R-Type III: The Third Lightning (SNES)

The third game (actually fifth, as if Super R-Type and R-Type Leo included) in the series, this takes advantages of mode 7 to scroll on some areas.

This is one of the last games by Irem before the retirement then entering again, because Irem's US division was closed around that time, so Jaleco published the game instead.

Developer Text#

At 0x15002A (0x150028 on the Japanese version) is a version number and build date, split off by the game's compilation date and the game's revision version and date. Strangely, only the Japanese version has the two dates match at the cost of not having a region identifier, while the international versions are based on a later revision of the game.

Another version number and date string is at 0x150964 (0x150932 on the Japanese version), which seems to be for the sound driver.

Regional Differences#

Title Screen#

Due to being published by a different publisher in the American version, anywhere that has publisher mentions were updated to accommodate for this.

Japan/Europe	US

During the game's boot sequence on Japanese and European versions, the Irem Corporation logo is used. The American version replaces the Irem logo with the trademark Jaleco logo. The Jaleco logo also includes a copyright date that is not present in the Irem logo.

Japan	US	Europe

The Japanese version lacks the "Licensed by Nintendo" notice and is copyrighted in 1993 as opposed to 1994 due to being released a year earlier. The European version also replaces the registered trademark symbol with the generic trademark symbol.

Region Error#

The region error was also updated to accommodate the different publishers. The American version also corrects a misspelling of "designed".

Japan/Europe	US

Level Select#

There's a level select found only in the Japanese version. To enable it, wait until you are at the continue screen, then press R 10 times, followed by pressing L the number of times corresponding to the desired level (up to 6), then press Start.

Stage 2 Boss#

In the Japanese version, Necrosaur shoots gelatinous projectiles which look very much like sperm cells. In the Western versions, they were changed to giant eyeballs.

Japan	US/Europe

Credits#

This needs some investigation. Discuss ideas and findings on the talk page. Specifically: What about the European version?

The Japanese version shows credits during the ending, while the American version does not.