the cutting room mirror

Zool (SNES)

To do:
Document the US beta.

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Unused Music#

There are two unused jingles in this version. Both jingles sound unfinished, which may be why they were left unused.

Unused Jingle 1#

This jingle is actually used in the Genesis version, as the game over theme. This version notably just reuses the title screen theme.

Unused Jingle 2#

Another jingle that was also used in the Genesis version, for when completing a level.

Stage Select#

left At the options menu, press Down, L, R, Down, L, Up, Down, Up, R, Up, R, then press Up + A + B. If done correctly, a sound will play. Now, at the beginning of a stage, hold R to access the stage select.

(Source: urawaza (Japanese))

Regional Differences#

General#

  • The US version wasn't optimized for NTSC signals, and therefore runs faster than intended.
    • The Japanese version also doesn't match the European version's speed, but still seems to be slightly slower than the US version.
  • Further changes to the Japanese version:
    • The text in the intro and ending sequences was removed.
    • A "digest" mode was added, which includes only the first levels of each world.
    • The default controls were reversed (or rather, "fixed") so B jumps and Y shoots.
    • The health meter was changed from a bar to a number.
    • Power-up icons flash yellow to help make them more visible.
    • The music zone, originally level 2, was pushed back to become level 6.

Start Up#

Europe

US

Japan

While the European version was self-published by Gremlin Graphics, the Japanese and US versions were handled by Infocom and GameTek, respectively.

US/Europe

Japan

The Japanese version includes the subtitle "Zool's Dream Adventure" and adds a gradient to the background.

US/Europe

Japan

The Japanese version uses a simpler font, presumably to make the text more readable to Japanese audiences.

Branding#

US

Europe/Japan

The European and Japanese versions include Chupa Chups branding, which was not present in the US release.

The Japanese version includes further cross-promotion in nearly every level...

ZoolSNES-Credits-JP.png

Credits for these companies was added to the end of the credits scroll.