Spanky's Quest (SNES)

Prerelease Info

Regional Differences#

In Japan the game is known as Hansei Zaru: Jirou-kun no Daibouken, or "Monkey Reflections: The Adventures of Mr. Jiro". Jiro is actually a real performing monkey, trained by the entertainer Taro Murasaki. The real Jiro is shown on the back of the box and manual, as well as a prerelease trailer for the game. In the west this licensing was understandably dropped, and Jiro was renamed Spanky, likely a play on the term "spank the monkey" (Which refers to male masturbation. Yeah.) The game's new title, Spanky's Quest, is shared with the international title of the game's Game Boy counterpart, which was known as Lucky Monkey in Japan (without any Jiro branding to be found)

Japan	International

The opening splash screen was changed.

Japan	International

The Japanese version opens with a screen filled with Morticia's spinning faces, which gradually transform into Jiro's faces. After the screen is fully Jiro-fied, the title and options rise up, featuring an animated Jiro. The international version has no special animation, with the title and options rising over a recreation of the international box-art.

'...But what does it mean?' This game has text or audio that needs to be translated. If you are fluent with this language, please read our translation guidelines and then submit a translation!

The international password screen is much more basic-looking...

Japan	International

...which carries over to the options screen as well. The controller graphics were appropriately recolored to match the US SNES controller. Interestingly, this change also applies to the European release.

The display options were stripped down considerably for the international release. While the Japanese release has eight different options for displaying HUD info during gameplay, this was changed to simply On and Off.

The international release opens with a short cinematic of Spanky getting trapped in the tower by Morticia. The Japanese release has no intro and cuts immediately to the first level upon starting.

To do: All the levels. From the looks of things, it seems like every level in the first two worlds are completely different. We almost certainly will need a separate page for Regional Differences.

Japan	International

The areas in World 1 of the Japanese version feature tutorials on the walls, all of which were removed in the international releases. The areas in World 1 are also generally easier and more forgiving in Japan, with more keys to collect than required and fewer enemies to defeat. A yellow background was added behind the level indicator in the HUD.

Japan	International

After completing a level, Jiro will perform a peace sign to the camera. This was changed to a fist pump in the international release.

Upon losing a life in the Japanese version, Jiro will briefly bend forward and lean against the kanji for "self-reflection". This sprite is missing from Spanky's death animation in the international version.

Between worlds, the Japanese release will cut to a world map and display the password for the next area. These screens are absent in the international release.