Strider Returns: Journey from Darkness (Genesis)

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U.S. Gold and Tiertex strike again with Strider Returns for the Genesis, where Strider Hiryu Hinjo must save Princess Lexia from the returning Grandmaster Meio Evil Master! This black sheep instalment that originates from western home computers has had a few changes compared the original versions, but is still usually despised for its lackluster levels and poor gameplay in contrast to the Capcom classic its trying to follow-up on. The only thing you can really consider an improvement over the first game on the Genesis is decent-quality voices for cutscenes.

Needless to say, Capcom likes to pretend this doesn't exist.

Cheats#

Get a high score of 2,000 points or more, then enter ENIREHTAK as a name. The sound of an explosion will confirm correct entry, and the following button combinations as well as track 16 "Game Complete" in the music test menu (which is normally disabled by default) will now be available:

• Down + A + B + C: hide the "- Pause -" text.
• Right + A + C: add an extra life; will take effect/have a sound effect play when you unpause.
• Left + A + C: add a minute to the timer; will take effect/have a sound effect play when you unpause.
• Down + Right + A + B + C: Makes Strider invincible.
• Up + A + C: skips to the next level; takes effect immediately.

Alternately, activate patch code FFF5EC:FFFF.

"ENIREHTAK" is Katherine spelled backwards. Katherine refers to Katherine Findlay the eldest daughter of the lead programmer for the Genesis/Mega Drive version Allan Findlay.

Regional Differences#

Title Screen#

Europe	US

Removed Screen (Censorship)#

In the European version, Grandmaster Meio curses Hinjo saying "To The Pits Of Hell With You Strider!", which clearly means "Go to hell!", during the game over screen.

Since the phrase said by the Grandmaster is a case of religious references and considered very offensive in the US than in Europe, it was removed in the US version, going straight to his laughter after he said to Hinjo "You Can Never Win."

References#