version is completely capitalized.

Early Spanish Ability Icons#

Four Copy Abilities have early icons in Spanish. They have different names compared to the final European release.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		0032F160	Early icon for the Cupid Ability. Early name is "Flechador" ("Archer"), which got changed to "Arkero" (a corruption of "Arquero", which also means "Archer").
		0032F8E0	Early icon for the Magic Ability. Early name is "Ruleta Rusa" ("Russian Roulette"), which was changed to "Brujito" ("Li'l Witch").
		00330BA0	Early icon for the Master Last Battle Ability. Early name is "Maestro" ("Master"). The final icon uses the English name.
		0032FCA0	Early icon for the Smash Ability. The early icon reuses the French name "Super Smash", while the finalized icon corrects it to "Súper Smash", and moves the "Smash" portion one pixel to the right.

Early German and Italian Area Names#

The area names at the bottom right of the screen have early versions with slight differences. The rest of the localizations have their names finalized.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		00305DA0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic to indicate the whole name is a single word.
		00305FA0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic.
		003061A0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic.
		003063A0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic.
		003065A0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic.
		003067A0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic.
		003069A0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic.
		00306BA0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic.
		00306DA0	German graphic. A dash was added in the final graphic.
		003133A0	Italian graphic. The "DE'" part was moved one pixel to the left in the final graphic.

Early French and Spanish Enemy Names#

King Golem and Bomber have slightly different names in Spanish, while French has a single early version of the name graphic for Blipper. The other localizations have their names finalized.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		003075A0	Early name graphic for the Blipper enemy in French. The final graphic only makes the "l" one pixel taller.
		002FC9C0	Early name for the Bomber enemy in Spanish, which was "Bomher". It was reverted back to its English name for the final European release.
		002FE7C0	Early name for King Golem in Spanish, which was "Rey Golem", a direct translation of its English name. It was corrected to "Rey Galeb" in the final European release so as to be consistent and create a stronger connection with the Golem enemy and its name in Spanish, being "Galeb", the same as its Japanese name. Curiously, the Japanese name of King Golem is not "キングガレブ/King Galeb", instead being the same as the English name.

Early Title Screen Elements#

Early elements of the European title screen can be found near the last batch of graphics in the US ROM, such as flags for the different countries whose language is supported. The width of every small flag was reduced by one pixel for the final European version.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		0086846C	Flag of the United Kingdom. Thanks to the reduction of its width, the artists had to somehow squish everything together. As a result, the left side of the flag looks like it lacks space.
		008684AC	Flag of Germany. The middle part had a line that was lighter than the rest of the section at the bottom. Other than that, it's pretty much identical.
		008684EC	Flag of France. The inner sides of the blue and red sections had lighter vertical lines that got changed to pure white in the final release. It's also pretty much identical to its final version.
		008684EC	Flag of Italy. It uses the same sprite of the French flag, but with a different palette. The inner side of the green section has a light green line, while the inner side of the red section has a deep blue vertical line for some reason. This got fixed later on.
		0086852C	Flag of Spain. The middle section has an orange horizontal line at the bottom, similar to the early German flag, though this one uses its own sprite. Also identical to its final version.
		0086822C	Big version of the flag of Germany. It's basically the same as the early small flag, but it's big now. Wow.
		008682EC	Big version of the flag of France. It also looked like its small version before being changed in the final game.
		008682EC	Big version of the flag of Italy. Also reuses the French flag's sprite with a different palette. Identical to the small version, as it even includes the deep blue vertical line.

Early Title Screens	Final Title Screens

Early Italian And Spanish Borrow Graphics#

Early borrow prompts in Italian and Spanish can be found pretty early in the US ROM. The differences are minor.

Early Graphics	Final European Graphics	Location	Description
		003465A0	Italian graphic. The text translates to "Answer". The position of the R Button and text was switched for the final release. For some reason, the early graphic is stored in the "8bpp linear" codec instead of the "4bpp linear, reverse order" codec used in the final graphic. The former codec is usually reserved for graphics that need to shrink, grow, or rotate in real time, like Dark Mind's body, and the room graphics in the World Maps.
		003470E0	Italian graphic. The text translates to "Gift". The position of the R Button and text was switched for the final release.
		00344EE0	Spanish graphic. The text translates to "Answer". The position of the R Button and text was switched for the final release.
		00345660	Spanish graphic. The text translates to "Give". The position of the R Button and text was switched for the final release.

Miscellaneous#

• The "Start Game" graphic in French still uses the same early text.
• The "GET IT!" graphic in German continues to use its early version.